Mohegan Sun Hotel & Casino
October 29 2009
Andy Segal
Bruce Barthelette
Tom Rossman
Mike Massey
Stefano Pelinga
Luke Szywala
Nick Nikolaidis
Ralph Eckert
Home Team USA Team Europe Sponsors Format Rules

GENERAL / FORMAT
  1. Dress Code: Players will NOT wear tuxedos this year. Players will wear dress slacks. A belt, dress shoes, and dress socks are required. Mohegan Sun will be providing shirts for all of the players to wear. Players may not put any logos or anything on these shirts.
  2. There will be 16 shots in a match. Each team will select 8 shots.
  3. During each match, teams must select at least 6 shots that use some kind of a prop.
  4. Players have 2 minutes to setup each shot. A team may select 2 shots during each match where their player 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 TEAM'S 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, teams are given the option of taking one 1-minute extension per match.
  5. Once the prior shot is complete, teams will have a maximum of 30 seconds to decide on their next shot. Once the player approaches the table, the 2 minutes setup time will begin. If the player doesn't approach the table in 30 seconds with a shot selection, the referee will start the 2 minutes setup clock. Once the player selects a shot and starts to setup, any additional time from the 30 seconds allotted for shot selection will be lost and the 2 minutes setup will begin. Teams are urged to have the next shot ready to go. Do not take 4-5 minutes to select the next shot.
  6. Teams may select ANY shot from the entire pre-selected shot program. Teams may also select any of their submitted shots. Teams may NOT select a shot from the other team's submitted shots.
  7. When teams are selecting a shot, they MUST inform the referee of 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 balls 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 a teammate 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 decides that the other player interfered in any way with the shot, the shot will be considered no good. The referee's decision is final.
  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, teams 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. Any shot used in the semi-finals by either team, may not be used in the finals by either team.
SHOT PROGRAM
  1. Billiards International will select shots from years past to serve as the Main Shot Program for this event. Additionally, teams 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 team / player who originally submitted that shot must bring all necessary props to the tournament and make them available to all players during the practice time and during all matches, should they be requested.
  2. By July 31st, each team must submit 16 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 regular 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, teams may be asked to submit a substitute shot. So invent / select shots that are tough but shots you can make consistently. Please note that of the 16 shots submitted by each team, 4 of them MUST be multiple-player shots.
  3. The 16 shots submitted by each team must contain a minimum of two new 2-player shots, and a minimum of two new 3 or 4 player shots.
  4. Teams may not submit shots that are duplicates, or near duplicates, of the pre-selected shots. Teams submitting shots too close to any of the pre-selected shots, or shots that duplicate any of the other team'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 team to submit substitute shots, or shots better suited to television.
  5. If a submitted shot requires a specific physical characteristic of the player, then BI may require that a replacement shot be submitted.
TEAM SHOT SUBMISSIONS
  1. Teams 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 team 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 scross 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'. Teams are free to specify props / balls are 'in hand', but it must be indicated in the diagram and in the description how the team 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. Teams 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: Teams must be very clear on all aspects of a shot. If the shot must be performed with a level cue, the team submitting the shot must specify that. If the shot must be performed with a double kiss, the team submitting the shot must specify that. These are only two examples, but this applies to all aspects of a shot. Teams 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, teams 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. Teams are allowed to submit shots where the cue ball will be sprayed with silicone. Teams 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 team bring an extra cue ball. Teams will not be allowed to alter the cue ball provided at the tournament. Teams may use the cue ball provided by their opponent or their own (if they have one).
  6. If a team 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. Teams must describe all parts of the props when submitting their shots. For example, if there will be tape wrapped around the glass, the player must mention that. If the team fails to mention any part of a prop, that part will not be allowed. In the example given here, if the team doesn't say that there will be tape wrapped around the glass, tape will not be allowed and the player using that shot 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, teams 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 BOTH TEAMS during the scheduled practice time on Wednesday evening. After all of the shots are posted, these props will be identified and those teams will be contacted and informed as such.
  6. Teams may request to borrow any prop from their opponents for practice. However, if a team plans to select a shot during a match, they must bring their own prop. If Team # 1 picks a prop shot and does not have the prop available, Team # 2 may agree or not agree to provide the prop, if available.
  7. If a team brings a prop, that prop must be usable by anyone, including the referee. If the prop has a 'special secret' and only the team introducing that prop knows the 'secret' to use the prop, then the team 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 both teams during the practice time, the player who owns that prop must explain how to use the prop if necessary.
  8. If a team 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 team 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). Teams are responsible for their props. If there is a chance that a prop could be damaged, teams 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. Players may borrow cue sticks from their teammates at will.
SHOT CATEGORIES
  1. In each match, a team 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. Teams may select an unlimited number of shots from this category.
  4. Some shots belong to the 'multiple player' category. Teams may select an unlimited number of shots from this category.
  5. 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. Multiple Player
    9. Miscellaeous (any shot not falling into one of the above categories)
MISC
  1. SUBMIT 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 TRICK SHOT WORLD CUP 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 WORLD CUP is the greatest ever! Contact Matt Braun if you have any questions.
  2. There will be 2 practice tables. Both are exactly the same as the tournament table, with the exception that one of them has a different leg design on the bottom. Both tables will play the same as the tournament table, but if the players feel that it is an advantage to practice on the table with the same leg design as the tournament table, then the following practice schedule will be followed. The table with the different leg design will always be open to anyone. The table with the same leg design will be as follows. Please note that both tables will be open to anyone during any time span not mentioned below. Also please note that there will be no private practice.


Practice Schedule
Team USA Wednesday 8pm-9pm
Team Europe Wednesday 9pm-10pm
Team USA Wednesday 10pm-11pm
Team Europe Wednesday 11pm-midnight
Team USA Thursday 11am-12pm
Team Europe Thursday 12pm-1pm
Team USA Thursday 1pm-2pm
Team Europe Thursday 2pm-3pm
Team USA Thursday 3pm-4pm
Team Europe Thursday 4pm-5pm
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