The International Pool Tour presents the IPT 2008 Pro Am Tournament, an innovative new concept in pool, where amateurs can qualify to play on a team with a pro! There will be a total of 16 qualifying tournaments held in the Chicagoland area. The top 6 players from each of these qualifying tournments will earn a spot on a team with the assigned pro, and advance to the Pro-Am Tournament held on November 8 & 9 at Palace Billiards in Villa Park, IL. A total of 16 teams will compete in a single-elimination winner take all format. Everyone competes individually and if anyone on your team finishes in first place, you win! The $50,000 prize fund will be divided evenly amongst the winning team, including a $2,000 bonus to the overall winner of the tournament.

This grass-roots concept allows local players to compete alongside the hottest athletes in the sport! Pool players that compete casually or in weekly leagues have a shot at a great payday and a memorable experience, and the best part is, anyone can win.

IPT will be making frequent announcements with further details in coming weeks. Visit www.internationalpooltour.com for updates on winners, teams, and participating pool rooms. Qualifiers started the weekend of September 13-14, and are scheduled for every weekend until the beginning of November. The final event will be held in Chicago on the weekend of November 8-9, 2008. Sign up now to have a once in a lifetime opportunity to play on a team with your favorite pro and take home a giant prize!

Frequently Asked Questions | Meet the Pros | Qualifier Dates & Locations

Final Event:

IPT Pro-Am Final Tournament WHEN: November 8-9, 2008 WHERE: Palace Billiards PHONE: (630) 941-3500 ADDRESS: 160 W Roosevelt Rd, Villa Park, IL 60181 Visit Pro-Am Final Event Homepage

Pro-Am Frequently Asked Questions:

What is the qualifier for?
You are trying to qualify to play in the IPT 2008 Pro Am Final on the same team with a pro.  Ie, if you play in Archer’s qualifier and place in the top 6, you and all the others in the top 6 play on the same team with Archer in the final on November 8-9.

Where can I qualify?
There are 16 qualification events across Chicagoland, visit www.internationalpooltour.com for dates and locations OR call the host room OR email info@internationalpooltour.com.

I am an average player at best.  Why should I play?
With short races to three, anyone can win!  Your opponent may be stronger than you, but may not even get a shot win one game with such a short race.  With the top 6 advancing, you have a great shot of qualifying and those great players will be ON YOUR TEAM!  This is a unique opportunity to play alongside the world’s greatest pros.

When do the qualifiers start?
The qualifiers are on weekends through November 1-2. Each event has its own start time. Visit www.internationalpooltour.com for details.

What is the format of the qualifiers?
Double elimination
Race to 3
8-ball
IPT Tournament Rules apply

1. Winner breaks
2. Eight on break wins
3. Table is open after the break
4. All ball fouls
5. For all rules please visit www.internationalpooltour.com/Rules

Is there a limit to the number of players in a qualifier?
No. There may be 6, there may be 36.  If only 6 show up to any qualifier, the event will play out, and all 6 will advance.

How much does it cost to play?
Entry fee is $70 + $5 greens fee if you register online, or are a league cardholder, senior, woman, junior, or member of the military.  All other entrants will pay $80 + $5 greens fee.
 
Where/how can I pay my entry fee?
You can either pay online or at the host room. Save $10 by registering online in advance at www.internationalpooltour.com.  You may also pay at the room the day of the tournament if you arrive early enough.  $10 discount will still be honored for eligible players.  All greens fees are paid directly to the host room.

Who can play?
Anyone can play—league members, non-league members, women, men, juniors, seniors, amateurs, pros.

Will the pros be attending the qualifiers?
No. The pros will not be at the qualifiers, but all 16 of them will be playing in the final event.

Are there handicaps?
The IPT does not use any handicap system, and is completely independent of any other league’s rules or handicaps.

What do I win at the qualifier?
You win your spot on the pro’s team in the final. 

Who plays in the final?
 The 16 qualified teams and each team’s pro.

How many players are in the final tournament?
128. 16 teams of 8 players.

Where does the 8th player come from?
Promotional spots to be released by the IPT.
          
What is the format of the final?

• Single elimination 8-BALL tournament
• Race to 3 
• IPT Tournament Rules apply
• Each player plays as an individual, but if any member of a team wins the tournament, his whole team wins too.

Once I qualify, do I have to pay any other fees?
No.  There are no additional fees.

FINAL MATCH INFORMATION

When is the final?
November 8th and 9th, 2008.   Start times TBA soon at www.internationalpooltour.com.
         
Where?

Palace Billiards
160 W. Roosevelt Road
Villa Park, IL, 60181
(630) 941-3500

What is the prize fund? Does it depend on the amount of entrants?   
$50,000 guaranteed!  It does not depend on the amount of entrants. 

What is the prize breakdown?

• Winning team takes all.
• Each player on the winning team receives $6,000
• The single team member who wins the tournament receives a $2,000 bonus!
• You play as an individual, but win as a team.  You can be out in the first round, but if any one of your teammates wins the tournament, you win $6,000 too.

When do the winners collect the prize money?
All members of the winning team will receive their prize at the conclusion of the tournament on Sunday, November 9.

How much does it cost the audience to attend the tournament?
There is no charge to attend the event.