THE Registration for the qualifying tournament of the 2007 World Pool Championship gets underway for both Filipino and foreign players. This was announced by Raya Sports executive director JP Fenix.
The Qualifying Tournament is scheduled over five days, from October 27 to 31, 2007. Ten qualifying events will be held, with two each day, divided into morning and afternoon sessions.
Tournament Venue
The Qualifying Tounament will be held at the Star Billiards Center located at Joy Street, Grace Village, Quezon City, Philippines , with the following contact numbers: (632)3646041 and (632)3678888. The facility features all- Brunswick tables conforming to specifications of the WPC and Aramith professional balls.
The Star Billiards Center will be open from 8 am to 10 pm daily to all players one week before the competition start.
Registration of players for the qualifiers will be held at the Billiards Zone, Rizal Memorial Complex, Manila . Deadline for registration and payment of entry fee is 12 nn., Friday, October 26, 2007.
Transportation to Venue
To ensure transport to qualifier venue, foreign players will be picked up by coaster and bus from either (1) their hotels if these are in the WPC vicinity map; or (2) the Rizal Memorial Billiards Center. Time of pick-up: 7:30 am for morning session; 12 pm for afternoon session.
Filipino players in the qualifiers will be picked up at the Rizal Memorial Billiards Center. Time of pick-up: 7:30 am for morning session; 12 pm for afternoon session.
Schedule of Qualifiers
Ten (10) qualifying events are scheduled, starting from Saturday, October 27. There will be two qualifiers per day. The winner of each qualifier will enter the 128-man main draw of the WPC. Beyond 10 slots, the players who accumulate the most points from playing in five events will be designated reserves.
The complete schedule is as follows:
Saturday, October 27 Events 1 & 2
Sunday, October 28 Events 3 & 4
Monday, October 29 Events 5 & 6
Tuesday, October 30 Events 7 & 8
Wednesday, October 31 Events 9 & 10
Entry Fee
The Entry Fee for a single event is $100 or P4600.
The Entry Fee for five events is $400 or P18,400.
Players are allowed to play only in one tournament per day. Players signing up for the full tournament package WILL BE GUARANTEED ENTRY TO FIVE EVENTS. Selection of which event to enter will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Prepaid single event entrants and casual players may be accepted, subject to spaces being available.
The deadline for entries is 12 nn, Friday, October 26, 2007, although entries will be accepted the day before each event if the fields fall short of 64 players. Fill up the WPC entry form below and Fax to (632)8909666 . After entry form is received, Raya will email you confirmation of receipt. You can check status of your entry on the WPC Philippines website: www.rayasports.com or www.pooliscool.com .
Prizes
The ten winners of the qualifiers will be entered into a predetermined place in the group draw for the last 128 of the World Pool Championship, which commences in Manila on Saturday, November 3, 2007.
Each winner will receive prize money based on the daily entrant level. Players who place from 2nd to 4th in each qualifier will get their entry fee back. Prizes will be paid in cash or check.
Players who pay for the full tournament package and are able to qualify without exhausting all their entry privileges will be entitled to a refund of their unused entries.
Tournament Format
The tournament format for the qualifiers is single elimination, race to 7, alternate break. The finals will be race to 9 with alternate break.
The points system will operate as follows:
- Runner-up 10 pts.
- 3rd - 4th 5 pts.
- 5th ? 8th 3 pts.
- 9th ? 16th 1 pt.
The player with the most points will be the first reserve in the event of more spots becoming available. The next reserves will be those garnering the most points in descending order.
General Rules
The Dress Code is informal but players are requested to maintain a smart appearance ? no headwear, sleeveless shirts, or short pants.
Players are enjoined and expected to play the qualifying matches in a fair and sportsmanlike way. Any dispute must be referred to the Duty Referee (one for every three tables) or the Tournament Control Desk..
Check-In Times for each event are as follows:
Saturday, Oct. 27
Event 1 @ 08:30 am
Event 2 @ 13:00 pm
Sunday, Oct. 28
Event 3 @ 08:30 am
Event 4 @ 13:00 pm
Monday, Oct. 29
Event 5 @ 08:30 am
Event 6 @ 13:00 pm
Tuesday, Oct. 30
Event 7 @ 08:30 am
Event 8 @ 13:00 pm
Wednesday, Oct. 31
Event 9 @ 08:30 am
Event 10 @ 13:00pm
When players are called by the Control Desk, they must report within five minutes. Failure to do so will incur a one-rack forfeit. After a further five minutes they will lose a further rack and then five minutes later they will forfeit the match.
No timeouts are allowed, but a player may take one toilet break. They may only leave the table at the end of a rack that they have won. This break should be as brief as possible. Should you require a further break during the match then you must obtain permission from the Duty Referee or the Control Desk. Failure to observe these rules will mean FORFEIT of the next rack with the break passing back to the opponent.
All matches are lag for break/alternate breaks thereafter.
Players can only use the cues that they bring to the table before their match commences. Jump cues (minimum 1 mtr. long) and break cues may be used but they mustbe with you when you first come to the table.
Scorecards must be completed and signed by both players. It is the responsibility of the winning player to ensure that the result is recorded at the Control Desk.
Accommodation in Manila
Raya Sports can assist in booking hotel reservations for all players. For further information, log into: www.rayasports.com or www.pooliscool.com
