Blackball - Divisional Federation (ruleset) under the WPA (World Pool Association) *DIVIDED in 2022*

[telinoz]

Blackball is a ruleset played on 6ft, 7ft (competition level) tables.
Balls are 2"
Cloth has a nap.
Pockets are rounded

See WPA Rules, section 5. : https://wpapool.com/rules-of-play/

The WPA made this ruleset, to compete with the WEPF (the tables are basically the same, as are ball size, pocket cut etc).

This is how Blackball fits in under the WPA:

Now, the current World Body for Black is Blackball International (BI):

They don't have a website (it just links back to Facebook).
But here is the official Facebook page:

Blackball International | Melbourne VIC

Blackball International, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. 3,061 likes · 1 talking about this. Blackball International aka BI is a non-profit organisation that promotes the game of Blackball-Pool as a...

www.facebook.com

That covers the background.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Just recently there were TWO World Championships!!

Why???

Well, it turns out one of the BI board members, Ross McInnes, had some disagreement with board and was ejected.
With him going, the European Blackball Association (EBA) - decided that the BI had broke some rules with their constitution and said they would suspend their membership at the World level with Blackball International.

So, EBA - went ahead with the pre-planned World Championship awarded to France.

French Association - FFB: https://www.ffbillard.com/

BI, as the board melted down, the temporary President who resides in Morocco, decided to host the World Championship there.

Both on the same weekend... obviously to cause as much drama and hassle for the players as possible.
Some having to choose between the two, and this was also dependent on their countries association standing and alliances.

Australia went to both.
As did Ireland.
Other countries, chose one or the other.
England used the IPA - to find a work around.

Here is a comparison of the attendance (WEPF compared as well):

>>>>>>>>

So, what has happened since?

 

[telinoz]

First reaction to Ireland going to both:

and the general reaction:

 

[telinoz]

EBA have also got into some statements made by Ross McInnes:

Ross replied, as you can see.
This post was taken down in less than an hour, so not sure of outcome still.

 

[telinoz]

Australia.
My own backyard.

Now we have a split here as well.

Linked to Blackball International is now: Oceania Blackball Association

Log into Facebook

Log into Facebook to start sharing and connecting with your friends, family, and people you know.

www.facebook.com

Same board members used to run BI until just recently
and
Blackball Australia Pool Association (BAPA).

Log into Facebook

Log into Facebook to start sharing and connecting with your friends, family, and people you know.

www.facebook.com

Same board members here as well.
They sent their players to Morocco


With the Australian Blackball International Federation (ABIF) sticking with the alliance with EBA.

Log into Facebook

Log into Facebook to start sharing and connecting with your friends, family, and people you know.

www.facebook.com

They sent their players to France.

 

[telinoz]

I have no alliance either way, I just wanted to start this thread to track it all and post updates to the users here who are interested in Blackball.

Feel free to share any updates you find as well.

I just hope, the WPA - Ian Anderson and his board, step in at the World Level and sort this out.

As a casual observer, it was obvious France had the better event.
More countries, more players, the best players, the venue and public attendance, press coverage etc.
It was on a whole new level for Blackball.

Fingers crossed, this gets sorted soon.

As, the WEPF have made a great decision going with international rules - so, Blackball will become irrelevant fast unless they sort it out.
I personally would love to see Blackball and WEPF merge - as they are now basically on the same ruleset.
One can hope!

 

[Pin]

Interesting to see a couple of entries from the USA in Morocco (for the older age groups). Is 2-inch pool becoming a thing there? (TBH, if 7ft tables are becoming the norm, it makes sense.)

 

[CanadianGuy]

not a fan of black ball but surprisingly it does seem to lend itself well to skill development and other cue sports

Selby had the blackball background as did all of the most succesfull non chinese players in chinese 8 ball

 

[Astrolabus]

I just find this all more than a little crazy. In the end these "arguments" over rules are just cheap excuses for control of the game. Two "world championships" at the same time, with both sides blaming the other, what a complete farce.

After reading this maybe the best thing would be the WEPF becoming the governing body. At least it has a history.

In fact I would ask what is the point of the WPA? What have they atually done for 8ball other than divide it leaving it weaker than ever?

 

[telinoz]

I just find this all more than a little crazy. In the end these "arguments" over rules are just cheap excuses for control of the game. Two "world championships" at the same time, with both sides blaming the other, what a complete farce.

After reading this maybe the best thing would be the WEPF becoming the governing body. At least it has a history.

In fact I would ask what is the point of the WPA? What have they atually done for 8ball other than divide it leaving it weaker than ever?

That is a good question.

 

[Astrolabus]

One question, what happened to the IPA. According to them they are the WPA official body for Blackball? Did they fall out of favour?

 

[telinoz]

One question, what happened to the IPA. According to them they are the WPA official body for Blackball? Did they fall out of favour?

They are still listed on WPA website.
BI covers Blackball, for now.
IPA is a professional tour.

Think of it like Snooker.
WPBSA and World Snooker TV, professional tournaments.
WSF, the amateur game, but with a path to the Pro tour.

 

[Astrolabus]

They are still listed on WPA website.
BI covers Blackball, for now.
IPA is a professional tour.

Think of it like Snooker.
WPBSA and World Snooker TV, professional tournaments.
WSF, the amateur game, but with a path to the Pro tour.

Thanks, very interesting, although personally looking at the prize money for the IPA I would call it more a pro-am series. A quick glance at the prize for next years “world title“ is £15,000, and to make a living you would have to be winning nearly everything.