Format:

35 Players Maximum

Qualifications:
5 groups of 7 players Round Robin
Points per match undetermined
2 from each group advance based on
W/L, Total Points, Head to Head, Points Against

The top 5 finishers from last years nationals will be seeded into the groups

105 Matches
21 Rounds
9 rounds on Wednesday (45 matches)
9 rounds on Thursday (45 matches)
3 rounds on Friday (15 matches)

Finals:
10 Player Round Robin
Points per match undetermined
Ranking based on W/L, Average (then Total Points, Head to Head, etc.
same as above but average is usually the final determining factor)

If two or more players have the same W/L record for first place then there
will be a playoff match between the two players with the highest averages.

9 rounds total
2 rounds on Friday
4 rounds on Saturday
3 rounds on Sunday plus Closing Ceremony and
Awards Presentation (and time for a playoff match if needed)

Entry fee for those who played in Regional Qualifiers is $300.00. All others is $500.00. Personal checks received after January 31, 2010 will not be accepted.
Entries can be made out to “USBA” and sent to:

Jim Shovak/USBA Secretary
58 Hawthorne Avenue
East Islip, NY 11730

Your name will be placed on the waiting list (see below).

Order of Priority:

1) Top 4 finishers from 2009 Nationals
2) All players that Qualified in Regional Qualifiers between 2009 & 2010 Nationals
3) People who played in a Regional Qualifier between 2009 & 2010 Nationals
4) People who played in a USBA Tournament between 2009 & 2010 Nationals
5) All others

Within each category listed above, it will be first-paid, first-served

2010 Nationals Players List: 

Top 4 from 2009 Nationals: 

1) Hugo Patino
2) Pedro Piedrabuena
3) Miguel Torres
4) Michael Kang 

Regional Qualifier Winners:

5) Mazin Shooni: Moody Gardens, Galveston, TX Qualifier
6) Cong Nguyen: Moody Gardens, Galveston, TX Qualifier
7) Bruce Warner: Burbank Elks Qualifier
8 ) Lupe Cruz: Marshalltown, IA Qualifier
9) John Jacobson: Marshalltown, IA Qualifier
10) Fred Lamers (Replaced by James Richards ): Marshalltown, IA Qualifier
11) George Ashby: Marshalltown, IA Qualifier
12) Neal Olson: Tacoma Elks Qualifier
13) Mark Hansen: Tacoma Elks Qualifier
14) Jae Hyung Cho: Hall of Fame, Warren MI Qualifier
15) Felipe Razon: Hall of Fame, Warren MI Qualifier
16) Min Jae Pak: Carom Café Qualifier
17) Douglas Lee: Carom Café Qualifier 

Upcoming Qualifiers & the Number of Expected Qualified Players:

January 15-17: US Billiards – Houston, TX: 2 Players Expected to Qualify
January 22-24: Pendennis Club – Louisville, KY: 4 Players Expected to Qualify
January 22-23: World Class Billiards – Peabody, MA: 2 Players Expected to Qualify

Explanation:

The 3 remaining Regional Qualifiers are expected to yield up to 8 more qualifying players. It may be more or it may be less. Including those 8 players, there are currently 25 spots filled and there are 17 players on the waiting list, however we are only accepting 35 players. As of right now, the only players on the waiting list that are somewhat guaranteed to play are the first 10 players.

I think that Tom Rossman and Paul Frankel will be playing in the Pendennis Club Qualifier. If either of them qualify, then that will open up one or two more spots from the waiting list.

Also, if less players qualify than expected from the remaining qualifiers, then that will also open up more spots.

And if anyone changes their mind about going or cannot go, more spots may open up. But that’s a long shot.

Key Information for Player Planning:

1. From the Seattle-Tacoma Airport you can get the Capital Airport Shuttle to and from the airport for $30 each way directly to your lodging or to the Tacoma Elks. The Tacoma Elks is at 1965 S. Union Ave. Tacoma, WA. Phone number 253-272-1117. The shuttle runs from the south end of baggage claim (door 00) from 6:40Am to 11:59PM.

2. The recommended lodging is Motel 6 at 1811 S. 76th Tacoma phone number 253-473-7100; prices are subject to change but are now; single bed Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Sunday $43.99 and $49.99 for Friday & Saturday; double bed is 49.99 and $55.99 for the same days listed under single.

Extended Stay America at 2120 S. 48th Tacoma phone number 253-475-6565; Prices for single bed units are 49.99 per night if staying a minimum of 7 nights and $64.99 per night if less than 7 nights; double bed units are $64.99 per night if staying a minimum of 7 nights and $77.99 per night if staying less than 7 nights. These are like apartments if you are not familiar with Extended Stay America.

3. All lodging in Tacoma is between 2 and 3 miles from the Tacoma
Elks Lodge as are those recommended.

4. Taxi service to and from the lodging to the Elks runs between $10 & $15.

5. Several players in the past have rented cars and between local player transportation you can usually get back and forth without using a Taxi.

6. Tacoma Elks Lodge- Tournament Player Privileges

There is no charge for practice before the tournament or in the evening after the tournament play concludes.

The Lodge opens at 9AM practice day Tuesday. Monday we are closed but we have a way to get you in thru our athletic program so call me, Darrel Stutesman 253-584-3994, if you want to practice on Monday.

Welcome to the Tacoma Elks Lodge. As our guests you are granted the full use of our athletic facilities. For your use and enjoyment we have exercise equipment, handball courts, steam room, sauna, swimming pool ( bring your own suit), tennis courts, out door running track and showers.

Just tell the attendant, down stairs, your name and that you are with the tournament and he will take care of you.

For the tournament, there will be a no host bar and buffet in the tournament area. The buffet will be open from about 11:30AM to 2PM.

The full service dining room will be open for lunch and dinner except Monday and Sunday evenings. On Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings there are live bands.

We also have an 18-hole golf course that is open to the public, across the street on the east side of the Lodge building.

There is room for at least 8 vendors to display and promote their products at no charge. If they do very well, they will be encouraged to make a donation to the Tacoma billiard program.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me.

I wish you enjoyment in the tournament and hope you enjoy your time at the Tacoma Elks Lodge.

Darrel Stutesman
Tournament Chairman Host
253-584-3994
dstutesman@msn.com