Systems Engineering Department 2
Infrastructure Systems Office
Public & Social Platform Services Division
Public & Social Business Group
Tomonobu Sato is involved in designing, constructing, operating, and maintaining systems mainly geared toward the general public. He also plays an important role as a project leader. When not involved in his work, he is an avid pocket billiards player. While being an active member of the company pocket billiards club, he also participates in competitions outside of the company and has shot up the rankings as an amateur. We had an opportunity to interview Mr. Sato about his club activities and the appeal of pocket billiards.
- What caused you to start getting serious about playing pocket billiards?
When I played with a senior colleague who had professional-level skills, he gave me some tips. At first, I couldn't easily pot any of the numbered balls and even had trouble hitting the cue ball in a straight line. But after I got the hang of it, I realized how interesting the game can be and started really getting into it.
"Pocket billiards", most commonly referred to as pool, is a general term for competitive cue sports that are played on a table with holes called pockets. These sports involve a cue (a long stick used to hit the balls) that is used to hit the cue ball so that the other numbered balls fall into any of the six pockets in the corners and on the sides of the table. The game that you often see played in bars is one variation of pocket billiards.
- Please tell us about the company pocket billiards club.
The company pocket billiards club was established in 2015 as many company employees enjoyed playing pool. I have been actively participating as a founding member since it was started.
In addition to club activities held twice a month at a pool hall in Tokyo, we also hold practice matches with members of pool clubs from other companies and enter other competitions.
▲ Club members who won an inter-company tournament in 2018
At the renowned pool event "2018 BAGUS×JPA 16th Inter-Company 9-Ball Competition" run by the "Japanese Poolplayers Association (JPA)", our team was awarded first place out of a total of 70 teams.
- What else do you enjoy doing besides the company club activities?
I go to my local pool hall five times a week and practice for around three hours. Sometimes there are professional players at the hall who give valuable advice. Since I first started, I learned high-level techniques such as "planning to pot the numbered balls in succession" and "controlling the cue ball so that after you pot the ball, it is in a position where it is easy to pot the next one". Seeing myself improve like this makes the game more and more interesting.
- Do you also personally participate in public competitions?
Yes, I do. I have many achievements such as winning pool hall house tournaments and have twice entered national competitions to compete among B-class (intermediate amateur level) players. I also ranked within the top 32 players of the All Japan Amateur Pocket Billiards Championship. From now on, I am committed to keep practicing with the goal of winning an A-class national tournament.
- What is the appeal of pool?
There is an immense feeling of pleasure when you successfully pot all six balls which leaves you with a real sense of accomplishment. I also love the sound of the balls hitting each other and when they go into the pocket. Modern pool halls are clean and fashionable spaces and it is really nice to play while listening to music such as jazz.
During my regular day job working as a project manager, I found that the concept in pool of "controlling the cue ball while avoiding obstacles so you can pot the next ball" mirrors the concept of risk avoidance in company projects. I feel like there is a great deal of synergy between my work and my hobby.
（The article is as of November 26, 2021）
Information contained in the articles are as of the date of publication, but may be subject to change without prior notice.
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