CueSports International (CSI)
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USA POOL LEAGUE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP TEAMS GUARANTEED AT LEAST FIVE MATCHES

8/10/2023

 
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CueSports International (CSI), parent company of the USA Pool League, is thrilled to announce that all teams in the USA Pool League National Championships will now be guaranteed to play at least five matches.* Going two-and-out, or being eliminated early, is a thing of the past. The 2024 USA Pool League National Championships, which takes place February 21 - March 2 in Las Vegas, will feature the CSI Group Play format for all team divisions.

In a traditional double-elimination format, 25% of teams play only two matches, 50% play only three matches, and up to 75% play only four matches. With the CSI Group Play format, every team will be guaranteed to play more. We've been playing a version of this format in our state and regional events since 2021. Participation in those events has increased significantly and post event surveys show that approximately 86% of participants love it!


CSI GROUP PLAY FORMAT FOR USA POOL LEAGUE
The CSI Group Play format is a two-stage tournament. Stage 1 is a group stage and Stage 2 is a single-elimination final bracket.

Stage 1 - Group Play
In Stage 1, teams are randomly drawn into five separate matches while preventing, if possible, teams from the same league playing each other. Each match in Stage 1 consists of 15 racks for 5-player teams and 9 racks for 3-player teams with each teammate playing a three-rack set against one player from the opposing team. The USA Pool League game scoring system will be used and the appropriate number of handicap points, determined by FargoRate, will be applied to each match. The team with the most points, after handicap points are applied, wins the match. The teams that perform the best, determined by the following criteria in the following order, advance to Stage 2.
  1. Match win %
  2. Avg. points per match
  3. Avg. rating of opposing teams
  4. Shootout

Wild Card Teams - **Every team has a chance of advancing until the very end of Stage 1**
A number of wild card teams, based on the field size, will also be randomly selected to advance to Stage 2.

Stage 2 - Final Bracket
Teams in the top 30-40%, plus the wild card teams, will advance to the Stage 2 single elimination bracket. Stage 2 matches will use the traditional USA Pool League format and scoring system with teammates playing full sets using the USA Pool League Race To Calculator.

The USA Pool League is dedicated to providing the best event experience possible. When your team travels to Las Vegas in February, you'll be guaranteed more opportunity to play and compete than any other large-scale league event. 

All information for the 2024 USA Pool League National Championships will be released soon at www.playcsipool.com/2024-usapl-national-championships. To be eligible, players must be 2023 USA Pool League members and play at least eight (8) matches in a single division session during 2023 (Jan 1 thru Dec 31, 2023). For other team eligibility requirements, please review the Player Guide, which will be released soon on the event webpage. For more information about the USA Pool League or to find a league near you, visit www.playUSApool.com.

CueSports International (CSI) is an international pool league and event leader and is comprised of three divisions: CSI Leagues, CSI Events and CSI Media. CSI Leagues manages the USA Pool League and BCA Pool League; CSI Events produces numerous league 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 and Instagram.

DEFINITIONS

Match win % - The number of matches won divided by the number of matches played. 

Avg. points per match - The total number of points scored, including handicap points, in all matches divided by the number of matches played. This will also be used to rank teams with the same match win %. For example, if two teams have a 60% match win %, the team with the higher average points per match will be ranked higher.

Avg. rating of opposing teams - The average Fargo rating of the opposing teams. For example, if two teams have the same match win % and the same average points per match, the team that played stronger teams, on average, will be ranked higher.

Shootout - The cue ball is placed behind the head string and each core player, or eligible sub, for each team shoots alternating spot shots. The team with the most shots legally pocketed after all players have taken a shot, wins the shootout. If tied after all players have taken one shot, it is sudden death.

* Excluding factors beyond the control of the USA Pool League such as forfeits, drop-out teams, no-shows, byes, etc.

BCA POOL LEAGUE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP TEAMS GUARANTEED AT LEAST FIVE MATCHES

8/10/2023

 
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CueSports International (CSI), parent company of the BCA Pool League, is thrilled to announce that all teams in the BCA Pool League World Championships will now be guaranteed to play at least five matches.* Going two-and-out, or being eliminated early, is a thing of the past. The 2024 BCA Pool League World Championships, which takes place February 21 - March 2 in Las Vegas, will feature the CSI Group Play format for all team divisions.

In a traditional double elimination format, 25% of teams play only two matches, 50% play only three matches, and up to 75% play only four matches. With the CSI Group Play format, every team will be guaranteed to play more. We've been playing a version of this format in our state and regional events since 2021. Participation in those events has increased significantly and post event surveys show that approximately 86% of participants love it!


CSI GROUP PLAY FORMAT
The CSI Group Play format is a two-stage tournament. Stage 1 is a group stage and Stage 2 is a single elimination final bracket.

Stage 1 - Group Play
In Stage 1, teams are randomly drawn into five separate matches while preventing, if possible, teams from the same league playing each other. Each match in Stage 1 consists of 15 total racks for 8-Ball and 9-Ball Teams and 9 total racks for Ladies 8-Ball Teams. The teams that perform the best, determined by the following criteria in the following order, advance to Stage 2.
  1. Match win %
  2. Rack win %
  3. Avg. rating of opposing teams
  4. Shootout

​Wild Card Teams - **Every team has a chance of advancing until the very end of Stage 1**
A number of wild card teams, based on the field size, will also be randomly selected to advance to Stage 2.

Stage 2 - Final Bracket
Teams in the top 30-40%, plus the wild card teams, will advance to the Stage 2 single elimination bracket.

Races in Stage 2 will be as follows:
  • 9-Ball Teams (Platinum, Gold): race to 11
  • 8-Ball Teams (Diamond, Platinum, Gold, Silver): race to 13
  • 8-Ball Teams (Bronze): race to 11
  • Ladies 8-Ball Teams: race to 9

The BCA Pool League is dedicated to providing the best event experience possible. When your team travels to Las Vegas in February, you'll be guaranteed more opportunity to play and compete than any other large-scale league event. 

All information for the 2024 BCA Pool League World Championships will be released soon at www.playcsipool.com/2024-bcapl-world-championships. To be eligible, players must be 2023 BCA Pool League members and play at least eight (8) weeks in a single division session during 2023 (Jan 1 thru Dec 31, 2023). For other team eligibility requirements, please review the Player Guide, which will be released soon on the event webpage. To find a league near you, visit our Find a League webpage. To affiliate your existing league with the BCA Pool League, visit www.playcsipool.com/bcapl-join. It's fast and easy.

CueSports International (CSI) is an international pool league and event leader and is 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 league 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 and Instagram.

DEFINITIONS

Match win % - The number of matches won divided by the number of matches played. In a 15-rack format, winning the match means winning at least 8 racks. In a 9-game format (Ladies' divisions), winning the match means winning at least 5 racks. 

Rack win % - The number of racks won divided by the number of racks played. This will also be used to rank teams with the same match win %. For example, if two teams have a 60% match win %, the team with the higher rack win % will be ranked higher.

Avg. rating of opposing teams - The average Fargo rating of the opposing teams. For example, if two teams have the same match win % and the same rack win %, the team that played stronger teams, on average, will be ranked higher.

Shootout - The cue ball is placed behind the head string and each core player, or eligible sub, for each team shoots alternating spot shots. The team with the most shots legally pocketed after all players have taken a shot, wins the shootout. If tied after all players have taken one shot, it is sudden death.

* Excluding factors beyond the control of the BCA Pool League such as forfeits, dropout teams, no-shows, byes, etc.

THE AMUSEMENT & MUSIC OPERATORS OF WYOMING BECOME AN AFFILIATE ASSOCIATION OF CSI LEAGUES

7/25/2022

 
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​CueSports International (CSI), and its CSI Leagues division, is excited to announce the Amusement & Music Operators of Wyoming (AMOW) as its newest affiliate league association. On Monday, July 18, the AMOW Board of Directors voted in favor of the new affiliation which makes all AMOW leagues, essentially every pool league in the state of Wyoming, members of the BCA Pool League. 

This affiliation brings a wealth of new benefits to AMOW League Operators and players. Every AMOW league will now use the FargoRate League Management System (LMS) at no cost, the BCA Pool League mobile scoring app at no cost, all AMOW league data will be automatically reported to FargoRate at no cost, all AMOW players will get the premium features of the FargoRate app at no cost, all AMOW players can become eligible for BCA Pool League events, including the BCA Pool League World Championships in Las Vegas, and much more.

Additionally, all AMOW annual events will convert from the old subjective rating structure (AAA / AA / A / B / C) to divisions based on Fargo ratings and use the CSI online registration and tournament management system (CTS), the only such system in the world with FargoRate fully integrated. This means that AMOW players can register online for AMOW events and all divisions will be more competitive.

Finally, AMOW events will now use the brand new 7-foot Predator Apex Premier League Edition pool tables, which have been meticulously designed as a collaboration between CSI and Predator for maximum performance, reliability, and fun. To learn more about the 7-foot Predator Apex Premier League Edition table, click here.

AMOW President, Nic George, expressed his excitement about the new affiliation when he said, “We have clearly outgrown our humble beginnings. The time to move forward with CSI and FargoRate is now. We’re most excited for what this strategic partnership provides.”
Ozzy Reynolds, CueSports International CEO said, "We are thrilled to have the AMOW as part of the CSI Leagues family. Change is not the comfortable thing to do and the AMOW Board of Directors should be proud of themselves for being true leaders by improving their organization and the entire pool landscape in the state of Wyoming.
CSI is committed to unifying all pool leagues, across the globe, under one umbrella. All leagues, state and regional associations, and even other national organizations, can join CSI Leagues to obtain the vast array of benefits while maintaining their identities and independence. Any association or organization interested in offering the very best to its members should contact CSI at leagues@playcsipool.com.

​The Amusement Music Operators of Wyoming (AMOW) is a state association comprised of service companies in the coin-operated amusement industry who share a common goal of providing recreation, camaraderie, fun and fair competition to Wyoming communities by coordinating well organized pool and dart leagues and events. We are proud to offer to qualified players, annually held Wyoming state events that recognize growth and excellence at all skill levels. By partnering with outstanding international organizations for pool and darts, the integrity of each sport is ensured and Wyoming qualified league players are invited to attend and compete in choice events hosted worldwide.

CueSports International (CSI) is an international pool league and event leader and is 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 league 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, Instagram or Twitter.

PREDATOR APEX BECOMES THE OFFICIAL POOL TABLE OF CUESPORTS INTERNATIONAL, BCA POOL LEAGUE AND USA POOL LEAGUE

6/29/2022

 
CueSports International (CSI), parent company of the BCA Pool League and USA Pool League, is excited to announce a truly groundbreaking partnership that makes Predator Apex the official pool table of CSI, the BCA Pool League and the USA Pool League. Predator Apex Premier League Edition tables will now be used in all CSI, BCA Pool League and USA Pool League events beginning with the CSI Western Canadian Championships, August 16-20, in Red Deer, Alberta, Canada.
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Predator has long been the world's most innovative and trusted billiards product manufacturer and has revolutionized the sport with industry-changing products. Low-deflection shafts, the Uni-Loc joint, the BK series of break cues and of course, the carbon-fiber REVO shaft, are just a few examples of how Predator has pushed the sport into new and improved directions. They are now poised to do the same with pool tables.

CSI league events will use the 7-foot Predator Apex Premier League Edition table that has been meticulously designed as a collaboration between CSI and Predator for maximum performance, reliability, and fun. With its 25mm one-piece pure Brazilian slate, overbuilt frame and composite legs, each capable of supporting the entire weight of the table, it boasts strength and stability. With its 4.5 inch perfectly flush pockets, ultra-black matte fingerprint resistant finish, pocket sound dampening, tracks that prevent chalk from getting stuck in the table, and a ball return system designed to be quiet and keep the balls clean, every detail has been carefully considered to provide the ultimate league-playing experience.

Additionally, all aspects of the playing equipment have been designed to work together perfectly. Rather than having the tables, cloth and balls all be different brands designed and manufactured by different companies, Predator Arcadia cloth, Predator Arcos balls and Predator Apex tables have been specifically designed to work together to provide the best playing experience. Like it has done with its other product lines, Predator is leading the way with the next generation of tables while keeping the entire experience in mind.
Ozzy Reynolds, CueSports International CEO, said "This is an exciting time for our industry. We have been working closely with Predator since 2019 in producing the best professional events on U.S. soil and last year, we cofounded and launched the US Pro Billiard Series. Our teams have become like family and, together, we will grow and push the sport to new heights. Buckle up."
“Growing our sport requires inspiring more players and for that to happen, players need to enjoy playing the game, again and again,” said Karim Belhaj, CEO of Predator Group. “The new Predator Apex 7-foot table, Arcadia cloth and Arcos balls have been designed to deliver performance that you can count on. Joining forces with CSI’s fair and fun league system allows us to offer a great playing experience for league players to have more fun. Together we are setting a new standard for the next generation!”
Below are just a few of the upcoming events that will feature the new 7-foot Predator Apex Premier League Edition table. Visit www.playcsipool.com/events for a full list of all upcoming CSI and CSI-affiliated events.
​
  • Aug 16-20: CSI Western Canadian Championships
  • Sep 20-25: CSI Michigan State Championships
  • Oct 19-23: CSI Ohio State Championships
  • Nov 8-13: CSI Oklahoma State Championships
  • Nov 15-22: Caribbean CueSports International Expo
  • Feb 22-Mar 4: CueSports International Expo
  • Feb 22-Mar 4: BCA Pool League World Championships
  • Feb 22-Mar 4: USA Pool League National Championships
  • and many more to come!
​CueSports International (CSI) is an international pool league and event leader and is 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 league 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, Instagram or Twitter.

Predator Group’s mission is to inspire billiards fans by providing innovative experiences and products that deliver high performance, with unsurpassed class and style. Predator, Poison and Uni-Loc are Predator Group brands that focus on performance pool tables, cues, billiards accessories and precision components to deliver the ultimate playing experience. For more information, visit www.predatorcues.com, www.poisoncues.com and www.uni-loc.com.

JAM UP APPAREL IS THE OFFICIAL TEAM WEAR PARTNER OF CSI LEAGUES

12/20/2021

 
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CueSports International (CSI) is excited to announce that Jam Up Apparel is the official team wear partner of CSI Leagues, the division of CueSports International that manages the BCA Pool League and USA Pool League. This partnership provides a significant discount on high-quality, fully customized sublimated shirts for individuals or teams.

The BCA Pool League World Championships and USA Pool League National Championships are coming soon, March 23 – April 2, 2022, and matching team shirts have always been required for the team divisions. Team shirts at these prestigious events must substantially match in color, style, and trim and each person on the team must have their own matching team shirt. So, look your best, compete in style, and comply with the team dress code requirements by ordering your Jam Up Apparel team shirts today.

A fully customized sublimated shirt is normally $89.95. However, it’s now just $69.95 using our special promotional code. To take advantage of this special offer, visit https://jamupapparel.com, select an existing design or the fully custom option. Upon check-out, enter coupon code CSI22. The deadline to order for guaranteed arrival is Monday, February 21, 2022. Orders will be accepted after this date but delivery prior to the event cannot be guaranteed.

“We are thrilled to be partnering with Jam Up Apparel. Their designs are trendy, stylish and modern so I can’t wait to see how great our teams look this year,” said Ozzy Reynolds, CEO of CueSports International.
Damian Pongpanik, CEO of Jam Up Apparel said, “We are honored and excited to be working with CSI to bring quality custom team apparel to its members. My team is committed to bring quality apparel and great service to the billiards community.”
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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.

2022 US PRO BILLIARD SERIES PRIZE FUND GROWS TO OVER THREE QUARTERS OF A MILLION DOLLARS

12/13/2021

 
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CueSports International (CSI) and Predator Group are excited to announce that the 2022 US Pro Billiard Series will feature nearly a half million dollars in added prize money and a total prize fund of approximately $775,000, representing more than a 300% increase in added money over the inaugural 2021 season. All six events will have more than $52,000 added each, upgrading them all to World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA) Category 3 sanctioned events which secures the exclusive dates on the WPA calendar and allows players to earn more WPA ranking points from each event. The 2022 season will culminate with the 2023 Predator World 10-Ball Championship, boasting a quarter-million-dollar prize fund, held as part of the CueSports International Expo in Las Vegas, February 22 – March 4, 2023.
 
The Predator US Pro Billiard Series provides a clear pathway to becoming a WPA World Champion. The winner of each 2022 event will receive a guaranteed spot in the 2023 Predator World 10-Ball Championship. In addition, a minimum of the top 12 players in the Predator US Pro Billiard Series rankings who are not otherwise invited by the WPA, a WPA continental federation or a promoter wild card, will also earn spots in the 2023 Predator World 10-Ball Championship. Below are the events scheduled for the 2022 season.

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​​How were we able to triple the added money in just the second season? The unique format, two sets, race to four each plus a shootout if the set score is tied at 1-1, has created much more drama and excitement. Routine fans are watching longer and more importantly, it is attracting a broader audience. We have received many messages from people saying that their spouse began watching for the first time because the matches are faster and more dramatic. Children are telling their dads to let them know when another shootout happens. On-site spectators are crowding the tables to see who will win the final game of a set or who will crack under the pressure of the shootout. This increased excitement has led viewership numbers on Billiard TV and YouTube to rise which has attracted new sponsors. As promised from the beginning, this additional revenue is being reinvested in the Predator US Pro Billiard Series and the players’ pockets. After all, they are the stars, not the promoters.
 
CSI and Predator are committed to a long-term growth strategy. Our goal is to elevate and grow the entire sport, from top to bottom, leveraging the synergy between league participation, event turnout, equipment sales, increased viewership, and new sponsors.
 
Maximum exposure. We are not interested in selling a few on-site spectator tickets or pay-per-view packages. The product is made available to as many people around the world as possible for free via YouTube’s World Billiard TV channel, Billiard TV and For the Fans (FTF) TV networks.
 
Build the fan base. To better build the fan base, every event is staged alongside CSI league events with hundreds, sometimes thousands, of BCA Pool League and USA Pool League members in attendance. For the sport to grow, fans must admire the pros and pros must appreciate the fans.
 
A more professional game. 10-ball is featured as the “game of the pros” because it requires more skill than 9-ball. In 10-ball, shots must be intended and called, breaking requires better technique and maneuvering the cue ball for position on the next shot is often more difficult.
 
Format and equipment consistency. Every Predator US Pro Billiard Series event is played using the same format and equipment. There won’t be different race lengths, different bracket types, or different equipment from event to event. Every event will feature Predator Apex Tables with 4-1/4” pro cut pockets, tournament blue Arcadia Cloth, Predator Arena Lights and Predator Arcos II Balls.
 
The most innovative ranking system. The US Pro Billiard Series ranking system is managed by FargoRate, the most trusted pool player rating system on earth. It has been designed specifically to balance overall skill level and event results. It eliminates the need for ranking committees and top players are not knocked out of contention by a single misfortune or tough draw.
 
Billiard associations are also seeing this increase as beneficial to the entire industry.
“It is always great for our athletes and our sport when we see promoters continually raise the bar and grow their events and their prize funds.” said Shane Tyree, WPA Board Chairman and Billiard Congress of America Communications Manager. “To see what CSI and Predator have planned for 2022 and beyond with the US Pro Billiard Series is very exciting for North American professional players and cue sports enthusiasts.”
To learn more about the US Pro Billiard Series or to register, visit www.usprobilliardseries.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.
 
Predator’s mission is to inspire billiard fans by providing innovative experiences and products that deliver high-performance, with unsurpassed class and style. Predator, Poison and Uni-Loc are Predator Group brands that focus on performance pool tables, cues, billiard accessories, and precision components. For more information regarding Predator Group’s products, visit www.predatorcues.com, www.poisoncues.com and www.uni-loc.com.
 
FargoRate computes pocket-billiard player ratings that rate pool players worldwide. FargoRate currently has over 19.1 million games played by nearly a quarter million players from 130 countries in its massive data set. Coupling game win/loss data across local leagues, regions, countries, and continents ensures players everywhere are rated on the same scale. Its mission is to usher in a new era for pocket billiards in which all players everywhere are interconnected and rated by objective performance. For more information about FargoRate, visit www.fargorate.com.

CSI, BCA Pool League & USA Pool League Members Get 50% Off Salotto Pro Subscription

11/22/2021

 
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CueSports International (CSI), parent company of the BCA Pool League & USA Pool League, is excited to announce Salotto as its official Find a Match app. As part of this collaboration, CSI, BCA Pool League & USA Pool League members get 50% off the Salotto Pro subscription.

Salotto is free to download and use to find games hosted by Salotto Pro members. The Salotto Pro subscription allows users to host a game anywhere a pool table is available. Whether you are at home, a pool room, bar, recreational center, community clubhouse or anywhere else with a pool table, you can host a match and allow others nearby to find your match and compete with you. You can play in the match or just be a host.

Want your match results to be reported to FargoRate? Want to build an established Fargo rating? No problem. Your Salotto matches can also be submitted to FargoRate, under certain conditions and for a minimal fee, to help build your FargoRate robustness (the number of games your Fargo rating is based on). Salotto is the only authorized one-versus-one app to submit match results to FargoRate.

With the Salotto Pro subscription, you can...
  • Find & schedule opponents near you
  • Host matches
  • Make a match on your pool table or any pool table...anywhere...anytime
  • Qualify for future Salotto Pro member-only tournaments
  • Submit match results to FargoRate (minimal fee required)

The normal cost of the Salotto Pro subscription is $4.99/month or $49.99/year. However, CSI, BCA Pool League & USA Pool League members pay only $2.49/month or $24.99/year. Simply enter CSI2021 in the Coupon Code box on the Salotto Pro upgrade screen.

CSI always strives to provide superior value to its members. Saving $25/year to find matches, host matches and establish your Fargo rating is another great way to provide more value.

If you haven't done so already, download the Salotto app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store today. It's free to download, free to use and you can take advantage of the Salotto Pro features for a fraction of the normal price.


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.

Salotto is a mobile app that allows pool players find and host games of pool any place where a pool table is present. This can be at a business or in your own home. Salotto allows members to keep track of stats, win prizes, compete against pool players at their skill level or beyond. Find your game today and visit https://salotto.app​ to learn more.

FargoRate computes pocket-billiard player ratings that rate amateur and professional players worldwide. FargoRate currently has over 19 million games played by nearly a quarter million players from 130 countries in its massive data set. Coupling game win/loss data across local leagues, regions, countries, and continents ensures players everywhere are rated on the same scale. Its mission is to usher in a new era for pocket billiards in which all players everywhere, amateur or professional, are interconnected and rated by objective performance. For more information about FargoRate, visit www.fargorate.com. ​

One-Time Exception for COVID-19 Impacted Players

6/23/2021

 
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Over the past year, league players have contacted us to ask if they will be eligible to play in the 2021 BCA Pool League World Championships if their leagues didn't resume early enough for them to get qualified. We have continued to hope and expect all areas around the globe to reopen in time for players to join a BCA Pool League and become eligible. Unfortunately, there are still many regions in which leagues cannot operate at all or they are only allowed to operate at a significantly reduced capacity. This has made it impossible for many players to become eligible.

In light of this, we offer, just for the 2021 BCA Pool League Championships, the following one-time exception. Any person who resides in an "impacted region" may purchase a CSI membership ($40 for one year) and participate in the 2021 BCA Pool League World Championships. An "impacted region" is any region in which leagues have not been allowed to begin or have been mandated to operate at a reduced capacity by the state or local Government.

Players in impacted regions that form teams must all reside within an approximate radius of 25-miles (40-kilometers).


Please note that this is a one-time exception for the 2021 BCA Pool League World Championships only. Those who wish to compete in next year's 2022 BCA Pool League Championships, which will be held March 23 - April 2, must join a BCA Pool League and meet the minimum weeks of play requirement before the end of the 2021 calendar year. 

To register for the BCA Pool League World Championships, visit the official event webpage at www.playcsipool.com/2021-bcapl-world-championships. All event details can be found in the Player Guide which can be downloaded from this page.


BCA Pool League Scoring App

6/9/2021

 
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The BCA Pool League Scoring App has been released and is available for free to all BCA Pool Leagues that use the FargoRate League Management System (LMS), the only league management system in the world with FargoRate built in. There is no need for complicated score sheets, paper, pencils or a math degree. Players can simply log in to the BCA Pool League Scoring App, score the match and submit.

On March 7, 2021, the new score sheet layout and score sheet builder was introduced into LMS. That change was implemented to facilitate the BCA Pool League scoring app. If your current league session began before March 7, 2021 and/or you are using the old horizontal LMS score sheet layout, you will not be able to score those matches using the BCA Pool League Scoring App. When you create your next division and begin using the new score sheet builder, those matches can be scored using the BCA Pool League Scoring App.

​Below is an overview 
of how to score a match with the app.

📲 The app can be downloaded from the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store by searching "BCAPL Scoring App."

🛑 IMPORTANT: The wide range of formats and scoring systems used by the hundreds of BCA Pool Leagues around the world make testing every aspect of every format nearly impossible. Therefore, it is highly recommended that everyone keep a paper score sheet as backup for at least the first session of using the BCA Pool League Scoring App. 

Logging In

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After downloading the BCA Pool League Scoring App from the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store, it will open to the Login screen.

​LOGGING IN THE FIRST TIME
There are two ways to login the first time. 

OPTION 1 - USE THE FARGORATE APP FIRST (BEST OPTION)
You should first download the FargoRate App. It has lots of great features and the premium features are free to BCA Pool League members ($12.99/year for non-members). Download the FargoRate App, search for your name and claim your record (click here for detailed instructions). You will be prompted to enter your email address and choose a password. Once you have completed this process, you can login to the BCA Pool League Scoring app using the same email and password.

OPTION 2 - USE YOUR MEMBERSHIP NUMBER
You may also create your account directly through the BCA Pool League Scoring App. Click “Register for an account” and provide some basic information, including your BCA Pool League membership number. The email address and password you choose here will then be the login credentials for the FargoRate App as well. This is not the recommended option but it will work.


A note about membership numbers...
Some people have older profiles in FargoRate with a shortened 7-digit membership number stored internally. A few years ago, membership numbers were modified to a new 13-digit format to accommodate the rapid growth of FargoRate and CSI’s leagues. To log in to the FargoRate apps, you must use whichever number is stored internally. Although the membership card may show a 13-digit number, FargoRate may actually have the shortened 7-digit version stored internally. If so, that is what must be used to login to the BCA Pool League Scoring App.

What does this mean?
The 13-digit number will work for most people. If it doesn’t, omit the first 5 digits and the last digit and try again. For example, if the 13-digit number 9900003078972 does not work, try the shortened 7-digit version of 0307897.
 
We understand this may be a little confusing. This is why we recommend creating your account through the FargoRate App first. Also, you only need to login once. After the first login, the app should open without the need to login.

The Match List

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Once you login, the initial screen will show the list of upcoming matches in your league. If this screen is blank for you, either your league does not use LMS or you are not yet on any of the league's team rosters in LMS.

​Click the match that you'd like to score. You can score your own team's match or you can score a match for two different teams in the league.

Note, if your league session began before March 7, 2021 and/or you are using the old horizontal LMS score sheet layout, those matches will not appear in the Match List.

Scoring a Game

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This example shows a 3-player team league that utilizes the round robin format, 10-point scoring method and FargoRate set at 100% for handicapping.

Start by selecting the players that will play the first game.

​To begin scoring the game, click the green number pad icon in the center of the player names.
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The "Score Game" screen appears. Whichever score box is highlighted (thicker border) is the score that you are editing. In this example, the score for the player on team Miss Cues is in the edit mode. If you want to edit the other player's score, click that team's score box.

There are several options for scoring and each game can be won in a number of "special" ways. If the player for team Miss Cues won the game, you can simply click the WIN button. If he or she won in a special way, such as a break-and-run, click the BR button. The buttons are as follows:

WIN - awards the appropriate number of points based on the league's scoring method setting in LMS. In this example, the winning score is 10 points because the league uses a 10-point scoring system.

​BR - awards the appropriate number of points based on the league's scoring method and also records it as a break-and-run for league tracking purposes.

TR - awards the appropriate number of points based on the league's scoring method and also records it as a table-run for league tracking purposes. A table-run is when the non-breaking player wins the game at his or her first turn at the table.

WB - awards the appropriate number of points based on the league's scoring method and also records it as a win-on-the-break for league tracking purposes. This is when a player wins the game off of the break (ex. 9-ball on the break).

WZ - awards the appropriate number of points based on the league's scoring method and also records it as a win-zip for league tracking purposes. A win-zip is when the winning player won leaving their opponent with a score of zero.

(-) - reduces the score by one (1) for each click.

(+) - increases the score by one (1) for each click.

RESET - resets the game scores for both players.

DONE - completes the scoring for the game and closes the "Score Game" screen.

NOTE: Due to the wide range of formats played by BCA Pool Leagues, the scoring app is built for maximum flexibility. Therefore, no error checking is included for game scores. For example, if your league uses a 10-point system, the app will allow you to enter a score other than 10 for a win. This is intentional.
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In this example, we clicked the WIN button for team Miss Cues. We then clicked the score box for team I Got Lucky and then clicked the (+) button six times. This indicates a game score of 10 to 6.

​Once we are confident that the score is correct, we click the DONE button.
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This takes us back to the ROUND 1 view and we see the entered game score of 10 to 6 in favor of team Miss Cues.

We now scroll down to score the second game of Round 1.
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We repeated the game scoring steps as explained above to enter the score of the second game of Round 1. Here, Jason Kane won the game 10 to 0 and it was correctly recorded as a win-zip (WZ).

​​We now scroll down to score the third game of Round 1.
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We repeated the game scoring steps to enter the score of the third game of Round 1. Here, Rebecca Wagner won the game 10 to 5.

Round 1 is now complete. The Round 1 actual score, handicap points and total score are displayed at the bottom of the screen. The running total of the match score will be displayed near the top of every screen. You will notice that the handicap points have already been calculated based on the actual match-ups that have occurred in the round. There is no need to visit the online handicap calculator to determine handicap points.

To begin scoring Round 2, scroll to the top and click the arrow to the right of Round 1. This will take you to the Round 2 screen.

The player rotation will already be set for Round 2 based on the specific score sheet configuration of your league in LMS. Therefore, there is no need to select the players unless there is a substitute situation or different players than were in Round 1.

Adding a Player

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If at any point in the match you need to add a player to your team, click the (+) button next to the team name and the "Add Player" screen will appear. Search for the player and if you are confident that you found the right person, click the name to add him or her to the team roster.

If you fail to find the person in the search, either you have searched using the wrong spelling or the person is not in the FargoRate or BCA Pool League database. In this situation, the League Operator must add the player to your team through LMS first.

Match Handoff

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It's common for more than one person to keep score. For example, you may be scoring the first game or round on your phone but you may have to play in the second game or round. You can "handoff" score keeping duties to someone else in the league with the Handoff feature.

​To handoff score keeping, click the arrow icon in the upper right corner of the screen. This generates a handoff code. When your teammate selects the match using his or her mobile device, it will ask for this code. He or she can then pick up where you left off.

Submit Match

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Once all games and rounds are scored, the overall score should be reviewed by both teams. To submit the score sheet, click the SUBMIT MATCH button. Both teams are encouraged to score the match and compare score sheets at the conclusion of the match for accuracy. Both teams may submit the scores.

The League Operator will see the match results in LMS and your leagues data will be automatically reported to FargoRate. If any part of a score sheet is incorrect, the League Operator can correct it in LMS.

Use LMS!

If your league is not using LMS, encourage your League Operator to make the switch today. If not, your league will not be able to use the BCA Pool League Scoring App and your league's data will not be reported to FargoRate. This will put you and your teammates at a disadvantage when competing in BCA Pool League events because we may have to assign starter ratings that are higher than your true skill level.

​For more information about the BCA Pool League, visit www.playbcapool.com. For more information about FargoRate, visit www.fargorate.com.

Predator and CueSports International Launch the US Pro Billiard Series

6/3/2021

 
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​Predator Group and CueSports International (CSI) are proud to announce the official launch of the US Pro Billiard Series. The 2021 inaugural season features five open/pro 10-ball events between July and the end of the calendar year, each held alongside a CSI Leagues amateur event attended by hundreds and sometimes thousands of BCA Pool League & USA Pool League members.
 
The winner of each event receives a guaranteed spot in the $100,000 added 2022 Predator World 10-Ball Championship, to be held March 28 – April 1, at the CueSports International Expo in Las Vegas. The five 2021 US Pro Billiard Series events plus the end of season 2022 Predator World 10-Ball Championship boasts a quarter million dollars in added money and a total purse of nearly a half million dollars.

2021 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
EVENT 1: US Pro Billiard Series - Arizona Open
July 28-31
Casino Del Sol Resort
Tucson, Arizona
(held with the CSI Leagues Arizona State Championships)
EVENT 2: US Pro Billiard Series - Diamond Las Vegas Open
Sept 1-4
Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino
Las Vegas, Nevada
(held with the BCA Pool League World Championships & USA Pool League National Championships)
EVENT 3: US Pro Billiard Series - Michigan Open
Sept 22-25
Kellogg Arena
Battle Creek, Michigan
(held with the CSI Leagues Michigan State Championships)
EVENT 4: US Pro Billiard Series - Ohio Open
Oct 13-16
Roberts Centre
Wilmington, Ohio
(held with the CSI Leagues Ohio State Championships)
EVENT 5: US Pro Billiard Series - Puerto Rico Open
Dates: TBA
Venue: TBA
San Juan, Puerto Rico
(held with the CSI Leagues Puerto Rico Championships)
​For more information or to register for any of these events, visit www.USProBilliardSeries.com. Players are encouraged to not delay because many events are limited to 64 players and registration is on a first come, first serve basis.
“We are proud to partner with Predator and FargoRate to make the US Pro Billiard Series a reality. Holding these high-quality pro events along with our already established amateur league events across the country creates a synergy and an atmosphere not found elsewhere,” said Ozzy Reynolds, CEO of CueSports International. “We are never satisfied with 'good enough.' We constantly strive to be better and provide a great experience, not just another tournament.”
​The US Pro Billiard Series will also feature its own points and ranking system managed by FargoRate. The top six players in the US Pro Billiard Series Rankings who do not earn a spot by winning an event or are not otherwise invited by the WPA, a WPA continental federation or a promotor wild card, will also earn spots in the $100,000 added 2022 Predator World 10-Ball Championship.
 
The ranking system is designed specifically to avoid the pitfalls of traditional points systems. Players earn two types of points – Tournament Points and FargoRate Points. Tournament Points are based upon where players finish in an event (i.e., the traditional approach). FargoRate Points are based upon players’ Fargo ratings relative to the field of players. The total number and distribution of FargoRate Points will match the total number and distribution of Tournament Points. This balanced blending of points allows for the emergence of rising talent while reducing the chance of top players being knocked out of contention by misfortune or a single poor performance.
​When asked about FargoRate’s new responsibility in managing the ranking system, Co-Founder, Steve Ernst said, “We are very excited to be part of this new professional series. CueSports International and Predator are doing truly great things for the sport and we at FargoRate are honored to be included.”
​The format of each event has been devised to create drama and excitement. Each match is two sets, race to four. If the set score is tied at 1-1, a spot shot shootout determines the winner. Stage 1 is double elimination to the final quarter of the field. Stage 2 is single elimination.
 
The feature table will be broadcast live on Billiard TV, the first and only 24/7 free television channel dedicated solely to broadcasting billiards programming. Billiard TV will feature full-length matches, trick shot exhibitions, instruction, commentary, news and more. It is scheduled to launch in June and will immediately be available in 12 countries and to 30 million viewers.
 
The equipment used for each event, with the exception of the Diamond Las Vegas Open, will be Predator tables covered with Predator Arcadia Reserve Cloth, Predator Arcos II Balls, Predator Arena Lights, Predator Bridges and Predator 1080 Pure Chalk. The Diamond Las Vegas Open will be played on Diamond Pro-Am tables.
​“We are excited to build a US tour in partnership with CSI that brings back professional competitions to North America on a regular basis,” said Karim Belhaj, CEO of Predator Group. “We want to give back to the sport, and in particular to pro players that are inspiring new and long-time fans alike. We can all benefit from creating more excitement around the sport.”
​Predator Group’s mission is to inspire billiard fans by providing innovative experiences and products that deliver high-performance, with unsurpassed class and style. Predator, Poison and Uni-Loc are Predator Group brands that focus on performance pool cues, billiard accessories and precision components. For more information regarding Predator Group’s products, visit www.predatorcues.com, www.poisoncues.com and www.uni-loc.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.
 
FargoRate computes pocket-billiard player ratings that rate amateur and professional players worldwide. FargoRate currently has over 19 million games played by nearly a quarter million players from 130 countries in its massive data set. Coupling game win/loss data across local leagues, regions, countries, and continents ensures players everywhere are rated on the same scale. Its mission is to usher in a new era for pocket billiards in which all players everywhere, amateur or professional, are interconnected and rated by objective performance. For more information about FargoRate, visit www.fargorate.com. 

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