I have been looking for some documented history and story behind this tournament which I believe was held in the 80's but have not been able to find any literature. Does anyone here have any information on this?
Here is a thread that has some good info. I bought some memorabilia over the years such as the mugs, tournament posters (one signed by John Shuput), and also the complete kit on holding a qualifier. It sounded like a very good tournament, just a little before my time.
http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=130392&highlight=World+Series+Tavern+Pool
Reminds a little of the Canadian Club Whiskey tournament several years ago. They had a local, regional, and national rounds. Finishing in the top 2 spots in the local ($5 entry) put you into the regional. Finishing in the top 2 in the regional put you into the national tournament. I won the Kansas regional which paid a 1000.00 plus all expenses to Vegas in the national. The national was interesting. If you won the tournament it paid 5000 plus a chance to win a 1,000,000 dollars with a try to make the 8 ball on the break. 2nd won a pool table. Pretty fun tournament.
I personally won them in local qualifiers in the bay area in California. They were not offered for sale, they said regional champion on the other side of the mug, at least one of my mugs says that, I will have to recheck on the other.
To have a qualifier the bar or tavern had to have 8 players pay 10.00 each. Everyone who entered got a mug. the winner of the qualifier then could pay 25.00, would receive a jacket and go to a regional qualifier where there were 16 winners from the different tavern qualifiers. The top 2 winners from each regional qualifiers then proceeded to Las Vegas for the tournament that was held at Ceasers Palace.
Dick
You got it all right except the location it was at the MGM Grand and was my first trip to Las Vegas
They took a wide angle photo (about 150 feet long) of all the players lined up and planned to use it as a promotional item for the next years tournament but some player flipped the bird. About 350 players lined up. Oh well, sometimes we just shoot ourselves in the foot.
That was a classy tournament and Miller Lite did it right. Great setting, plenty of referees, nice venue, etc.