Busta Monto is the owner of Asia Billiards, a Bangkok-based company specialized in Pool, Snooker and Billiards equipment. He also undertakes repairs and maintenance of billiard cues and equipment. In this interview, he talks about his love for pool and billiards, his time in Thailand, and what makes pool such a great activity.
When did your passion for pool start?
My passion for pool started when I was a teenager of around 17 years old in New Delhi, India
When did you start competing internationally?
My first international tournament was in the year 2000 when I played at the Tokyo 9 Ball Championships in Japan.
Why did you start Asia Billiard?
I have always loved the games of billiards, snooker and pool and I have a lot of experience playing at national and international tournaments. Being based in Thailand, lots of young and pro players used to ask for my help to make them a good cue. So, initially it started like this but I never though of opening up a physical store. I mostly sold on different online forums, my Facebook Page, my website and eBay. Luckily, I had the opportunity to take over an existing billiards shop in Bangkok, right next to Hustlers Bangkok. The previous owner had moved on to different a business so my customers can now meet me in my own shop.
What services do you offer?
Asia Billiards sells all major brands of pool cues like Predator, Mezz, and Fury. Also, we have all major brands of snooker cues like Omin, Maximus, Ton Praram 3, John Parris, etc. In addition to cues, we sell tables, equipment, and accessories plus we undertake repairs and put new tips on cues.
How is the Thai pool scene compared to what you get in India?
When I moved here from India in 2006, the Thai pool scene seemed so different to what I was used to. In India there were very few places to play pool and we also had only sub-par equipment at that time. But Thailand had all international standard tables and world-class players. It was a wonderful feeling!
What do you think of the Thai pool scene today?
Thailand is still as exciting as it used to be. Many pros like Darren Appleton, Mika Immonen, and Efren Reyes come regularly here for exhibition matches and tournaments.
What’s your favourite pool bar in Bangkok?
My favourite pool bar is obviously Hustlers Bangkok. My store is located right next to them and I am a frequent player there too.
What 3 tips can you give pool players when it comes to choosing the best cue for their game?
Like any sport, you need to learn the basics and practice a lot. With time and experience, one becomes better. Nothing happens overnight. But the right equipment does help you play consistently.
So, here your top 3 tips from Asia Billiards:
- Choose the right weight. Not too heavy not too light (19 oz is the standard weight).
- Choose a good brand according the level of your game (beginner, intermediate or expert).
- Choose a good tip. It makes a lot of difference!
From your experience, what makes pool a great pub activity?
Pool is an awesome indoor game and doesn’t last too long, so people get fast excitement. Also, men and women can play together. On top of that, it is a great way of socializing and bonding.
Where is your headquarters located and how can people contact you?
Asia Billiards is located right in the heart of Sukhumvit, in basement of Times Square building right next to Hustlers Bangkok pool bar. We’re just a 5-minute walk from Asoke BTS station.
The Oxford English Dictionary states that pool is generally “any of various types of billiards for two or more players”
but goes on to note that the first specific meaning of “a game in which each player uses a cue ball of a distinctive colour to pocket the balls of the other player(s) in a certain order, the winner taking all the stakes submitted at the start of the contest” is
now obsolete, and its other specific definitions are all for
games that originate in the United States.[3]
In the United States, although the original “pool” game was played on a pocketless carom billiards
table, the term later stuck to all new games of pocket billiards as the sport gained in popularity,[citation needed] and so outside the cue sports industry, which has long favored the more formal term pocket billiards, the common name for the sport has remained pool.
The OxfordDictionaries.com definition no longer even provides the obsolete meaning found
in the print edition, and refers only to the typical game “using two sets [each] of seven coloured and numbered balls … with one black ball and a white cue ball” on a table with pockets.