Site News
Topic: *Industry News* Aug-Dec 2010

New Q School Offers Chance Of Snooker Stardom

Budding snooker players from anywhere in the world dreaming of a shot at stardom will have the chance to qualify for the World Snooker Tour via the new Q School.

The Q School is set to run from May 11-31, 2011 (subject to entries), and it's a brand new system of qualification for the professional circuit, with 12 places on the Tour up for grabs. There will be three tournaments, each a week long, with the semi-finalists in each to earn a coveted place on the 2011/12 World Snooker Tour. Any player can enter - amateurs or those dropping off the 2010/11 pro circuit.

World Snooker Chairman Barry Hearn said: "The new Q School will give any player, from the UK and overseas, a shot at earning a place on the professional tour. The event will take place under immaculate playing conditions at our Academy in Sheffield - and players only have to be there for three weeks so, if they have other commitments in their life, they don't have to spend a whole year trying to earn a place. This is a particular advantage for players from overseas who prefer to avoid the expense of living in the UK for a year.

"The pressure at the Q School will be intense - there are 12 places on the circuit up for grabs but the standard is sure to be very high and it will be all about who can thrive with so much at stake. The cream will rise to the top and we will have the very best emerging young talents in the world playing on the main tour. And the reward is enormous - the chance to play on the professional circuit in snooker's new era, with millions of pounds of prize money available and the chance to play against the top stars at the big venues. I'd urge anyone who thinks they have a chance to get involved and give it their very best shot.

"We've already seen hundreds of amateurs competing successfully in the Players Tour Championship series this season and it's obvious what great stength in depth there is out there, even outside the pro Tour.

"This system is one that has been successful in golf for many years and the Q School brings us up to date with the best method of qualification for professional status."

Top players are giving their support to the Q School. China's Ding Junhui said: "The Q School is great idea because it will give players the chance to qualify for the pro circuit without having to spend a whole season living in the UK. I know how tough it was for me when I first came here from China, as it is for some of my Chinese friends who are trying to get on to the main tour. The Q School will mean that they only have to come for a few weeks, and if they are good enough they will earn a place."

Belgium's top player Bjorn Haneveer added: "It's good for the foreign players to have a chance to come to the UK and qualify in one go. You have got to be in the right shape and make sure you peak for those three weeks, but if you are in form then you have the chance. Plus we have the Players Tour Championship events as well so that's a great opportunity for amateur players to compete throughout the season and prepare themselves for the Q School."

The Q School is now open for entries. The deadline is March 1, 2011, but players are advised to enter as soon as possible to make sure of their place in the event.

For details see www.worldsnookerqschool.com and for more information you can also call 0117 317 8215

Paul Hunter Foundation Comes To Glasgow

The Paul Hunter Foundation Snooker Roadshow will be in Glasgow on Saturday September 25, offering FREE coaching and fun for budding young players.

It's a fantastic opportunity for anyone who loves snooker to sharpen up their game with expert coaching, learn trick shots and play in competitions. All under-18s are welcome, as well as their parents.

The roadshow will be at the Q Club, 101 Georges Road, Glasgow G3 6JA on Saturday from 10.30am to 12.30pm, and at Rileys, 120 Ledard Road, G42 9RA from 2pm to 4pm.

Chris Lovell of official partner the North Lancs Training Group said: "We're heading up to Glasgow to stage a roadshow event to co-incide with the 12BET.com World Open, where the best players in the world will be in action. For any youngsters watching Ronnie O'Sullivan and Stephen Hendry and dreaming of emulating them, this is your chance to improve your skills and have a lot of fun at the same time.

"Our events are all about giving young people something meaningful to do at the weekends and giving them new skills at the same time."

The foundation was established in 2006 in memory of Paul Hunter with the specific aim of giving disadvantaged, able bodied and disabled youngsters an opportunity to play snooker.

Hendry To Face O'Sullivan Or White

The last 16 of the 12BET.com World Open is sure to feature a clash of the snooker titans on Friday afternoon as seven-times World Champion Stephen Hendry will face either Ronnie O'Sullivan or Jimmy White.

The random draw took place at the SECC in Glasgow tonight, conducted by darts ace Robert Thornton, and legend Hendry came out of the hat against the winner of the Rocket v Whirlwind tie, which takes place on Thursday at 12.30pm.

Stephen Maguire must beat Judd Trump tonight to set up an all-Glasgow meeting with Alan McManus, while Crucible King Neil Robertson will face either Marco Fu or Andrew Higginson.

The full last 16 draw and schedule is:

Thursday, September 23
Afternoon session (third match)
Marcus Campbell v Ding Junhui

7pm
Mark Williams v Barry Hawkins
Peter Ebdon v Liu Song

Friday, September 24
12.30pm
Jamie Cope v Ricky Walden
Stephen Hendry v Ronnie O'Sullivan or Jimmy White
Alan McManus v Stephen Maguire or Judd Trump

7pm
Neil Robertson v Marco Fu or Andrew Higginson
Stephen Lee v Martin Gould or Matthew Couch.

Tickets for the tournament are on sale now, for details call 0844 395 4000 or visit www.worldsnooker.com/tickets

The 12BET.com World Open receives equal funding and support from EventScotland and Glasgow City Marketing Bureau.

The Glass City Open is Back!
But Now It's a Whole New Ball Game

TOLEDO, OH - September 21, 2010 - The Glass City Open, Toledo's namesake pool championship is back, but it's different. The event is now a 5-player Open Team 8-Ball Triple Elimination Tournament, limited to 64 Men's teams and 24 Ladies teams. They will compete for $40,000 in prize money at the Ramada Hotel and Conference Center Thanksgiving weekend, November 26-28, 2010.



"Anyone can play; pros, amateurs, shortstops...they're all welcome," says Tom Gearhart, Promoter and Tournament Director, who, along with his Glass City Open partner Tom Elder, resurrected the event.

Believing so much in its success, the two Toms and their sponsors are guaranteeing $15,000 added to the tournament.

"We will guarantee $12,000 added to the men's event with $10,000 guaranteed for first place and we will also guarantee $3,000 added to the ladies event with $2,500 guaranteed for first place," Gearhart said. "Plus, we will pay down approximately 25% of the field in both divisions."

"Our philosophy is simple," comments Gearhart, "make it fun, make it affordable, add in some guaranteed money, give each team three losses before they're out, have a great venue, bring in a couple of pros for exhibitions and entertainment, let the tournament players play on the best bar tables in the world, Diamond Smart Tables, and put in an action room for some great matchups and you have the makings for a fun-filled weekend playing pool! Now, get your best team together and let's get it on!"

Each 5-Player Team will get an attractive All-Inclusive tournament package for only $199 per player, that includes: Entry Fee into the Tournament, Two Deluxe Hotel Rooms for Two Nights (Friday-Saturday) at the host Ramada Hotel and Conference Center, five Glass City Open Tournament T-Shirts, 25-Raffle tickets to win cues and other prizes, an All-You-Can-Eat Saturday breakfast buffet for the whole team and guaranteed Added Prize Money of $15,000. Plus, mini-tournaments, a comedy act and more. Teams can secure their position in the event with a $250 deposit that is refundable until November 1, 2010.

As an added bonus, Billiard Club Network will produce the final 4 matches on Championship Sunday for Cable TV broadcast in Toledo on the Buckeye Cable Sports Network (BCSN) and other BCn regional affiliates. Live streaming is still to be determined, however ondemand viewing at BilliardClub.net and BCn's YouTube channel will allow Teams to show their talents worldwide.

Tom Gearhart is an experienced veteran in the tournament scene, having promoted and operated more than 100 pro and amateur events in the past 30 years. And although he has been out the pool world for the past 4 years, he has maintained a thumb on its pulse and admittedly claims that the economy and lack of fun team tournaments are the big factors in resurrecting the Glass City Open.

"I've wanted to bring something new and exciting to team tournaments for a long time and believe that the time is now. Besides, I never really left the pool world, I just had to do something to make a living," says Gearhart, who is currently the Director of Operations for Seagate For Your Home, a $5million a year home improvement company in Toledo, owned by Tom Elder, his GCO partner.

Billiard Club Network has signed on as TV producer and promotional partner of the event and will assist in the registrations until the GlassCityOpen.com web site is completed. Team Registration is Open, active and limited.

Team check-in will be 4:30 PM on Friday, November 26th with a mandatory Team Captain's Meeting at 5:30 PM. Mini-Tournaments will begin Thursday, November 25, Thanksgiving evening.

Billiard Congress of America Inks Deal with Coca-Cola
National Account Pricing for Billiard Congress of America Members

Broomfield, Colo. - September 22, 2010 -- The Billiard Congress of America today announced it has finalized an unprecedented national partnership with Coca-Cola that provides pool room members of the association with national account pricing on the Coca-Cola family of products. In addition to preferred pricing, members of the Billiard Congress of America committing to exclusively pour Coca-Cola product receive free state-of-the-art equipment, national promotions and business building support.

"We are thrilled that the recognized global leader in the beverage industry has committed to being the 'Official Soft Drink of Billiards,'" said Billiard Congress of America CEO Rob Johnson. "A partnership with Coca-Cola enables the Billiard Congress of America to better fulfill our mission of 'enhancing the success of our members and promoting the game of billiards.' Pool room operators will realize bottom-line savings and outstanding support and partnership from Coca-Cola, while the entire industry is going to benefit from Coca-Cola's commitment to promoting the game of billiards."

"This is a very exciting opportunity for The Coca-Cola Company. Providing superior customer service, beverage category expertise, and leadership results will be our commitment to the pool room operators and the billiard industry," said Coca-Cola Enterprise Account Executive Ed Naudin. "Growing the entire beverage category and driving beverage profitability with relevant programming will be critical to our future and long term success."

More Benefits Than Just Coca-Cola

Other new membership benefits and direct savings available to Billiard Congress of America room operator members include a First Data merchant credit card discount program, Sysco Foodservices rebate program and a Web site development and hosting service.

First Data is offering Billiard Congress of America room operator members exceptional rates and service for credit card processing. At a rate of cost plus 5 cents, Billiard Congress of America members taking advantage of the program are directly improving their bottom line.

"We have provided more than 50 analyses of merchant card statements from pool room operators and in every instance our First Data program provides more than $450 in annual savings to our pool room operators," said Johnson. "These programs are aimed at providing real, tangible savings."

Billiard Congress of America room operator members who purchase products through Sysco Foodservices are eligible to receive rebates, or FREE money, on many of the products they are regularly purchasing.

For as low as $380 a year, Billiard Congress of America room operator members receive a Web site template and yearly hosting fees. The Web site template is designed with the most critical features important to a pool room. The features include the following options: event listing and calendar, video and photo gallery, couponing, custom forms, custom pages and an email list manager.

Pool room operators interested in learning more about the Coca-Cola, First Data, Sysco Foodservices and BCA Web Services member benefits program are encouraged to contact Billy Yinger at 1-800-343-1329, ext. 8432. More information can also be found at bca-pool.com.

Membership Savings Guaranteed
The Billiard Congress of America is so convinced pool room operators are going to realize significant savings through these programs, the association is guaranteeing a return on investment by participating in the programs. As such, if a Billiard Congress of America member participates in the Coca-Cola and First Data programs for one full year and doesn't realize more savings than the cost of a Billiard Congress of America annual membership, the Billiard Congress of America will refund their annual dues.

The partnership with Coca-Cola, First Data and Sysco Foodservices is the direct result of BankShot Entertainment. BankShot Entertainment is the new marketing and activation division of 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.
About BankShot Entertainment

About BankShot Entertainment
Created in 2010, BankShot Entertainment is the BSE logomarketing and activation division of the Billiard Congress of America. BankShot Entertainment has the responsibility of helping increase the profitability of billiard businesses, including pool rooms and retails stores, by researching and negotiating partnerships with nationally recognized companies that offer discounted products, services and rebates. BankShot Entertainment will also secure marketing partnerships outside the billiard industry that will help increase participation in, and awareness of, pocket billiards. Through the BankShot Entertainment group purchasing and rebate programs, pool rooms and retailers will enjoy the same purchasing power normally reserved for Fortune 500 companies. For more information, please visit BankShotEntertainment.com or call 800.343.1329 ext 8432

'BATA', 'DJANGO' TOP POOL MONEY LIST
BY: MARLON BERNARDINO

MANILA---FILIPINO tumbok king Efren "Bata" Reyes and Francisco "Django" Bustamante dominated the latest 2010 Player Money List which includes 3 other Pinoy pool wizards in the top 10.

According to AZbilliards.com report yesterday, the 55-year-old Angeles City pride Reyes, the 2010 Player of the Decade, had total earnings of $83,512 and remained on top.

Reyes, dubbed as "The Magician" in the world of pool won the 2010 Spanish Open in Vigo, Spain last June 21 to 23 to receive the top prize of $7,432. He bested Niels "The Terminator" Feijen of the Netherlands in the finals.

Reyes, the prize fighter of sportsman/ businessman Aristeo "Putch" Puyat of Puyat Sports also won the Predator International 10-ball championships last weekend. He beat countryman Roberto "Pinoy Superman" Gomez to win the championships trophy plus $10,000 top prize.

The 47-year-old Tarlac City native Bustamante also frok Puyat Sports still at No.2 spot with $71,838.His biggest purse of $36,000 came from winning the 2010 World Pool Championships in Doha, Qatar last July 2 to 5. He beat "The Little Monster" Kuo Po-cheng of Chinese-Taipei for the coveted crown and joined the elite Filipino world 9-ball champion that includes Reyes (1999, Cardiff, Wales), Alex "The Lion" Pagulayan (2004, Kaohsiung, Chinese-Taipei) and Ronato "Volcano" Alcano ( Pasay City, Philippines).
Third in the money list is Briton's Karl Boyes with $59,488, followed by American's Shane Van Boening (4th) with $58,191, and two-time national open champion Lee Vann "The Slayer" Corteza (5th) with $50,722.

Corteza, top player of Jonathan Sy's Negros Billiards Stable (NBS), won back-to-back wins in the US Pool circuit---Hard Times Mezz Cue 10-ball in Los Angeles, California and 1st US Open 10-ball in Las Vegas, Nevada dominated the Predator Sweet 16 enroute $13,097. He beat Rodney "The Rocket" Morris for the crown.

At 6th and 7th spots are Filipino Dennis "Robocop" Orcullo and Briton Darren Appleton, respectively. The former fisherman from Bislig, Surigao del Sur Orcullo, the 2010 World Pool Masters Champion has $49,575, while Appleton, the 2008 World Ten-Ball Champion, has $45,106 worth of winnings.

Orcullo who teaming up with Gomez settled second place to the eventual team winner Fu Jian-bo and Li He-wen of China in the recent World Cup of Pool.

Rounding up to the top ten (10) are Morris ($43,137), Niels "The Terminator" Feijen of the Netherlands ($41,345), and another Filipino ace Jundel "Jano" Mazon ($40,000), the 2010 Guinness World Series of Pool last August 1 in Mall Taman Anggrek in Jakarta, Indonesia. He beat local bet Irsal Nasution in the finals.

CUE THE REVOLUTION... THE POWER OF 8 REVEALED
Players announced for inaugural Power Snooker event

Power Snooker, the new revolution in the world of snooker, has today confirmed the 8 world--class snooker players who will be taking part in the inaugural event at Indigo2 arena on 30th October.

Joining Ronnie 'The Rocket' O'Sullivan in the line up will be winner of the recent Shanghai Masters 2010 - Ali Carter; snooker legend Jimmy White; Australia's 2010 World championship winner - Neil Robertson; China's number one - Ding Junhui; current Masters champion - Mark Selby; former world champion - Shaun 'The Magician' Murphy and 16 year old Belgian whizz kid - Luca Brecel.

Already being hailed as snooker's answer to Twenty20 cricket, Power Snooker is the brand new innovative game which is set to revolutionise the world of snooker, bringing a fresh, exciting new concept and a whole new audience to the sport.

In Power Snooker it's points, not frames, that count and it's all against the clock. The players will be mic’d up throughout the event so you are able to experience the game first hand, and audience interaction will be positively encouraged. Great music, lighting and special effects plus stunning female referees and sexy Power Girls will add to the glamour of the whole event. Power Snooker is completely different to traditional snooker; it's fast paced and exciting!

Power Snooker takes place at the Indigo2 arena in London on Saturday 30th October. There are two sessions; the afternoon session is between 1 - 5pm and will include all eight players in the first round knock out. The evening session is between 6 – 10pm and will feature the two semi finals, 3rd and 4th play offs, concluding with the Grand Final.

The magnificent 8 will be competing against each other in a bid to be the first winner of Power Snooker 2010 in the one-day tournament. The full 8-hour event will be broadcast live on ITV4.

The individual match draw announcement will take place live on ITV1 on 12th October, during half time of the England v Montenegro football match.

Maguire Up Next For O'Sullivan

It's England versus Scotland in the quarter-finals of the 12BET.com World Open on Saturday night with home favourite Stephen Maguire to play Rocket Ronnie O'Sullivan.

The random draw at the SECC tonight pitched O'Sullivan, who beat Stephen Hendry in the last 16, against another top Scot in Glasgow's Maguire.

Saturday's quarter-final draw and schedule is:

1pm
Mark Williams v Ding Junhui
Peter Ebdon v Martin Gould or Stephen Lee

7pm
Ronnie O'Sullivan v Stephen Maguire
Ricky Walden v Neil Robertson or Andrew Higginson

Tickets for the tournament are on sale now, for details call 0844 395 4000 or visit www.worldsnooker.com/tickets

The 12BET.com World Open receives equal funding and support from EventScotland and Glasgow City Marketing Bureau.

Allison Fisher Devastates Her Way to the Finals of The China Open

Fisher near unstoppable and looks better than ever!

Shanghai, China- Allison Fisher is once again the last westerner standing in a sea of Asian female talent. Fisher has been dominant in almost all of her matches and has made it to the finals of the China Open in style. She had just finished runner-up two weeks earlier at the Women's World 9-Ball in China. The China Open is winding down with only 4 players left on the Men's side and down to the final 2 women in the ladies division. 64 men started the event and 48 ladies. Both divisions will have new champions this year as defending champions Thorsten Hohmann and Tsai Chen Pen have been eliminated. Heavy hitters such as Shane Van Boening, Rodney Morris, Mika Immonen, Ralf Souquet , Marlon Manalo, Niels Feijen, and many more are all eliminated as well. On the ladies side Ga Young Kim and Jasmin Ouschan failed to make it past the stage 2 qualifying rounds, and names such as Kelly Fisher, Rubilen Amit, Karen Corr, Yu Ram Cha as well as Chinese World Champs Sha Sha Liu and Xiaofang Fu are all gone.

On the men's side, Efren Reyes hot streak from the last week's Predator International Championship was finally cut in the quarter finals as China's Liu Haitao defeated him. China's Yu Long Zhang eliminated USA hotshot Van Boening after trailing 5-0 to win 11-9. He faces Filipino rising star Lee Van COrteza in the semi-finals with Haitao facing Antonio Lining. Its Philippines vs China in both semi-finals.

China's Liu Haitao could become a national hero if he wins!

On the ladies side, Allison Fisher started off with a shaky win 9-8 over Japan's #1 Kawahara and then she demolished Korea's Ga Young Kim 9-4. This put her in the final 16 elimination rounds where she struggled through a tough 9-7 win over Kelly Fisher, and then she found her stride in another near flawless match against reigning World 10-Ball Champion Rubilen Amit 9-3. She capped the night off in the highly anticipated showdown in the semi-finals against arch rival Karen Corr. Corr had a great streak of her own eliminating 17 year old wonder and former World Champ Sha Sha Liu in a 9-2 drubbing of her younger opponent and also a 9-1 beatdown on China's Zhou Doudou. But it was anticlimactic as Corr struggled with Fisher's flawless performance and lost an incredible 9-0 shutout.

"I really didn't expect that. It's always a dog fight with Karen, so that's what I prepared for. After the match I was like, did that just happen?", commented Fisher after the match. Fisher is now guaranteed to move into #1 spot in the World Rankings win or lose.

On the other bracket, Si Ming Chen of China also cruised through with easy wins over Amway Cup former Champ Chieh-Yu Chouh 9-5, and then former World 9-Ball Champ Yuan Chun Lin 9-5. Both ladies are playing top class and it looks to be a good finals between England and China, East vs West.

O'Sullivan To Meet Ebdon In Semis

Former World Champions Ronnie O'Sullivan and Peter Ebdon will go head-to-head in the first semi-final of the 12BET.com World Open on Sunday afternoon.

The Rocket saw off Stephen Maguire 3-1 tonight while Ebdon beat Martin Gould by the same scoreline.

Mark Williams edged out Ding Junhui 3-2 and will play either Ricky Walden or current Crucible champ Neil Robertson in the other semi.

Semi-finals:

2pm
Ronnie O'Suillivan v Peter Ebdon
Mark Williams v Neil Robertson or Ricky Walden

The 12BET.com World Open receives equal funding and support from EventScotland and Glasgow City Marketing Bureau.

Robertson Tops Rankings

Neil Robertson took the coveted No 1 position in the world rankings after beating Ronnie O’Sullivan 5-1 in the final of the 12BET.com World Open in Glasgow.

The Australian kept up his perfect record in ranking event finals and has now won six out of six. He jumps from third to first in the list and becomes only the eighth player to have held the World No 1 position, after Ray Reardon, Cliff Thorburn, Steve Davis, Stephen Hendry, John Higgins, Mark Williams and O’Sullivan.

The world rankings now work as a two-year rolling list and Robertson approves of the new system. “It means the list is much more up to date and rewards players who are winning tournaments and doing well,” said the Australian, who won the Betfred.com World title last May. “To be World Champion and World No 1 at the same time is a dream come true.”

O’Sullivan missed out on the 23rd ranking title of his career but he’s still up two places to fourth.

Peter Ebdon reached the semi-finals and is up four places to 13th, and with the cut off point for seedings for the UK Championship and the Masters to come after Euro Players Tour Championship event two next weekend, Ebdon looks set to qualify automatically for those two events. Mark Williams was the other losing semi-finalist and he’s up two spots to sixth.

Martin Gould reached the first ranking quarter-final of his career and he flies up six places to 26th, and Ricky Walden also reached the same stage to earn a leap from 27th to 22nd.

The 12BET.com World Open receives equal funding and support from EventScotland and Glasgow City Marketing Bureau.

Snooker gets POWER surge from World open

Organisers of the new snooker format POWER SNOOKER have heralded last weeks World Open as a 'total success'.

Rod Gunner, Chairman of POWER SNOOKER said "Our inaugural event on Oct 30th at London's Indigo2 has already been embraced by the players and the snooker and sport press. However the success of the quick fire World Open in Glasgow has given us a real boost, as our ticket sales surged overnight"

Being hailed as snooker's answer to Twenty20 cricket, Power Snooker is the brand new innovative game which is set to revolutionise the world of snooker, bringing a fresh, exciting new concept and a whole new audience to the sport.

Eight world famous snooker players including last night's World Open finalists Neil Robertson and Ronnie O'Sullivan will be kitted out in designer outfits, plus there'll be great music, lighting and special effects, and the stunning female referees and sexy Power Girls will add to the glamour of the whole event. The players are going to be mic'd up throughout the event on live TV, and audience interaction is going to be encouraged. Power Snooker is a totally new experience.

Gunner adds; "I'm sure Ronnie will want to win this event, and something tells me that a clash with the new World Open champion will be on his wish list!"

Power Snooker takes place at the Indigo2 arena in London on Saturday 30th October. There are two sessions; the afternoon session is between 1 - 5pm and will include all eight players in the first round knock out. The evening session is between 6 – 10pm and will feature the two semi finals, 3rd and 4th play offs, concluding with the Grand Final.

The full 8-hour event will be broadcast live on ITV4.

For tickets and availability visit www.powersnooker.com

Robertson Targets Masters

Neil Robertson hopes he can win The Masters, snooker’s most prestigious invitation tournament, when the event returns to Wembley Arena in January.

Tickets for The Masters, which runs from January 9 to 16, are now on sale. It’s an elite event with a rich history, with all of the sport’s greatest names engraved on the trophy. DON’T MISS THIS CHANCE to see the world’s top stars battling for a top prize of £150,000. Book your seats by calling 0844 815 0815 (Disabled Booking Line 020 8782 5629) or visiting www.wembleyarena.co.uk

Australia’s Robertson won the Betfred.com World Championship last May as well as the 12BET.com World Open last weekend. He said: “The Masters is our biggest invitation tournament so it would be fantastic to follow up the world title by winning it. The players all look forward to it because it doesn’t have the pressure of ranking points but there’s a lot of money and prestige. The crowds are always big and rowdy and I love that atmosphere.”

Robertson, age 28, made his Masters debut in 2004, losing 6-2 to crowd favourite Jimmy White. “It was great to play Jimmy at his home venue, that was an amazing experience,” added the Thunder From Down Under. “It was my first televised match and after that I felt comfortable playing on TV because it couldn’t get more nerve-racking. I still watch that match on DVD sometimes and think about how far I have come since then.

“I don’t have a great record at the Masters, I’ve never even got to the semi-finals. I’ve proved that I can play my best at the biggest tournaments now so I want to perform at Wembley this time.”

Defending champion is Mark Selby, who beat Ronnie O’Sullivan 10-9 in last year’s thrilling final. Rocket Ronnie has appeared in six of the last seven finals and will be desperate to regain the title this year.

All of the world’s top 16 – as of the seeding cut-off point after EPTC2 which finishes on October 3 - will be in action.

Top 16 Line Up Confirmed For UK Championship And Masters

The line up of the top 16 players to qualify automatically for two of snooker's biggest events, the UK Championship and the Masters, has now been confirmed.

The new system for the world rankings means that the seeding list is updated at certain points during the season, and the first cut-off point came at the end of Euro Players Tour Championship event two, which finished on Sunday.

The top 16 are now guaranteed a place in the final stages of the UK Championship, which runs from December 4 to 12 at the International Centre in Telford, and the Masters, at Wembley Arena from January 9 to 16.

Neil Robertson is the World No 1 with the top four made up by Ali Carter, John Higgins and Mark Williams. Higgins is set to return to competitive action on British soil for the first time since his suspension in May when he competes in Telford in December.

No 1 seeds for the UK Championship and Masters will be defending champions Ding Junhui and Mark Selby respectively.

The full top 16 is:

1. Neil Robertson
2. Ali Carter
3. John Higgins
4. Mark Williams
5. Stephen Maguire
6. Ronnie O'Sullivan
7. Shaun Murphy
8. Ding Junhui
9. Mark Selby
10. Stephen Hendry
11. Graeme Dott
12. Mark Allen
13. Peter Ebdon
14. Jamie Cope
15. Mark King
16. Marco Fu

The format for the UK Championship and the Masters will be announced shortly.

"VOLCANO" ALCANO WINS PATTAYA 9-BALL;POCKETS 300,000 BAHT PRIZE MONEY
BY: MARLON BERNARDINO

Champion: Ronato Alcano of the Philippines (300,000 Baht prize money)
Runner-up: Lee Vann Corteza of the Philippines (50,000 Baht)
Third and fourth: Dennis Orcullo of the Philippines and Liu Hui Chang of Chinese-Taipei (30,000 Baht each)

MANILA---RONATO "Volcano" Alcano turned back compatriot Lee Vann "The Slayer" Corteza, 11-7, in an-all Filipino finals to rule the 2010 Sangsom Pattaya 9-Ball Invitational Pool Competition at the Royal Garden Plaza in Pattaya, Thailand on Sunday.

"Winning a tournament wherein you have to compete against some of the world's best players is a very big accomplishment, and I'm very happy for this win," said the Lanky cue artists Alcano, top player of Perry Mariano's Bugsy Promotions.

"I've hoped and prayed hard enough to win this crown for my countrymen as well as for my boss Pery and Verna Mariano who has been helping me compete abroad," added Alcano.

Perry Mariano, president of Bugsy Promotions, long-time benefactor of Alcano commented.
“Magaling na bata (Ronato Alcano) yan pero makikita nyo ang pinadadala ng Taiwan mga 15 years old. Tayo 56 at 30 plus. Pag di nakinig ang mga kinauukulan goodbye ang bilyar.” said Mariano, founder of newly formed National Collegiate Billiards League (NCBL).

It was Alcano’s first major title this years since winning the 8-ball division of the Galveston Classic Billiards Extravaganza at the Moody Gardens Hotel and Convention Center in Galveston City, Texas last year.
Alcano became the third player in pool history to become a double world champion after winning the World 8-Ball in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates three years ago. He beat Ralf"Kaiser" Souquet of Germany for the World 9-Ball tiara in 2007 Manila edition.

The Lanky cue artists Alcano, a member of the Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines and Sen. Manny Villar’s Team Villards, jumped the gun on at the start of their titular match, quickly racing to a 4-0 lead.After trading racks, Alcano seized countrol the game in the 13th frame with a 7-6 lead.

Corteza, top player of Jonathan Sy's Negros Billiards Stable, however, bounced back by winning the 14th frame to even the count at 7-all. The 31-year-old Davao City native Corteza suffered a scracth in the 15th frame allowing Alcano to clean up the table.Thus Alcano never looked back winning the last three racks for an 11-7 triumph in the race-to-11, winners break format.

On the road to the finals, Corteza outclassed Liu Hui Chang of Chinese-Taipei, 10-4, enroute a final-round berth and arrange an all Filipino finale.Alcano, on the other hand needed to beat fellow Bugsy Promotions ace Dennis "Robocop" Orcullo, 10-3, to earned the last finals berth.
With the feat, Alcano received 300,000 Baht prize money, Corteza pocketed runner-up purse 50,000 Baht while losing semi-finalists Orcullo and Liu went home 30,000 Baht each.

NEW COLLEGE LEAGUE SEEKS TO CLEAN RP BILLIARDS' IMAGE
BY: MARLON BERNARDINO

"It's about time to change the image of billiards in the Philippines."

This was the battlecry of the National Collegiate Billiards League (NCBL) founders who vowed to take away the "gambling" image of the sport, whose international Pinoy champions have put the country on the world map of billiards.

The NCBL B-League will have its first break on November 20 and will run up to March next year, having attracted at least 19 learning institutions and the support of various firms and individuals. Each schools will field both college and high school teams in 8-Ball doubles, 9-Ball, and 10-Ball.

The format will take a few months to complete the round robin elimination before it moves on to the finals.

Ceferino "Perry" Mariano, founder of Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines (BMPAP) admitted he is saddened that the pool of talent now in local billiards is limited to out-of-school youths, who spend most of their time hustling billiard halls for survival.

But, he said, with the forthcoming NCBL, schools can now be proud of their talented billiards players. They can offer athletic scholarships to promising players.

"The rising stars of other countries are in their teens. In two or three years, new generation of stars will eventually take over from the veterans. We need to develop a new breed of stars to keep our dominance in the sport. If not, well lose our competitive edge," said Mariano, owner of Bugsy Promotions that manages former double world champion Ronato Alcano, Dennis Orcullo, Roberto Gomez and Carlo Biado.

They also appealed to non-traditional sponsors to help the NCBL since the league plans to stay away from the usual billiards tournament sponsors such as beer and other alcohol products.

"We’ve invited schools to participate. We want to bring kids who are good in billiards but are out of school back to the classroom as athletic scholars. We want to keep the sport alive beyond the stars of today and we want to develop new billiards heroes," said NCBL president Aurelio "Reli" De Leon, whose expertise includes landing contracts for world boxing champions Manny Pacquiao and Erik Morales.

The NCBL is seen as an answer to the comprehensive youth program of Taiwan, wherein billiards was made part of the physical education inter-school system to discover young talents.

Taylor And Doherty Eager For Seniors Success

Former World Champions Dennis Taylor and Ken Doherty expect their competitive instinct to take over when they play in the World Seniors Championship in November.

This showpiece celebration of snooker, which runs from November 5 to 7 at the Cedar Court Hotel in Bradford, boasts a fantastic line up with a magnificent seven former World Champions on show as well as people's champion Jimmy White and Crucible finalist Nigel Bond.

Irishmen Taylor and Doherty both feel that this new tournament will provide great entertainment for fans, as a mixture of fun and banter as well as some top quality action on the green baize.

"We're all really looking forward to it, the circuit has been crying out for an event like this for years," said Taylor, who famously beat Steve Davis on the last black of the 1985 World final.
"We've already had a great response from fans who are looking forward to it.

"It's going to be very competitive because a lot of the players involved are still on the professional tour. Maybe it should be over 50s instead of over 40s to give me a chance!"

Doherty, who conquered the Crucible with victory over Stephen Hendry in 1997, added: "I'm sad to say that I'm one of the golden oldies now! But it's going to be a superb event and it's great to see some innovation and variety on the snooker calendar this season.

"There's a world title and a lot of prize money at stake so the players are not just there to have a good time. The competitive animal in all of us will take over and we will all want to win. I'm the only player to have won the world title at junior, amateur and professional level so I would love to add the senior crown to that list. The standard of snooker will be high and no one will be taking it lightly.

"Having said that, it will be a relaxed atmosphere and we're going to have some fun with the crowd. There's a real mix of personalities with some of us still on the main tour and a few of the legends from the 1980s."

The line-up is Steve Davis, Jimmy White, Joe Johnson, Cliff Thorburn, Dennis Taylor, John Parrott, Ken Doherty, Peter Ebdon, and Nigel Bond, while comperes John Virgo and Willie Thorne will provide extra entertainment.

Prices range from £15 for seats at the quarter finals to £65 for a seat at the Sportsman’s Dinner on the Friday night. Guests at the Sportsman’s Dinner will see the first match of the tournament and may even find that they are seated next to a snooker legend!

BOOK YOUR SEATS NOW BY VISITING www.worldsnooker.com/tickets

The event will be filmed and broadcast by Sky Sports over Christmas.

Jasmin Ouschan Leads the Lovely Ladies of the 70th World Tournament

Clifton, New Jersey- Austrian female sensation Jasmin Ouschan will be gunning for the men once again at the 70th Annual Predator World Tournament of Straight Pool presented by KnightShot.com . She leads four other women in the 48 invitational field at Breaker Billiards which will host this year's event playing on beautiful Brunswick Gold Crown tables and using Simonis Cloth. The event will start play today October 6,2010 and ends on Columbus Day October 11th. The greatest straight pool players from around the world will arrive on USA's east coast again to New Jersey, and attend this prestigious event to play for the coveted title of World Straight Pool Champion. The event is co-sponsored by Amsterdam Billiard Club, Master Chalk, Aramith Balls, www.Ultimate10ball.com, and Accu-Stats.

Ouschan made history this past year sweeping all the divisions of the European Championships in the ladies divisions including 9-Ball, 8-Ball, and straight pool. Ouschan is used to making history, in 2008 she became the first woman in history to reach a major men's semi-finals at the World Tournament of 14.1.

She will be joined by Japan's Tamiko Kumatori, Turkish Women's Champ Neslihan Gurel, top women's pro Gerda Hofstatter of Austria , and USA's top women's pro Megan Smith who earlier won a open qualifier to earn her spot into the event.

The ladies will be eyeing superstar opponents in the field such as Thorsten Hohmann, Mike Sigel, Oliver Ortmann, Johnny Archer, Mika Immonen and defending champion Stephan Cohen of France and many more . The event is by far the most powerful list of world beaters in the 14.1 world who will come to play in the greatest straight pool tournament in the world.

Live scoring and brackets will be hosted by www.azbilliards.com and live streaming of the event at www.accu-stats.com Additional coverage at www.DragonPromotions.com

The 2010 Predator World Tournament is proudly sponsored by straight pool aficionados Dr.Louis Pannullo of NYC, Bill Austin of UT, Harold Siegel of NYC, Stu Mattana of NYC, and Badi Nazhat of Curacao. Other significant patrons include Dr.Michael Frank, and Ralph Rubin. Co-Contributors we like to recognize include Dennis Walsh, Bill Marapolus, Peter Burrows, Richard Klein, James Heller, and Jeff Mohl.    
Full event info is at www.dragonpromotions.com


Ouschan is the current #1 ranked European women's player
and the first female Bronze Medalist in a men's World Championship.

RUBILEN AMIT TO DEFEND WORLD WOMENS 10-BALL TITLE THIS MONTH
BY: MARLON BERNARDINO

MANILA---RUBILEN “BINGKAY”AMIT will defend his crown at the 2nd Women’s World 10-Ball Championship, which takes place from October 24 to November 1 in Manila.

The tournament is organized by Dragon Promotions sanctioned by the World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA) and supported by long-time billiards patron Sebastian “Baste” Chua.

“Talagang pinaghandaan ko po ang Women’s World 10-Ball Championship,” said the Cebuana native Amit, who is residing in Taguig City.

Amit, top women’s player of Aristeo “Putch” Puyat of Puyat Sports, ruled the inaugural edition of the Women’s World 10-Ball tilt in Manila last year, beating the best of women’s billiards to join an elite group of Filipino world champions in Efren “Bata” Reyes, Alex “The Lion” Pagulayan, Ronato “Volcano” Alcano and Francisco “Django” Bustamante.
She beat Taiwanese Shin Min Liu, 10-4 in the finals of the 1st Women’s World 10-Ball championship 2009 at the Skydome Amphitheatre at SM North Edsa in Quezon City enroute top prize of $20,000.

It was one of Amit’s three triumphs in 2009 as she teamed up with Reyes to reign supreme in the World Mixed Doubles Championship last November and then copped the eight-ball and nine-ball gold medals in the 2009 Laos Southeast Asian Games a month later.

Amit’s pair of golden efforts in Vientiane was one more than what their men’s counterparts pocketed.

The world’s no.3 Amit, a gold medalist in the 2006 Doha Asian Games, is seeking to snare golds in the 8- and 9-ball events in the 2010 Asian Games from Nov. 12-27 in Guangzhou, China.

WPBSA Makes Key Appointments Following October 6 Board Meeting

An invitation to join the board of the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association has been formally accepted by Mr Zhang Xiaoning of the Chinese Billiards and Snooker Association, subject to approval from the Ministry of Sport in China.

Mr Zhang Xiaoning is a leading figure in sports administration in China, with roles including Director of Multi-ball Administrative Centre of State General Administration of Sports, Member of the Chinese Olympic Committee and Chairman of CBSA.

WPBSA Chairman Jason Ferguson said: "This is a key appointment in terms of the international development of our sport. With a growing number of Chinese and Asian players on the professional tour, we firmly believe that those members should have a representative from their part of the world on the board."

Former referee Alan Chamberlain has been co-opted on to the board. Chamberlain refereed on snooker's professional circuit for 28 years before retiring earlier this year. He took charge of many televised finals, including the 1997 World Championship and eight Masters finals at Wembley.

Ferguson said: "Over many years, Alan has worked at the highest level of impartiality. He will play an important role on the board in our function as owner and governer of the rules and regulations of the sport."

Chamberlain added: "I'm sure I can pass on some of my knowledge and experience and be of assistance to the WPBSA board."

Sindhu Pulsirivong has been made President of the WPBSA. He has been President of the Billiard Sports Association of Thailand since 1988 and is also President of the Asian Confederation of Billiard Sports, which is the most senior governing body for snooker in Asia, and a board member of the International Billiards and Snooker Federation.

Ferguson added: "We are also thrilled to appoint Sindhu as President. Thailand, like China, is a growing market for our sport and Sindhu has been a great supporter of snooker over the years.

"These appointments represent our belief in the future globalisation of our sport. This now completes the board and we will be asking the members to support it."