5 minute read
SPM Billiards Magazine Issue 33
Ko Pin YiPart One
Ko Pin Yi of Ko Brothers Billiards
Photo provided by Ko Pin Yi
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Monday, September, 12th, 2022 –
Ko Pin Yi just recently answered some questions for SPM (Sneaky Pete Mafia) through email concerning his billiards career. Ko is a gentleman, businessman, entrepreneur, and pool player of the highest caliber – not just a professional in the game, but one of the top-ranked players on Earth.
Having just won the Asian Open, Ko Pin Yi is currently ranked #10 worldwide according to Matchroom: https://matchroompool.com/world-rankings/ I asked Ko Pin Yi, “How much do your cues cost?” He casually answered, “30,000 US dollars.” Wow! That’s some gear! And he has his own cue line with him and his brothers, Ko Ping Chung and Ko Ping Han – both top players in their own right; Ko Ping Chung ranked #14th worldwide. And their cues are also some of the best in the world quality.
As to the questions I asked Ko Pin Yi, here you go:
How old are you?
I was born on May 31st, 1989. (33 years old)
What kind of cue do you play with, and what is the tip size,type of tip you use, chalk you use, any and all equipment you use? I’m now playing with Zen Custom Cue. We use Ko tips which are our products. The tip size is originally 14 mm. After sticking on my cue, it will become 12.5 mm. We also use Ko jump cue which is our own brand as well. The break cue we use is Predator BK-Rush 3. We don’t use particular chalks.
Who are your sponsors?
Zen Custom Cue, Rasson, CPBA.
What is your favorite pool table to play on?
Rasson
Are you going to enter the US Open? Have you entered the US Open before? If so, how did you finish? Of course. My 2 younger brothers will enter the US Open together. I have entered the US for 7~8 times. My best was to the stage of quarterfinal many times. So I wish I can do better than that this year!
What are your thoughts on carbon fiber shafts? Do you play with a carbon fiber shaft? It is a great material which opens the new chapter of cue. But I am not used to the feelings of shooting the ball, especially the way to make the cue ball spin. I still like to use the cue which made by wood.
How does it feel to be champion of the Inaugural Asian Open? Extremely excited.
Who was your toughest opponent at the Asian 9 ball open? When I get involved in the pool games, I always compete with myself.
How did you first get introduced to pool? My enlightenment coach was my Dad. He has owned a pool hall in Yilan where I was born. When I was a child, I sat on the pool table and played pool.
Who has influenced your game the most? My Dad.
Do you play snooker? If so, what’s your high break in snooker? I played snooker when I was 14. My high break in snooker was more than 100 points.
How many major tournaments have you played in at this point? More than 100.
Is 9 ball your favorite game? What is your favorite game? Yes.
Ko Pin Yi at the Asian 9 Ball Tournament where he placed first!
Phot provided by Ko Pin Yi from Matchroom
other half of photos See magazine for full page view
4849How many years have you been playing pool, and when would you say you became a world class pool player, at what age? I’ve been playing pool for more than 21 years. I would say I became a world class pool player at 20.
What’s your best win? Thailand Open 2007. In the final, I turned defeat into victory. My opponent was Dennis Orcollo.
What’s your worst loss? There was no worst loss which impressed me.
Who would you say is the best pool player in the world right now? SVB.
Who is your favorite player? If you think there’s a GOAT (greatest of all times)in pocket Billiards, who would you choose? Efren Reyers.
Ko Pin Yi od Ko Brothers Billiards
What advice would you give to junior players coming up in pool? Keep working on it. Never give up.
Do you have a pick for greatest pool player ever? Yes, I have picked for greatest pool player in 2015. I got 3 world championships in the same year.
Is it true that you’ve gone up from world #17 to world #10 in light of your recent win in the Asian Open? Any thoughts about how that impacts pool at large? The ranking of Matchroom is actually from #20 to #10. It pushes me that I want to be #1.
Was it always your dream to be a Billiards champion? Have you achieved your dream in Billiards? What more would you like to achieve in pocket billiards? Yes, who does not want to be a champion? I was very lucky to achieved the goal when I was young, but I want to achieve it again. My target now is going back to world #1. I hope I can become a great man in this field. Even if I don’t play pool in the future, everyone will still remember me. And also I hope to teach the skills to pool learners and dedicate myself to promote the sport. By doing that, the pool atmosphere in Taiwan and even the whole world will become better and better.
Photos provided by Ko Pin Yi
Ko Pin Yi at Asian 9-Ball
