Ahead of Masse's Dec. 8 8-Ball Pool Competition Shanghai's one and only 8-Ball commissioner Pauly Gray sits down to talk about his sport's expanding popularity in Shanghai:

How did the pool league start?
The league was started five years ago by Rob Jones and our sponsor, Allied Pickfords. I was a player (in the league, not in life). The league was handed over to me in 1996 when I helped expand from four to eight teams. We now have 42 teams from bars across the city.

How does it work?
There are at least six people per team, and everyone plays 12 singles and three doubles to decide best out of 15. We play by BCA / IPT rules on eight- and nine-foot tables. At this level we need to enforce international rules to accommodate players from around the world.

Who can play?
The makeup is 50 / 50 Chinese and Western. We have very strong female players, one that was an ex-national team member. We had an issue with some teams recruiting from pool halls. It’s flattering that we have enough recognition to attract players of that caliber.

What keeps people coming back?
There’s great comraderie among players and friendly competition. Sometimes people do get too competitive but it’s usually settled over a couple of beers.

What are your favorite moments?
In a championship game on the 15th frame when it’s 7-7 and everything’s on the line. If you win like that then it really matters. Or playing a team that just destroyed you the year before. There are definitely rivalries that have formed over the years.

Favorite tables?
Outside of pool halls like 1028 on Hongmei Lu, which cost over RMB40,000 per round, Red Lion and Inferno have great tables.

Want to get in on the action? Check out Shanghai 8-Ball.