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Topic: *Industry News* 2015 - 2024

INDUSTRY NEWS - January 2015

Pro9 receives more news than we can fit on our front page, and not all news can take pride of place with our "featured article" status, and frankly some news is less relevant to the European market, so, after successful trials, we will continue to present it here!

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Extra Seats Added For Masters Snooker

Demand for tickets has been so high for next week's Dafabet Masters that World Snooker has added extra seats in the arena.

Snooker fans have snapped up tickets to see the world’s leading 16 players battling for the trophy and a top prize of £200,000, with the final selling out weeks in advance.

The 1,500-seater arena at Alexandra Palace in North London has now had nearly 200 extra seats added for the tournament which runs from January 11 to 18, and the tickets are NOW ON SALE.

Ronnie O’Sullivan is defending the title and plays his opening match against Ricky Walden on Tuesday January 13. Among the other green baize stars in action will be Judd Trump, Neil Robertson and Mark Selby.

A spokesman for World Snooker said: “We have had fantastic ticket sales so far and it is building up to be an incredible tournament. Ally Pally has a unique atmosphere and this event brings together the cream of snooker’s crop.

“Extra tickets have now been released but there are less than 200 available for most sessions so fans MUST BOOK FAST if they want the chance to be there live to see one of the best events in British sport.”

For ticket details call 0871 620 7052 or visit www.worldsnooker.com/tickets

The schedule for the first round is:

Mark Selby v Shaun Murphy (Sunday January 11 at 1pm)
Stuart Bingham v Marco Fu (Sunday January 11 at 7pm)
Judd Trump v Stephen Maguire (Monday January 12 at 1pm)
Neil Robertson v Robert Milkins (Monday January 12 at 7pm)
Ronnie O'Sullivan v Ricky Walden (Tuesday January 13 at 1pm)
Barry Hawkins v Ali Carter (Tuesday January 13 at 7pm)
Mark Allen v John Higgins (Wednesday January 14 at 1pm)
Ding Junhui v Joe Perry (Wednesday January 14 at 7pm)

Format for subsequent rounds:

Quarter-final one (O'Sullivan / Walden v Bingham / Fu): Thursday January 15 at 1pm

Quarter-final two (Hawkins / Carter v Robertson / Milkins): Thursday January 15 at 7pm

Quarter-final three (Ding / Perry v Allen / Higgins): Friday January 16 at 1pm

Quarter-final four (Trump / Maguire v Selby / Murphy): Friday January 16 at 7pm

Semi-final one: Saturday January 17 at 1pm
Semi-final two: Saturday January 17 at 7pm

Final: Sunday January 18

Robertson Wary Of Milkins Challenge

World number one Neil Robertson insists he will face a tough test in his opening match at the Dafabet Masters when he faces Robert Milkins on Monday.

Snooker's biggest invitation tournament starts this Sunday and runs until January 18, with 16 of the world's leading players contesting the title and a top prize of £200,000.

Shaun Murphy and Mark Selby go head to head in the opening match of the BBC-televised tournament at Alexandra Palace in London on Sunday afternoon.

Then on Monday evening, Australia's Robertson is up against Milkins, who made his debut in the event last year and lost 6-0 to Ronnie O'Sullivan. Robertson lost to Milkins in the first round of the 2013 World Championship so knows the Englishman's strengths.

"Maybe he'll give himself the underdog tag and feel he has nothing to lose," said Robertson. "He is a very dangerous player as he proved when he beat me at the Crucible. He has definitely earned his place at the Masters by getting into the top 16. It's a tough match for me.

"Complacency is a trap you can fall into when you are drawn against a player who doesn't have that much experience at the highest level. But these days there are so many guys who can play their best on TV. I know Rob lost to Ronnie last year, but this time there will be more fans on his side in the arena because he's English."

Robertson won the Masters in 2012 when he beat Shaun Murphy in the final. He said: "It was a fantastic moment to win the title. I also got to the final the following year so Ally Pally has been a great venue for me. It's an excellent venue and this is one of the three biggest events of the season alongside the World and UK Championship. I like it when the crowd get involved. Every match is between two top 16 players so it always feels like a big occasion."

The 32-year-old has been following a vegan diet for the past two months and was able to stick to it over the Christmas break.

"It was very easy because there are so many fantastic meals you can have without having to eat meat or dairy," he added. "I'm learning more and more about the diet, eating better and feeling so many benefits from it."

Ronnie O'Sullivan, Judd Trump and Ding Junhui will be among the other top stars battling for the trophy.

Extra seats have been added into the arena due to high demand. Tickets are still available but fans must book quickly. For details call 0871 620 7052 or visit www.worldsnooker.com/tickets

The schedule for the first round is:

Mark Selby v Shaun Murphy (Sunday January 11 at 1pm)
Stuart Bingham v Marco Fu (Sunday January 11 at 7pm)
Judd Trump v Stephen Maguire (Monday January 12 at 1pm)
Neil Robertson v Robert Milkins (Monday January 12 at 7pm)
Ronnie O'Sullivan v Ricky Walden (Tuesday January 13 at 1pm)
Barry Hawkins v Ali Carter (Tuesday January 13 at 7pm)
Mark Allen v John Higgins (Wednesday January 14 at 1pm)
Ding Junhui v Joe Perry (Wednesday January 14 at 7pm)

Format for subsequent rounds:

Quarter-final one (O'Sullivan / Walden v Bingham / Fu): Thursday January 15 at 1pm
Quarter-final two (Hawkins / Carter v Robertson / Milkins): Thursday January 15 at 7pm
Quarter-final three (Ding / Perry v Allen / Higgins): Friday January 16 at 1pm
Quarter-final four (Trump / Maguire v Selby / Murphy): Friday January 16 at 7pm

Semi-final one: Saturday January 17 at 1pm
Semi-final two: Saturday January 17 at 7pm

Final: Sunday January 18

SUPER EEBC YEAR !!!

                                                                 2014 Report

706 players in tournaments, 345 participants of the International Billiard Academy and fourfold increase in the budget – it is the shortest recapitulation of EEBC activities in 2014.

The improvement of the financial let EEBC give directly support for 82 people for their participation in international pool and pyramid competitions.

EEBC was an initiator of the Baltic Billiard Centre in Ketrzyn, Poland , where the mayor Mr. Krzysztof Hecman built and equipped the billiard club. There are 8 pool and 2 carom tables.

The contract with the International Pyramid Confederation gave a chance to organize 7 events and 3 courses for pyramid players and the start of sportsmen from Bulgaria, Germany, Poland, Slovakia, Czech in world pyramid championships in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Russia . The hosts of EEBC Pyramid Tours were: Germany, Spain and Czech Republic.

For the first time EEBC was an organizer of the carom competition ( in Poland) and Summer Billiard Academy ( in Bulgaria).

The special series of tournaments was the Billiard Academy of Chance. 20 disabled people participated in it. They were learning to play pool and pyramid. Marshal of Swietokrzyskie Region , Poland, covered lots of expenses of the project.

EEBC Junior Cup – international series of junior events was finished with a great success. 220 young players took part in the tournaments in Poland, Slovakia and Czech Republic.

International Billiard Academy – regional cooperative program in seven sports meetings gathered 345 people. Thanks to the support of sponsors, local government authorities and partner federations there was a chance to organize sport events in Poland, Israel, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Czech and Lithuania, which players from 9 countries took part.

The EEBC Team Cup was a new initiative. Teams from Latvia, Poland, Slovakia and Lithuania met in Kaunas, Lithuania.

Main tournament created with EEBC support were series: Dynamic Best of the East ( 254 participants) , Baltic Pool Leaque ( 149 participants) and EEBC Pyramid Tour ( 110 participants).

EEBC had 17 partners in 2014. The new ones are Dynamic Billard, Iwan Simonis and Saluc – Aramith.

President of EEBC
Marcin Krzemiński
www.ebc-billiard.com

EAG International 2015

The Fun Is About To Begin

The biggest show of the coin-op year opens its doors in less than 24 hours and what happens over the following 3 days will set the tone for the next 12 months.

With an industry regaining its confidence and a brand new companion show, EAG International 2015 simply cannot be missed.

MONDAY, JANUARY 12, 2015
TODAY IS THE LAST DAY TO BOOK YOUR ROOM RESERVATIONS. BOOL THEM NOW!

The 17th Annual Derby City Classic presented by Horseshoe Southern Indiana, Jan. 23 - 31, 2015
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Horseshoe Derby City Classic
Individual Room Nights
Book individual room nights for the 2015 Horseshoe Derby City Classic at Horseshoe Southern Indiana over the dates of January 20, 2015 through February 1, 2015. 1st night’s deposit is required for each and every reservation at the time the reservation is made. Deposit is nonrefundable. 4 person max per room; no rollaway beds will be provided. Bookings are subject to group and hotel availability.

If you wish to book individual dates of fewer than 9 nights, please Click Here
Group Code: S01DERB

__________________________________________

Horseshoe Derby City Classic Package
9-Night Package

Book a minimum 9-night stay at a discounted rate for the 2015 Horseshoe Derby City Classic at Horseshoe Southern Indiana. Package rate requires reservation stay for all nights arriving on January 23, 2015 and departing on February 1, 2015. You may check in on 1/22/2015 and/or check out on 2/2/2015 and receive the same rate (max: 11 nights). 1st night’s deposit is required for each and every reservation at the time the reservation is made.Deposit is nonrefundable. 4 person max per room; no rollaway beds will be provided. Bookings are subject to group and hotel availability. Reservations for the 9-Night Package rate cannot be booked for fewer than the 9-night consecutive stay for the dates mentioned above.Cancellation of any day(s) within the 9-day package will result in all days reverting to the individual rates of $135 Sunday-Thursday, $155 Friday-Saturday.

If you wish to book reservations for 12 nights or more - Please call 1-877-462-7663 and ask for Trey Moreau at x6429.

To book the special 9-night package for the tournament, please click here to book online:
Group Code: S01DCPK

Kreativ Dental To Sponsor German Masters

Kreativ Dental, world leaders in dental tourism, is the new title sponsor of the German Masters world ranking event.

The tournament at the iconic Tempodrom venue in Berlin runs from February 4 to 8, with top snooker stars including Ronnie O’Sullivan, Judd Trump, Mark Selby, Neil Robertson and defending champion Ding Junhui competing for the title.

Based in the Hungarian capital of Budapest, Kreativ Dental is one of Europe's leading dental centres and attracts customers from around the world. Kreativ Dental reviews from their customers are extremely positive.

The firm has already sponsored the Ruhr Open and the European Tour series, and has now signed up as title sponsor of a ranking event for the first time.

The German Masters was first staged in 2011 and has quickly become one of the highlights of the snooker calendar as it draws enthusiastic crowds of over 2,500 to one of the circuit’s best venues. Former winners are Mark Williams, Ronnie O’Sullivan, Ali Carter and Ding Junhui.

World Snooker Chairman Barry Hearn said: “We are thrilled that Kreativ Dental has continued to give outstanding support to snooker with title sponsorship of the German Masters. It is a fabulous event and the extensive live coverage from Eurosport gives it tremendous exposure throughout the continent. The field for this year’s tournament is extremely strong and it’s going to be a wonderful five days of snooker in Berlin.”

Tickets for the tournament are available, for details see www.snookerstars.de

For more information on Kreativ Dental see www.kreativdentalclinic.eu

Four More BEF Junior State Championships Announced for Florida, Virginia, Indiana, and New York

January 13, 2015 (Denver, CO): Our nation’s young players are thrilled for all the Billiard Education Foundation (BEF) Junior State Championships popping up across the country so far. Four more events are on the books for 2015. Florida, Indiana, New York, and Virginia have all signed up to host junior state championships.

Visit www.billiardeducation.org/events/ for complete list of juniors events and details.

6th Annual BEF Florida State Junior 9-Ball Championships

Hosted by longtime volunteers and supporters of the BEF. Melvin & Tammy Jo Leonard qualify dozens of kids each year for the BEF Junior Nationals from Florida and surrounding areas.

·         Sun, February 15, 2015
·         Boulevard Billiards in Ocala, Florida
·         Qualifying 3 Spots: 18 & Under Boys, 14 & Under Boys, 18 & Under Girls
·         Doors Open: 11: 00 AM, Start Time: 12:45 PM
·         Organizers: Mel & Tammy Leonard, (904) 429-5560, maddoc770@yahoo.com

Indiana Junior State 9-Ball Championships

This event is made possible by the determination of a father of two junior players, Joseph Watson. It will be held alongside the APA 10K Challenge Indiana State 9-Ball Invitational event.

·         Sat-Sun, March 21-22, 2015
·         Indianapolis Marriott East Hotel in Indianapolis, Indiana
·         Qualifying 2 Spots
·         Doors Open: 8:00 AM, Start Time: 9:00AM
·         Organizer: Joseph Watson, Jr. (317) 384-7059, poolhalljunkie95@yahoo.com

Junior New York State 9-Ball Championships

Owner, Mike Shriver is incredibly passionate about working with the youth and brings billiards to the local high schools in his area. He’s thrilled to be hosting the first of many more Junior State Championships to come.

·         Sat, March 21, 2015
·         Bison Billiards in Buffalo, New York
·         Qualifying min 1 spot (possibility for more based on participation)
·         Doors Open: 10:00 AM, Start Time: NOON
·         Organizer: Mike Shriver (716) 632-0281, bisonbilliards@outlook.com

Virginia Junior State 9-Ball Championships

Owner, Thomas Dorsey is beyond passionate about promoting billiards to the youth of his beautiful pool room from leagues to tournaments to events. Dorsey is another room owner that breaks the mold when it comes to giving back to the sport and the players.

·         Sat, June 20, 2015
·         Diamond Billiards Richmond in Midlothian, Virginia
·         Qualifying 1 spot & Awarding $150 in Academic Scholarships
·         Doors Open: 9:30 AM, Start Time: 11:00AM
·         Organizer: Thomas Dorsey, (804) 794-8787, dorseytc@gmail.com

For more information on sponsoring, hosting, or participating in a Junior State Championship, visit billiardeducation.org or call (303) 926-1039. Complete list of nationwide junior events listed here: www.billiardeducation.org/events/

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. Visit billiardeducation.org or call (303) 926-1039 to learn more about junior billiard programs in your area.

Welsh Open Snooker Final Sold Out

Following huge demand for tickets for snooker’s BetVictor Welsh Open in Cardiff, the final of the world ranking event has sold out.

The tournament at the Motorpoint Arena runs from February 16 to 22 and is being staged in the Welsh capital for the first time since 2004. Fans have grasped the chance to see the world’s leading players in action.

Ronnie O’Sullivan will be defending the title having beaten Ding Junhui 9-3 in last year’s final with an incredible 147 break in the last frame.

All 128 players will start in the first round, and with 11 tables in the arena it’s a fantastic chance to see a host of top stars on the same day. Alongside O’Sullivan and Ding, players chasing the title will include Judd Trump, Mark Selby, Neil Robertson, Shaun Murphy, Jimmy White and John Higgins.

Tickets for all sessions are selling fast so fans are strongly urged to BOOK FAST or risk missing the opportunity to see the leading cue kings. For details call 02920 22 44 88 or visit www.worldsnooker.com/tickets

Former World Champion Shaun Murphy said: “It will be the first time I have played in Cardiff and I’m really looking forward to playing in the city for the first time. South Wales has always been a hotbed for snooker and it’s great to hear that tickets are selling fast again this year. The Welsh Open is growing as an event and I just hope I’m there until the end this time.”

World Championship to stay in UK - Sheffield seals deal to stay as host city using the iconic Crucible Theatre.

One of the most iconic events in sport, The World Snooker Championship, is to remain in Sheffield until 2017.

The tournament, the richest and most prestigious in snooker, was first staged at the Crucible in 1977 so 2017 will mark its 40th anniversary in Sheffield.

The event is worth over £5 million to the city based on a combination of direct economic impact and extensive media profile in the UK, Europe and the Far East, with a total audience of 285 million viewers.

Sheffield has fought off competition from a host of major international cities looking to take the blue riband event out of its traditional home.

The new deal, announced by World Snooker Limited and Sheffield City Council, will the see the Crucible Theatre, with its unique and electric atmosphere, remaining as the dramatic centre-stage.

Many of snooker’s great names have lifted the famous trophy at the Crucible, including Steve Davis, Stephen Hendry, Ronnie O’Sullivan and the reigning champion Mark Selby.

The deal also includes a new International Trade partnership which will see the city promoting itself to Investors and future International students at over 17 events on the World Snooker Tour held outside of the UK.

Cllr Julie Dore – Leader of Sheffield City Council said: "We are delighted to keep the World Championship in Sheffield. This deal shows that Sheffield has real ambition. We are determined to use this partnership to help World Snooker to grow the game with new audiences and also to open up new global business opportunities for the city."

Barry Hearn – Chairman of World Snooker said: “Snooker fans and players alike will be thrilled to hear this news as Sheffield and the Crucible are such an integral part of the history of the World Championship. Many thousands of people make snooker’s greatest pilgrimage each year to witness the intense and magical ambience that the Crucible generates.

“It’s marvellous to have the continued support of Sheffield City Council and to take the agreement up to the 40th anniversary and hopefully beyond!”

The 2015 World Championship runs from April 18 to May 4. Tickets for certain sessions are still available – for details see www.worldsnooker.com/tickets

SHE SHARKS

Get ready for a wild ride on whats being called "The Hustle Bus".

This show follows 7 professional female pool players on a 10 week excursion across the country looking for action in some of the most notorious "off circuit" pool halls sometimes found on the wrong side of town. This extended ("players") vacation follows Professional woman pool players JEANETTE LEE (known as "The Black Widow"), LOREEJON HASSON, 8 Time World Champion, RACHAEL ABBINK, (known as "The Hustle Queen"), AKIKO KITAYAMA (known in Japan as "The Leopard Queen"), the sexy and dangerous DAWN FOX, Maxim Magazine's and pool's fashion queen SHANELLE LORAINE and newcomer hottie KATHYRN FAIRCHILD, as they hone their pool and their interpersonal skills in this fast paced TV show.

This show dives into and explores pools underculture of high stakes and big risks testing the girls patience, skills and metal as they take on some of the very best back room pool hustlers in the country. From pofessional pool room hustlers, throw in a couple of NFL players, other professional pool players and celebrities, the action is non-stop, both in the venues, and on the bus. But its just not about pool, its about personal growth for these women who will be challenged personally, in sport and business.

The girls lay everything on the line where tens of thousands of dollars can be won in a single night, and these girls really know how to break balls!!!!!.

For some of the girls, it's about pool, for others.....money....but they all agree, its about FUN!!!!!

See www.axiusent.com for more information.

2020 Vision: Cue Sports Target Tokyo Olympics

Four years ahead of its original target, the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association has engaged heavily in working alongside the World Confederation of Billiard Sports on a bid for inclusion in the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.

The host city in Japan will be able to accept at least one sport as an addition to the list approved at the International Olympic Committee’s extraordinary general meeting in Monaco last year. The WPBSA and WCBS have this week submitted a bid outlining their case as to why billiards sports should be part of the programme for 2020 Tokyo.

WPBSA Chairman Jason Ferguson said: “Snooker has grown at unprecedented levels in recent times and it has been our belief for some time that we should be given our chance on the ultimate global platform for sport. In 2001 we delivered, with great success, our sport to the International World Games in Akita, Japan, a programme which has continued to this day. Today we strongly believe that cue sports has a very powerful case for inclusion in the Olympics in Tokyo.

"Snooker alone is watched by nearly half a billion people worldwide and played competitively in over 90 countries. With pool and carom alongside us under the WCBS, we have competition in around 200 countries, making us one of the world’s most widely practised sports.

"The Olympics brings together the most skilled and dedicated athletes on the planet. There are few sports which can match the skill and concentration of snooker; our players are pushed to their limits in mind and dedication. We are educating people through Cue Zone Into Schools and you do not have to look far to see the fundamental principles of the Olympic Movement being promoted at the highest level within our sport.

"Olympic participation is part of our global vision and we are committed to seeing our players competing for gold medals on the Olympic stage. Let’s begin in Tokyo in 2020.”

To show your support for the cue sports Olympic bid, go to our Facebook page www.facebook.com/WorldSnooker1 or follow us on Twitter @WorldSnooker1 and use #2020Vision

MANNY PACQUIAO TO BRING WPA WORLD 10-BALL CHAMPIONSHIP TO THE PHILIPPINES IN FEBRUARY

Boxing sensation 'Pacman' teams up with the WPA to stage the return of pool's hardcore title in his hometown of General Santos City.

By Ted Lerner
WPA Press Officer


(Manila, Philippines)--After a four year absence, the World 10-ball championship is back. And the man who made it happen is none other than the Philippines’ boxing sensation, Manny Pacquiao.

The World Pool Billiard Association(WPA) is proud to announce that the World 10-ball Championship will take place from February 15-21, 2015 in Pacquiao’s hometown of General Santos City in the southern Philippines. 128 players from over 40 countries are expected in “Gen San” to compete for what will be one of professional pool’s biggest prizes this year. $200,000 will be up for grabs, with $40,000 going to the winner

This will be just the fourth time the World 10-ball Championship has ever been contested. The event made its debut in Manila in 2008 and was won by England’s Darren Appleton. The following year in Manila, Finland’s Mika Immonen captured the event. After a year’s hiatus, the event again returned to Manila and was captured by surprise winner Huidji See of Holland.

Long thought of as the “players game,” 10-ball has its roots in the smoky, action packed pool halls of Manila. In his early days in the late 1990’ and early 2000’s, before becoming a worldwide celebrity, Pacquiao could often be found playing pool for hours on end against some of the Philippines biggest billiard stars. While not at the pro level, the Pacman’s dedication to the game saw him improve immensely over the years, to the point where now he can often hold his own against even top players, of course with a little “weight.”

Little did anyone know then that the Pacman would one day come to the rescue of a sport that in recent years has been in the doldrums in a country where professional pool had once been as big as boxing and basketball. In the last year, Pacquiao has taken it upon himself to attempt to bring pool back to its former glory in the Philippines, personally bankrolling several large singles and doubles tournaments in his home town that attracted players from around the globe. When Pacquiao recently became aware that the World 10-ball Championship was available, he decided to grab the chance to bring a world championship to his hometown.

The entirety of the 2015 World 10-ball Championship will be held at the SM City Activity Center in General Santos City. While most players will be nominated through their worldwide federations, there will be at least 16 spots available through the qualifiers, which will be held over two days beginning February 15 at SM City. Each qualifier will consist of 128 players and will be played as a race to 7, alternate break, single elimination. The last 8 players standing in both qualifiers will be given spots in the main event.

The main draw of 128 players will begin on February 17 and will be played as a race to 9, alternate break, double elimination through to the final 64. Upon reaching the final 64, the tournament will then become single elimination, race to 11, alternate break.

There’s no word yet whether Pacquiao, an 8-division champion in boxing, will actually play in the event. Organizers of the World 10-ball Championship are entitled to several wild card slots, so it is entirely possible that fans may yet see the Filipino boxing legend do battle with the world’s best pool players on the blue felt, should he choose to accept the invite.

The WPA will be on hand in General Santos for the entirety of the 2015 World 10-ball Championship, bringing you up to the minute scoring, daily articles, and updates on our Facebook page and Twitter feed.

For more information regarding the qualifiers, prospective players are welcome to email the organizers at mpcupgensan.pool@gmail.com

Please visit the WPA Facebook page here; www.facebook.com/wpaworld9ballchampionship

Follow the WPA on Twitter: @poolwpa

Visit the official website of the WPA at www.wpapool.com

2015 PARTYPOKER MOSCONI CUP

USA Team Selection – Reverts to ranking plus wild cards

MATCHROOM SPORT can announce that the selection process for Team USA at the 22nd annual PartyPoker Mosconi Cup will revert to rankings as well as wild cards. This follows two consecutive years when the side was handpicked.

The Mosconi Cup will be taking place from 7th to 10th December at a prestige venue in the USA, to be announced in the coming weeks.

The first points tournament to take place in the schedule of events is the 9 Ball competition at the Derby City Classic which gets underway this weekend at the Horseshoe in Indiana. Players eligible for Team USA, who finish in the top 32, will be awarded points on a sliding scale.

The full calendar of qualifying events as well as the points system to be used will be announced in due course. There will be three players selected from the ranking list as well as two wildcards, and all will be confirmed around the end of October. Ranking lists will be published on www.matchroompool.com as well as the Facebook page and Twitter feed of the Mosconi Cup.

Tickets for the 2015 PartyPoker Mosconi Cup will be available soon.

2015 PARTYPOKER Mosconi Cup is sponsored by PartyPoker, the world's leading online poker site. The Official Table of the Mosconi Cup is supplied by Diamond Billiards, the cloth is supplied by Iwan Simonis and the Official Balls are Super Aramith by Saluc. Predator is the Official Cue of the event.

2015 PARTYPOKER MOSCONI CUP

USA Team Ranking – More events added

MATCHROOM SPORT can announce that the 8 ball, 9 ball and 10 ball events at the forthcoming US Bar Table Championships will be included in the ranking list for Team USA selection for the 2015 PartyPoker Mosconi Cup.

All three tournaments take place from 16th to 22nd February at the Grand Sierra Resort and Casino in Reno, Nevada. All information and registration options for the USBTC events can be found at www.playcsipool.com/22nd-us-bar-table-championships

Players eligible for Team USA, who finish in the top 32, will be awarded points on a sliding scale. The five man USA team for the Mosconi Cup will comprise the top three players in the ranking list as well as two wild cards named by captain Mark Wilson.

The 22nd annual Mosconi Cup takes place from 7th to 10th December this year at a venue to be named in the near future.

The full calendar of qualifying events as well as the points system to be used will be announced in due course. There will be three players selected from the ranking list as well as two wildcards, and all will be confirmed around the end of October. Ranking lists will be published on www.matchroompool.com as well as the Facebook page and Twitter feed of the Mosconi Cup.

Tickets for the 2015 PartyPoker Mosconi Cup will be available soon.

2015 PARTYPOKER Mosconi Cup is sponsored by PartyPoker, the world's leading online poker site. The Official Table of the Mosconi Cup is supplied by Diamond Billiards, the cloth is supplied by Iwan Simonis and the Official Balls are Super Aramith by Saluc. Predator is the Official Cue of the event.

IWGA President Perurena: Birmingham, USA, to be Host City of The World Games 2021

The World Games 2021 will take place in Birmingham/Alabama/USA. This decision was announced by José Perurena, President of the International World Games Association, at noon on Thursday, 22 January 2015, at a press conference in the Mövenpick Hotel in Lausanne.

During its meetings on Wednesday the IWGA Executive Committee had made a final assessment of the Bids from Birmingham (USA), Lima (Peru) and Ufa (Russia), and evaluated the delegations’ final presentations. The IWGA Executive Board took the final decision on the host city for the 11th edition of this multi-sports event at its meeting on Thursday morning.

This announcement is subject to successful negotiation of contractual conditions, and subsequent confirmation by the IWGA‘s Annual General Meeting (AGM) in April 2015. The agreement with the next host city will be signed right after the AGM. The 10th edition of The World Games will be staged in 2017 in Wroclaw Poland. The IWGA flag will be handed over to the representatives of Birmingham during the closing ceremony in Wroclaw on 30 July 2017.

Giving reasons for the decision in favour of Birmingham/Alabama, President José Perurena mentioned the excellent bid presented by the host city. "We are happy to showcase our sports in Birmingham in July 2021, and we are sure that we will be offered optimal conditions for our sportsmen and women there. All the bids we received were of very high quality, and it was not easy for us to reach a decision. We have to deliver nothing less than outstanding World Games. We are convinced that Birmingham will exceed these expectations.” José Perurena stated.

Birmingham offers all prerequisites to stage an event like The World Games. The IWGA President added. This refers not only to the required sporting venues and infrastructure. The city also meets expectations in terms of organizing skills and the support of the city administration and the National Olympic Committee.

So, after Santa Clara 1981, the inaugural edition, The World Games will return to the USA. Birmingham is the largest city in Alabama, with more than 210,000 residents. It will be the first time that the city hosts an international multi-sport event.

The bidding process had been started by the IWGA in early 2014. Birmingham (USA), Lima (Peru) and Ufa (Russia) applied to host the 11th edition of The World Games.

About The World Games
The World Games – under the patronage of the IOC - are a quadrennial and multidisciplinary sports event, which showcase 25+ sports, such as Gymnastics, Squash, Tug of War, Sumo and Roller Sports. About 4,500 athletes and officials from approximately 100 countries take part in The World Games. The 10th edtion of The World Games will take place in Wroclaw (POL)from 20 to 30 July 2017.

CSI Invitational 8-Ball Championship Matches Released on YouTube

CueSports International, Henderson, Nevada (January 27, 2015) – CSI is pleased to announce that the 2014 CSI Invitational 8-Ball Championship matches have been released on the CSI YouTube channel. Fifteen (15) matches featuring some of the best players in the world, all filmed in the Predator Arena, can be viewed in their entirety absolutely free!

The format consisted of four groups of four players each competing in a round robin format. Each group contained one player from each region – North America, Europe, Philippines, and Taiwan. The top finisher from each group moved into a single elimination finals bracket. The groups were:

Group A
Mike Dechaine
Jayson Shaw
Warren Kiamco
Ko, Ping-Chung

Group B
Corey Deuel
Thorsten Hohmann
Efren Reyes
Chang, Jung-Lin

Group C
Shane Van Boening
Ralf Souquet
Dennis Orcollo
Cheng, Yu-Hsuan

Group D
John Morra
Darren Appleton
Francisco Bustamante
Ko, Pin-Yi

Watch all of this terrific action using the below links or visit www.playcsipool.com for more information.

CSI Invitational 8-Ball Championship Playlist: www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdCfnbGD70QV-aIvq3xpWM3HoAd8l0X8k

CSI YouTube Channel:
www.youtube.com/user/csipool/feed

Don’t forget to “Subscribe” to the CSI YouTube channel to be notified about new content.

US Bar Table Championships to be Mosconi Cup Points Events!

CueSports International, Henderson, Nevada (Jan. 29, 2015) – CueSports International (CSI) is proud to announce that all three (3) divisions of the US Bar Table Championships (USBTC) will be included in the ranking list for Team USA selection for the 2015 PartyPoker Mosconi Cup! On the heels of yet another Team USA defeat at the hands of the Team Europe, Matchroom Pool has decided that a slate of prominent USA tournaments, in which players earn points based on performance, will be used to decide three of the five USA players. The remaining two players will be wild card selections named by Team USA Captain, Mark Wilson.

For each of the three USBTC divisions, players eligible for Team USA who finish in the top 32, will be awarded points on a sliding scale.

CSI is exciting and honored that the USBTC will be such a large determinant of which players will represent the USA this December. We believe this is a great selection method and the U.S. will ultimately field the best team possible.

US Bar Table Championships, Feb. 16-22, Reno, NV
10-Ball Division: Feb. 16-18
9-Ball Division: Feb. 18-20
8-Ball Division: Feb. 20-22

Official Webpage (info & registration):
www.playcsipool.com/22nd-us-bar-table-championships

Facebook Event Page:
www.facebook.com/events/800661199984689/

Hotel Reservations:
1-800-648-5080 and use group code: TPOOL5

CSI is the parent company of the BCA Pool League (BCAPL) and the USA Pool League (USAPL) and also produces independent events such as the US Bar Table Championships, Jay Swanson Memorial, US Open One Pocket Championship, US Open 8-Ball Championship, US Open 10-Ball Championship, and the CSI Invitationals. Visit www.playcsipool.com, www.playbca.com, and www.playusapool.com for more information about CSI and its divisions.

Entries Open For Q School 2015

All snooker players who dream of competing on the professional tour take note: Q School 2015 is now open for entry!

The tournament will take place in May and for the first time it will be held at the Meadowside Leisure Centre, Burton.

Once again there will be EIGHT TWO-YEAR TOUR CARDS available, given to the semi-finalists in each of two events. The entry fee remains £600 and Q School is open to players of all ages and nationalities (subject to terms and conditions).

Those eight players will go on to compete for over £8 million of prize money on snooker’s global circuit, playing in the biggest tournaments against the sport’s top stars.

Entries are now being taken, just go to www.wsplayers.com and follow the instructions. All players are strongly advised to get their entry in as soon as possible. The closing date for entering Q School is Monday April 6th, 2015.

World Snooker Chairman Barry Hearn said: “You’ve seen the majors like the World Championship and UK Championship on TV or in the arena. You’ve dreamed that could be you one day. Well, if you’ve got the ability and the determination, it could be. Snooker now is all about opportunities: the events are there, the prize money is there, the chance to climb the rankings swiftly is there. It’s up to you.

“Q School is the fairest way to give all players the chance to earn a tour card. Turn up in Burton in May with your game ready, win enough matches and the card is yours. Snooker is growing internationally year after year. Now is the time to get on board. Get your name down for Q School because it could change your life.”

As in previous years, a ranking list will be compiled during Q School, with players earning one point for every frame won. During the main tour season, should any of the tournament draws fall below a total entry of 128 then the field will be topped up with the highest ranked players from the Q-School list who have not gained one of the eight tour cards.

Oliver Brown finished tenth on the Q School ranking list last year and, as a ‘top-up’ player, has competed in all six ranking events so far this season, and beaten several pro opponents including Ding Junhui.

“It has been fantastic for me to play in so many tournaments this season despite not getting through Q School,” said Derbyshire’s Brown. “To play in big events like the UK Championship and against top players has been great experience and given me an idea of how it would be to play on the pro tour. Q School is a good system and it proves which players are capable.”

Robert Hardwick, deputy leader for cultural services at East Staffordshire Borough Council, said: “We're delighted to host Q School in Burton for the first time and looking forward to welcoming budding snooker stars to the venue."

So don't forget...enter Q School today, and chase your dream! For more details see www.worldsnookerqschool.com

WPBSA Statement - John Sutton

As a result of suspicious betting patterns on the match between John Sutton and Jamie Burnett at the International Championship in Barnsley on 24th September 2014, Nigel Mawer, the Chairman of the WPBSA Disciplinary Committee, launched an investigation supported by the International Centre for Sport Security (ICSS) and the Gambling Commission SBIU .

The available evidence has been considered and in accordance with the Disciplinary Rules, he has decided that there is a case for John Sutton to answer in relation to a breach of the WPBSA Members Rules, Betting Rules.

The case will be heard at a formal hearing of the WPBSA Disciplinary Committee on a date and at a venue to be confirmed.

Jason Ferguson, Chairman of the WPBSA, said: “John Sutton is not a WPBSA member or current tour card holder. He is an amateur player who gained access to some events through our open qualifying structure. He was bound by the WPBSA Rules as a condition of accepting his invitation to play in this event. Under our policy for the global governance of the sport we treat any potential breach of our betting rules very seriously and I have taken the decision to suspend John Sutton from competition. This suspension will remain in place until the conclusion of the hearing or hearings and the determination of this matter.”

The rules in question are:

WPBSA Members Rules – Section 2 Betting Rules

2.1.2         Corruption:

2.1.2.1 to fix or contrive, or to be a party to any effort to fix or contrive, the result, score, progress, conduct or any other aspect of the Tour and/or any Tournament or Match;

2.1.3         Misuse of inside information:

2.1.3.1    to use for betting purposes, or to provide to any other person for such purposes, any information relating to the Tour and/or any Tournament or Match that the ember possesses by virtue of his position within the sport and that is not in the public domain or readily accessible by the public;