The 2010 Ozone Billiards US Amateur Open is back in its 5th year and takes place August 4-8, 2009 at Emerald Billiards in New Iberia, Louisiana. The Ozone Billiards US Amateur Open is produced by Dragon Promotions and will coincide with The DP Pro Classic events.
This 5th installment will feature seven tournaments: 9-Ball and 8-Ball disciplines, with divisions in Open, Women, Seniors, and Mixed Doubles. No Pros, No Semi-Pros, No Top Rated Amateur players will be allowed to play.
Pictured, 2009 amateur women's champ Neslihan Gurel. Emerald Billiards opened in 2008 but moved in 2009 to a new million dollar facility by owner Keith Hulin. Emerald Billiards has 20 Valley Bar Tables and 8 Brunswick Gold Crown Vs and has hosted major amateur events such as the APA Tri-Cup with over 800 players.
"This is one of the premier amateur events in the country and we are really happy to host it in Louisiana. And bringing some of the best pros in the world will mark the first time Louisiana has ever held an international event. So we are all excited", said Keith Hulin, Owner of Emerald Billiards.
"The Ozone Billiards US Amateur Open is becoming a great tradition of bringing in amateur players from all over the country to play in a fair environment where everyone has a chance to win. At the same time they get to be right next to the pros during the Pro Classic events. With a women's, men's, seniors, mixed doubles, and juniors division there is definitely something for everyone during a incredible series of events", said Shawn Gargano, President of Ozone Billiards.
Ozone Billiards has had a history of supporting professional tours as well such as The Predator International 10-Ball Championship, The World Straight Pool Championship and the Dragon Promotions Pro Classic. Players will be playing for $3000 1st place in the 8-ball and $4000 1st place in the 9-Ball with full fields, and minimum guarantees of $1000 for 1st in the 8-Ball Open and $1500 minimum for the 9-Ball Open despite any field size. These events are open to all true amateurs (men or women) and no membership fee is required. There is also a Mixed Doubles 9-Ball so now men and women can travel and play together on one team, as well as play in their individual singles events.
Questions on Amateur event call 1-407-782-4978 email at
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Ozone Billiards has been providing pool players with top quality billiard products for more than eight years. For more information about Ozone Billiards and its product lines, visit www.ozonebilliards.com
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 Viking Cue Mfg., Inc. has added Brian Rosselli to their sales and marketing team. Mr. Roselli will be servicing Viking Cue dealers on the East Coast, Florida and Tennessee.
"Brian joins Viking Cue as a sales professional with over 15 years of experience in the Billiard Industry. He has firmly established himself as an industry specialist through his knowledge of sales, marketing, advertising, merchandising and customer service strategies for the Billiard market," Viking said in making the announcement.
"Brian is already familiar with Viking Cues and its products and will be contacting his accounts soon. We will support Brian in anyway necessary in helping him achieve mutual growth and success with Viking Cue and the Dealers that he will be servicing."
For more information on Viking Cue Mfg., Inc., visit www.vikingcue.com
Keep up on all the news in Pool Town! Visit www.poolmag.com
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 Leonard Bludworth will be inducted into the International Cuemakers Hall of Fame on July 10th, 2010 during the Southern Cue and Case Show in the luxurious Scorpion Room of the Marietta Billiard Club in Marietta, Georgia.
Leonard, commonly referred to as "Blud," started doing cue repair in 1976. He was a master pool table mechanic and served as the equipment coordinator for both the men's pro tour and the senior tour for about 15 years. Around the same time he developed the popular Bludworth Billiard Ball Cleaner. It was also Bludworth's idea to take pool tables and travel the country setting them up for pool events. He gave the plans to Valley Tables and they ran with it.
In the 1980s he converted Sears' wood lathes into workable cue repair machines so others could begin their own cue repairing businesses. He sold over 400 of these machines around the world. He also made the first video showing how to do cue repairs on the modified lathes. After a few years, nearly every major tournament had a qualified repairman fixing cues for the pros and spectators using one of his lathes.
Leonard started building cues in the 1980s and became known for building very solid cues with a slightly thinner profile. He was probably one of the first cuemakers to sell a cue for over $100,000. Among the most notable top pros that started playing with Leonard's cues was his long time friend Buddy Hall, and eventually Leonard developed a line of cues for Buddy.
In 1992 Leonard founded the American Cuemakers Association and served as the president for several years. His late wife Janice worked along side of him for decades and he also passed his vast cuemaking and machinery knowledge down to his son Donald.
Leonard went on to develop many other mechanical and CNC (Computer Numerical Controlled) cue building machines. Some were shaft tapering saw machines. Many were CNC cue lathe/milling machines, and some of those were combo's, (saws and mills), from single cutting heads to multi-heads. The largest machine was a CNC mill with eight heads that went to Bangkok, Thailand.
He traveled over 100,000 miles annually for about 22 years setting up tables and doing cue repairs at the pro events. As the pioneer of the travelling pro shop who made his cue repair lathes available to others, Leonard has inspired a countless number of individuals to get into cue repair and cue building industry.
The Southern Cue and Case Show is being held in conjunction with the Gem City Classic 10-Ball Open (July 9th-11th). Admission to the Show is free. Several of the south's finest cue and case makers, along with collectible cues from past cuemakers, and some very rare and high end collections, will all be on display.
For more information visit www.internationalcuemakers.com
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With the 2010 International Billiard & Home Recreation Expo (BCA Expo) rapidly approaching, the Billiard Congress of America (BCA) is pleased to report exhibit booth sales and attendee pre-registration are sharply ahead of last year's Expo.
When comparing attendee pre-registration, this year's numbers reflect an 18 percent increase from last year at this time. Additionally, booth sales have already surpassed last year's total number of 411 booths.
In a warming economy, both manufacturers and distributors have chosen the 2010 BCA Expo as a platform to launch new products and extend support for the home recreation industry. Currently, 113 companies have contracted to exhibit in 2010. On average those exhibiting are also committing to larger exhibit spaces than in 2009.
Additionally, as of this announcement, 22 new companies will exhibit at the 2010 Expo. New products include spas, saunas, tanning beds, casual furniture, cue accessories and much more.
"We are encouraged to see the industry pulling together to climb out of this dismal economy," said BCA Chairman, Ivan Lee. "After months of survival strategies, retailers of all kinds are seeking new products for their stores, new ideas for profitability and new networking opportunities to create a stronger future, while manufacturers are offering new products and Expo-only special pricing."
"The BCA Expo remains the gathering place for the industry to connect face to face, and this year will be more dynamic with a great lineup of seminars, industry discussions and opportunities for folks to share ideas, progress and concerns with their peers," commented BCA CEO Rob Johnson. "The strong pace of retail and room operator registrations, along with the increase in returning and new exhibitors, indicates a positive attitude within the entire home recreation industry."
About the International Billiard & Home Recreation Expo Established in 1983, The International Billiard & Home Recreation Expo provides industry manufacturers, distributors, retailers, dealers and poolroom operators an annual venue for new business opportunities, including education, new products and networking. The International Billiard & Home Entertainment Expo is sponsored exclusively by the Billiard Congress of America.
About Billiard Congress of America Founded in 1948, the Billiard Congress of America is a non-profit trade organization dedicated to growing a united, prosperous and highly regarded billiard industry through BCA leadership. The BCA seeks to enhance the success of its members and promote the game of billiards through education, marketing and promotional efforts, an annual industry trade show, tournaments and other programs designed to encourage billiards as a lifestyle and make pool everybody's games. For more information, please visit bca-pool.com or call 303.243.5070.
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 OVER 750 players from around the world attempted to win the 2010 PartyPoker.netWorld Pool Masters but in the end after five days of play at the Riviera Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, it was Dennis Orcollo of the Philippines who claimed the title and with it the $20,000 first prize...
He beat the relatively unknown 25 year-old Japanese player Toru Kuribayashi 8-3 in front of an enthusiastic Las Vegas crowd to cement his position of one of the world's top players. For Kuribayashi it was a week of superb performances and his name will now be known throughout the pool world. "I'm very happy and you can see the tears in my eyes. If I could fly in the sky then I would fly. This tournament is really hard to win but I made it and I'm really proud to have won this. It's my biggest win," said a jubilant Orcollo.
"It was very difficult to play in the final as you try to not think that if you win this game then you are the champion. In the semi-final I wasn't feeling like that but in the final I had to tell myself to just try and control my emotion. If you can't stay in control of your emotions then you can't do anything and your mind goes blank. So I just controlled myself and continued my game right until the end," he added. Orcollo came through the double elimination stage of the competition with an opening win over Shaun Wilkie, then a 9-8 defeat to Marcus Chamat and then victory against Jasmine Ouschan to reach the last 32. There he avenged his defeat to Chamat with a 9-7 win before beating Raj Hundal 8-1 in the last 16. John Morra (Canada) was his quarter final victim before beating compatriot Roberto Gomez in the semi-final.
Kuribayashi got off to the worst start to the event, losing to Charlie Williams in his opening match, but made his way through to the last 32 stages with wins over Ahmad Taufiq and Tony Drago. There he beat Taiwan's Kuo Po Cheng before whitewashing Daryl Peach in the last 16. The quarter-final saw him take revenge over Charlie Williams before disposing of Oliver Ortmann in the last four.
Both players greeted the crowd as they were introduced to the arena and Orcollo looked set to take the first but left a green 6 ball wobbling which cost him the rack and Kuribayashi broke and ran the second to go into a 2-0 lead. Orcollo had ball in hand in the third and converted it well to get on the scoreboard before he made an error in the next as he scratched, playing a safety and Kuribayashi made him pay to lead 3-1.
Kuribayashi looked in good shape in the next but lack of pace on the cue ball meant his run broke down. They exchanged safeties on the pink 4 before an attempted bank from Kuribayashi failed and Orcollo ran the rack to get to 2-3. There was ball in hand opportunity in the next for Orcollo as Kuribayashi scratched making a jump shot and the Filipino converted his chance to level things at 3-3.
Kuribayashi left the 3 ball hanging over the pocket after an attempted safety and Orcollo dished up to take the lead for the first time and increased his lead to 5-3 in the next with a break and run. Orcollo began to find his groove in the ninth game as he ran out his second consecutive rack to put some space between himself and Kuribayashi as the score went to 6-3. More great play from Orcollo put him on the hill at 7-3.
In fitting style, Orcollo ran out what was the final rack to win 8-3 and claim the title of 2010 PartyPoker.net World Pool Masters champion. "I was worried when I missed the 6 ball (in the first rack) and it was unexpected but sometimes that can happen. After that I knew he (Kuribayashi) would be feeling confident because I had made a mistake but I was still hoping to get another chance and get back some momentum.
"The tournament is short races and if you lose one rack you could then be out. It's a big difference to money games as if you lose a rack there then you have a chance of making a game again," said Orcollo afterwards. "In a money game it might not matter if you play badly at the beginning you can still recover but in a tournament if you start badly you may lose. This is great news for the Philippines and many people have followed this competition in my country and they will be celebrating. I would love to bring this competition to my country."
The Final Dennis Orcollo (PHI) 8-3 Toru Kuribayashi (JAP) Winner receives $20,000, runner-up $10,000
Semi-Final Results Dennis Orcollo (PHI) 8-6 Roberto Gomez (PHI) Oliver Ortmann (GER) 3-8 Toru Kuribayashi (JAP) Losers Receive $5,000
Earlier, Orcollo had beaten compatriot Roberto 'Superman' Gomez 8-6 to secure his berth in the final. It was a high quality encounter and after 12 racks they were tied up at six apiece. It was anyone's but went in Orcollo's favour as he edged the final two racks to make his second Matchroom Sport pool final, following his World Pool League victory in Poland in 2006. In the other semi-final, Kuribayashi put on a display of shot-making and power breaking to beat Germany's Oliver Ortmann. Playing fluently throughout, the young Japanese came with all the shots when required to seal an 8-3 win. It was a great performance from Ortmann though in reaching the semi-finals and he is still a force to be reckoned with on a major stage.
Television was produced by Matchroom Sport and will be seen as 15 one hour programs in 14 countries around the world with more to be added to the list. The 2010 World Pool Masters was sponsored by PartyPoker.net, with tables supplied by Brunswick Billiards, cloth by Iwan Simonis, Super Aramith balls by Saluc and Predator, the official cue.
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ACTION CONTINUED at the PartyPoker.net World Pool Masters at the Riviera Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas as the final two quarter-finalists were determined and Dennis Orcollo became the first player to reach the semi-finals.
The standard of play was high throughout and in the opening match of the evening, Thomas Engert defeated Rodney Morris 8-5 to leave Charlie Williams the sole remaining US hope in the event. Engert, a two-time winner of this event in 2004 and 2007, clearly has the Masters mojo as he looked very comfortable throughout. "That was the first time I've played well in this tournament. I broke well and the balls were on my side," said Engert. "Sometimes it wasn't easy to run out - it's never easy to run out against Rodney - but I took my chances. It was a good match for both of us.
"Every time I play I feel better at the table and felt much better than at the first match. I'm not thinking about winning it yet. Everyone wants to win and in pool you have to wait for your chances."
There was another guaranteed German in the quarter-finals as former World Champions Oliver Ortmann (pictured) and Thorsten Hohmann squared off and it was 1996 WPC champ Ortmann who proved superior. It was an excellent show from Ortmann who came from 4-1 down to complete an outstanding 8-6 victory. "I didn't do anything wrong but I was down 2-1 and then 4-1, but I just tried to concentrate on my own game and I was playing ok so that was the point of the match. I took my chances and was happy to do so," said Ortmann. "At the end of the day the victory was right as I was playing good and he was a bit lucky. I'm focused and feeling pretty confident. I'm just trying to do what I can and I feel really confident at the moment.
In the final match of the evening, Dennis Orcollo continued his rich vein of form as he overcame Canada's John Morra 8-3 to book his semi-final spot.
Morra didn't have that many opportunities but Orcollo will be hard to stop as he chases his first Masters crown. "I played really well and I did everything. I won the first four games and I felt comfortable every time as I always had a shot. I had a lot of chances to clinch the game so I did.
"It was the same type of performance as in the other matches - I didn't change my game so the momentum was always there. I was always thinking positively and my mind was focused.
Play continues on Sunday afternoon. Saturday Evening Results
Round Three Rodney Morris (USA) 5 - 8 Thomas Engert (GER) Oliver Ortmann (GER) 8-6 Thorsten Hohmann (GER)
Quarter-Final Dennis Orcollo (PHI) 8-3 John Morra (CAN)
The 2010 World Pool Masters is sponsored by PartyPoker.net. Tables are supplied by Brunswick Billiards, cloth by Iwan Simonis, Super Aramith balls by Saluc and the Official Cue is Predator.
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THERE WERE THREE further Round 3 matches at the Riviera Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas as the PartyPoker.netWorld Pool Masters reached its ultimate day. With play rising to a high standard, there were wins for Charlie Williams, Roberto Gomez and Toru Kuribayashi.
In the opening game, Scottish qualifier Jayson Shaw made a few too many mistakes for a player of Roberto Gomez's standard and the Filipino joins compatriot Dennis Orcollo in the quarter-finals. Shaw lost the initiative in the third game as he made an elementary error going from 6 to the 8, as he left the cue ball behind the 9 ball. That handed the rack to Gomez for 2-1 and another shocker, scratching when the run out was elementary. It was a choker for the young Scot as Gomez increased his lead to 3-1.
A run out in the next increased his lead, but Gomez tried a Bustamante-style 'behind the back' shot instead of using the bridge and completely miscued. He made contact with the 6 ball but failed to reach a rail. With ball in hand, Shaw took full advantage and he ran the next following a decent break to get to within one rack of Gomez at 4-3. A missed pink 4 down the rail, though down the rail, let the Filipino back in and he increased his lead to 5-3.
From there it was all Gomez as he took the last three racks to seal the win and move into the quarter-finals where he faces a tough one in Ralf Souquet. "I played good - maybe I would give myself seven or eight out of ten. My shot (behind the back that caused a ) it happened at exactly the same time as the shot clock warning bell ringing and I just hit it badly," said Gomez. "But I just forget about everything I had done wrong as it would destroy your game if you are thinking about your mistakes.
"He had a lot of chance but missed them and that gave me courage to grab the chances. Playing Ralf Souquet will be a great match and I have to prepare well. I've played him once in Taiwan and I won.
In the second match of the afternoon, Charlie Williams looked the business as he disposed of entertaining Japanese player Naoyuki Oi, coming from 4-1 down to win 8-5. Having been used to race to 9 matches in the first two rounds, Williams assumed that this match was race to 9 also and returned to his chair after potting what was the case 9 ball!
Referee Nigel Rees had to tell the American that he had indeed won the match, much to his pleasure. "That was a big win for me and I'm pleased to get in the last eight. Now I'm in the championship ring and it looks a bit easier," said Williams. "Oi is a very aggressive player so I knew he would come at me. I thought I had got here early enough to practice but I didn't so I hadn't hit one ball in practice today. The first shot I hit was actually in the game and it showed as I made some early mistakes but it's my fault as I should've been here at 2 pm.
"At 4-1 Oi was playing good but I didn't give up and just tried to work it back one frame at a time. Being 4-1 down it wasn't looking good at all but I figured out the break quicker that he did and that gave me some momentum.
"At the end I didn't know it was a race to eight. Nigel looked at me and someone jumped up and I thought I'd committed a foul!"
In the final match of the afternoon, Japanese qualifier Toru Kuribayashi looked a million dollars as he mastered the break superbly to record an 8-0 whitewash over England's Daryl Peach.
Making two and three balls at a time and leaving easy run outs, Kuribayashi left Peach seated for most of the match and the young Japanese looks a massive dark horse for the title. He now plays Charlie Williams in the next round. "I played really well and I am really happy with my performance. If I keep playing like that then I know I can win the tournament," said the Japanese.
Play continues this evening. Saturday Afternoon - Results Roberto Gomez (PHI) 8-3 Jayson Shaw (SCO) Naoyuki Oi (JAP) 5-8 Charlie Williams (USA) Daryl Peach (ENG) 0-8 Toru Kuribayashi (JAP) Saturday Evening Matches Round Three Rodney Morris (USA) v Thomas Engert (GER) Oliver Ortmann (GER) v Thorsten Hohmann (GER) Quarter-Final Dennis Orcollo (PHI) v John Morra (CAN)
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THE FIRST THREE TV games took place on Friday evening at the Riviera Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas as the round of 16 got underway in the PartyPoker.net World Pool Masters. From a starting line up of 64 players, there are just 13 left as Dennis Orcollo, John Morra and Ralf Souquet won through.
In the opening match of the last 16, Filipino Dennis Orcollo made light work of Raj Hundal (India), going through to the quarter finals by an 8-1 scoreline. Hundal, who looked composed as he negotiated his way through the opening two rounds, made too many mistakes for a player of Orcollo's obvious calibre...
Hundal's safety game wasn't tight enough to contain Orcollo and the sharp-shooting Pinoy completed four break and runs as he ran away with the match. "It was a great! I had a break in the first game as Hundal missed a ball. That was my chance and I took it. I always think I'm going to win the competition, but there's a lot of top players here," said Orcollo.
The second game of the evening was a nervy affair as up-and-coming Canadian talent John Morra put paid to John Schmidt's World Pool Masters hopes, winning through by an 8-4 margin. Morra can look forward to a quarter-final match-up against Dennis Orcollo.
It was a scrappy encounter with both players making errors, but Morra rode his luck to pull away after leading 5-1. "I played pretty well for most of the match but was difficult to get used to the TV table as it was very different to the tables we've been playing on," said Morra. "But I feel good about my game and got a couple of rolls which helped but John's a great player so that's a great win. The shot clock was difficult and I got called up on it and wasn't sure about the rule. I'm going to have to use my extensions better and I have them for a reason. Dennis is one of my favorite players. I've played him once in an event in Virginia three years ago and beat him 9-2. He won the tournament but I beat him on the winner's side. I feel really good but tomorrow is a whole new day and I hope I can play better. I did make mistakes and need to step it up a notch to beat Dennis."
In the final match of the evening, five times Masters champ, Ralf Souquet had just enough to stay ahead and close out Indonesia's Ricky Yang in a tough encounter.
Souquet opened up a big lead but the dogged Yang, now emerging as one of Asia's premier players, came back at him. Souquet though, held him off for the win. "It's always good when there's a W next to your name but this was not the best performance at this event, but as long as I reach eight first then I'm happy. I started off well but I missed a stupid one ball in the side when it was 4-1 and from that point I let it slip away and made a few more mistakes. The shot clock kept bothering me as we hadn't played with it earlier and when you play ten tournaments without it, it can be difficult. Ricky Yang is a very good player and was expecting a close match and he won the Philippine Open and is well known so I wasn't expecting an easy one." Play continues throughout today so stay tuned for later results.
Friday Night Last 16 Results Raj Hundal (IND) 1-8 Dennis Orcollo (PHI) John Morra (CAN) 8-4 John Schmidt (USA) Ricky Yang (INA) 6-8 Ralf Souquet (GER)
Saturday Afternoon's Matches Roberto Gomez (PHI) v Jayson Shaw (SCO) Naoyuki Oi (JAP) v Charlie Williams (USA) Daryl Peach (ENG) v Toru Kuribayashi (JAP)
Working in conjunction with Cuesports International, the Masters takes place during the annual BCA National 8-Ball Championships, which sees thousands of players and fans flock to the Riviera for a lengthy festival of pool. Television is produced by Matchroom Sport and will be seen as 15 one hour programs in 14 countries around the world with more to be added to the list.
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 The field of the 2010 PartyPoker.net World Pool Masters has halved after two days of play as 32 have left the competition and the remaining 32 reconvene today as the event moves to single elimination.
Described by witnesses as arguably the strongest 64 player line-up assembled in recent times, the Masters has proved a brutal school with world-class match-ups coming thick and fast. The opening round saw 64 players divided into eight groups of eight players playing in double elimination.
All matches in the Masters in the opening round were race to nine, winner breaks, with the action taking at the Convention Center at the Riviera Hotel and Casino on the Las Vegas Strip.
The 'two and through' players in Group 6 were defending champion Darren Appleton who beat the Asian pair of Yu Ram Cha and then Ricky Yang to progress, and then Marcus Chamat. The diminutive Swede beat qualifier Manny Chau and then claimed a superb 9-8 win over Dennis Orcollo, which included a miscue on the final 8 which left a severely testing 9 ball.
Both Orcollo and Yang also made the last 32 via the one loss side.
In Group 6, two American players went through via the winners' side as US Open champions John Schmidt and Rodney Morris (pictured) put on excellent displays. 'Mr 400' beat Belgian qualifier Noel Bruynooghe and survived a hill-hill thriller against Lee Van Corteza of the Philippines.
Morris beat Scottish youngster Jayson Shaw and then beat compatriot Johnny Archer to seal his own fete but both Shaw and Archer went through on the one-loss side, with the Scot recording a particularly impressive win to knock out Corteza.
A focused Stevie Moore was the first player to make progress in Group 7 as he beat the UK based pair of Imran Majid and then Tony Drago. Moore was joined by Thomas Engert who got the better of Charlie Williams in another hill-hill match. Williams though stepped up a gear in the final match on the one loss side as he put Majid out of the competition, 9-3. Joining him will be stylish Japanese qualifier Toru Kuribayashi who put paid to former Masters champ Tony Drago's Vegas dream. Finally in a strong Group 8, recently crowned World 8 Ball king Karl Boyes beat Ernesto Dominguez and Ralf Souquet to advance and was joined by unknown Taiwanese Lo Li-wen who beat Mika Immonen and then Karen Corr.
Souquet made up for his defeat to Boyes by recording only the second 9-0 of the competition as he ran six racks on tough Brunswick equipment to put Mika Immonen out of the competition. Veteran Ernesto Dominguez made up for family disappointment yesterday as he beat Karen Corr 9-3 to take the final spot.
The last 32 matches are single elimination race to 9 and matches start at 12 noon tomorrow.
Working in conjunction with Cuesports International, the Masters takes place during the annual BCA National 8-Ball Championships, which sees thousands of players and fans flock to the Riviera for a lengthy festival of pool.
The prize fund is set at a guaranteed $100,000 with $20,000 going to the eventual champion. Matchroom Sport are one of the world's leading producers of televised sport and are responsible for over 1,100 hours of original programming across a range of nine sports. Based in the UK and chaired by charismatic founder Barry Hearn, the World Pool Masters is one of a stable of pool events that include the World Cup of Pool and the Mosconi Cup. The 2010 World Pool Masters is sponsored by PartyPoker.net. Tables are supplied by Brunswick Billiards, cloth by Iwan Simonis, Super Aramith balls by Saluc and the Official Cue is Predator.
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