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, race to 7 games in each set, with a o­ne-game sudden death in the event of tied sets.  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 stars of the sport contending for a purse of $40,000.  Tom Rossman, the 2002 Trick Shot Magic Champion, will return to defend his title.  Mike Massey, the 2003 World Trick Shot Champion and Trick Shot Magic Champion in 2000 and 2001, will represent the USA.  Stefano Pelinga, the 2003 World Trick Shot Runner-Up and 2002 Trick Shot Magic Runner-Up, will represent Italy.

Charles Darling, the 2001 WPA World Artistic Pool Champion, will also represent the USA.  Sebastian Giumelli, the 2003 Argentina Trick Shot Champion and World Ranked Number 3, will represent Argentina.  David Pearson, the 2003 Great Britain Trick Shot Champion, will represent England.  Michael Mossin, the 2003 Russian Trick Shot Champion, will represent Russia.  Bogdan Wolkowski, the 2003 Poland Artistic Pool Champion, will represent Poland.

The Trick Shot Magic winner will claim the crown and $25,000.  Format for the tournament consists of eight skill shots and eight artistic show shots in each match.  Players 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.

ESPN will telecast three 1-hour programs o­n both Sudden Death 7-Ball and Trick Shot Magic.  ESPN Zone will make both events Admission Free for spectators.  ESPN Zone is a 35,000 square-foot sports-themed dining and entertainment complex located at 601 East Pratt Street in downtown Baltimore.  Phone number:  410-685-3776.  The winners' checks will be presented by ESPN Zone, Olhausen Billiards, and Viking Cues.  The tournaments are also sponsored by Aramith Super Pro Balls, Simonis Cloth, Mueller Rack, The Association for P.O.O.L., and Silver Cup Chalk.  The tournaments will be produced by Matt and Bettiane Braun of Billiards International, Limited.

Ample parking is available near ESPN Zone.  Tournament sessions begin o­n October 1, 2003, at 10 a.m. for both events.  The Sudden Death 7-Ball semifinals and championship finals will begin at 6 p.m. o­n October 1.  The Trick Shot Magic semifinals and championships finals will begin at 4 p.m. o­n October 2.  Admission is free, and those attending should plan to arrive early.  For more information, please call 860-379-8414.

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