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Topic: *Industry News* 2015 - 2024

KELLY FISHER TO ONCE AGAIN UNDERGO MAJOR SURGERY

By Ted Lerner
WPA Press Officer

Multiple Women’s World Champion Kelly Fisher has announced that she will be undergoing major surgery on December 8th in Charlotte, North Carolina.

After taking a series of gene tests, Fisher was recently diagnosed as carrying the BRCA 2 gene, a mutated gene that increases the risk of breast cancer up to a staggering 85% and ovarian cancer by up to 29%. It is similar to the condition of actress Angelina Jolie, who after discovering she had the BRCA 1 gene, decided to have both of her breasts removed in a preventative step to stop the likely development of breast cancer.

At the same time the 37 year-old Fisher was also found to have the BRIP 1 gene, a second mutated gene that has its own elevated risks of both breast and ovarian cancers.

Fisher will therefore undergo a double mastectomy at the Carolina Medical Center, in Charlotte on December 8th. This will be accompanied at the same time by reconstruction surgery. The entire operation process will last between 8 to 12 hours. Fisher expects to have a three month recovery period before she returns to action fit and ready by the second quarter of 2016.

"My goal is to participate in both the Amway Cup and the Chinese 8-ball World Championships in March,” Fisher said.

Fisher will also undergo a hysterectomy sometime later next year. That process will require a further one month recovery period.

This is now the second time in the last 18 months that the Yorkshire, England native has had to face a major operation. In July of 2014, Fisher underwent open heart surgery to repair a large atrial septal defect, a condition that is more commonly known as a “hole in the heart". After a three month recovery period, she returned to competitive play and went on to win the Tournament Of Champions in MA, USA. She then flew directly to China for the 2014 Women’s World 9-ball Championship in Guilin.

It should be noted that this time around the former Women’s World 9-ball and 10-ball champion is not currently ill, but is taking proactive, preventive action.

“It started when I got a new physician in Charlotte,” Fisher said. “After losing both my parents to cancer and two of my grandparents, my physician suggested that I go for the gene test, which is just a simple blood test. They look at 29 of your genes for mutations which they have now found link to various cancers. My father has recently died of prostate cancer, but moreover my mother had passed away from ovarian cancer in 2007, which is found to be genetic. So I agreed to take the test. Unfortunately three weeks later the test came back positive that I had the BRCA 2 the BRIP 1 gene mutation.

“The breast cancer risk being at 85% is not something I wanted to go along with and taking my chances on the 15%, so as soon as I got this information it was a no brainer to me to take preventative action.”

Fisher is approaching this life changing operation in her characteristic positive manner. She also hopes to use her experience to help educate women.

"We are very fortunate nowadays that we have the technology that gives us the opportunity to have these tests and prevent possible cancers. I am very thankful for that!!"

“It was a shock and it’s obviously scary,” she said. “But after going through the open heart surgery last year this should be at least a little easier. It’s daunting that your body is going to change so much. I’m going to physically look different and this is why I wanted to let my fans and people in the pool world know.

“I also want to help people, other women about awareness of this. If you have a lot of cancer in your family, I think it’s good to be proactive, especially if you have children because they can also contract this problem.

“I am feeling very positive. Of course I'm nervous and the whole thing is quite overwhelming. But I feel I’m doing the right thing. Actually I haven’t even second guessed it. I know I’m doing the right thing.”

Fisher is so upbeat about the action she has decided to take, that she was even able to joke about the breast reconstruction surgery that she will undergo right after her double mastectomy. It's called the DEIP Flap procedure. Rather than implants, doctors will use tissue and fat from her belly area to perform the reconstruction and advised her to try and add on some pounds before the surgery.

“The doctors told me to gain weight so the more belly fat that I have, the bigger my new boobs can be,” Fisher said with a big laugh. “So it’s one of the excuses I’m using for putting some pounds on lately.

"I would like to thank my sponsors The One Cues, Cyclop Balls & Xingjue Billiard Tables for all their support during these trying times".

Fisher has been one of pool’s leading lights over the last ten years, winning every major women’s event on the calendar. After a stellar career in snooker beginning at the age if 13 years old, in which she won the World Snooker Championship six times, she turned to American pool in 2004 and quickly rose to the top of the WPBA Tour in the US winning many major events. But in 2011 she began to dominate the women’s game and went on to be the top ranked player in the world. She won her first world title by grabbing 2011 World 10-ball championship in Manila. In 2012 Fisher then captured the Women’s World 9-ball Championship in Shenyang, China. That same year she steamrolled the competition on her way to winning the China Open in Shanghai. In 2013 Fisher won the long running Amway Cup in Taipei.

The entire pool community would like to wish Kelly Fisher a successful surgery and speedy recovery. Her extraordinary fighting spirit will surely carry her through this trying time and see her competing in the world’s biggest pool arenas better and stronger than ever.

Snooker's World Seniors Line-Up Announced

Jimmy White, John Parrott and defending champion Mark Williams will be among the snooker favourites competing in the World Seniors Championship at the Guild Hall in Preston in January.

The Sky Sports-televised tournament runs on the weekend of January 30-31 and brings together green baize kings of the past three decades, together with current players, aged 40 or over.

Eight players have already been awarded places in the popular tournament:

Mark Williams - two time World Champion who won the Seniors crown on his debut in the event last year
Jimmy 'Whirlwind' White - crowd favourite and winner of ten ranking events
John Parrott - 1991 World Champion
Ken Doherty - 1997 World Champion
Joe Johnson - 1986 World Champion
Peter Ebdon - 2002 World Champion
Nigel Bond - 2012 World Seniors Champion
Darren Morgan - 2011 World Seniors Champion

The field will be made up by eight more players who come through qualifying rounds to be staged in Wigan from December 21 and 22.

Welshman Williams, who beat Fergal O'Brien in the final last season, said: "I really enjoyed the World Seniors, especially lifting the trophy. It's a lot of fun for the players and fans. I've had some special moments at the Guild Hall, it's a fantastic venue and I'm looking forward to being back there."

Tickets start at just £10 and fans are advised to BOOK FAST to see this celebration of snooker, as seats are selling rapidly. For details call 01772 804444 or visit www.worldsnooker.com.tickets

Tickets for the qualifying rounds at Robin Park in Wigan are free, with fans encouraged to come and watch.

Restructure For World Ladies Snooker

The World Ladies Billiards and Snooker Association (WLBSA) has become World Ladies Billiards and Snooker (WLBS) after becoming a subsidiary company of the WPBSA.

As part of a rebrand the WLBS is looking to restructure ladies snooker to ensure events and governance falls in line with WPBSA processes. The WLBS is looking to develop its events into a global calendar and is looking to work with National Governing Bodies to provide a fuller calendar of events and give opportunity for a fair rankings system for female players across the globe.

The former WLBSA board all retain their positions within WLBS, joined by WPBSA vice chairman Nigel Mawer who will be responsible for Discipline and Governance. WPBSA chairman and World Snooker director Jason Ferguson will also assist the board in an advisory role.

WLBS Board members:
President: Mandy Fisher
Vice President and Sports Development Director: Sharon Kaur
Company Secretary: Vicky Shirley
Marketing Director: Diana Schuler
Finance Director/Tournament Director: Clive Brown
Discipline and Governance: Nigel Mawer
Advisor to the board: Jason Ferguson

The WLBS board is currently working on development plans to increase female uptake of participation, refereeing and coaching.

WLBS President Many Fisher said: “I am looking forward to a bright future for Ladies Billiards & Snooker. These are two of the few sports where gender is no barrier and there is no reason why women can't compete at the highest level, alongside men.”

WPBSA Chairman Jason Ferguson said: "There should be no boundaries to participate in sport. As Snooker’s World Governing Body we have a responsibility to provide opportunity for all. There is a demand for ladies snooker and there is no reason why ladies can’t compete at the highest standard. I am delighted to see this latest development coming together."

The WLBS is looking to launch its new calendar for the 2016/17 season at the World Championship in Sheffield in April 2016. More information on 2015/16 events can be found at www.wlbsl.com

ROYCE HAS LEFT US

E. Royce Bunnell, Jr., President & Co-Founder of OB Cues, Passed Away November 26th 2015.

Dear Pro9'ers,

"OB" is named for the founders Don Owen and Royce Bunnell who began manufacturing pool shafts in 2005. Royce, 49, suffered asevere heart attack early Monday morning, November 23rd, and was in critical condition until his passing on Thursday, November 26th. For those of you who knew Royce, you knew he was a caring and giving person and to no surprise, even at his death, he still tried to help those who needed it by bringing hope and extending life to others with his organs.

Royce was born May 20, 1966 in Pearland, TX. He is survived by his wife Mary, daughter Kelsey and his son Chris. Mary is a full-time mother who takes care of their Autistic son Chris. Kelsey attends college at UNT. Royce is also survived by his mother, Edlen and sister, Diana Jeske. His father, Eldon, Sr. passed away 5 years ago.

In addition to running OB Cues, he was always working on new ideas and innovations within the billiards industry. He loved to talk shop, tell jokes plus a multitude of stories regarding his pool escapades and/or his numerous experiences at pool tournaments, road shows, pool travels, life in general near and far. Royce recently joined the Billiard Congress of America Board of Directors serving in his 1st term.

He was truly an ambassador of the game and industry and his presence will certainly be missed today and for many years to come.

There will be a Celebration of Life for Royce at The Billiard Den, in Richardson, TX on Sunday, December 13th at Noon. At the Celebration of Life we will also have a 9-Ball Pool/Benefit Tournament and Silent Auction. If you would like to donate any items for the Silent Auction, we would welcome any type of items, goods, services, food for bake sale, etc. Please contact Monica Anderson at manderson@obcues.com or call OB Cues at 972-578-9100 for questions or inquiries.

Your support, kindness and generosity is greatly appreciated to help out the family during this difficult time. If you wish to make a monetary donation, you can send directly via PayPal to Mary Bunnell at bunnellmary@gmail.com.

A website in memory of Royce has been created. The website is http://royce.obcues.com/

Please visit this page and remember Royce with all of us who were fortunate to have him as a friend and make whatever donation your heart demands.
Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers and please continue to send them in support of his family and his OB Family as well.

RIP Royce - The Man, The Legend, Our Friend

O'Sullivan To Face Williams In Masters

Ronnie O’Sullivan will face Mark Williams when he plays his first televised match of the season at the Masters next month.

O’Sullivan is yet to compete on the World Snooker tour so far this season but he’ll be back on the major stage at Alexandra Palace in January. The Rocket has won the Masters five times but he’ll face a tough task in the opening round this time having been drawn against two-time World Champion Williams. That match will take place on Tuesday January 12 at 1pm.

Shaun Murphy won the Masters – snooker’s most prestigious invitation event – for the first time last year and he has been drawn against Mark Allen, with that match to launch the tournament on Sunday January 10 at 1pm.

Newly crowned UK Champion Neil Robertson takes on Marco Fu while World Champion Stuart Bingham faces China’s Ding Junhui. UK Championship finalist Liang Wenbo will make his Masters debut against John Higgins.

The full draw and format is below.

Shaun Murphy v Mark Allen – Sunday January 10 at 1pm
Barry Hawkins v Joe Perry – Monday January 11 at 7pm
Judd Trump v Stephen Maguire – Monday January 11 at 1pm
Neil Robertson v Marco Fu – Wednesday January 13 at 7pm
Mark Selby v Ricky Walden – Tuesday January 12 at 7pm
Ronnie O’Sullivan v Mark Williams- Tuesday January 12 at 1pm
John Higgins v Liang Wenbo – Wednesday January 13 at 1pm
Stuart Bingham v Ding Junhui – Sunday January 10 at 7pm

The BBC-televised tournament runs from January 10 to 17 with tickets ON SALE NOW and fans must book fast because certain sessions are selling out rapidly. For details call 0871 620 7052 (calls cost 10p per minute from a BT landline plus network charges) or visit www.worldsnooker.com/tickets

Dafabet To Sponsor Gibraltar Open

World Snooker is delighted to announce Dafabet as the new title sponsor of this week’s Gibraltar Open.

The televised stage of the Dafabet Gibraltar Open will run from December 11 to 13 at the Tercentenary Sports Hall and will feature top stars including Mark Selby, Judd Trump, John Higgins, Jimmy White and Ding Junhui.

The tournament, which will run for the next three years, is supported by the Ministry of Sports, HM Government of Gibraltar and will receive extensive live coverage from Eurosport. It’s the fifth event on this season’s Kreativ Dental Clinic European Tour series.

World Snooker Chairman Barry Hearn said: “Dafabet already sponsor the Masters and we’re thrilled that they have decided to add to their portfolio of snooker events. Through Eurosport’s extensive live coverage they will receive outstanding exposure.

“This will be the first tournament we have staged in Gibraltar and every time we host an event in a new territory it’s another step towards snooker’s global expansion. It’s a strong field and I’m looking forward to seeing great support from local crowds.”

John Cruces, Head of sports marketing and sponsorships at Dafabet, added: “Having worked with World Snooker for a number of years now, we are delighted to be title sponsors for this new tournament as they continue to grow the sport worldwide. As always we are sure it will be a successful event and look forward to seeing who will lift the first Gibraltar Open trophy.”

Tickets for the tournament are on sale, for details call +350 200 47592 or visit www.worldsnooker.com/tickets

Betway UK Snooker Championship century breaks raise £18,610
Charity Bluebell Wood to receive donation from online bookmaker


9th December, 2015 – UK Snooker Championship principal sponsors Betway have donated £18,610 to Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice after a superb fortnight of pocket-rattling action.

Betway’s pre-tournament pledge to donate £10 for every point scored over 100, and £10 for each century break recorded, meant that a total of £17,610 was raised.

Add to that the £1,000 bonus donation triggered by champion Neil Robertson’s history-making maximum 147 in the final, and Betway have given the Sheffield-based charity £18,610.

Bluebell Wood provides specialist care and support to more than 300 children with complex medical conditions and their families. The charity needs to raise over £4m a year to keep its doors open and only receives less than 10% government funding.

Julie Hampson, Corporate Fundraiser for Bluebell Wood said: “We are absolutely thrilled at such a huge donation from Betway and can’t thank them and World Snooker enough for their continued support. Our hospice is filled with love and laughter and we are here to create special memories at times when families need us the most, so the money donated by Betway will have a real positive impact on the children and families who access our services.”

Betway’s Alan Alger, said: “We’re delighted to be donating the money to Bluebell Wood – a remarkable organisation that works hard to provide the best possible care for children with life limiting conditions and much needed respite for their families.

“Hats off to all of the players that kept racking up the big scores, not least the two finalists whose match cost us £1,630 alone!”

World Snooker Chairman Barry Hearn, added: “This is a wonderful donation from Betway and every penny that we can raise will make a difference to the lives of the children who receive fantastic care at Bluebell Wood.

“There were a record 104 century breaks during the UK Championship which underlines the incredible standard of play, and of course the 147 in the final from Neil Robertson was a special moment. I’m delighted that the players have helped raise such a significant sum for our charity.”

About the Betway Group

The Betway Group is a leading provider of first-class entertainment across sports betting, casino, bingo and poker. Launched in 2006, the company operates across a number of regulated online markets and holds licenses in the UK, Malta, Italy, Denmark, Spain, Belgium, Germany and Ireland. Based in Malta and Guernsey, with support from London, Isle of Man, Stockholm and Cape Town, the Betway team comprises over 1,000 people.

Betway prides itself on providing its customers with a bespoke, fun and informed betting experience, supported by a safe and secure environment. Betway is a member of several prominent industry-related bodies, including ESSA, the Independent Betting Adjudication Service (IBAS) and the Remote Gambling Association (RGA), and is accredited by trusted international testing agency eCOGRA. It is also a partner of the Professional Players Federation (PPF) and is a donor to the Responsible Gambling Trust.

In addition to the flagship Betway brand, the Betway Group operates a number of other brands including Dream Bingo, Bingo on the Box, Spin Casino and the Hippodrome Online Casino. For more information about Betway’s various products and licensed brands, please visit www.betwaygroup.com

20th Jay Swanson Memorial 9-Ball Announced

CueSports International, Henderson, NV (Dec. 10, 2015) – CueSports International (CSI) is pleased to announce the 20th Jay Swanson Memorial 9-Ball! The event will be held on the weekend of February 20-21, 2016 at On Cue Billiards in La Mesa, CA (just outside of San Diego).

Location
On Cue Billiards
8308 Parkway Dr.
La Mesa, CA
(619) 463-8759

Format / Misc. Details
9-Ball, double elimination
Race to 8/7, final race to 11
Alternate breaks, rack your own
Field limited to 128
Played on 9ft tables
Entry fee = $80
Total prize fund = $10,000 (based on full field)
Live stream by CSI
Open to anyone!

Mosconi Cup Points Event!
We are proud to announce that this event is part of the 2016 USA Mosconi Cup points series. U.S. players will be awarded points on a sliding scale based on how they finish in this event. The top three (3) point leaders at the end of the 2016 series will be selected for the USA Mosconi Cup team!

Deadlines
Jan. 29 – Last day for mailed entries
Feb. 06 – Late fees begin
Feb. 17 – Last day to register online
Feb. 19 – Last day to register on-site

Sponsors/Affiliates
On Cue Billiards, Cheqio, Kamui, Fast & Loose Designs, Matchroom Sport, CueSports International, FargoRate

How to Register
Online: www.playcsipool.com/2016-jay-swanson-memorial.html
Email: entry @ playcsipool.com
Fax: (702) 719-7667
Postal Mail: Attn. Swanee Entry, 2041 Pabco Rd., Henderson, NV 89011

Dear Friends,

Important Reminder: The celebration of life for Royce is this Sunday December 13th 2015 at 12pm at The Billiard Den in Richardson, Texas. At the Celebration of Life we will have a 9-Ball Pool/Benefit Tournament and Silent & Live Auctions.

If you would like to donate any items for the Auctions, we would welcome any type of items, goods, services, food, etc., Please contact Monica Anderson at manderson@obcues.com or call OB Cues at 972-578-9100 for questions or inquiries.

If you wish to make a monetary donation, you can send directly via PayPal to Mary Bunnell at bunnellmary@gmail.com

Please also check out http://royce.obcues.com/ which is a very nice website set up in Royce's honor by his friend Carl Pearson.

We look forward to seeing as many of you at the Billiard Den on Sunday as possible!
Sincerely,

Shane Sinnott
President
www.obcues.com
877.399.9901
972.578.9100

918.com Sponsor Snooker's German Masters

World Snooker is delighted to announce that 918.com will be title sponsor of the German Masters for the first time.

The 918.com German Masters will run from February 3 to 7 in Berlin and it will be the first world ranking event of 2016. It is staged at the famous 2,500-seater Tempodrom, widely recognised as one of the best venues on the snooker circuit. The event will receive extensive live television coverage from Eurosport and throughout the Middle East and Asia.

The qualifying rounds will run from December 17 to 20 in Wigan, with 128 players each needing to win two matches to make it to the final stages in Berlin. Ronnie O’Sullivan, Neil Robertson, John Higgins and defending champion Mark Selby will be among the top stars in action.

World Snooker Chairman Barry Hearn said: “We are thrilled to welcome 918.com to the snooker family. Our sport is tremendously popular in the Asian markets and they will get some fantastic exposure for their brand.

“The German Masters has become one of the highlights of the calendar as the fans in Berlin have taken snooker to their hearts and the event always generates a wonderful atmosphere at the Tempodrom. We look forward to working with the 918.com team on another top class event.”

Chloe Tseng, Commercial Director of the sponsor, added: "This is the first time the 918 Group will be on the stage of World Snooker. We are so excited and more than happy to be connecting with the world's most gentle and beautiful sport! The German Masters is a wonderful event with so many snooker talents.

“We believe all snooker fans will enjoy a great time. And this is simply the start of our involvement with snooker. The 918 Group will work closely with the snooker world to present more excellence in the sport in the near future."

Tickets for the final stages in Berlin are on sale now but sessions are selling out so fans must book fast – for details see www.snookerstars.de

For the qualifying rounds at Robin Park sports centre in Wigan, access for fans is free.

About 918.com
918.com is one of the top online gaming entertainment platforms in Asia, under the legal administration of the Philippines government. 918 Group is dedicated to the support of sports development. Previous investment includes Golf Asian Tour, La Liga commercial deals, and other domestic sports events in Asian countries.

On Site Visits of GBE2016

10th China Guangzhou Billiards Exhibition (Mar.9-11)        
             ---- On Site Visits of GBE2016
Every single day there must be some things happening,
every path there comes a section of journey,
And every thing is worth the wait.

We started our on site visits of first-tier manufacturing enterprises of GBE2016 in September, 2015 and benefited a great deal.

The first stop: Taishan
Overseas Chinese hometown Taishan is the birthplace and popular site of billiards manufacturing enterprises.
Though some brands such as SBY Billiards, B.L.P., Jing Gong Billiard and so on, became less famous than they were before, however, persistence and innovation for generations will definitely keep the brands’ quality as well as public praise.
Visited enterprises:
LEO Billiards, B.L.P., Jing Gong Billiard, Weichster, Meilin Billiards, Jiansheng, Diliya Billiards, Quanxing, Jiaruihua

The second stop: Shenzhen
AS a prosperous city, Shenzhen is a production and trade area for billiards industry.

Visited enterprises:
Xing Jue, HN, Gento, Cobra, SZX, Unique

The third stop: Dongguan
Known as "the factory of the world", Dongguan is one of the largest manufacturing bases in China. Besides, there are a lot of enterprises involving production, operation and sales, specializing in the production and accessories of billiards in China.

Visited enterprises:
Haokang, Taili, Xiangfa Sports, Meijia Leather, J·Flowers, Zhupiter, Sunny, Sunray, Jiaji, Jinzhuo, Hamson

The forth stop: Foshan
Since the “Guangzhou-Foshan Urban Integration”, Foshan has played more and more important role in billiards industry.
Visited enterprises:
Shender, Wiraka, s100, Shark

The fifth stop: Zhongshan
As one of the “Four Guangdong Tigers”, Zhongshan is the hometown of Dr. Sun Yat-sen with developed light industry.
Visited enterprises:
Rising Dragon Billiards, Zhiduoxing, Kingqi, Guldcn, Aojue, Mingtai

The sixth stop: Guangzhou
Guangzhou is the home court of GBE2016.
Visited enterprises:
Master, KMK MEZZ, Gentlesheep Textile, Junjue, Yili, Junhao, Xinjue Pool Table

The seventh stop: Jiangxi
We had attended the Opening Ceremony of China Yushan De Er Le Cup 2015 1st China Billiards World Championship held earlier this year had surprised the whole billiard industry and then visited the factory of Rasson.

Visited enterprises:
Rasson, Phoenix, Huayue, Jiuxing, Cerambuy, Xing Pai, Junyao, Buffalo, Musashi

The eighth stop: Shengfang, Hebei Province
Shengfang is another production base of billiards mainly for the domestic market with about 40 manufacturing factories. Moreover, the manufacturing industry in Shengfang is more intensive and advanced than that of Taishan.

Visited enterprises:
Xingbao, Jianda, Guo Gang, SNK Maple, Mingyang billiards, Dasun, Gorley, Songshan, BJ, Guoqiang, Juxing, Yongqiang, Kangda, Wuying, Guodong, Xingru, Shuanglong, Sanxing, Jinda, Hengxing, Xinxing, Lijian, Heming, Fusheng, Lnsiluo

The ninth stop: Beijing and Jinan
Visited enterprises:
Xing Pai, Lingyu, MY147, Blue Adam, LONGONI, Guyun, Qixing, Laowang, Feiyue, Turning Point, Scotex, Yashi. Yalin,     Dingpinshengshi, TOP147, Baosida, Y.C, AIM, Youze

The tenth stop: Zhejiang
Jiangsu and Zhejiang area is famous for business since the ancient times.

Visited enterprises:
Chaoli Sports, Chamberlain, Jianying Billiards, Anton, Jiankun Pool Cues, Boci Pool Cues, Kangchao Pool Cues, Kangkong, Kangdi, Hongyi, Bestcues, New Star

After the above visits, we have a better understanding of the advanced machines and skillful technicians as well as products.
Besides, since it was a hastily scheduled visit, we are sorry for other enterprises that we had not visit and hope you understand.

Chinese billiards is always on the move.

Contact us:
GBE Committee
Phone: +86 15876558395
Fax: +86 20 82579220
E-mail: gbechina @ yeah.net, jenny0124 @ aliyun.com    
Website: www.gbechina.com

Romania To Stage New European Championship

Romania will host a professional snooker tournament for the first time next season when the new European Championship world ranking event takes place in Bucharest.

The tournament will run from October 3rd to 9th in 2016, with the venue yet to be confirmed. The event will be promoted by McCann/Thiess for the next three years.

There will be a flat draw, with all 128 players starting in the first round in Bucharest.

World Champion Stuart Bingham recently played an exhibition in the Romanian capital with Ronnie O’Sullivan.

“The atmosphere was absolutely unbelievable, definitely the best exhibition I have ever played,” said Bingham. “There were 2,000 people there both nights and I was blown away by the support of the fans. Everywhere we go in Europe, people seem to be buzzing for snooker.

“I’m sure that the promoter will pull out all of the stops for a ranking event and it will become one of the best events on the calendar.”

World Snooker Chairman Barry Hearn said: “We are thrilled to be bringing snooker into another new territory and once again expanding snooker’s global footprint.

“There are several new ranking events planned for the 2015/16 season as our tour continues to grow, and the new European Championship in Bucharest will be a tremendous addition to the calendar. The earning opportunities for the players have never been better, likewise the opportunities for fans to watch snooker live. These are exciting times for our sport.”

Adrian Thiess from McCann/Thiess Events added: "We are delighted to bring a world ranking event to Romania for the first time. The recent snooker exhibition showed what an incredible appetite the fans in Bucharest have for the sport. We look forward to working with World Snooker on what will be a spectacular tournament."

Snooker: Extra Tickets Released For Masters

Following high demand for tickets for next month’s Dafabet Masters, extra seats will be added to the arena at Alexandra Palace.

The tournament runs from January 10 to 17 in North London and the final on Sunday 17th had sold out, prompting the decision to add extra seating to the sides of the arena. This brings the capacity to a maximum possible of 1958 seats which is the biggest it has ever been for the Masters at this venue.

However sessions are still selling rapidly so fans are strongly urged to BOOK IMMEDIATELY to make sure of seeing the world’s leading players competing for the famous trophy.

And with three days to go until Christmas, if you’re stuck for gift ideas then you’ve found the perfect present for anyone who enjoys live sport.

For ticket details call 0871 620 7052 (calls cost 10p per minute from a BT landline plus network charges) or visit www.worldsnooker.com/tickets

A spokesman for World Snooker said: “We have had unprecedented demand this year which is why we have decided to increase the capacity of the arena. This shows how the tournament has grown since we moved to Ally Pally in 2012.

“It’s always a sizzling atmosphere at the Masters and with an even bigger arena it’s going to be an incredible experience to be there live. Make sure you and your friends have something to look forward to in January by booking now.”

Shaun Murphy will be defending the title he won for the first time last year and he takes part in the opening match against Mark Allen on Sunday January 10th at 1pm. The other green baize kings in contention include Ronnie O’Sullivan, John Higgins, Mark Selby, Judd Trump, Neil Robertson and Stuart Bingham.

The full draw is:

First round:
Shaun Murphy v Mark Allen – Sunday January 10 at 1pm
Barry Hawkins v Joe Perry – Monday January 11 at 7pm
Judd Trump v Stephen Maguire – Monday January 11 at 1pm
Neil Robertson v Marco Fu – Wednesday January 13 at 7pm
Mark Selby v Ricky Walden – Tuesday January 12 at 7pm
Ronnie O’Sullivan v Mark Williams- Tuesday January 12 at 1pm
John Higgins v Liang Wenbo – Wednesday January 13 at 1pm
Stuart Bingham v Ding Junhui – Sunday January 10 at 7pm

Quarter-finals:
Thursday January 14 at 1pm: Selby / Walden v O’Sullivan / Williams
Thursday January 14 at 7pm: Murphy / Allen v Hawkins / Perry
Friday January 15 at 1pm: Trump / Maguire v Robertson / Fu
Friday January 15 at 7pm: Higgins / Liang v Bingham / Ding

Semi-finals:
Saturday January 16 at 1pm: Semi final 1 (top half of draw)
Saturday January 16 at 7pm: Semi final 2 (bottom half of draw)

Final
Sunday January 17 at 1pm and 7pm

RILEYS VICTORIA - PRESS RELEASE

We are closed until further notice due to a burst water pipe.

We are sorry for any inconvenience.

Your membership is valid in our other branches in the London Area, including Rileys Croydon or Rileys Twickenham. Alternatively we also have a branch in Central London at Rileys Sports Bar Haymarket.

To keep up-to-date about when we reopen,
please visit our facebook and/or twitter pages.

Line Up Confirmed For World Seniors Snooker

The draw for snooker’s World Seniors Championship in Preston has taken place, with legends including Jimmy White, John Parrott, Ken Doherty and Mark Williams among the line-up.

The popular tournament runs on the weekend of January 30-31 and will be staged at the iconic Guild Hall in Preston for the first time.

The Sky-Sports televised event will see Welshman Williams defending the title against 15 other players aged 40 or over, having captured the title and £18,000 top prize on his debut last year.

Williams faces qualifier Anthony Hamilton in a tough first round draw, while crowd favourite Whirlwind White will meet Gary Lees. The full draw and schedule is below.

Tickets are ON SALE NOW and are selling rapidly so fans are urged to book quickly. Tickets make a brilliant Christmas gift for anyone who enjoys live sport!

For details call 01772 804444 or visit www.worldsnooker.com/tickets

January 30th
From 1pm

Peter Ebdon v Nigel Bond
Mark Williams v Anthony Hamilton
Tony Drago v Robert Milkins
Joe Johnson v Darren Morgan

From 7pm
Ken Doherty v Mark Davis
John Parrott v Dominic Dale
Rory McLeod v Fergal O’Brien
Jimmy White v Gary Lees

January 31st

From 1pm
Quarter-finals

From 7pm
Semi-finals
Final

All matches are best of three frames.

2016 MOSCONI CUP - PRESS RELEASE

First two events in US ranking announced

MATCHROOM SPORT can announce the first two events on 2016 Mosconi Cup Team USA ranking list:

Turning Stone Classic XXV 9-Ball Open
January 7-10, 2016 at the Turning Stone Resort Casino, Verona, NY

The 18th Annual Derby City Classic 9 Ball
January 27-30, 2016, Horseshoe Casino & Hotel, Elizabeth, Indiana

Both events will be Level 2 points events. Full details of all 2016 Mosconi Cup ranking events will be announced early in the New Year.

Matchroom Sport are one of the world’s leading producers of televised sport and are responsible for over 1,000 hours of original programming across a range of sports. Based in the UK and chaired by charismatic founder Barry Hearn, the Mosconi Cup is one of a stable of pool events that include the World Cup of Pool and the World Pool Masters.

BetVictor Sponsor Snooker’s Welsh Open

World Snooker is delighted to announce that BetVictor will be title sponsor of the Welsh Open world ranking event for the fourth consecutive year in 2016.

The BetVictor Welsh Open will run from February 15 to 21 at the Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff. John Higgins won the title last year, against a strong field including the likes of Ronnie O’Sullivan, Mark Selby, Neil Robertson, Judd Trump, Stuart Bingham and home favourites Mark Williams and Matthew Stevens.

All 128 players will be competing at the Cardiff venue and starting in the same round. And with 12 tables in the arena in the early stages, fans have the chance to see many top players in a single session. The event is televised by BBC Wales with a total prize fund of £324,000.

World Snooker Chairman Barry Hearn said: “BetVictor sponsored the Welsh Open for the first time in 2013 and we are delighted that they have kept their support going for four consecutive years. Snooker’s global television footprint has grown dramatically in recent years so this event will provide BetVictor with exposure to many millions of fans worldwide.

“The Welsh Open is one of our longest running ranking events, ever-present on the calendar since 1992. The support for snooker among the people of Wales is fantastic and we look forward to seeing a packed arena. We moved the tournament to Cardiff last year, it proved a great success and I’m sure it will continue to grow in the coming years.”

Charlie McCann, Head of Communications at BetVictor, added: “We are delighted to once again sponsor the Welsh Open snooker tournament next month, won so memorably by John Higgins for a record fourth time last year. The switch to Cardiff’s Motorpoint Arena was a great success last year and we are very much looking forward to more of the same this year. Snooker’s TV exposure is a terrific vehicle for BetVictor as a global brand and it is a week that we all look forward to; it is a big year for Welsh sport with Euro 2016 and the Six Nations to come and we bet 14/1 there is a home winner for the first time since Mark Williams won the second of his two titles back in 1999."

Tickets for the tournament are ON SALE NOW and fans are strongly advised to book early as many sessions are expected to sell out quickly. For full details call 02920 22 44 88 or visit www.worldsnooker.com/tickets

The draw and format will be available after the entry deadline in early February.

RILEYS VICTORIA - HAS NOW REOPENED

We are partially re open!

Thank You for your patience during this difficult time.

The first floor is re open for pool, darts and drinks.

For all table enquiries please phone us on 020 7824 8261

To keep up-to-date,
please visit our facebook and/or twitter pages.

Higgins Wary Of Liang Challenge

John Higgins realises he needs to sharpen up his game before he heads to snooker’s Dafabet Masters next week for a tough opening match against in-form Liang Wenbo.

Four-time World Champion Higgins admits he barely picked up his cue over the Christmas break, and he finished second-bottom of his group at the Championship League this week after losing four of his six matches.

The Wizard of Wishaw is now looking ahead to the prestigious Masters, which starts on Sunday at Alexandra Palace in London. On Wednesday January 13 at 1pm he’ll be up against China’s Liang, who enjoyed a brilliant run to the final of the UK Championship last month to earn a Masters debut.

“I only practised for half an hour over Christmas,” said Higgins, who won the Masters in 1999 and 2006. “It’s a chance to spend time with the family so I barely played. That’s why I played in the Championship League this week, but as it turns out I spent most of the time watching the other players pot balls. So I’ll be back at home now with four or five days practice to get ready for the Masters.

“Liang did so well to get to the UK Championship final and get a place in the Masters for the first time so he’ll be full of confidence. They are all great players in this event so it’s always tough. Liang has become a much more rounded player this season, he proved that in the UK and he put up a good battle against Neil Robertson in the final. He’s a fighter but also a good guy who plays with a smile on his face.”

Higgins, age 40, enjoyed an excellent year in 2015, winning three ranking events to bring his career tally to 28. “It was one of my best years for a long time and I played my best snooker since winning my last world title in 2011,” he said. “I feel very happy with my game. I’ve never been one for setting targets and I’m not going to start doing that now, but this year I just want to keep putting the work in, keep my game at a decent level and see where that takes me.”

The Masters will see the return to action of Ronnie O’Sullivan, playing his first televised event of the season. “It might not be good for the other players to have him back as he’ll be one of the favourites, but it’s great for the sponsors and the fans because he helps add to the razzmatazz of the event,” said Higgins.

Scotland’s Higgins received an MBE in 2008 and believes the OBE awarded to O’Sullivan in the recent New Year honours was not before time. “It was certainly overdue,” said Higgins. “He has done more than most in snooker and if these awards are going to be given to people in sport then Ronnie definitely deserves it.”

The Dafabet Masters runs from January 10 to 17 with the world’s top 16 players battling for the famous trophy and £200,000 top prize.

Tickets are still available and fans are strongly urged to BOOK FAST as many sessions are close to selling out. For ticket details call 0871 620 7052 (calls cost 10p per minute from a BT landline plus network charges) or visit www.worldsnooker.com/tickets

On Yee To Play In Betfred World Championship

Reigning world ladies snooker champion Ng On Yee has qualified to take up a place in the qualifying rounds of this year’s Betfred World Snooker Championship.

On Yee, 25, from Hong Kong, became the first non-British winner of the World Ladies Snooker Championship last year and is now set to play in the sport’s biggest event at Ponds Forge International Centre in Sheffield in April. She will need to win three qualifying matches to reach the televised stages at the Crucible Theatre.

On Yee, who ended the ten-year reign of Reanne Evans in the semi-finals of the ladies event, is coached by Terry Griffiths’ son Wayne and also went on to win the LITEtask UK Ladies Championship for a second time last September.

Last year, Evans played 1997 world champion Ken Doherty at the Betfred World Championship qualifiers in a tightly contested match, eventually won 10-8 by the Irishman.

"I am very excited by the prospect of competing in the best competition in the world,” said On Yee. “It will be a great opportunity to learn more about the differences between the ladies game and the professional tour.

"Playing at the very top level is a dream come true for me. I am excited to see new doors being opened in snooker, with more opportunities for ladies to participate in different competitions.

"After such a good year of results in 2015, I want to build on that and try to become even stronger in 2016. This added opportunity to compete with and learn from some of the best players in the world is a chance I am very grateful for. I will work very hard to represent myself, Hong Kong and ladies snooker in the best possible way. My goal will be to make the most of this opportunity as I look to improve in the future."

The WPBSA, snooker’s world governing body, recently announced a restructure of ladies snooker whereby World Ladies Billiards and Snooker Association (WLBSA) became World Ladies Billiards and Snooker (WLBS), after becoming a subsidiary company of the WPBSA.

“On Yee’s success at the 2015 World Ladies Championship was an incredible achievement and she thoroughly deserves the opportunity to now play in the World Championship in Sheffield,” said Jason Ferguson, Chairman of the WPBSA.

“Snooker is a sport with no boundaries and as the first non-British winner of the World Ladies Championship, On Yee is a tremendous example to all who aspire to compete in our sport at the highest level.

“Following the recent restructure of the WLBS we are hugely excited by the future of the ladies game and looking forward to continuing its growth globally as we continue to promote the core values of the Olympic movement.”

The qualifiers for the 2016 Betfred World Championship will run from 6-13 April 2016, with the draw to be made after the seeding revision following the conclusion of the China Open.