Iwan Simonis has signed on as the new title sponsor
of the former Viking Cue 9-Ball Tour. “The basic operations, format and added monies of the tour events will remain the same for the players. However our room owners and sponsors will see added benefits as a result of this change,” stated Mike Janis, the tour's founder.

Janis added, “The change in the title sponsorship will now allow us to give our sponsors increased advertising and sales opportunities along with allowing us to be more flexible in the sponsors we accept as we can now offer sponsorship to additional products and cue brands. The room owners will see reduced rates in tournament fees along with additional benefits related to Simonis cloth when hosting events as a result of their sponsorship.”

Ivan Lee, President of Simonis Cloth USA stated, “I am happy to be working with Mike on the tour and I have every reason to believe that it will be a successful partnership for both of us. The tireless energy that Mike puts into what he does is an inspiration to players and poolroom owners alike.”

Visit www.simonistour.com for more info!

About Iwan Simonis Cloth:
Founded in Verviers, Belgium in 1680, Simonis is the oldest name in the billiard industry and the only textile mill in the world dedicated to the production of cloth for cue-sports. Visit the Iwan Simonis Cloth website at:
www.simoniscloth.com

Three time World 14.1 Champion Ray "Cool Cat" Martin and 14.1 Continuous inventor Jerome Keogh (left) will be the very first inductees into the Straight Pool Hall of Fame. The ceremony will take place August 31, 2011 at 5 p.m. at a dinner banquet at the Hyatt Regency Hotel during the 71st World Tournament of 14.1. Keogh will be inducted posthumously while Martin will be there live to accept his award and speak. Even better, Martin will participate in the World Tournament as a competitor at age 76.

"Its a great honor to be inducted. It’s nice that people still alive will be inducted as well in the future. That's really the way it should be. Get them in before they die! Let them enjoy it!" said Martin (right). Ray won the World Tournament in 1971, 1974, and 1978. Martin also won numerous 9-Ball titles, is a BCA Hall of Fame inductee and the author of the famed 99 Critical Shots instructional pool book.

"There were many factors on why we decided to start this inaugural Straight Pool Hall of Fame. We wanted to honor not only obvious choices, but to remember great players that are still alive and remind them that they are not forgotten,” said Charlie Williams, Founder of Dragon Promotions. “They are living treasures of the sport. Also, we wanted to recognize those who may not receive recognition elsewhere, but were huge parts of 14.1 history."

Jerome Keogh invented 14.1 in 1910. Previous to that, players would break the balls open but sometimes nothing went in, which many felt was too big a luck factor. Keogh decided the game should be played with the final ball remaining out. Thus 14 balls plus 1, which became known as 14.1. The very first World 14.1 Tournament was held in 1911 and won by Alfredo DeOro. Keogh had prior to that won multiple World Championships, but despite inventing the game that changed the sport, he would never win the World 14.1 title. Today, a hundred years later, the Straight Pool Hall of Fame honors him fittingly as the founder of the game.

"Over the last six years, the fans, players, and sponsors have really made us feel like the caretakers of straight pool. I'm not a pool player, but I've learned to really come to enjoy and respect this elegant game. We want to continue keeping this game alive and make it prosper. Honoring the people who did it before us is a big part of that," explains Cindy Lee, CEO of Dragon Promotions.

Guest speakers at the dinner banquet on August 31 will include former World Champions and veteran peers of Ray's; Allen Hopkins, Mike Sigel, and Earl Herring. The 14.1 Hall of Fame events will also include video presentations by NYCGrind.com's Jerry Tarantola and funded by Dr. Louis Pannullo. Charlie Williams will MC the evening's festivities.

The 2011 World Tournament is proudly co-sponsored by Olhausen Tables, Amsterdam Billiards, Inside Pool Magazine, Andy Cloth, Aramith Balls, Kamui, Pool & Billiard Magazine, Sandcastle Billiards and straight pool aficionados Bill Austin of UT, Dr.Louis Pannullo of NY, Ralph Rubin of MD. Co-contributors include Dennis Walsh, Dr.James Heller, Charles Eames, Mark Snodgrass, and Bill Marapolous. For more information on player registration, sponsorship, or if you would like to submit a comment, please email worldstraightpoolchampionships@gmail.com or contact Dragon Promotions at 1-407-782-4978.

Pictured - a pantheon of WPA World 9-Ball Champions, top row: Daryl Peach (2007), Efren Reyes (1999), Thorsten Hohmann (2003), Mika Immonen (2001); bottom row: Ronnie Alcano (2006), Wu Chia Ching (2005), Francisco Bustamante (2010), Oliver Ortmann (1995), Ralf Souquet (1996). Photo and info courtesy Ted Lerner

(Doha, Qatar)--Day time temperatures reach over 110 degrees  in Doha, Qatar but with a bevy of the world’s best pool players on hand to contest the sport’s most prestigious title, the action this week inside the glittering Al Sadd Sports club promises to make the searing outside air seem downright chilly.

128 of the finest pool talents from 44 countries have arrived in one of the Middle East’s most progressive countries, ready for dramatic battles ahead, as the World Pool Association (WPA) World 9-ball Championship gets set to begin Saturday at 12 noon (GMT +3). The tournament will run daily through July 1.

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The center of the pool universe moves to one of the most vibrant places in the Middle East next week, as the World Pool Association’s World 9-ball Championship gets set to kick off in Doha, Qatar, June 21--July 1.  128 of the finest pool talents from 44 countries will gather at Doha’s Al Sadd Sports Club to contest what is widely considered as one of the most prestigious titles in the sport.  The prize fund is $250,000 with $36,000 going to the winner. The Philippines Francisco “Django” Bustamante (pictured) will be back to defend his crown, which he won last year in Doha with a convincing 13-7 over Chinese-Taipei’s  Kuo Po Cheng. Prior to the event, the popular Bustamante had long been considered the greatest player to never win a world title.  He won his finals match in spectacular fashion by pocketing the 9-ball on the break in the 20th rack to capture the long sought after crown. Just weeks after he won the World 9-Ball Championship in Qatar, Bustamante cemented his legend when he was elected to the Billiards Congress of America Hall of Fame.

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Mika Immonen and Borana Andoni at the 2010 World Mixed Doubles Championship, won by the Filipino team of Efren Reyes and Rubilen Amit.

Global billiards promoter Dragon Promotions will produce the 2nd Annual World Mixed Doubles in Hangzhou, China on September 29-October 1,2011. This will be the first event produced in China by Dragon Promotions, in cooperation with their local partner 9 Club Entertainment and sanctioned by the Chinese Billiards and Snooker Association.

The event will pair top men's and women's players together as two-person teams, featuring 16 teams from around the world. Last year included top talents such as Mika Immonen, Shane Van Boening, Shanelle Loraine, Kaori Ebe and more competed in this unique and exciting event. Defending champions Efren "Magician" Reyes and Rubilen Amit will return to defend their World Mixed Doubles title.
 
"We feel this is one of the most colorful events in billiards. Our television network partners love this format and the uniqueness of the World Mixed Doubles brings a different level of excitement to audiences. This is the only event where you can see the top men and women play together as a single team. It's thrilling for the masses to watch the players experience teamwork and camaraderie, " said Cindy Lee, CEO of Dragon Promotions.
 
"We think this is a wonderful event and we are very honored to host it in China. Dragon Promotions is a very professional company and their expertise in producing world class events is welcomed here. We hope it helps improve all aspects of our sport and growth of billiards in China," said Tao Wang, Director of Pool for the CBSA.
 
The World Mixed Doubles will boast players representing countries such as Philippines, China, USA, Japan, Taiwan, Finland, Germany, Korea, England, and many more. The game will be 10-Ball in a double elimination format. The winning team will earn $15,000 for first place. The event will be televised worldwide through ESPN Star Sports and ABS-CBN.
 
"This is a dream come true for us to bring Dragon Promotions to China. Their name is very respected here and the World Mixed Doubles is one of their premiere events that we really wish to see. Having the top men and women stars at the same time playing together will be a very big treat for the fans. We plan on helping Dragon Promotions to build this into a huge event and we look forward to a long cooperation with them for years to come," said Wang Di, President of 9 Club Entertainment.
 
Dragon Promotions is one of the leading producers of billiard programming in the world today. In a span of over 10 years, Dragon Promotions has produced over 100 international events airing on networks in USA, Korea, and Europe such as ESPN, ABS-CBN, ESPN Star Asia, MBC ESPN, XTM, XPORTS, and Euro Sport. Events include The World Tournament of 14.1, The Predator International 10-Ball Championship, King & Queen of Carom, Empress Cup, Pro Pool Schools, DP Pro Classic, Women's Trickshot Challenge, World Junior 10-Ball Championships, The World Mixed Doubles and many more.  Dragon also manages some of the world's best players including Allison Fisher, Mika Immonen, Shanelle Loraine, Rodney Morris,  Charlie Williams,  Mike Davis, and Erica Park. Visit www.dragonpromotions.com  or www.dragonpromotions.co.kr  for more info!

Heading to the Derby City events this year? You can find out about all the events (9-Ball, One Pocket, 9-Ball Banks, 10-Ball Challenges, mini tournaments and more!) at http://www.dcctickets.com

Need a place to stay? Promoters say use Code S01DCCC at the Horseshoe Casino & Hotel to book any nights you choose between 1/20 and 1/29/11. For specific information or answers to questions, contact Diamond Billiard Products, Inc. @ (812) 288-7665.

Tickets will be held at the DCC Tournament Office located in the Horseshoe Casino and Hotel and can only be retrieved with valid photo ID, such as a State ID, driver's license, or passport. Tickets will be available starting January 20, 2011.

The number 2 ranked WPBA USA player Vivian Villarreal “The Texas Tornado” (at right) and number 5 WPBA USA ranked player Melissa Little “The Viper” (at left) will be performing a pool exhibition at “The Rack” located at 28410 Joy Road, in Livonia, MI this Monday, January 3rd, 2011 starting at 7:00 PM.

Vivian and Melissa will play a single set of 9-ball, race to seven. After the competitive set, the two pros will perform challenge the pro matches, conduct Q & A with fans, and then an autograph session. VIP tickets are being sold for $20 at “The Rack” and the first 20 seats sold will receive a special signed poster of Vivian and Melissa.

 To purchase tickets please contact Luke at 734-422-POOL.

Vivian and Melissa will be performing these special performances throughout the year and if you have interested in a show near your hometown then please contact VIP Sports Agent Steven Thomas at 720-255-6893. For more info on the pros visit www.melissalittle.com, www.vivianvillarreal.com, and www.wpba.com

Little and Villarreal are in town for the upcoming Women’s Professional Billiard Association's “2011 WPBA Masters” event taking place January 5-9 at the Soaring Eagle Casino in Mount Pleasant, MI. For information on tickets and schedules please visit www.soaringeaglecasino.com.

2011 Tour Season Kick Off to Feature World's Top 48 Women Pool Players including top ranked Jasmin Ouschan, shown here!

MT. PLEASANT, MI - The Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort will host the best female billiard players in the world January 5-9, 2011 when the Women's Professional Billiard Association WPBA Masters kicks off the 2011 Women's Pro Billiard Tour season.

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NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. – The Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel will host the best female billiard players in the world this December when the Women’s Professional Billiard Association (WPBA) Tour Championship comes to Western New York. The tour and a series of billiard-related events, dubbed “Billiard Bash 2010,” will take place from Wednesday, December 1, through Sunday, December 5 in the WPBA's first-ever appearance at this exciting new site!
 
Billiard Bash 2010 will commence on December 1 with a Pro-Am Charity Event at 7 p.m.

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The Glass City Open, Toledo, Ohio's namesake pool championship is back, but with a twist.  This great event is now a 5-Player, Open Team, 8-Ball, Triple Elimination Tournament, limited to 64 Men's teams and 24 Ladies teams. All will compete for $40,000 in prize money at the Ramada Hotel and Conference Center, Thanksgiving weekend, November 26-28, 2010.

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