Organizers Add $20,000 to Second Annual Event to Attract 128 of the World's Best 9-Ball Players
Queens, New York April 30, 2004. Underwritten by Benedict Min, owner of Master Billiards, and a number of other sponsors currently being developed, Master Billiard will transform from a local pool room this August to a venue welcoming 128 of the best 9-ball players in the world to compete for a total prize purse of $55,000.
Last year New York took the first step to becoming a major tournament venue for professional 9-ball, attracting the top players in the world. This year, we are looking forward to an even bigger and better event.
The specifics of the event are as follows:
- The field has been expanded and is limited to 128 players.
- The entry fee is $300 until August 1, 2004. Thereafter, the entry fee is $375.
- The top 32 players will be seeded in the first round based on the UPA Seeding Rankings. An additional 5 players will be seeded based on the WPA Seeding Rankings for international players.
- The event is double elimination with races to 11. The final will be comprised of one race to 13.
- Players' Meeting and Calcutta is scheduled for Wednesday, August 4th, at 7:30 p.m.
- A pre-tournament ring game on August 4th is being put together and coordinated by Grady Matthews. More information on that to follow in the weeks to come.
Players interested in entering the tournament may go on to the AZ Billiards web site (AZBilliards.com) or the UPA website (upatour.com) for full tournament information and registration form. Players are urged to send in their entries as soon as possible as the field is already beginning to fill. During the tournament, full coverage of the event will be provided on the AZ Billiards site. WorldPool.com will also be on site to provide live Internet coverage. Fans can track their favorite players' progress through tournament brackets with updates continually posted on AZBilliards.
Arena seating will be provided for 200 spectators at Master Billiards. Match play begins at 11 a.m. each day. Scott Smith will act as our Master of Ceremonies and Referree. Spectators will have both general admission and VIP seating provided. General admission seating is available at $25 per session, $40 all day, and $120 full tournament. VIP seating is available at $160 for full tournament ONLY. Credit Card payments are being accepted using PayPal.
The tournament will be conducted using Brunswick tables, Simonis 860 cloth, Super Aramith Pro balls, and Diamond Billiard racks. Mike Webb (Webb Custom Cues) will provide all on-site cue repair services.
The tournament is sanctioned by the UPA and the WPA (Third North American Tour Stop in the 2004 WPA World Tour).
