2008 Party Poker World Pool Masters announced
The 2008 Party Poker World Pool Masters will be held in Las Vegas for the first time this year. A total of 16 of the finest pool players from around the world will be competing in the event, which will be staged at The Riviera Hotel and Casino from
May 9th to May 11th 2008.
2007 champion Thomas Engert from Germany will be attending to defend his title and will be joined by many of the biggest names from the sport. Other pool players who have already confirmed their attendance include 2007 World Pool Champion Daryl Peach (England), 2001 World Champion Mika Immonen (Finland), 2007 Mosconi Cup players Tony Drago (Malta), Shane Van Bouncing and Rodney Morris (both USA) and 2007 World Junior Champion Ko Pin-yi (Chinese Taipei).
Francisco Bustamante and Alex Pagulayan (both Philippines) have also been invited to play in Party Poker World Pool Masters but have yet to confirm their attendance, while the leading four players on the European Tour rankings after the Paris Open later this month will also qualify for the event.
This will be the 16th running of the Party Poker World Pool Masters and it has grown into one of the biggest and most prestigious pool competitions in the sport's calendar. This year it will be hosted by the BCA National 8-Ball Championships with the opening matches held on Friday, May 9th with the final scheduled for Sunday, May 11th.
A Matchroom Sport spokesman said: "It's fantastic that the event is coming to the USA for the first time. I'm sure there will be big crowds, lots of excitement and drama and it will be a great competition”.
The World Pool Masters will be televised across the world in 15 one-hour highlights programmes. There will be a $62,000 prize fund with the winner taking home a cool $20,000. Tickets will be made available in March and the venue is likely to be able to accommodate several hundred spectators. This very prestigious pool event is likely to prove unmissable for pool fans across the globe, whether travelling to watch their heroes play live in Vegas or glued to the televised highlights.