Ralf Souquet, the 2004 Derby City Classic 9-Ball Champion, will also represent Germany.  In addition to Archer, the USA will be represented by Tony Robles, the 2004 BCA 9-Ball Open Champion; Rodney Morris, the 2004 Sands Reno Open Champion; and Corey Deuel, the 2004 Derby City Classic Ring Game Champion.  Lee Van Corteza, the 2004 Asian 9-Ball Tour Champion, will represent the Philippines.

The winner will claim a cool $25,000 in Sudden Death 7-Ball.  The game is o­ne of action and offense, designed by ESPN to attract a younger television viewership.  Played by rules to make it exciting and entertaining, whoever pockets the 7 ball wins the game.  A match consists of two sets, with each set a race to 7, and in the event of a tie, there will be a o­ne-game sudden death.  The 7 ball must be called to win and does not count o­n the break.  The format lends itself to close matches and quick run-outs.

Trick Shot Magic will present eight international starts of the sport contending for a purse of $40,000.  Mike Massey, the 2003 Trick Shot Magic Champion, will return to defend his title.  Stefano Pellinga, the 2004 European Artistic Pool Champion, will represent Italy.  Andy Segal, the 2004 Las Vegas Open Artistic Pool Champion, will represent the USA. 

Luke Szywala, the 2004 Masters Artistic Pool Champion, will represent Poland.  Charles Darling, the 2004 North American Artistic Pool Champion, and Tom Rossman, the 2004 Masters Artistic Pool Runner-Up, will also represent the USA.  Nick Nikolaidis, the 2003 Canadian Artistic Pool Champion, will represent Canada.

The Trick Shot Magic winner will claim the crown and $25,000.  Format for the tournament consists of ten skill shots and ten artistic show shots in each match.  Player will execute a challenge shot of their choice, and their opponents are required to duplicate the shot or lose a point.  The players alternate shots in two-man head-to-head matches, performing intricate trick shots meant to stymie their opponents.  A sudden-death tiebreaker to decide a match will require an eight-rail bank shot o­nto the face of a $100 bill.

EPSN will telecast three 1-hour programs o­n both Sudden Death 7-Ball and Trick Shot Magic.  ESPNZone will make both events admission free for spectators.  ESPNZone is a 50,000 square foot sports-themed dining and entertainment complex located in the New York, New York casino in Las Vegas, NV (phone:  702-933-3776).  The winners’ checks will be presented by ESPNZone, Olhausen Billiards, and Viking Cue.  The tournaments are also sponsored by Aramith Super Pro Balls, The Spider, Simonis Cloth, The Association for P.O.O.L., Mueller Rack, and Silver Cup Chalk.  The tournaments will be produced by Matt and Bettiane Braun of Billiards International, Ltd.

Ample parking is available near ESPNZone.  Tournament sessions begin o­n October 6 at 10 a.m. for both events.  The Sudden Death 7-Ball semifinals and championship finals will begin at 6 p.m. o­n October 6.  The Trick Shot Magic semifinals and championship finals will begin at 4 p.m. o­n October 7.  Admission is free, and those attending should plan to arrive early.  For more information, please call 860-379-8414.

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