Pool Is for Hustlers? Think Again. Pool Prodigy Amber Chen Is Changing the Game

“Winning a championship is just the starting line. Transforming the billiards scene is the true finish line.”— Amber Chen, a millennial pool prodigy

Fresh out of university, Amber Chen displays a rare maturity for her age. Perhaps it’s the result of the many ups and downs she’s already experienced. While her peers are just stepping into the adult world, Amber has already been through several rounds of reality's toughest lessons.Even the sport she now loves and excels at, pool,began with a turbulent chapter at home.

Image courtesy of wowsight

“I have two mentors in my pool journey: Ms. Zhou Jie-Yu and my dad.”

In 2022, Amber won the WPBA Predator Canada Open 2022,
championship, earning a world ranking of No. 7. While this achievement marked a milestone for Amber, for her father, it was a dream fulfilled. It was also the reason he once became a tough-as-nails coach, pushing his children relentlessly toward the topPool PlayerThe reason.

Amber recalls how, before she truly fell in love with pool, her father’s intense training regimen made life almost unbearable for her and her brother. She remembers storming out of the billiard room in tears during one grueling session. Her brother, in an effort to defend her, nearly sparked a family rebellion.

Fortunately, Amber came to understand her father’s intentions and grew immensely grateful. That gratitude helped her endure the pressure and earn early accolades, even in elementary school. It wasn’t until she was scouted in junior high and moved from Miaoli to Taipei—where she met her mentor Ms. Zhou—that her father finally felt he could let go. That was when the baton of the family dream was truly passed on to Amber, and the real journey began.

“Even if I had to work four jobs, I would still fight through the lows for my dream.”

When asked about the lowest point in her career, Amber didn't hesitate: it was during the pandemic. Like many Taiwanese athletes, Amber relied on international tournaments—not just for income, but for visibility, rankings, and recognition in the sport. The pandemic cut off that lifeline. During that time, she juggled four part-time jobs just to survive and continue training, supported only by her boyfriend.

Have you ever doubted yourself or felt insecure about the future?

“Of course. But no matter the anxiety or uncertainty, pushing forward for something you love is always worth it.”

Thanks to that unwavering passion, we now know Amber as the champion in Canada, a true billiards talent.

(Source: World Billiard TV Youtube)

“Winning is just the start—changing the sport is the goal.”

The story goes back to Jahwa's motto.

She doesn’t see her championship as the final measure of success.
Instead, her real ambition is to change how people perceive pool.

In Taiwan, pool halls are often associated with delinquency or undesirable environments. This stigma has limited the sport’s popularity and stifled the potential of many aspiring players. Amber is determined to shift that narrative.

She points out how the media tends to associate pool halls with negative news stories, and how formerly prestigious tournaments have lost their broadcast due to dwindling viewership. These are signs of how difficult it will be to restore public interest and reshape opinions.

“But none of this discourages me because this is where my passion lies.”

(Image source.Chen Chia-Wah Facebook)

Like many great athletes, Amber uses her love for the game to push through challenges that few would dare face. Her championship win brought her into the spotlight, but she hasn’t let it go to her head. Instead, she stays grounded in her original mission: to make pool visible again, and to show the world a new face of the sport.

Amber’s love story with pool is far from over. What kind of inspiration will she bring us in the years to come?
Maybe, ten years from now, when a new generation falls in love with pool, we’ll have our answer.