No point in beating about the bush, we had some teething problems here at the Magna Centre that pushed us in to postposing the Wednesday night sessions and moving everything on to Thursday – but then pool just wouldn’t have the same appeal if it all went smoothly. A room with 21 tables is pretty cavernous as I am sure you can imagine – but it also takes a bit of heating so we chilled out all day Thursday (not by choice, but then pool payers are a hardy bunch), as the games got started and the routine began –singles doubles and seniors Thursday, Ladies singles Friday, 200 or so players and more scorecards than I ever want to see again. With the heaters finally kicking in (even our Norwegian players shivered on Thursday!), everyone was smiling again, dare I say that the bar was open, the hot food was better than standard for such events (and competitively priced I am glad to say), and the atmosphere relaxed as we all got in to the flow of what we (well, they) do best – playing high quality pool.
With so many matches going on it took more than a little while for any kind of fog to clear, but when the top seeds joined the draw we knew it was time to sort the good players from the superb players – though with the odd upset along the way of course, but then that is pool as we all know. For clarification purposes I failed to pull off any kind of upset myself, but I did at least help to speed things along with my 4-0 4-0 loss (I am all heart). Seeded players did fall at the first hurdle (I really don’t want to name them, but you can see all the results up to date on the live scores tab via www.ipapool.com), but I can say that number one seed Gareth Hibbott, twice Champion Jason Twist, French star Christophe Lambert, and 2014 runner up Clint I’Anson are all though to play on Saturday though it is going to get harder from now on and there will be plenty more upsets by finals time on Sunday I promise you.
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With the seniors, doubles, and ladies all running in tandem with the main event the good news is that most players are still here, and most nationalities still have representatives in one event or the other so we are all in for a good weekend and I have to applaud all the players who have created a brilliant atmosphere so far – long may that continue!
::: DAY 0 :::
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International Professional Pool Players Association
When the World's greatest 8 ball pool players are queuing up (or should that be cueing) for an event, then you know that something good is going on, and this month they are descending on the Magna Centre from the corners of the globe, all looking to land the £6,000 first prize and the kudos (and future earning opportunities) of being crowned World Champion.
Twenty-one tables in the one room will create an unbelievable atmosphere as qualifiers of all standards look to pit their wits against the professional players, in a sport where if you get the roll of the balls and are playing well, all things are possible. Ex World Champion Jason Twist will look to add another trophy for his mantelpiece but will have his work cut out to get past rankings Number One Gareth Hibbott or 2014 runner up Clint I’Anson to name but two, though with players from England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Eire, France, Malta, Hungary, Norway, Italy, Uganda, and others, here are more than enough “surprise packages” that anything could happen and you can guarantee there will be some surprise results along the way.
Away from the action (can you imagine the noise of 21 pool tables being used simultaneously?), the Tournament Director’s team on the top table will be busy both running the event and “tweeting” out both results and comments as back up to the HD live stream (via www.ipapool.com) that will be provided free of charge to pool players and fans around the World, with commentary provided by both current and ex players – plus the IPA Chairman of course!
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Local players and sports fans are invited to pop down at their leisure (free entry) to watch or meet the players, while there are planned “flyers” over the week where everyone is welcome to join in after paying a small entry fee – killer, last man standing, speed pool, that sort of thing!
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All in all we can guarantee five days of non stop pool action on the best equipment money can buy, so why not join in the action – either in person or via the live stream, and help support the game so many of us love and play on a regular basis.
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