Site News
Topic: *Industry News* 2014

New Criteria For World Seniors Snooker

Snooker’s celebrated World Seniors Championship has a brand new qualifying criteria this season, with the age limit reduced from 45 to 40.

The tournament will take place at the Blackpool Tower Circus Arena for the first time, on March 2nd and 3rd, 2015, and televised live on Sky Sports. The changes to the criteria, which could see new faces join the stellar line-up, are as follows:

- All current or former professionals aged 40 or above at the end of the 2015 World Championship (May 4th, 2015) will be eligible to enter the event.

- All past World Seniors Champions who enter will be seeded through to the final stages in Blackpool (last 16).

- All past World Champions who enter will also be seeded through to the final stages

- The remainder of the 16 spots in Blackpool will be decided by a qualifying event.

The change in age limit means that former World Champions Mark Williams and Peter Ebdon will be able to enter the event.

They could join the likes of defending champion Steve Davis, Jimmy White, Dennis Taylor, Cliff Thorburn, Joe Johnson and Stephen Hendry, who all played in the tournament last year, as well as Ken Doherty who turns 45 this year.

Two-time World Champion Williams said: “You know you’re getting old when you’re able to play in a seniors event! But I’m looking forward to it and it will be a lot of fun and very competitive with so many great names.”

Doherty, the 1997 Crucible king, added: “It will be a fabulous atmosphere at a brilliant venue. It’s a title I’d love to win and I’ll be giving it everything.”

Leading professionals such as Joe Perry, Mark Davis, Dominic Dale, Alan McManus, Mark King and Fergal O’Brien – all currently within the world’s top 32 - could enter the qualifiers for the first time and chase the £18,000 top prize.

A spokesman for World Snooker said: “The success of the World Seniors Championship has grown year after year and we have decided to lower the age limit to give more top stars and fans' favourites the chance to enter. It will be fascinating to see who takes up the challenge and it seems sure we will have the strongest ever line-up for the tournament.

“That means that fans will see top quality snooker while enjoying the fun atmosphere. For the players, it’s often about catching up with old friends and enjoying some banter out there in the arena, but they remain fiercely competitive when there’s a trophy at stake.

“Blackpool is a stunning venue and we’re delighted to give snooker’s supporters in the north west region the chance to come to this wonderful two-day event."

Tickets are ON SALE NOW and fans MUST BOOK FAST to make sure of their seats as many sessions will sell out quickly.

Tickets for the Seniors start at just £10 (concessions £8 ) for details call 0871 620 7052 (calls cost 10p per minute plus network extras) or visit www.worldsnooker.com/tickets

The same venue will also host the spectacular one-frame Shoot-Out, featuring 64 of the world's best players, in the same week from March 4 to 6. For details see www.worldsnooker.com/tickets

American Rotation Championship Series III

12 players from around the country qualified for the Series III Finals which was held in conjunction with this year’s BCAPL Nationals at the Rio in Las Vegas.

Two round robin groups of 6 players each had everyone playing five 120 point matches on the first two days of the event. Two players from each group would emerge to make the final four single elimination stage. All 12 players were in the money as soon as they landed in Vegas.

Semi finals and finals matches were races to 140 points. Up on table 2 in the pro arena was Scott Johnson of Gate City Billiards NC who is the only player to have made it to all 3 of our National Championships vs Professional player Mike Dechaine playing in his 2nd Championship. On the streaming table we had defending Champ Jerry Calderone facing Matt Tetrault who was on his first trip to our nationals. Sitting in between both tables was none other than the Man, the Magician, Efren Reyes, who had recently played two games of American Rotation himself with Daniel Busch of Pov Pool at Hard Times Bellflower. We were very honored to have him sweating it in the front row. If the streaming table didn't bring some extra heat for the players, having Efren as a spectator may have done it as neither Matt or Jerry took control of the match as opportunities to do so arose. This forced the match into the last rack with Jerry advancing and coming one step closer to becoming our first repeat Champion. On table 2 Mike Dechaine had defeated Scott Johnson leaving Scott tied for 3rd 4th and setting up what was sure to be a great final match.

The finals did not disappoint. Jerry is a working family man from South Florida that quite often flies under the radar so Mike was a pretty big favorite in many eyes. Jerry came out quick putting some pressure on Mike by taking leads of 29-11 and 51-29. Mike being the young but experienced player he is took a timely break to refocus in an effort to tighten the match, a big lead in AR can be tough to overcome. We think it worked as Mike scored a complete 20 point break and run making the score 51-49 in favor of Jerry. From there both players held serve fairly well on their breaks or struck back when needing to do so; 16-4 Jerry, 15-5 Mike, Mike breaks serve with a 13-7 and Jerry breaks back with a 14-6 as we hit 101 Mike to 99 Jerry. The finals to 140 points came down to a score of 121 for Dechaine and 119 Calderone with Dechaine breaking. Jerry would need to steal 2 points off of Mike's break to ensure one more rack and an opportunity to run his rack for a 2nd National title. Mike broke them nicely and started the rack with ball in hand, ran all the way down to a 12-13 combo, he sized up the shot carefully knowing that Jerry needed just one of these 2 point balls to extend the match. He made the combo but position on the 12 escaped him and he was forced to place safe with just the 12 14 & 15 remaining on the table. Jerry later stated that he had two shot choices; a return end to end safety that would allow Mike to see the 12 ball or a rail first kick that would leave Mike hooked. He opted for the kick safe but didn't get deep enough behind the 12 ball which sent both the 12 and cue ball out towards center table leaving Mike the opportunity to run the three remaining balls to become the 3rd American Rotation Nation Champion! Final score 140-119 Mike Dechaine over Jerry Calderone.

The American Billiard Club wishes to thank all the clubs and players in America and Canada that helped make this another successful Championship. Our mission is to unite some of our best billiard clubs with some of our best players to form one self sustaining tour for our sport, our industry and our players. We also aim to reduce player expenses significantly by having players earn their way to short, sweet and paid for national events, they're in the money before they ever hit a ball at our nationals.

Group A
Ryan Lineham Snookers Providence RI $1,000
Clifton Frederick Bumpers Huntsville AL $950
Danny Mastermaker Pockets Newport News VA $1,000
Nick Tafoya Albuquerque Billiard Academy NM $920
Matt Tetrault Ivory Billiards Holyoke MA $1,500
Mike Dechaine Snookers Providence RI $3,000

Group B
Gordy Vanderveeer Jamaica Joe's Midwest City OK $1,000
Roger Miller Tailgators Ottawa Canada $1,000
Aaron Remijio Hard Times Bellflower CA $850
Scott Johnson Gate City Billiards NC $1,500
Jerry Calderone Sharp Shooters Miami FL $2,000
Corey Harper Golden Cue South Elmonte Ca $850
Links to Finals and Semi final matches;

Series IV and V Nationals will be held in VA just prior to the U.S. Open and in conjunction with the 2015 Derby City Classic. We urge all pool lovers of all playing levels to become part of the American Billiard Club simply by uniting 10 local players and sending one of them to our next Championship.

Improve your game and our sport!
Www.AmericanBilliardClub.com or Joe Tucker at Jttenball@gmail.com

U.S. Juniors Gear up to Represent North America at WPA World Junior 9-Ball Championships

September 1, 2014 (Denver, CO): This year’s Billiard Education Foundation (BEF) Junior National 9-Ball Championships qualified nine billiard student-athletes to represent North America as part of Team USA at the upcoming WPA (World Pool-Billiard Association) Junior 9-Ball Championships. The esteemed world event will be held in Shanghai, China November 14-19, 2014.

Through the support of the Billiard Congress of America, the BEF continues to coordinate international travel and participation for this tournament for the past two decades.

The following players will proudly represent our country this year:

1.     Nick Evans, age 17 (St. Peters, MI)
2.     Manny Perez, age 16 (Kansas City, KS)
3.     Devin Poteet, age 17 (Cape Girardeau, MO)
4.     Taylor Reynolds, age 16 (Winslow, Maine)
5.     Rachel Lang, 16 (Catskill, NY)
6.     Ricky Evans, 13 (St. Peters, MO)
7.     Samuel Hoffman, 14 (Hillsborough, NJ)
8.     April Larson, age 13 (Bloomington, MN)
9.     Michelle Jiang13, (Harvard, MA)

A few words from our US junior team:

“I'm so excited! It's such an honor to represent the US in the junior world championships. I'm going to practice, practice, practice (the list goes on...),​ focus on my game and do my best when November rolls around.”

Michelle Jiang

“I am beyond excited to be going to China to represent the United States. I have been keeping busy with fundraising and practicing as much as possible. I have a series of drills that I do for at least two hours a day.”

Rachel Lang

“I’m currently working with David Matlock on furthering my game to the next level! I also practicing at home at least 2-3 hours a day. I feel really good about the upcoming World Championships!”

Manny Perez

"I am super pumped about worlds. My life is going to consist of practice until then."

April Larson

“I am very excited for the world junior championships. I’ve been preparing for the World Championships by allocating more time to pool. I’m practicing more drills to improve my cue ball control and fundamentals and playing in more tournaments to gain experience,”

Samuel Hoffman

Also part of the North American Team are Canadian players: Nicholas Ridley, 16 (St. Thomas, ONT), Stuart MacTaggart, 17 (London, ONT), and Kayla Roloson, 17 (Springfield, ONT).

For more information on the BEF Junior Nationals or hosting qualifiers or a State Championship, visit the BEF website at billiardeducation.org.

The Billiard Education Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that produces the annual Junior National Championships, provides scholarships for young players, sends junior players to the World Junior Championships and promotes Pool in School programs to encourage lifelong participants.

Follow The Bear

Limited run 'Custom Wolf Cue' now available for ordering!

Limited Run - Custom Wolf Cue

Features

    Michigan Maple forearm/sleeve
    Light grey stain
    Wildfire "Great Wolf" 3-D image carving
    5 sets of index rings
    Brown Elephant Ear leather wrap
    G-Core shaft
    3/8"-10 joint

MSRP: $299

Only available for a limited time.
Orders must be placed by September 15, 2014.
Product will ship on October 15, 2014.

Simonis & Aramith as Premier Sponsors of BEF Junior State Championships!

September 5, 2014 (Denver, CO): The Billiard Education Foundation (BEF) is thrilled to announce Simonis and Aramith as Premier Sponsors for its recently announced Junior State Championship program.

Thanks to the continued support of these two industry leaders, rooms who make a $400 commitment to host a Junior State Championship will receive a prize package valued around $500!

Current host prize package includes:

1.     A voucher for one (1) cut of Simonis cloth of choice for up to a 9’ table (retail value up to $275) or one (1) set of Aramith Tournament Balls (retail valued at $370).

2.     Exclusive Wholesale Pricing for additional cuts of Simonis cloth (for qualifying rooms).

3.     A plaque announcing your venue as Official Home of the 2015 Junior 9-Ball State Championship.

4.     First right of refusal as state championship host for subsequent year.

5.     Additional sponsored promotional items.

Junior State Championships are limited per state and on a first come first served basis, so hosts are encouraged to apply early.

Additional sponsorship opportunities still available. For more details on the BEF Junior State Championship program, visit: http://billiardeducation.org/events/jsc/

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.

World Grand Prix Tickets On Sale

The world’s leading snooker players will be in Llandudno next March for the new World Grand Prix, with tickets now available.

The box office for the showpiece tournament is open, with fans urged to book tickets fast as many sessions are expected to sell out rapidly.

The World Grand Prix will be the biggest snooker tournament ever staged in North Wales and will run from March 16th to 22nd, 2015, at Venue Cymru in Llandudno.

There’s a HALF PRICE opening offer for the first three days of the event which means that tickets start at just £5! BOOK YOUR SEATS NOW by calling 01492 872 000 or visiting www.worldsnooker.com/tickets

The ITV4-televised event will feature 32 players from a unique ranking list running from the 2014 World Championship to the 2015 Gdynia Open. The total prize fund will be £300,000 with the winner to collect the trophy and £100,000.

World Snooker Chairman Barry Hearn said: “The race is on for the top players to make sure they are among the 32 players who contest what is going to be an outstanding new event. I know there is huge support for snooker in North Wales and the venue is going to be packed, so anyone who wants to see the very best in the world needs to get their seats booked fast.”

The current top 32 in the World Grand Prix ranking list is:

1 Mark Selby
2 Neil Robertson
3 Ronnie O'Sullivan
4 Judd Trump
5 Barry Hawkins
6 Joe Perry
7 Mark Allen
8 Shaun Murphy
9 Alan McManus
10 Martin Gould
11 Ricky Walden
12 Marco Fu
13 Dominic Dale
14 Xiao Guodong
15 Ryan Day
16 Robert Milkins
17 Michael Holt
18 Stuart Bingham
19 Robin Hull
20 Jamie Jones
21 Stephen Maguire
22 John Higgins
23 Michael White
24 Mark Davis
25 Liang Wenbo
26 Ken Doherty
27 Michael Wasley
28 Tom Ford
29 Robbie Williams
30 Jamie Cope
31 Jamie Burnett
32 Fergal O'Brien

OB Cues & Allison Fisher Raise $1,420 at APA NTC for the BEF!

September 8, 2014 (Englewood, CO): OB Cues kicks off third annual Juniors Pool Month at the APA National Team Championships by enlisting the help of “Duchess of Doom” Allison Fisher. The Hall-of-famer volunteered her time for three days of signing autographs, posing for photos, and taking challenge matches at $20 per person to raise funds for the Billiard Education Foundation (BEF).

100% of all money raised is being donated to the BEF. In total, $1,420 was raised thanks to the 71 fans that challenged Fisher to support the organization.

“We are proud to say that Allison plays and breaks with OB Cues but even prouder to host a living legend who wanted to spend 3 days in our booth raising money for a great cause,” said Shane Sinnott, Director of Sales & Marketing for OB Cues.

“The BEF truly appreciates and counts on initiatives like this throughout the industry to stay alive. Huge Thanks & Kudos to OB Cues, Allison Fisher, and all the challengers for your support! We are ever so grateful,” said Samm Diep-Vidal, Executive Director of the BEF.

For more information on the Third Annual Juniors Pool Month, visit: billiardeducation.org/2014-jpm/

Headquartered in Plano, Texas, OB is a leading manufacturer of High Performance Pool Cues and Pool Cue Shafts made 100% in the USA since 2005. For more information on OB Cues or OB shafts or to become an authorized dealer, please visitwww.obcues.com or the OB Facebook page at www.facebook.com/obcues.

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.

Indian Open Postponed

This season’s Indian Open world ranking event in Mumbai has been postponed, with the original dates of 13-17 October 2014 changed to 10-14 March 2015.

World Snooker has been advised by the Billiards and Snooker Federation of India to change the dates of the tournament. This follows the recent calling of a State Election in Maharashtra during the October dates.

The qualifying round in Barnsley was due to take place from September 18 to 21 and has been moved to February.

World Snooker Chairman Barry Hearn said: “This is an unfortunate set of circumstances but following the advice we have taken, we have no choice but to postpone the tournament. We have worked swiftly to ensure new dates have been secured.

“Last year’s inaugural Indian Open in New Delhi was a fantastic success and we see snooker in India as having incredible potential for growth. We look forward to next March and the chance for players to experience Mumbai for the first time – and for the fans there to witness the world’s best in action.”

Black Widow Foundation teams with BEF to Support American Juniors for World Championships in China!

September 12, 2014 (Englewood, CO): Hall of Famer Jeanette Lee aka “The Black Widow” is offering her support, as well as the resources of her new non-profit charitable organization, the Black Widow Foundation (BWF), to help America’s best junior players compete in the WPA World Junior 9-Ball Championships. Through the Billiard Education Foundation (BEF) Junior National 9-Ball Championships, nine of our nation’s best young players have qualified to compete in the upcoming event to be held November 15-19, 2014, in Shanghai, China.

While these talented junior players have qualified and would love to represent Team USA in Shanghai, they and a mandatory chaperone receive no stipend for the long and costly trip to China. As a result, the BWF is beginning an annual drive to design unique fundraisers to support the juniors, and will be encouraging ALL interested billiard players and enthusiasts to take part in this effort. These young players are dedicated, talented, and capable of winning the event – they deserve the support of all interested in improving our sport. Recipients of these funds will be asked to submit an essay, conduct themselves as true ambassadors for America throughout their journey to China, and to regularly update BWF on the trip.

“While the BEF is also a 501(c)(3) charity, we’re raising funds throughout the year for numerous youth programs such as junior nationals, pool-in-school, scholarships, and more. That’s why this support dedicated to helping these kids get to worlds is tremendous! We can’t thank the BWF and its supporters enough!!” said Samm Diep-Vidal, Executive Director for the BEF.

Tax deductible donations may be made directly through the 501(c)(3) organization, www.BlackWidowFoundation.org, and all funds noted “for World Junior Championships” will be used to help defray the expenses of these junior players (prioritized by need). Unused funds will be reserved for the qualified players the following year. Please help in this worthy effort – there is not much time left before November! If you can’t donate, please help spread the word through social media about the fundraising and the link to donate (of course, it is certainly allowable to donate AND spread the word). Your interest and support is very much appreciated.

The Black Widow Foundation and its founder are committed to improving the sport of pocket billiards by encouraging, supporting, and mentoring our junior players – the future of our sport. The Foundation also organizes and hosts the unique Black Widow Juniors Camp (www.blackwidowbilliards.com/black-widow-juniors-camp/) each year to cultivate aspiring young players, not only in areas of the sport but also in their lives.

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.


Photo of Jeanette Lee with 2014 BEF Academic All-Americans

CSI Calendar of Events -- Updated September 2014

Only updated CSI Events are shown below. Please check previous listings fr more events.

ADDITIONS THIS MONTH:
2014 Virginia Beach BCAPL Regional Championships
1st Annual Tornado Alley BCAPL Regional 8-Ball Championships
2014 BCAPL/USAPL Colorado Regional 8-Ball Championships
2014 USAPL/BCAPL Florida Regional 8-Ball Championships

**10/09 - 12/20142014
Virginia Beach BCAPL Regional Championships
Q-Master Billiards
5612-A Princess Anne Road
Virginia Beach,
VA 23462
(757) 472-8874

**11/09 - 16/2014
1st Annual Tornado Alley BCAPL Regional 8-Ball Championships
First Council Casino
12875 US 77
Newkirk,
OK

**11/14 - 16/2014
2014 BCAPL/USAPL Colorado Regional 8-Ball Championships
Greenfields Pool & Sports Bar
3355 South Yarrow Street
Lakewood,
CO 80227
(702) 719-7665

**11/21 - 23/2014
2014 USAPL/BCAPL Florida Regional 8-Ball Championships
Trickshots Metrowest
6620 Old Winter Garden Road
Orlando,
FL 32835(702) 719-7665

The 9th China Guangzhou Int'l Billiards Exhibition (GBE2015)

Date: 9-11, May, 2015

Venue: China Import & Export Fair, Pazhou Complex, Guangzhou.

As one of the biggest international billiard exhibitions in the world, GBE has already become the must-attend exhibition for the world billiard industry. Despite the weak economy around the world, GBE2014 was successfully concluded in Guangzhou in April, 2014. The success of previous sessions ensures this show as one of the most attractive trade fairs in Billiard field worldwide, and ensures it as a better platform for professionals and specialists in this field to get together.

Although the global economic situation is not very well and billiard industry is influenced, GBE2014 still attracted top billiard suppliers both at home and abroad, including Shender, Yalin, Wiraka, Rasson, Predator Group (USA), Iwan Simonis S.A. (Belgium), Longoni Cues Italy, McDermott Cues (USA), Hainsworth Cloth (England), Aramith Ball (Belgium), Dynamic Billiards(Germany), Palko Pty Ltd (Australia), Master Cues, Fury Cues, etc. Furthermore, there is an increasing number of international brands express that they will choose GBE as their premier business platform to exhibit their products.

GBE2015 - The most Influential Worldwide billiard Pageant
GBE2015, supported by over 50 international professional associations and more than 60 professional media, will be staged in the Import and Export Fair Pazhou Complex during May 9th - 11th, 2015. GBE is the best platform for worldwide billiards enterprises to improve brand valuation, showcase the latest products and technology as well as a pageant for professional buyers to seek top-notch suppliers.
For more detailed information about GBE, please visit www.gbechina.com. We are looking forward to meeting you at GBE2015 and to celebrating the feast together.

Contact: Jenny Xiong (Ms)
Phone: +86-20-29188293
Fax: +86-20-8257-9220
Mobile: 86-15876558395
Email: gbechina@yeah.net / jenny0124@aliyun.com
Website: www.gbechina.com

Grand Prix of Poland - Inauguration of the Baltic Billiard Centre Ketrzyn

My friends,

on behalf of Mayor of Ketrzyn Town, Mak Marketing Company and East European Billiard Council I would like to invite you for :

Grand Prix of Poland WiK POL TOUR 10-Ball and opening ceremony of the Baltic Billiard Centre.

The events will take place in Ketrzyn town in days 18-19 October 2014.

The Baltic Billiard Centre there is in a new sport hall. The Mayor of Ketrzyn has invested over 350.000 euro for the construction and the purchase of equipment of to the center of the pool and carom. He would like to be a host of international and national competitions. The Mayor will cover all the costs of the Centre (rent, energy, salaries of employees ....), will pay the costs of training of players and participating the Ketrzyn billiard team in sports tournaments.

The Baltic Billiard Centre is a first professional carom centre in Poland.

Regards

Marcin Krzeminski



Venue: Baltic Billiard Centre – Sport Hall – Szkola Podstawowa nr 4 , 11-400 Ketrzyn , 1, S. Moniuszki Str.

Sport system: 10-ball , rules of WPA, I round – Round Robin system – matches in groups race to 5; II round – single elimination – race to 7. Two best players from each group qualified to single elimination round . 8 tables –WiK Olimpic III; Iwan Simonis 860 cloth; Aramith balls.

Participants – max 72/ 96 players.

Announcement until to 09 October 2014 to Mak Marketing only , email: mak@makmarketing.pl phone/fax +48 41 362-11-47.

Schedule: 17.10.

– arrival day ,

18.10. – 8.30 – 9.30 -registration in the Baltic Billiard Centre ,    

- 10.00- opening ceremony and start of matches

19.10 – 9.30 – start of matches – single elimination,                                

- 17.00 –final and closing ceremony,

Prize money: Mak Marketing guaranteed :

I place – 1350 PLN ( 325 EUR) + cup + medal; II place – 750 PLN + cup + medal; III places ( x2) – 500 PLN + cup + medal , V-VIII places- 300 PLN , IX – XVI - 150 PLN ; XVII-XXXII – 50 PLN ,

Entry fee – 100 PLN ( 25 EUR),

HOTELES – recommended .

HOTEL AGROS
11-400 Kętrzyn , ul. Kasztanowa 1
Single room + breakfast – 100 zł,
Double or twin room + breakfasts – 150 zł,
Triple room + breaksasts – 215 zł.
biuro@hotel-agros.pl ; Tel. +48 89 751-52-40

HOTEL WANDA
11-400 Kętrzyn Ul. Wojska Polskiego 27
Single room + breakfast – 90 zł,
Double or twin room + breakfasts – 140 zł,
Triple room + breaksasts – 180 zł.
Four beds room + breakfasts – 240 zł.
nfo@wandahotel.com , Tel. + 48 89 751-85-84

Hotel booking – until to 09.10.2014 on e-mail: mak@makmarketing.pl - only !!!!! We do not giveyou guarantee of the accommodation after the date.

Live-streaming and live-scoring - TVSports.pl

More information: mak@makmarketing.pl and ebc-billiard.com

All doping tests cleared

The EPBF has organized 10 doping tests throughout the Dynamic Billard European Championships for youth, the Dynamic Billard European Championships for seniors and ladies and the Dynamic Billard Slovenian Open in Portoroz, Slovenia.

10 players were randomly selected and had to undergo the procedure as determined by WADA (World Anti Doping Association). The tests were conducted by SLOADO, the Slovenian Anti-Doping Organization.

Right after their matches, players were escorted by "chaperones" to the testing facilities. There they had to answer a lot of questions and deliver a urine sample for examination.

All samples were then mailed to a WADA acknowledged laboratory in Vienna, Austria. After a few weeks, the results were emailed to EPBF.

The EPBF is happy to announce that all doping samples prove to be negative. All athletes were evidently clear of any prohibited substance according to the current WADA code.

This is a good result and reflects positively on our sport.

The USA Pool League Sponsors Karen Corr as Coach of the USA Team

CueSports International, Henderson, Nevada (September 30, 2014) – The USA Pool League (USAPL) is proud to announce that it is sponsoring Karen Corr as the coach of the USA team at the upcoming WPA Junior World Championships. This esteemed event will be held in Shanghai, China November 14-19, 2014.    

Nine of the USA’s most talented junior players qualified for the prestigious world event with high finishes in the 2014 Billiard Education Foundation (BEF) Junior National 9-Ball Championships held June 24-27 in Louisville, KY. The following players will proudly represent USA:

1. Nick Evans, 17 (St. Peters, MI)
2. Manny Perez, 16 (Kansas City, KS)
3. Devin Poteet, 17 (Cape Girardeau, MO)
4. Taylor Reynolds, 16 (Winslow, Maine)
5. Rachel Lang, 16 (Catskill, NY)
6. Ricky Evans, 13 (St. Peters, MO)
7. Samuel Hoffman, 14 (Hillsborough, NJ)
8. April Larson, 13 (Bloomington, MN)
9. Michelle Jiang, 13 (Harvard, MA)

Corr, a 2012 BCA Hall of Fame inductee, has won nearly every major women’s title available and routinely competes in various open events with a high degree of success. She has won 15 Classic Tour titles, four BCA Open titles, three WPBA National Championships, and three Tournament of Champions titles. She has won numerous international and regional events and was runner-up twice at the WPA World 9-Ball Championships.

The USAPL is honored to assist the USA junior players by sponsoring a first-class coach to tutor and guide them along their journey. We are confident that this will provide them with learning experiences of a lifetime.

The USAPL is a division of CueSports International (CSI). For players, it is free to join, a minimum of 50% of league fees are returned to the players, and approximately 10-12% of its members earn the right to participate in the USAPL National Championships. For League Managers, protected regions are free and they are supported 100% by the national office staff. Anyone interested in joining the USAPL or starting a league, should contact the national office at (866) USA-POOL or (702) 719-7665.

Worldchampionship 1-Cushion, St. Brevin (nothing)

The new billiard season, which was launched with the World Cup in Porto (winner thingy Jaspers) will soon be followed up with a tournament on world level. The specialists in the discipline one cushion meet this week in St. Brevin, France (2 to October 5), where the world title is at stake. Sixteen players, including the current world champion Wolfang Zenkner and his greatest challengers Frédéric Caudron, Jean Paul de Bruijn and as an extra crowd face the Swede Torbjörn Blomdahl, start off the battle in the Salle de l'Etoile de Jade. Kozoom is following the championship closely and will broadcast all matches live. If you don't have your Premium Pass yet, order it now.

Worldcup 3-Cushion at Guri (South-Korea)

The World Cup cycle moves over one week (6 to October 12) to the country where three cushion is immensely popular and is booming with its spectacular outbreak of young talents. The Koreans get ready for a new coup after Jae Ho Cho’s victory in Istanbul in a final against Sung-Won Choi. The world’s three cushion circus gathers in the Gymnasium in Guri, where the preliminary rounds are a sensation in itself. The Korean are yearning to show the world how strong the country is across the board. Frédéric Caudron, the world champion, defends his leading position in the world rankings after his early exit in Porto. The entire top twelve travels to South Korea, including Spaniard Dani Sánchez who received CEB’s wildcard. Kozoom will bring his professional team to the arena in order to broadcast all the matches and to enjoy its spectators with three cushion on world class level.

Breast Cancer Awareness T-Shirt

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. Help support the fight against breast cancer when you buy a pink McDermott t-shirt. Proceeds benefit the Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation®.

MSRP: $15 (includes free shipping in USA!)

IPA Blackball British Open

The IPA Blackball British Open weekend is well under way down here in Brighton at the Hilton Metropole, but we have an extra special treat for you tonight at 10.00pm – a Professionals only last man standing competition, with £500 prize money up for grabs. Simple concept – winner stays on, order decided by draw, and the player who wins the last frame pockets the money – fun, exciting, even tormenting at times – but well worth a watch (free of charge) via https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2rZP5KZgwVUfqKPjsd-o6A from ten tonight in glorious high quality streaming that simply cannot be matched - enjoy!

Facebook Contest to win 3 OB Plus Shafts!

Are you on Facebook?

If so, you can enter a contest that we are getting ready to announce on our Facebook page once we hit 30,000 likes.

We just posted the above picture on our Facebook today as we are at just over 29,000 likes and as soon as we hit 30,000 likes then we will have a contest that we will only announce on Facebook to give away 3 new OB Plus shafts.

So like our Facebook page (if you don't already) and if you already do like us on Facebook then please share the picture we posted today and ask your Friends on Facebook to like our page and that will help get us to 30,000 likes in no time. If we hit 30,000 likes today then we will have the contest today!

Our Facebook page is www.facebook.com/obcues

We look forward to giving away some free OB Plus Shafts!