2010 2010
Home Rules

GENERAL / FORMAT
  1. Dress Code: Players will wear dress slacks, a long sleeve polo or dress shirt. A belt, dress shoes, and dress socks are required. Players have the option of wearing a vest.
  2. Players may wear a maximum of 2 sponsor logos on clothing, but they may be no larger than 2x4 inches or 3 inches diameter. Sponsor logos MAY NOT appear on any props.
  3. There will be 20 shots in a match, 10 shots per player.
  4. Each player must perform 10 prop shots, using racks, cues, bottles, glasses, boots, coins, and so on. The props are of your choice and you may invent new shots, or use established shots. If you wish, you can use 8 prop shots and 2 flashy shots, such as wing shots or speed shots. Basically, flashy shots are defined as any shot that does not use a prop.
  5. Players have 2 minutes to setup each shot. FOR PROP SHOTS ONLY, a player may select 2 shots during each match where he will have 3 minutes to setup the shot on his first attempt (2 minutes on the second attempt). THE PLAYER MUST NOTIFY THE REFEREE BEFORE THE SETUP BEGINS THAT THEY WILL BE TAKING 3 MINUTES. ONCE A PLAYER STARTS TO SETUP A SHOT, IF THEY START TO RUN OUT OF TIME, THEY MAY NOT USE THIS 3-MINUTE OPTION. INSTEAD, THEY WILL NEED TO USE THEIR 1-MINUTE EXTENSION. The opponent will also get the same time increase on that shot. PLAYERS ARE ADVISED TO USE THIS EXTRA '3 MINUTE' RULE ONLY IF ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY. In addition, players are given the option of taking one 1-minute extension per match.
  6. Players may select ANY shot from the entire pre-selected shot program. Players may also select any of their submitted shots. During the preliminary matches, players may select shots submitted by another player, except those of their current opponent. During the semi-finals and finals, players may select shots submitted by other players only if those players have been eliminated from the tournament Players may not select shots from players still in the tournament.
  7. When players are selecting a shot, they MUST tell the referee the shot number.
  8. Some shots require multiple balls to be pocketed in the same pocket. We will be using the standard rule where if a pocket fills up, and a ball goes in and bounces out, the shot is no good. If the ball balances near the edge of the pocket, the referee will make the call as to whether the ball is in or not. The referee will use his judgement as to whether the hanging ball would fall from its current position if the balls in the pocket were not there. The referee's decision is final.
  9. In shots involving multiple balls to be pocketed in the same pocket, players are allowed to have the referee pull the balls from the pocket during the shot to clear up space. However, this will be at the player's risk. If the referee gets in the way of the shot, the shot will be considered no good.
  10. Accidental nudging of the cue ball (or any object ball to be struck first), is not a foul. The player will be allowed to reset the balls and start the shot over with no penalty. Please note that there are some shots where this does not apply. If a shot requires the player to do something else first, like a wing shot or something similar, then once the player starts the shot, it may not be stopped in the middle without penalty.
  11. If a player takes an honest stroke attempt at a shot, but he misses all balls completely (he doesn't touch anything), that will be considered a foul. The referee will make the decision as to whether the player took an honest stroke attempt at the shot.
  12. The tournament format will be as in past years. Two tries per shot, players alternating shots, each player required to attempt the shot performed by his opponent, one point for each shot successfully executed. Tie-breaker shot an 8 or 9 rail bank shot onto the face of a $100 bill.
  13. Shots used in Semi-Final # 1 (whether they were made or missed) may not be used in Semi-Final # 2. Shots used in either Semi-Final (whether they were made or missed) may not be used in the Finals. It doesn't matter who selects a shot, or whether it is made or missed. Once a shot is selected by anyone, that shot may not be used for the rest of the tournament by anyone. This rule only applies to TV matches. Shots used in the preliminary round may be used again in other preliminary round matches, and may be used in television matches.
SHOT PROGRAM
  1. Billiards International will select certain shots from years past to serve as the Shot Program for this event. Additionally, players may submit a certain number of shots each to be added to the Shot Program. All shots selected during the competition must come from this Shot Program. The pre-selected shots are from past events. The player who originally submitted that shot must bring all necessary props to the tournament and make them availabe to all players during the practice time and during all matches, should they be requested.
  2. By a specified date, each player must submit their shots. The shots may be diagrammed on the computer, or diagrammed on paper. In all cases, the shots must be emailed, faxed or sent via ragular mail to Andy Segal (contact Andy privately for his address and/or fax number). Andy will then post the shots on our website, so all players can practice all shots before the tournament. If there are duplicate shots, players may be asked to submit a substitute shot. So invent / select shots that are tough but shots you can make consistently. Please note that all shots submitted by each player MUST contain a prop of some kind.
  3. Players may not submit shots that are duplicates, or near duplicates, of the pre-selected shots. Players submitting shots too close to any of the pre-selected shots, or shots that duplicate any of the other player's submitted shots, may be asked to replace them. Billiards International will make the final call on all replacements, and reserves the right to require a player to submit substitute shots, or shots better suited to television.
  4. If a submitted shot requires a specific physical characteristic of the player, then BI may require that a replacement shot be submitted.
PLAYER SHOT SUBMISSIONS
  1. Players MUST diagram shots as they will set them up and they MUST diagram the shots as they will shoot them. It will not be acceptable for a player to diagram a shot one way, indicate in the description that the balls / props are 'in hand', and then set up the shot completely different. If balls are setup diagonally, do not draw them straight across the table. If a prop will be on the second diamond line, do not draw it at the first diamond line and say it is 'in hand'. Players are free to specify props / balls are 'in hand', but it must be indicated in the diagram and in the description how the player introducing the shot will set it up and perform it. The referee will rule in any situation that may arise regarding this.
  2. In the past, there were issues with shots not being described or diagrammed in a clear manner. Players were coming to the event expecting to shoot some shots totally different than what the submitting player actually meant. We do not want to have a situation on TV where one player shoots a shot one way, and the opponent shoots the same shot totally different, so different that it looks like a different shot. Therefore, the following rule will be in effect: Players must be very clear on all aspects of a shot. If the shot must be performed with a level cue, the player submitting the shot must specify that. If the shot must be performed with a double kiss, the player submitting the shot must specify that. These are only two examples, but this applies to all aspects of a shot. Players are urged to diagram and describe the shots as they will be performed. Players will not be required to adhere to any shot specifications that are introduced during the actual competition. Billiard International has the final say on any issues thay may arise regarding this.
  3. When shooting shots with a stopwatch, players must give at least 2 seconds per ball shot. For example, if a speed shot requires 10 balls to be hit, and a stopwatch is used to time the shot, you must require the shot be performed in a minimum of 20 seconds.
  4. Every shot must begin by striking the cue ball or an object ball. Object balls are not required.
  5. Players are allowed to submit shots where the cue ball will be sprayed with silicone. Players submitting such shots will be required to supply the silicone and specify all details about the substance. It must also be a brand that is readily available for all players. Such shots will also require that the player bring an extra cue ball. Players will not be allowed to alter the cue ball provided at the tournament. Players may use the cue ball provided by their opponent or their own (if they have one).
  6. If a player is going to specify a distance (1 inch, 2 millimeters, etc), they must bring an appropriate measuring device that the referee can use, just in case there is a question during a match. A tape measure is okay for all standard measurements, but irregular measurements, and very small measurements (like 2 millimeters), will require additional devices.
  7. Players must describe all parts of the props when submitting their shots. For example, if there will be tape wrapped around a plastic glass, the player must mention that. If the player fails to mention any part of a prop, that part will not be allowed. In the example given here, if the player doesn't say that there will be tape wrapped around the plastic glass, tape will not be allowed and the player will have to shoot the shot without the tape. Please note that accessories added to your cue stick are considered props and must be mentioned.
  8. As a general rule, if balls are jumping over or curving around any obstacle, unless the shot specifically says that the obstacle may not be hit or moved, it is okay to do so.
PROPS
  1. Props are anything other than a regular pool ball. Doctored pool balls are considered props. If a shot requires an extra cue ball to be used, that is not considered a prop. If a shot requires that a player shoot with 2 cue sticks simultaneously, that extra cue stick will be considered a prop. The bridge, chalk, rack, cue sticks laying on the table, and any other object (other than regular pool balls) are considered props.
  2. If a shot uses bottles, the bottles may not be filled with liquid. Sand or a similar substance may be used, or alternatively, the bottles may be empty.
  3. GLASS PROPS WILL NO LONGER BE ALLOWED. Due to past issues with glass props breaking during the competition, we cannot risk having production time wasted during the cleanup, or risk having any audience member, any player, or any staff hurt due to broken or flying glass. As an example, players may use plastic bottles instead of glass bottles. Plastic glasses, shot glasses, etc can also be used instead of their glass counterpart.
  4. PROPS MAY NOT CONTAIN ANY BEER OR LIQUOR LABEL OR LOGO OF ANY KIND.
  5. Any one-of-a-kind props, or props that are too finely described as to make them impossible to duplicate, must be made available to ALL PLAYERS during the scheduled practice time on Wednesday evening. After all of the shots are posted, these props will be identified and those players will be contacted and informed as such.
  6. Players may request to borrow any prop from another player for practice. However, if a player plans to select a shot during a match, they must bring their own prop. If Player # 1 picks a prop shot and does not have the prop available, Player # 2 may agree or not agree to provide the prop, if available.
  7. If a player brings a prop, that prop must be usable by anyone, including the referee. If the prop has a 'special secret' and only the player introducing that prop knows the 'secret' to use the prop, then the player must reveal the special secret within his shot submission diagram and/or the description. Otherwise the shot will not be allowed. The referee’s decision will be final on all shots. Additionally, when that prop is provided to all players during the practice time, the player who owns that prop must explain how to use the prop if necessary.
  8. If a player provides a prop that is similar to the one used by his opponent, the referee will rule whether or not that prop is acceptable.
  9. If during a match, any prop is damaged beyond use, the following rule will be in effect: The player selecting that shot will either receive the point if they made the shot on any of their attempts, or they will not receive the point if they did not successfully complete the shot (even if they only got 1 attempt before the prop was damaged). The opponent will receive the point irregardless of whether they made the shot or not. Please note that if the opponent takes his second attempt, misses the shot, and the prop is damaged at that point, no point will be awarded, unless the prop was damaged during the course of the shot to no fault of the shooter (referee's decision will be final). Players are responsible for their props. If there is a chance that a prop could be damaged, players must bring spares in order to avoid giving their opponent the point by default.
  10. The player who executes his own challenge shot cannot knock down the setup upon completion of the shot. However, if the setup is disturbed in execution of the shot, then his opponent will be required to setup the shot for himself.
EQUIPMENT
  1. Jump cues may contain leather or phenolic tips. All cue sticks must be at least 40 inches in length.
  2. If a player alters their cue stick in any way using an accessory, that player will be required to allow their opponent (if asked) to use their altered cue stick. The same applies if a player is using a non-standard stick, or piece of equipment. However, if a player shoots a shot with a standard cue stick, jump cue, or masse cue, the opponent will not be allowed to borrow that stick. Players are expected to have the bare minimum of sticks to execute shots. In other words, if a player does not bring a masse cue or a jump cue, they should be prepared to shoot all masse or jump shots with their own cue, not borrowing the stick from their opponent. The referee has final say over whether a certain cue stick is standard or non-standard. Please note that ANY AND ALL ACCESSORIES added to a cue stick will make it non-standard, and the player will be required to allow their opponent to borrow it. Please also note that the Dr. Popper jump cue is a standard jump cue.
SHOT CATEGORIES
  1. In each match, a player can only use three shots from the same skill category.
  2. In the shot program, the skill category is listed for each shot. Please note that some shots belong to multiple categories. For example, if a player selects a jump/masse shot, that will count as both a jump shot and a masse shot.
  3. Some shots belong to the 'miscellaneous' category. Players may select an unlimited number of shots from this category.
  4. The categories are defined as follows:
    1. 1-Handed Jump
    2. Jump
    3. Masse
    4. Speed
    5. Stroke
    6. Wing
    7. Juggling (hitting a moving cue ball or object ball)
    8. Miscellaeous (any shot not falling into one of the above categories)
MISC
  1. SUBMIT & SELECT ONLY SHOTS YOU CAN EXECUTE AT LEAST 80% OF THE TIME. We must provide ESPN with programs where players MAKE the shots. Also, the greatest publicity for your career and exhibition engagements is TRICK SHOT MAGIC and you want to be seen on ESPN MAKING shots, not missing them. Let's all work very hard to ensure that this year's TRICK SHOT MAGIC is the greatest ever! Contact Matt Braun if you have any questions.
  2. Players will be given 30 minutes of private practice time on Tuesday night. The first 4 players will practice from 6:00pm - 8:00pm. The next 4 players will practice after the players meeting from 10:00pm - 12:00am. Players are responsible for showing up on time for their practice session. If a player shows up late, he will still be expected to leave the room when the next player shows up at his regular scheduled time. Between 8pm and 10pm, the practice table will be reserved for the players in the speed-pool competition and may not be used by the trick shot magic competitors, unless it is empty. In that case, it will be open practice. In addition, any time slots not mentioned in the chart below will be open practice.
  3. The tournament match draw will be made available on this website a week or two prior to the competition. Please note that the practice schedule will be disclosed at this time as well. Players in the first round match will practice first, and so on. Players should make their travel plans to accommodate the possibility that they may practice at 6pm.
DRAW
Practice Schedule
Nick Nikolaidis 6:00pm - 6:30pm
Gabi Visoiu 6:30pm - 7:00pm
Florian Kohler 7:00pm - 7:30pm
Stefano Pelinga 7:30pm - 8:00pm
Players Meeting
Speed-Pool Practice		 No Practice
(or open practice to anyone)
Tom Rossman 10:00pm - 10:30pm
Jamey Gray 10:30pm - 11:00pm
Andy Segal 11:00pm - 11:30pm
Dave Nangle 11:30pm - 12:00am