Site News
Topic: *Industry News* 2013

ALL BLACKS AND ALL OUT FOR REVENGE!

After last season's dramatic 38-21 victory for England, New Zealand have since been unbeaten and are desperate to avenge their defeat.

If you like your sport hard-hitting and confrontational then this is the one for you! The game's on the big screen and don't forget there's also Wales taking on Argentina and Ireland face Australia.

Sunday's rugby roast is Scotland against South Africa. Sit back and enjoy!

See you soon.

The Rileys Team

www.rileys.co.uk/parties


www.rileys.co.uk/whatson/froch-v-groves-live-on-the-big-screen

Barry Hearn and Jeanette Lee enter Billiard Congress of America Hall of Fame

The Billiard Congress of America Hall of Fame is honored to welcome two of pool’s most media-savvy personalities in 2013. The United States Billiard Media Association today announced that women’s champion Jeanette “The Black Widow” Lee and British promoter Barry Hearn have earned induction into the sport’s hall of fame by becoming the 61st and 62nd members.

Selby Beats O'Sullivan In Antwerp Thriller

Mark Selby came from 3-1 down to beat Ronnie O'Sullivan 4-3 in a dramatic final at the Antwerp Open European Tour event in Belgium.

A cool clearance in the deciding frame gave Selby his first title of the season and the 25,000 Euro top prize. The world number two from Leicester looks to be coming into form at the right time with the defence of his williamhill.com UK Championship title to start later this month.

Watched by an enthusiastic crowd of 1,200 at the Lotto Arena, O’Sullivan won the opening frame with a break of 74. The second came down to the colours and Selby took it with a long pot on the blue.

O’Sullivan regained the lead with a run of 54, then stole frame four with a fine clearance from the penultimate red to go 3-1 ahead. Selby dominated the next with 52 and 61, then made a superb 126 for 3-3.

World Champion O'Sullivan had the first clear chance in the decider but surprisingly missed a black off its spot at 36-0. That proved his last shot as Selby's 77 gave him the title.

"Any time you play Ronnie you have to be on your game," said Selby. "From 3-1 down I played really well. I never give up but I didn't expect to get another chance in the decider."

O'Sullivan said: "I never like losing but it is part of sport. There are a lot more tournaments coming up and I hope I'll get a victory soon. I'm just enjoying being involved in big games and competing against top players."

The European Tour comprises eight events, with the top 24 on the final Order of Merit to qualify for the Grand Finals next March, to be joined by eight more players from the Asian Tour Order of Merit. The next event is the Gdynia Open in Poland from February 6 to 9.

Results (last 16 onwards)

Last 16
Jack Lisowski 4-3 Ryan Day
Mark Williams 2-4 Aditya Mehta
Tony Drago 1-4 Mark Selby
Ding Junhui 4-2 Marco Fu
Joel Walker 4-1 Kurt Maflin
Stuart Bingham 3-4 Ronnie O’Sullivan
Sam Baird 1-4 Ben Woollaston
Joe Perry 4-1 Mark Allen

Quarter-finals
Perry 0-4 O’Sullivan
Woollaston 4-3 Walker
Selby 4-1 Ding
Mehta 0-4 Lisowski

Semi-finals
Lisowski 2-4 Selby
Woollaston 2-4 O’Sullivan

Final
Selby 4-3 O’Sullivan

Predator Supports Team USA at WPA World Junior Championships

November 18, 2013 (Englewood, CO): The Billiard Education Foundation (BEF) is grateful to announce a generous contribution from Predator Group. The industry leader has been a longtime supporter of the youth and continues this tradition by underwriting the event uniforms for this year’s BEF Team who will be representing North America at the upcoming WPA World Junior 9-Ball Championships in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Each of the seven team members and the team coach will receive two custom Sportek polo shirts in patriotic colors, printed with event logos. By underwriting this expense, Predator Group enables the organization to direct more funds to its youth billiard programs and academic scholarships.

“As a world leader in the billiard industry, Predator Group is honored to support the Billiard Education Foundation by outfitting the U.S. Junior National Team with shirts for the World Junior 9-Ball Championships,” said Jani Haney, Sponsorship Manager for Predator Group, “The BEF works diligently to promote billiards, sportsmanship and academic scholarship, objectives and values Predator Group shares. We wish the BEF team members and coaches all the best as they travel to compete in South Africa.”

For more information on the BEF, and sponsoring or underwriting any of its programs and events, visit the BEF website at billiardeducation.org or call (303) 926-1036.

Predator Group, an international billiards industry leader, is focused on bringing constant innovation and game-improving equipment to billiards players worldwide. Headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, USA, Predator Group’s core brands include: Predator Cues – professional level cues and shafts featuring classical designs and revolutionary, performance enhancing technology; Poison Billiards – recreational cues with cutting-edge designs and Predator engineering for best-in-class playability; and Uni-Loc® – precision-engineered components for billiards products. For more information regarding Predator Group’s products, visit www.predatorgroup.com.

The Billiard Education Foundation (BEF) was formed in 1993 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charity committed to promoting a lifelong love of pool and building the next generation of players through youth programs and academic scholarships. The BEF also produces the annual Junior National 9-Ball Championships and qualifies young players each year for the WPA World Junior Championships.

WORLD LADIES BILLIARDS & SNOOKER ASSOCIATION - PRESS RELEASE

IMAGINING furious glares from her seven-year-old daughter prompted nine-time women’s world snooker champion Reanne Evans to stage a remarkable turnaround at the £2,000 Eden Resources Masters.

From 2-0 down to Ng On Yee in the semi-finals at Cambridge Snooker Centre, Evans blitzed eight breaks of 30 or more in nine frames to secure the £1,000 prize money.

The 28-year-old from Dudley, West Midlands, avenged her UK Championship defeat by Hong Kong star Ng with runs of 38, 77 and 45 before wrapping up a 4-2 victory with an 86.

And efforts of 30, 94, 45 and 43 in a 5-0 demolition of world number one Maria Catalano in the final took Evans up to second place in the World Ladies Billiards & Snooker Association rankings.

“Maria didn’t really get many chances,” said Evans. “As soon as I got in the balls, I basically won the frame.

“I don’t know where it came from because I struggled early on. I went 2-0 down (to Ng) and then I scored really heavy. She didn’t get a shot.

“I thought of (daughter) Lauren kicking my bum because I was playing so bad. She wasn’t here but I could picture her giving me funny looks.”

Evans, who also pocketed the £50 high-break prize for a 95 against Vicky Carter in the quarter-finals, reckoned she came close to her A game in that nine-frame spell.

And she added that Lauren will be “very happy” that the cash arrived just in time for Christmas.

Catalano, also from Dudley, defeated Latvia’s Tatjana Vasiljeva, the WLBSA’s new International Liaison Officer, 4-2 in the last-four.

Derby’s 17-year-old Hannah Jones actually broke into the top four - but only for a few hours until Jaique Ip Wan In clinched the competition for non-qualifiers from the round-robin group stages.

Ip Wan In, from Hong Kong, who collected the Plate high-break prize of £20 for a 68 against Eva Palmius in the semi-finals, beat her compatriot Yu Ching Ching 3-1 in the final.

Evans thanked Eden Resources - a Singapore-based company that organises seminars, events and training - for sponsoring the two-day event.

“It proves there is interest in ladies snooker,” she said. “Hopefully, from this, they’ll (the WLBSA) get more entries in - knowing that people are willing to sponsor it.

“There are a lot of players out there. It’s picking up and, hopefully, it’ll carry on that way.”

For more information about the women’s snooker circuit, see www.wlbsa.com.

ROUND-ROBIN GROUP RESULTS


ROUND-ROBIN BREAKS

Maria Catalano: 61 (v Kaur), 56 & 49 (v Yu).
Hannah Jones: 61 (v Catalano), 42 (v Kaur), 37 (v Yu).
Vicky Carter: 59 (v Ip Wan In).
Yu Ching Ching: 53 (v Catalano).
Tatjana Vasiljeva: 39 (v Ip Wan In).
Jaique Ip Wan In: 37 (v Palmius).
Ng On Yee: 33 & 30 (v L Evans).
Reanne Evans: 32 (v Alves).

KNOCKOUT RESULTS (BREAKS)

QUARTER-FINALS (£80): Maria Catalano beat Laura Evans 3-0, Tatjana Vasiljeva beat Jenny Poulter 3-0, Reanne Evans (95) beat Vicky Carter 3-0, Ng On Yee beat Hannah Jones 3-0.

SEMI-FINALS (£200): Catalano beat Vasiljeva (30) 4-2, R Evans (38, 77, 45, 86) beat Ng (36) 4-2.

FINAL (£1,000/£450): R Evans (30, 94, 45, 43) beat Catalano 5-0.

PLATE (BREAKS)

QUARTER-FINALS: Sharon Kaur beat Laura Alves 3-2, Jaique Ip Wan In beat Gaye Jones 3-0.

SEMI-FINALS: Yu Ching Ching (32) beat Kaur 3-0, Ip Wan In (68 ) beat Eva Palmius 3-0.

FINAL (£60/£30): Ip Wan In (33, 33) beat Yu (30) 3-1.

ENTRIES

Maria Catalano (Dudley, West Mids)
Reanne Evans (Dudley, West Mids)
Ng On Yee (Hong Kong)
Jaique Ip Wan In (Hong Kong)
Yu Ching Ching (Hong Kong)
Tatjana Vasiljeva (Latvia)
Vicky Carter (Sandy, Beds)
Hannah Jones (Derby)
Laura Evans (Neath Port Talbot)
Sharon Kaur (Birmingham)
Jenny Poulter (Maidstone, Kent)
Laura Alves (Dublin)
Eva Palmius (Isleham, Cambs)
Chris Sharpe (Chelmsford)
Gaye Jones (Melksham, Wilts)

WLBSA SNOOKER RANKINGS POST EDEN MASTERS


NEXT EVENT

East Anglian Championship
Saturday, January 25, 2014
Pot Black Club
Parade Road South
Lowestoft
Suffolk
NR33 0QW


Pictures by Mark Jones
Eden Resources Masters champion Reanne Evans
WLBSA chairman Mandy Fisher (left) and Eden Resources Masters Plate winner Jaique Ip Wan In

Higgins- Top Trio Have Pulled Ahead

John Higgins believes that Ronnie O’Sullivan, Ding Junhui and Neil Robertson will be the men to beat at the williamhill.com UK Championship, which starts next week.

The £700,000 tournament at the York Barbican runs from November 26 to December 8 and will feature 128 players all starting in the same round for the first time.

Higgins, a three-time UK and four-time World Champion himself, feels that that a trio of top stars are currently ahead of the chasing pack.

“Ronnie O’Sullivan is hard to gage because he doesn’t play that many tournaments, but in the big events like this he is always one of the favourites,” said Higgins. “Neil Robertson is world number one by a distance and the rankings don’t lie. And Ding Junhui is just in fantastic form at the moment. He has matured a lot as a person and a player in recent months. He is the complete package on the table and he has unbelievable talent.”

Wizard of Wishaw Higgins made a strong start to the current season - in June he won a European Tour event in Bulgaria and reached the final of the Wuxi Classic, where he lost to Neil Robertson. But since then he hasn’t been past the last 16 of any tournament.

“I have been faffing about with technique this season and trying different cues,” he said. “Now I’m trying to get back to basics and it feels better. Throughout my career, even when I was winning a lot of titles, I’ve always had the feeling that the grass would be greener if I could improve my technique or my cue.

“I know my faults and I usually know how to correct them. But there have been times during tournaments when I’ve changed something and it hasn’t worked and then I don’t know how to fix it, which is a horrible feeling.

“The UK Championship is a huge tournament and I would love to do well in York this year. It’s good to have a new format with everyone starting in the same round. You face new opponents and it gives a chance for more players to compete at the venue and get experience playing on TV.”

TICKETS ARE STILL AVAILABLE and start at just £8 (concessions £4), phenomenal value for a top class sporting event. Call 0844 854 2757 or book online at yorkbarbican.co.uk or worldsnooker.com/tickets

williamhill.co.uk UK Championship winner:

9/2 Ronnie O’Sullivan
7/1 Ding Junhui
7/1 Neil Robertson
8/1 Judd Trump
8/1 Mark Selby
12/1 John Higgins
14/1 Mark Allen
20/1 Shaun Murphy
22/1 Marco Fu
22/1 Stephen Maguire
28/1 Barry Hawkins
33/1 Allister Carter
33/1 Graeme Dott
33/1 Mark Williams
33/1 Stuart Bingham
50/1 BAR

HARD HITTING ACTION ON THE BIG SCREEN

We've got a wealth of top sports action on the big screen this weekend and our £1.99 pint deal on Saturday.*

Not only the Battle of Britain with Carl Froch taking on George Groves, but also a great card of footy action. In the blue corner we've got Chelsea taking on West Ham, City against Spurs and Everton who face, in the red corner, Liverpool - in the Merseyside derby.

Also in the red corner Man Utd who face Cardiff, who are in the red and blue corner!

Seconds out - let's get viewing!

The Rileys Team

www.rileys.co.uk/parties


www.rileys.co.uk/whatson/froch-v-groves-live-on-the-big-screen

2013 PartyPoker.net Mosconi Cup

Final tickets remaining after extra seats added

WITH JUST ten days to go until the PartyPoker.net Mosconi Cup explodes into action, promoters Matchroom Sport can announce that they have added some extra seating to the arena at the Mirage as the event nears sell-out status.

The original number of seats has now been sold completely but a few additional seats are now available for sale.

‘After having looked at the seating plans, we’ve managed to add some extra seats in which is great news as the tickets for this year’s Mosconi have been selling like hot cakes.’ said Matchroom Sport Chairman Barry Hearn.

‘Tickets are available from Ticketmaster and direct from the Mirage, and I am anticipating a record attendance for the Mosconi Cup.”

The PartyPoker.net Mosconi Cup takes place at the Mirage Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas from Monday 2nd to Thursday 5th December and features two five-man teams representing the USA and Europe.

The Europeans are the defending champions, having won 11-9 in London last December, their fifth win in six years.

Tickets are available from www.ticketmaster.com (Search ‘Mosconi Cup’) or directly from the Mirage on (+1) 702 792 7777 or 1-800-963-9634.

The 2013 Mosconi Cup is delighted to work with our valued sponsors –Diamond Billiards: Tables; Iwan Simonis: Official Cloth; Aramith: Official Balls and Predator: Official Cue.

Thailand To Host Players Championship Grand Finals

Snooker’s Players Championship Grand Finals will be staged in Bangkok, Thailand for the first time this season.

The tournament will run from March 25 to 29, 2014, and will feature 32 of the world’s leading players competing for total prize money of £300,000, with the winner to receive £100,000.

The field will comprise 24 players from the European Tour Order of Merit plus eight more from the Asian Tour Order of Merit, based on events which have run throughout the season.

The Grand Finals were staged in Ireland last season, with Ding Junhui taking the top prize by beating Neil Robertson 4-3 in a dramatic final.

World Snooker Chairman Barry Hearn said: “We are delighted to be taking this tournament to Thailand for the first time. It’s a country with a rich snooker history, having produced great players and hosted many fantastic events. Bangkok has staged the Six-Red World Championship for the past two years which has been a tremendous success.

“There is wonderful support for snooker in Thailand and the fans will have another chance to see the world’s leading stars. And the opportunity to play in Thailand gives an extra incentive for the players striving to climb the Order of Merit, as we approach the final qualifying event in both Europe and Asia. It’s already looking like a superb field.

“My thanks go to the promoter of the event BEC-Tero for their support, and to Sindhu Pulsirivong and his team at the Billiards and Snooker Association of Thailand for their hard work in developing the growth of snooker in Asia.”

BEC-Tero Managing Director Brian L. Marcar said: "It is with great delight that we welcome the Players Championship to Thailand. We look forward to staging an amazing event featuring the world’s top snooker stars."

Ticket details for the tournament will be announced soon.

The last European Tour event is the Gdynia Open in Poland from February 7-9, and the last Asian Tour event runs from March 4-8. The line up of 32 players for the Grand Finals will then be announced.

Race Is On For Masters Spots

Snooker’s williamhill.com UK Championship started today and several players will have one eye on securing a place in the next major tournament: The Masters.

Only the top 16 seeds at the end of the williamhill.com UK Championship will qualify for The Masters. Mark Selby is number one seed as defending champion, followed by Ronnie O’Sullivan as World Champion, and the field will be made up by the next 14 players on the world ranking list.

Joe Perry is currently in line to take the 16th and last spot, but could be overtaken by Ali Carter, Graeme Dott, Mark Williams and Matthew Stevens.

The Masters is snooker’s most prestigious invitation event and runs from January 12-19 at Alexandra Palace in London.

Former World Champion Dott said: “I know that if I win matches at the UK then I’ve got a chance of getting into The Masters. I’m in the same section of the draw as Ali Carter so I know I’ve got to get further than him, and then if I do that I’ve got to go past Joe Perry in the rankings as well."

Dott, who reached the semi-finals of the Masters last season, added: “I would love to be there again because it is a great event and Ally Pally is a fantastic venue. I’ve been playing well recently, especially at the International Championship where I got to the semis, so I’ve got some confidence going into York.”

Mark Selby will be defending the title at The Masters, against the world’s leading players. Prize money for the BBC-televised event has been increased to £600,000, with the winner to receive a massive £200,000.

Tickets start at just £10, fantastic value for money. Call 0871 620 7052 (calls cost 10p per minute plus network extras) or visit www.worldsnooker.com/tickets

The williamhill.com UK Champions at the York Barbican runs from November 26 to December 8. To book tickets call 0844 854 2757 or visit www.worldsnooker.com/tickets

BEF Joins the National #GivingTuesday Movement to Encourage Spending With a Purpose

November 26, 2013 (Englewood, CO): The Billiard Education Foundation (BEF) has joined #GivingTuesday, a first of its kind effort that will harness the collective power of a unique blend of partners – charities, families, businesses and individuals – to transform how people think about, talk about and participate in the giving season. Coinciding with Thanksgiving and the kickoff of the holiday shopping season, #GivingTuesday will inspire people to take collaborative action to improve their local communities, give back in better, smarter ways to the charities and causes they support and help create a better world.

Taking place December 3, 2013 – #GivingTuesday will harness the power of social media to create a national moment around the holidays dedicated to giving, similar to how Black Friday and Cyber Monday have become days that are, today, synonymous with holiday shopping.

The BEF works hard to positively promote education and billiards. Generous contributions throughout the year support the organization in providing academic scholarships, youth billiard clinics and programs, and junior championships for the next generation of players. Over this next week, the BEF will help raise awareness of #GivingTuesday through social media and email campaigns, encouraging its supporters to join this unique call to action and give back.

“We hope you’ll keep us in mind this giving season and remember that the holidays are not just about consumerism but also about giving and creating a better world and community together,” said Samm Diep-Vidal, Executive Director for the Billiard Education Foundation, “Please join us on December 3 to celebrate #GivingTuesday by making a donation to the BEF to help us with our wish lists.”

Those who are interested in joining the BEF’s #GivingTuesday initiative can visit www.billiardeducation.org/2013-giving-tuesday/.

#GivingTuesday is a movement to celebrate and provide incentives to give. It will culminate with a global day of giving on December 3, 2013. For more information on the #GivingTuesday movement, visit the #GivingTuesday website (www.givingtuesday.org), Facebook page (www.facebook.com/GivingTuesday) or follow #GivingTuesday (www.twitter.com/GivingTues) on Twitter.

The Billiard Education Foundation (BEF) was formed in 1993 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charity committed to promoting a lifelong love of pool and building the next generation of players through youth programs and academic scholarships. The BEF also produces the annual Junior National 9-Ball Championships and qualifies young players each year for the WPA World Junior Championships.

THE LAST 16 BECKONS - ROUND 5

Tonight is Champions League night and it's on the big screen here at Rileys. We've got a very keen price on our pints at just £1.99, so get down and enjoy our continental footy fiesta!

Regards,

The Rileys Team

www.rileys.co.uk/parties

3-Cushion World Cup, Hurghada (EGY) - Dec 1st to 7th

The qualification phases have already started and the level of play will only get better as the final approaches on Saturday, december 7th. Don't miss the last 3-cushion tour stop of the year. It is Live exclusively on Kozoom.com, your online billiard TV channel. Subscribe here if you don't already have your Premium Pass.

RILEYS OPENS IN LONDON'S WEST END

We're delighted to announce the opening of our new Sports Bar in Haymarket, London.

With over 30 screens showing all sports channels, English & American pool, ping pong, VIP room and DJ nights, it's the ultimate sports playground.

So if you're down our way for a night out or a weekend break then pop-in and see us.

There's an extensive food and drinks menu so you'll be fixed up for a nice sports loving session.

Hope to see you here. (Click here for directions.)

We're posting some spectacular photos of our new venue on Facebook. Why not take a look?

The Rileys Haymarket Team

Orlando Helps the Philippines Through Tennis

Orlando, Florida- The city of Orlando is lending a hand to its faraway friends in the Philippines...through tennis. Players from all around Orlando, Jacksonville, and Tampa, are joining in the RealRealCool.com Typhoon Tennis Tournament this Saturday December 7th. The multicultural affair will be hosted by the Orlando Tennis Centre. The event is being organized by world renown sports production company Dragon Promotions and co-sponsored by Commissioner Daisy W. Lynum of Orlando District 5. The purpose of the tournament is to raise money for Typhoon Haiyan relief efforts in the Philippines, and also raise awareness of the plight of the people affected by the monster storm.

"I was actually in the Philippines the day the typhoon hit. You feel helpless when mother nature decides to rain on you. But at least in the aftermath, we can all do our part to pitch in", said Charlie Williams of Dragon Promotions, Executive Producer of the event. Williams is a 16 year resident of Orlando and started playing tennis a little over 3 years ago. Williams continues,"I love tennis. And it so happens that many of my tennis friends are Filipino, so it was a natural for me to get them all involved in this project."

Dragon Promotions is renown in the Philippines as the event organizers of the Yalin Women's World 10-Ball Championship and the JBET.com Queens Cup. The two largest women's sporting events in the country.

Typhoon Haiyan hit the Philippines in early November with a force 400% stronger than Hurricane Katrina. It was the mightiest storm ever recorded in history to make landfall. Over 5000 people died during the storm and the United Nations estimates 11 million people were negatively affected.

"I am very pleased to have my district involved with Dragon Promotions in this great charity event for the Philippines. The Typhoon Haiyan was a terrible disaster. It's great to see local Orlando businesses and the people of our city come together to show support for a foreign nation through the spirit of sports. We welcome everyone to come attend and enjoy the Typhoon Haiyan Tennis Tournament at the downtown Orlando Tennis Centre", said Commissioner Daisy W. Lynum of Orlando District 5.

Several international communities in Orlando have gotten behind the event. Player representatives from the Korean, Vietnamese, Hispanic and Filipino communities will be in attendance. The event is a doubles format with a open division and women's division. The tournament is open to all players of amateur status. Cash and prizes will be awarded to the top finishers.

The event is sponsored by international companies such as www.RealRealCool.com, Dragon Promotions, and Pool & Billiard Magazine. Local Orlando businesses such as Seito Sushi in Baldwin Park, DC/AC Air Conditioning, Florida Game Room, and Dynasty Auto are all contributors.

"It's terrific to see so many people getting behind this event for the Typhoon Haiyan relief. I'm very happy to see the Orlando Tennis Centre utilized in such a positive manner and promoting good health and goodwill through tennis. I look forward to seeing people from all walks of life attending our Orlando event", said Tom Sweitzer, Director of the Orlando Tennis Centre. The money raised will be sent to the Philippines #1 TV network ABS-CBN that has set up its charity Sagip Kapamilya, and also the Philippine Red Cross.

The tournament begins at 12 noon this Saturday and is free to watch to anyone attending. To play, contact dragonorlandotennis@gmail.com or call (407) 246-4469
Visit www.DragonPromotions.com and Follow the event on www.facebook.com/internationaltennis

New News Format

With the start of the final tournament of the 2013 Euro-Tour series, the Dynamic Billard Treviso Open, the EPBF will introduce an amended news system.

Along with the press releases sent daily, you will now be able to view news as it happens live via our news studio. Due to the new improvements it might be that the amount of press releases will be reduced but it will not affect the media coverage as the studio news will replace some of the articles that we would send out. The live news can be viewed on www.epbf.com and more information can be found at Facebook.com/europeanpocketbilliardfederation with a complete summery sent with a final press release to complete the days play.

As usual, the LIVE streaming of the matches can be followed on kozoom.com/en/pool-billiard

O’Sullivan To Meet Milkins At The Masters

World Champion Ronnie O’Sullivan will face debutant Robert Milkins in the first round of the Masters next month.

Snooker’s most prestigious invitation tournament runs from January 12 to 19 at Alexandra Palace in London, with a top prize of £200,000 and the famous trophy to be contested by the top 16 seeds.

The draw for the opening round was made today live on the BBC and it pitched Londoner O’Sullivan against Gloucester’s Milkins, who will play in the tournament for the first time having climbed into the top 16.

Defending champion Mark Selby will meet Mark Davis while world number one Neil Robertson will face Mark Allen.

The full draw is:

Mark Selby v Mark Davis
Stuart Bingham v John Higgins
Judd Trump v Marco Fu
Ding Junhui v Shaun Murphy
Neil Robertson v Mark Allen
Stephen Maguire v Joe Perry
Barry Hawkins v Ricky Walden
Ronnie O’Sullivan v Robert Milkins

The schedule of play will be announced soon.

Tickets start at just £10, fantastic value for money. Fans are advised to BOOK FAST as many sessions are selling out. Call 0871 620 7052 (calls cost 10p per minute plus network extras) or go to www.worldsnooker.com/tickets

There are also some stunning VIP and Corporate Hospitality packages available including lunch, sparkling wine, a photo with the Masters trophy, prime view seating and much more! For full details see www.worldsnooker.com/tickets

Rocket Ronnie In Barnsley On Thursday

The Barnsley Metrodome hosts the qualifying rounds of two of snooker's world ranking events this week, with World Champion Ronnie O'Sullivan in action on Thursday.

The Yorkshire venue will stage the first round of the German Masters on December 11 and 12 (Wednesday and Thursday), followed by the Haikou World Open on December 13 and 14 (Friday and Saturday). Both tournaments feature 128 players, with the 64 winners to go through to the final stages in Germany and China next year.

O'Sullivan is competing in the German Masters - a tournament he won in 2012 - and faces Thailand's Thepchaiya Un-Nooh on Thursday at 7pm.

Legend Steve Davis is straight back into green baize action following his jungle adventure on the TV show 'I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here.' The Nugget, who is flying back from Australia in order to resume his snooker career, faces Dylan Mitchell on Thursday at 7pm and Hammad Miah on Saturday at 2.30pm.

Neil Robertson, the newly crowned wlliamhill.com UK Champion, is up against Ian Burns on Thursday at 7pm and Alexander Ursenbacher on Saturday at 7pm.

Many more of snooker's top stars are competing including Mark Selby, Judd Trump, Ding Junhui, Jimmy White and John Higgins. The full draws and formats are available on www.worldsnooker.com

Tickets are ON SALE NOW and cost just £5 per day, with three sessions on each day at 10am, 2.30pm and 7pm. Or fans can take advantage of a special offer by paying just £10 for any three days. For details call 01226 738 618 or go to www.worldsnooker.com/tickets

WPA World Junior Championships Underway

April Larson Starts of Strong

December 9, 2013 (Englewood, CO): The 22nd Annual WPA World Junior & Wheelchair 9-Ball Championships kicked off December 8th at the Gold Reef City Theme Park Hotel in Johannesburg, South Africa with the traditional opening ceremony. 46 of the top junior players from across the world (31 boys and 15 girls), representing 22 countries from 6 continents are in top form, each gunning for the prestigious world title.

Of the 7 U.S. and 3 Canadian players representing the North American team this year, 13-year-old April Larson of Bloomington, Minnesota led the pack with a 6-5 victory against reigning girls world champion, Kamila Khodajeva of Begium. Canada’s Kayla Roloson and David Moyer also earned first-round victories. Tyler Styer escaped a first found hill-hill match while 17-year-old Nick Evans had a convincing 8-3 win against a local South African player.

In an unfortunate first round draw between Americans, 14-year-old Sergio Rivas of Wisconsin matched up against BEF veteran, 18-year-old Brendan Crockett. Rivas got the best of that match but Crockett plans to return strong. This will be the final opportunity for both Crockett and Styer to be eligible to compete in the World Junior Championships.

To view the complete player profiles for the U.S. players, visit billiardeducation.org. Online brackets, stories, and live streaming for this event can be found at cuesportfever.com.

The Billiard Education Foundation (BEF) was formed in 1993 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charity committed to promoting a lifelong love of pool and building the next generation of players through youth programs and academic scholarships. The BEF also produces the annual Junior National 9-Ball Championships and qualifies young players each year for the WPA World Junior Championships.

CueSports International (CSI) Hires New Manager

CueSports International, Henderson, Nevada (December 6, 2013) – CueSports International is proud to announce the addition of Ozzy Reynolds as the newest member of the CSI team where he will serve as CSI Manager. Ozzy will steer the internal and external affairs of CSI in to the future, under the supervision of Mark Griffin, CEO, and David Vandenberghe, COO.

Ozzy brings a wealth of billiards experience to the table, as both a player and a promoter. He began playing when he was just eight years old and has since competed in numerous amateur leagues, regional tour events, charity events, and national pro tournaments. Ozzy has become well-known in the mid-Atlantic region for being the founder, promoter, and director of The Action Pool Tour, The VA State-10-Ball Championships, The VA State 8-Ball Championships, and The East Coast 9-Ball Championship. He has created, promoted, or conducted nearly 100 tournaments since June 2011 and has given players in the mid-Atlantic region more opportunity than ever before.

Along with his billiards acumen, Ozzy also brings an impressive background of business education and experience to CSI. He worked as a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Marine Designer for ten years, a Construction Manager for NASA facility infrastructure projects for three years, and a Project Manager for NASA facility design and construction projects for four years. In 2009, he earned a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Business Administration (BSBA) from Old Dominion University with a minor in Civil Engineering Technology. In 2012, he earned a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from The College of William & Mary. He also holds official certifications as a Marine Designer and a Project Management Professional (PMP®) from The Project Management Institute (PMI®).

In the coming months, CSI will make many tactical and strategic decisions that that will strengthen its position and help shape the course of the entire industry. CEO Mark Griffin says he believes that Ozzy is “the right guy to help direct CSI into the future.” Likewise, Ozzy states that becoming an integral part of the CSI team is “a dream job.” He elaborated by saying, “I have always been and will always be a pool fanatic. However, due to the lack of organization within and support for the industry, I believed that playing and promoting pool would always be something I did as a side gig or hobby. I never imagined that I would one day have the opportunity to work full time for the game that I love and for such a terrific organization.”

Please join us in welcoming Ozzy to the CSI team as we continue to strengthen the industry, prepare for the future, and stay true to our motto – More Choices for All Players.

The current CSI portfolio is comprised of the BCA Pool League (BCAPL), USA Pool League (USAPL), U.S. Bar Table Championships, U.S. Open 10-Ball Championship, U.S. Open 8-Ball Championship, U.S. Open One-Pocket Championship, Jay Swanson Memorial 9-Ball Tournament, and most recently has included a major stake in the American Billiard Club Association (ABCA) and in 6 Pocket. Additionally, CSI has developed a proprietary tournament management software suite, CueSports Tournament System (CTS), unlike any other in the industry. CSI is also the exclusive North American distributor for the popular Magic Ball Rack™.