Korean Job Discussion Forums

[wormholes101]

Probably most of us Waeguks here in Korea have been to a Danggu Jang (Billards Room) at some point in time. I play now and then when I 'm with my Korean friends.

I played a game called 3Ball and another game called 4Ball. Both are incredibly difficult, much harder than snooker and pool. Anyone know the games I'm talking about? It's the pocket ball table with no pockets!! Are you any good? I recently graduated to a 50 point handicap (from 30 pts) yet my Korean friends play with up to a 250 handicap and they still beat me! 3ball is insanely difficult!!

I've never seen this game played anywhere else before... I think maybe only Japan and Korea play it... Have any of you foreigners played this game and has anyone become proficient at it?

[AmusedIndeed]

I think the game is actually British.

Anyway, it's not harder than snooker. You probably think it's hard because you have to control the cue ball... no just the target ball. In snooker, a good player is distinguished from a poor player by the way he can control the cue ball. That is the essence of snooker.

[panthermodern]

I have seen pocketless tables in Toronto, but they were in "Chinatown". I associated the game in question with the Chinese (HK) until I came to Korea.

[schwa]

I think British origin is right, but many places now. 3-bank billiards is brutal (you see it on tv). One cue ball, 2 target balls -- you have to hit one then 3 banks then the other. A softer game is any double-hit for a score then a 3-bank shot at the finish. Challenging but fun!

[panthermodern]

I'll tell you one thing, If a Korean grew up playing "3 bank" it is no wonder that may Koreans are so good at simple games like 8 ball and 9 ball.

[wormholes101]

Now that you mention it... I remember watching an old black and white pool movie called "the player" or "the hustler" or something like that... The main character is challenged by another hustler to a game of 'billiards' or 'three bank/3ball' which he duely wins. I guess it's quite an old game.

I played 6 or so games of 4ball and it drove me crazy trying to control that white ball so perfectly. Do any of you guys play? I'm going down to Pusan this weekend to meet my Korean friends and for sure we will play again... I'm starting to quite like the game It has improved my white ball control immensely Bring on the next game of pool!

[Bulsajo]

[inthewild]

These are the names of those games? 3 ball and 4 ball...?

[RACETRAITOR]

I recall hearing that "pocketball" is considered effeminate in Korea.

[Privateer]

[thekingofdisco]

back in the uk the old men at the "billiard / snooker clubs" often played this game, i just stuck to playing snooker on the tables however. They used to thrash me at the game... but they did play it everyday just about. Snooker I was much better at.

The tables are much bigger however... so I think the game the british guys play is much more skillful.

[ddeubel]

The game is definitely Italian!!!! And has to be played with old men watching and plenty of espresso in the blood system...

DD

NOT British! They haven't come up with anything for a few hundred years.....

[Free World]