CSI is proud and excited to announce JB Cases as the official case of CueSports International (CSI), the BCA Pool League and the USA Pool League. CSI and JB Cases share a common vision for the industry and standard of quality for their products and services. Both companies are anxious to begin working together to help push the sport forward.

John Barton, CEO of JB Cases, said: "We are very excited about this new partnership with CSI. We have always made quality and integrity core strengths and now we have partnered with an industry leader who shares the same vision and passion for pool. This is going to be a great partnership."

Ozzy Reynolds, CEO of CueSports International, said: "We are honored to have JB Cases as a partner. Their corporate culture is amazing. Their first step in this partnership was to visit the CSI headquarters and educate our entire staff on why their products are the best and what JB Cases stands for. We were amazed and knew we had absolutely chosen the right partner."

​​JB Cases are second to none. They have thought of everything with regard to cue protection. Whether it's the extra strong ​tubes, the thick and durable padding which doesn't allow your cue to vibrate or fall out, or the heavy duty stitching and straps, your cue will always be protected. On top of that, everything is fully customizable. In the words of John Barton, "If you can dream it, we will build it."

Visit JBCases.com today to learn more or to begin designing your custom cue case.

CueSports International (CSI) is an international pool league and event leader and is currently comprised of three divisions: CSI leagues, CSI events and CSI media.  CSI leagues manages the BCA Pool League and USA Pool League, CSI events produces numerous amateur and professional events around the globe and CSI media creates live streaming and digital content.  Through its vision and strategic alliances, CSI is “shaping the future of pool.”  For more information about CSI or any of its divisions, visit www.playcsipool.com or find CueSports International on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and Twitter.

​The World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA) and CueSports International (CSI) are excited to announce a collaboration to produce the 2019 WPA Players Championship.  The event will be staged at Griff’s Billiards in Las Vegas, April 16-19, ahead of the US Open 9-Ball Championship, which will be held April 21-26 at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.  This WPA Category 3 Ranking event, with $50,000 added prize money, will provide players, especially those competing in the US Open 9-Ball Championship, even more opportunity in Las Vegas.

​The event will be 9-ball and limited to 64 players in a single elimination format with a 32-player consolation event for those eliminated in the first round.  The main event will be a race to seven with the semi-final and final being a race to nine.  The consolation event will be a race to five with the semi-final and final being a race to seven.  48 of the 64 players in the main event will be chosen by the WPA rankings and WPA member federations.  A single $250 entry fee will cover the main event and the consolation tournament.
 
The remaining 16 spots will be filled by four qualifier tournaments, one per day, held at Griff’s Billiards April 12-15.  The top four finishers from each qualifier will receive a paid spot in the main event.  A single *$250 qualifier entry fee allows players to compete in all four qualifiers and will also gain free entry into the main event for those who qualify.  Qualifiers will be single elimination, race to five and open to anyone not already entered in the main event.  The field is limited to 96 players each day on a first come basis.  Details will be available soon on how and where to enter.
(*a daily entry of $100 is an option)

​Prize funds are guaranteed by the WPA, and the payouts for the main event and consolation tournament will be as follows.

WPA Players Championship Payouts
1 - $10,000
2 - $7,000
3/4 - $5,000 ea.
5/8 - $3,000 ea.
9/16 - $1,500 ea.
17/32 - $400 ea.
 
Consolation Tournament Payouts
1 - $1,500
2 - $1,000
3/4 - $500 ea.
5/8 - $250 ea.
9/16 - $150 ea.

All other details will be released in the coming weeks at https://wpapool.com/wpa-players-championship.
 
The World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA) is the international governing body for pocket billiards and is comprised of six member federations representing North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia.  The WPA is the world-recognized body for sanctioning World Championship events.  It is also one of the three member organizations of the World Confederation of Billiards Sports (WCBS), representing the billiard disciplines of pool, snooker and carom.  For more information about the WPA, visit www.wpapool.com.

CueSports International (CSI) is an international pool league and event leader and is currently comprised of three divisions: CSI leagues, CSI events and CSI media.  CSI leagues manages the BCA Pool League and USA Pool League, CSI events produces numerous amateur and professional events around the globe and CSI media creates live streaming and digital content.  Through its vision and strategic alliances, CSI is “shaping the future of pool.”  For more information about CSI or any of its divisions, visit www.playcsipool.com or find CueSports International on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and Twitter.
 

​Media Contacts
Grieta Steenkamp
World Pool-Billiard Association
events@wpapool.com
 
Greg Ekborg
Marketing Director, CueSports International
866-USA-POOL
greg@playcsipool.com

​Please SUBSCRIBE to the CSI YouTube Channel to be notified whenever we upload new content.

CSI is pleased to announce that recorded matches from the 2018 US Open Bank Pool Championship have been released on the CSI YouTube Channel.  Twelve (12) matches featuring notable players such as Shane Van Boening, Ronnie Alcano, and Warren Kiamco can be viewed in their entirety – absolutely free!
 
The 2018 US Open Bank Pool Championship was held March 20-22 at Griff's Bar & Billiards in Las Vegas, NV and was made possible by the following sponsors:

​Griff's Bar & Billiards: www.griffslv.com
CueSports International (CSI): www.playcsipool.com
Simonis Cloth: www.simoniscloth.com
Cyclop Balls: www.diamondpooltables.com/Cyclop-Ball-Sets
Tiger Products: www.tigerproducts.com
OB Cues: www.obcues.com

​Please SUBSCRIBE to the CSI YouTube Channel to be notified whenever we upload new content.

​Each team member's average is added to establish a team total.  When two teams play, the difference in their totals is the handicap.  See the example below.  Team A has a total of -1 while Team B has a total of +5.  Because Team B's total is six (6) points higher, Team A would get six (6) points added to its total score as a handicap.

​​This method works reasonably well but has some flaws.  First, a person's average is not always a true reflection of his or her skill.  If a person plays more higher-skilled players, his or her average will tend to be lower.  If that same person plays more beginning and social players, his or her average will tend to be higher.  It's the same person but a different average depending on the skill level of past competitors. 

Also, averages in different leagues and regions are often not comparable.  An average of +3 in Los Angeles, California is likely not the same as an average of +3 in Pollard, Kansas.  The populations and talent pools are just too different.

​FargoRate fixes these problems.  Leagues can continue using the 1-point (win/loss) system for scoring while utilizing FargoRate for ratings and handicapping.  Here's how.

​Using the Fargo ratings of each team's players, FargoRate can calculate a handicap that gives both teams as close to an even chance as possible.  Although FargoRate will provide a suggested handicap per round or per match, we recommend handicapping by match when using the 1-point scoring method. 

See the example below.  Using the BCAPL League Calculator located at http://leaguecalc.fargorate.com, enter the ratings of every player on each team.  In this scenario, there are two 5-player teams playing a round robin format where each person plays one game per round and five (5) rounds.  The result is "Team One" gets an 11-point handicap in this 25-game match.

​When entering scores in the FargoRate League Management System (LMS), these calculations are automatic.  Additionally, FargoRate is developing an LMS mobile scoring app that will make all of this seamless and allow teams to score matches on their phones or tablets and submit them directly to LMS.

​The 17-point scoring system is a common 8-ball scoring method used in pool leagues.  The winner of each game earns 10 points plus one point for each ball his or her opponent has left on the table.  The loser of each game earns one point for each ball he or she pockets (i.e. solids or stripes) for a maximum of seven points.  The combined score from both players always adds up to 17.

​Advantages
Scoring is simple and easy to understand.  At the end of each game, the score is quickly determined by the balls left on the table.  There is no need to track innings, safeties, or anything else during the game. ​Players also have an opportunity to earn points for their team even when they lose a game.  It's not much fun to play well and make several balls only to get a zero.  With the 17-point scoring system, players and teams at least get some credit for their efforts.

Disadvantages
Each player carries an "average" which is considered their rating and is often used for handicapping.  This problem is discussed in greater detail below.  Another problem is that player averages in different leagues and regions are often not comparable.  Finally, situations occasionally occur in which a player's incentive to win the game is replaced with an incentive to just make a few balls.

​Traditionally, each player earns an "average" which is used as a rating.  A player's average is the number of points scored divided by the number of games played (Total Points / Total Games) and can range from 0 to 17.  For example, if a person scores 389 points over 32 games, he or she will have an average of 12.16 (389/32).

Each team member's average is totaled to establish a team average.  When two teams play, the difference in their averages is the handicap.  See the below example.  Team A has an average of 39.72 and Team B has an average of 54.62.  Because Team B's average is 14.9 points higher, Team A would get 14 or 15 points, depending on the league's rounding rules, added to its score in each round as a handicap.

​This approach works reasonably well but it has some flaws.  First, a person's average is not always a true reflection of his or her skill level.  If a person plays more higher-skilled players, his or her average will tend to be lower.  If that same person plays more beginning and social players, his or her average will tend to be higher.  It's the same person but a different average depending on the skill level of past competitors. 

Another issue is that averages in different leagues and regions are often not comparable.  An average of 12.16 in Chicago is probably not the same as an average of 12.16 in Dickinson, Alabama.  Because the populations are so different, the talent pool is larger and the overall skill level is likely higher in Chicago.

​FargoRate fixes these problems.  Leagues can continue using the 17-point system for scoring while utilizing FargoRate for player ratings and handicapping.  Here's how it works.

​Instead of having an average, each player has an "expected score" in each game based on the Fargo Ratings of the two players.  The expected score for each player is expressed as...

​FargoRate already knows the statistical probability of each person winning a game.  However, the winning and losing scores are a little complicated because they can vary between zero and 17 and zero and seven respectively.  So what do we do?  After analyzing lots of data, it turns out that a person's expected losing score is a function of his or her opponent's rating.  This is somewhat intuitive...when a person loses to a lower-skilled player, he or she will likely make more balls than in a loss against a higher-skilled player.  So, we use this function for the losing score.

Let's look at an example.  Suppose Ted has a Fargo Rating of 400 and is playing Robert who has a Fargo Rating of 569.  Statistically, Robert has a 76% chance of winning and a 24% chance of losing each game.  The losing score function reveals that on average, Robert is expected to score 4.2 points in his losses to Ted.  Because the two scores must always equal 17, Ted is expected to score 12.8 (17 pts. - 4.2 pts.) on average when he defeats Robert.  The losing score function also reveals that on average, Ted is expected to score, 3.5 points in his losses to Robert.  Again, because the two scores must always equal 17, Robert is expected to score 13.5 (17 pts. - 3.5 pts.) on average when he defeats Ted.  The total expected scores are as follows.

​This calculation is done for every single game played during a league match.  In each round, both team's expected scores are totaled to determine the team's expected score for the round.  The difference in the team's expected scores is the handicap for that round.

Confused yet?  Don't be.  FargoRate and LMS can do all the work for you.  When using paper score sheets on league night, visit http://leaguecalc.fargorate.com and enter the ratings of each player for the round.  See the below example.  In this scenario, there are two 5-player teams playing a round robin format where each person plays one game.  The result is "Team One" gets a 21-point handicap in the round.

​When entering scores in LMS, these calculations are automatic.  Additionally, FargoRate is developing an LMS mobile scoring app that will make all of this seamless and allow teams to score matches on their phones or tablets and submit them directly to LMS.

The 10-point scoring system is one of the most common 8-ball scoring methods used in 8-ball pool leagues.  Each person earns one point for each of their balls pocketed (i.e. solids or stripes) and three points for the 8-ball.  The winner of each game earns 10 points and the opponent earns a maximum of seven points.

​Advantages
Scoring is simple.  At the end of each game, the score is quickly determined by the balls left on the table.  There is no need to track innings, safeties, or anything else during the game. ​Players also have an opportunity to earn points for their team even when they lose a game.  It's not much fun to play well and make several balls only to get a zero.  With the 10-point system, players and teams at least get some credit for their efforts.  Finally, it is easy to understand.

Disadvantages
Each player carries an "average" which is considered their rating and is often used for handicapping.  This problem is discussed in greater detail below.  Another issue is that player averages in different leagues and regions are often not comparable.  Finally, situations occasionally occur in which a player's incentive to win the game is replaced with an incentive to just make a few balls.

Traditionally, each player earned an "average" which is also considered their rating.  A player's average is the number of points scored divided by the number of games played (Total Points / Total Games) and can range from 0 to 10.  For example, if a person scores 174 points over 24 games, he or she will have an average of 7.25 (174/24).

Each team member's average is totaled to establish a team average.  When two teams play, the difference in their averages is the handicap.  See the below example.  Team A has an average of 35.67 while Team B has an average of 26.80.  Because Team A's average that is 8.87 points higher, Team B would get eight or nine points, depending on the league's rounding rules, added to its score in each round as a handicap.

This approach works reasonably well but it has some flaws.  First, a person's average is not always a true reflection of his or her skill level.  If a person plays more higher-skilled players, his or her average will tend to be lower.  If that same person plays more beginning and social players, his or her average will tend to be higher.  It's the same person but a different average depending on the skill level of past competitors. 

Another issue is that averages in different leagues and regions are often not comparable.  An average of 8.63 in New York City is probably not the same as an average of 8.63 in Clarkson, Mississippi.  Because the populations are so different, the talent pool is larger and the overall skill level is higher in New York City.
​

FargoRate fixes these problems.  Leagues can continue using the 10-point system for scoring while utilizing FargoRate for player ratings and handicapping.  Here's how it works.

​Instead of having an average, each player has an "expected score" in each game which depends on the Fargo Ratings of the two players.  The expected score for each player is expressed as...

FargoRate already knows the statistical probability of each person winning a game.  We also know that the winning score is 10.  However, the losing score is a little more complicated because it can vary between zero and seven.  So what do we do?  After analyzing lots of data, it turns out that a person's expected losing score is a function of his or her opponent's rating.  This is somewhat intuitive...when a person loses to a lower-skilled player, he or she will likely make more balls than in a loss against a higher-skilled player.  So, we use this function for the losing score.

Let's look at an example.  Suppose Ted has a Fargo Rating of 400 and is playing Robert who has a Fargo Rating of 569.  Statistically, Robert has a 76% chance of winning (i.e. scoring 10 points) and a 24% chance of losing each game.  The losing score function reveals that on average, Robert is expected to score 4.2 points in his losses to Ted and Ted is expected to score, on average, 3.5 points in his losses to Robert.  Therefore, the expected scores are as follows.

This calculation is done for every single game played during a league match.  In each round, both team's expected scores are totaled to determine the team's expected score for the round.  The difference in the team's expected scores is the handicap for that round.

Confused yet?  Don't be.  FargoRate and LMS can do all the work for you.  When using paper score sheets on league night, visit http://leaguecalc.fargorate.com and enter the ratings of each player for the round.  See the below example.  In this scenario, there are two 5-player teams playing a round robin format where each person plays one game.  The result is "Team One" gets a 13-point handicap in the round.

When entering scores in LMS, these calculations are automatic.  Additionally, FargoRate is developing an LMS mobile scoring app that will make all of this seamless and allow teams to score matches on their phones or tablets and submit them directly to LMS.
​

The 10-point system is great for league play and we can now make it even better.  You no longer have to tolerate unreliable averages and inaccurate handicaps.  You can keep the advantages of the 10-point scoring system while using FargoRate to make ratings and handicaps more accurate.  The result is more competitive leagues with more teams in contention and more players returning session to session.

For more information about how FargoRate and LMS can help your league, contact us at 702-719-POOL (7665).

We recently announced that starting in 2020, the BCA Pool League World Championships will no longer be held in July.  Member feedback has consistently showed a strong preference for an earlier time of year.  Therefore, the 2020, 2021 & 2022 events will be held in March and the 2023, 2024 & 2025 events will be held in February.  We are confident this change will attract more players to local leagues and the annual Las Vegas championship event.

Since the event is moving to an earlier time of year, we also considered changing the membership period (i.e. league year) to a calendar year basis (January-to-December).  However, after receiving feedback from League Operators, it became clear that changing to a calendar year would present difficulties for many leagues.  Therefore, the membership period is not changing.

​The membership period will remain the same (June 1 – May 31) in 2019 and beyond.  However, the time frame in which players must accumulate their “weeks played” to become eligible for the 2020 BCA Pool League World Championships and beyond will be from the previous CALENDAR YEAR.  A brief summary of the next two years is as follows:

​As noted above, one of the requirements to be eligible for the 2020 BCA Pool League World Championships and beyond is to be a current BCAPL member at the time of registration.  Since memberships expire on May 31, many people will renew them by playing in summer and/or fall league sessions.  For those that do not, there will be methods offered to renew memberships directly with the BCA Pool League such as online or on event entry forms.

​Each subsequent year will maintain the same June-thru-May membership period and January-thru-December time frame for players to accumulate the necessary amount of "weeks played" to become eligible for the next BCA Pool League World Championship event.  A summary of the "weeks played" time frame for the next seven years is as follows:

​Please contact us or comment below if you have any questions regarding this transition.

​CueSports International, Henderson, NV (August 13, 2018) – CueSports International (CSI), parent company of the BCA Pool League (BCAPL), donated to charity the winnings of a player disqualified from a division of the 2018 BCA Pool League World Championships.  During one of his matches, the player was overheard bragging about entering the tournament with a low rating.  After hearing that, his opponent followed the correct procedure and submitted a formal protest to the Tournament Director before the match ended.
 
Tournament officials took immediate action and began investigating the issue by interviewing both players, numerous people in the area and others who know both players including the League Operators.  Based on all available information, CSI concluded that the player intentionally entered the event at a rating other than his own which placed him in a lower division.  This is defined as cheating per the event rules and regulations as stated below.

​Don’t Get Disqualified
We take player ratings very seriously. A player who intentionally enters an event with a transitional or starter rating that is too low for his or her ability, is cheating. Be aware that we have tools in place to monitor players who are consistently and significantly performing above their rating during the event. CSI reserves the right to disqualify any player without refund. Therefore, if you believe you are underrated, contact CSI prior to the registration deadline.

​Therefore, the player was immediately disqualified without receiving any prize money or a refund.  Because he was disqualified at a bracket position that would have paid over $1,000 in prize money, CSI donated the entire amount to Donate Life America, a nonprofit alliance of national organizations and state teams across the U.S. committed to increasing the number of donated organs, eyes, and tissue available for transplant to save and heal lives. 

​Although the disqualified player had won the protested match, that result was reversed and his opponent continued in the event.
 
CSI is committed to providing fair and fun competition at all CSI events and we will continue to act swiftly whenever cheating is suspected.  We applaud the opposing player for calmly and professionally following the protest procedure and helping to identify this situation.
 
For more information on how to sanction an existing league, start a new league, or join a league, visit www.playbca.com or call the BCA Pool League office at 866-USA-POOL.