For instance Daryl Peach, who won the 2007 World 9-Ball Championship in Manila, Phillapines last week, will be in the tour. Blackpool resident Peach was also the first player from England ever to be in the semi finals of the championships, making the fact that he was joined by former 8-Ball specialist Karl Boyes in the other semi final matchup, all the more amazing. Both these two players will obviously have a tour place, a great advert for what can be achieved for British 9-Ball players.

Because of the high level of interest (my payment was sent this morning) the payment invoice email said that all payments would be taken and then a solution found to how many players would take part at a later date (mid-December) the tour director did say prompt payment would mean not missing out on a place.

My guess is that 128 players will get a place, giving the option of a straight knock-out double elimination format which is the norm for tournaments around the world.

With Daryl Peach winning the worlds, Karl Boyes coming third, Mark Gray winning the European Tour event and Imran Majid winning the event before that, British 9-Ball is really a hot-bed of Pool at the moment, giving players a real incentive to complete. This probably explains the high levels of entrants to the new tour.