UK based Matchroom Sport announced that the 2010 PartyPoker.com Mosconi Cup, featuring multi-discipline pool and billiard competitions between American and European pro pool players, will take place at the fabled York Hall, Bethnal Green, London from December 9-12, 2010...

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We love pool & billiard fans, especially fans who show the world they love pool with a cool pool avatar! We really appreciate you and think you ought to be rewarded for reminding people of pool each day on your Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

So here's the deal. We're going to pick our favorite 100 cool pool avatars and give you each a FREE one year subscription to Pool & Billiard Magazine.

No catch, no purchase necessary - and if you're already a subscriber, play along and we'll add a free year to your subscription if you're one of the lucky 100.

Winners will be selected by our staff and the only rule is your avatar must be based on a pool theme, pool message, cool pool pic or graphic - sky's the limit so long as it promotes our sport. If your Facebook or Twitter profile pic is about pool, then you qualify to enter!

It's easy to enter, too. Throughout this month (March) you can show us your avatar by commenting on this post at our FACEBOOK FAN PAGE or our FACEBOOK GROUP or replying to our TWEET. Our favorite 100 Pool Avatars will be showcased in the May issue of P&B and those lucky 100 will win a free one year subscription to Pool & Billiard Magazine that begins with that issue.

Ready to play? Connect with us today! Just tell us you want in when you become a fan at our Pool & Billiard Magazine Fan Page or join our Group Page, o Farmers, No Mafia, No Fish, Just Pool Players. This is POOLMAG Mister! or tweet us at @PoolandBilliard

Shoot straight!

P.S. Here's a few pool avatars from some of our social media savvy staff (No, we're not eligible to win)

Here's one just in from Topeka, Kansas: The city of Topeka, Kansas, home of www.mycustomgameroom.com, has changed its name to "Google, Kansas" for the month of March. This means they are actually shipping products from the town of Google for a limited time.

A new website has been started in this Midwest town with a very important mission, to educate the public about all of the nuances of the sport of billiards. Topics of interest will range from equipment to tips on actually playing the game. The Mayor changed the city's name in an attempt to sway Google to bring their experimental "Fiber for Communities" program to Topeka.

This program is meant to test a new super high speed connection that Google is developing, it could mean internet speeds up to 100 times faster than elsewhere. Speeds like this could prove very useful to a new billiard website.

Mycustomgameroom.com is operated by long time billiard mechanic and pool player, Rich Brown. Besides delivering quality products, one purpose of the site is to provide a resource for everything from "How to hang a pool table light" to "how to choose a pool cue."

According to the release on Earthtimes.org, "Years of experience installing all brands of pool tables, as well as playing billiards with some of the finest pool players in the country is being added to the site weekly."

McDermott Cue Mfg., LLC is a leading manufacturer and world-wide distributor of pool cues, performance shafts, and billiard accessories. McDermott is proud to announce an agreement with Elephant Balls LTD to be the exclusive distributor of Elephant Balls branded products which include billiard balls, training aids and other billiard accessories.

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A special one day qualifier for the 2010 U.S. Open 10-Ball was held Saturday, March 20 at Butera's Billiards in Moorpark, California. The unique single elimination qualifier was highly competitive as it attracted several top players traveling from the Southern California region towards Reno, Nevada for the U.S. Bar Table Championships.

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Kevin Trudeau, infomercial pitchman and author, better known to pool fans in his role with the International Pool Tour, was ordered by a federal judge to serve 30 days in prison and must turn himself in tomorrow, according to Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun Times reports.

According to the Sun Times report: "'This was an attempt by Mr. Trudeau to harass, intimidate and influence the court,' said U.S. District Judge Robert Gettleman, who was flooded with hundreds of 'harassing, threatening and interfering' emails, locking up the judge's email system and shutting down his Blackberry for part of the day."

For the full story, CLICK HERE

In an arena dominated by males, Jeanette Lee stood head and shoulders above the rest to capture the 2010 "St. Louie" Louie Roberts Action and Entertainment Award at the Derby City Classic. The voting of the award by DCC attendees and members of the various internet forums resulted in a landslide victory for Lee as she was named on over 90% of the ballots. Others in consideration for the award included players like "Strong Arm" John, Harry Platis and Richie Richeson...

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Each year the Billiard Congress of America (BCA) recognizes an outstanding individual who has made significant contributions to the billiard industry with the presentation of the BCA President's Award.  This year the BCA has chosen to recognize Frederick Mali.  Mali, who passed away at the age of 76 in 2007, was the president and CEO of The Henry W.T. Mali & Co., Inc. (Mali Cloth), the oldest continuously family-run company in New York City, founded in 1826.  

"Fred Mali was a great ambassador for the game of billiards, as well as the most gentlemanly individual with whom I have ever done business," said BCA President Ivan Lee. "I feel it is important to recognize a man who never had an enemy, made an indelible mark on his company and this industry and always found time for anyone needing his assistance or support. Fred provided direction and assistance to many people in the billiard industry selflessly and willingly. The loss of Fred Mali to the billiard industry is difficult to accurately determine, but his eternal optimism and civilized manner would have been a guiding light in the troubled economic times that our industry faces today. I only regret that this recognition comes to him posthumously."

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With the 2010 PartyPoker.net World Pool Masters increasing its field from 16 to 64, Matchroom Sport announced that there are 26 qualifying events in place, commencing in Paris on February 14 and culminating in the 'last chance saloon' tournaments the day before the event starts on Wednesday, May 12.  

Working with an array of respected partners around the world, the qualifying events take in France, England, Scotland, Holland, Belgium, Norway, Germany, Poland, Romania, Sweden, Russia, Spain, Canada, USA, Australia, Malaysia and Japan. This will give every pool player in the world the opportunity to win a trip to Las Vegas and mix it up with the world's elite in the Masters...

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The American Cuemaker's Association is proud to present its 2010 recipient of the prestigious Cuemaker of the Year Award.  The American Cuemaker's Association (ACA) was established in 1992 to promote the American-made cue and cuemaker.  Beginning in 2008, the ACA initiated the Cuemaker of the Year Award to recognize an ACA member who has provided a top quality product in an ethical, honorable, and professional manner through the years.  The award will be presented at the annual ACA banquet at the Super Billiards Expo at the Valley Forge Convention Center in King of Prussia, PA, on March 18-21, 2010.

The 2010 winner is Prather Cue from Mooreland, OK.  Founded in 1978, the Prather family initially provided quality cuemaking components to cuemakers at a reasonable price.  Dan Prather  was joined by his two sons, Daniel Jr. and Jeff, in the mid-eighties and cue making became an important part of the business.  By 1990 the Prathers had become renown for their cues as well as their cuemaking components.  With Dan Jr.'s computer skills, Jeff's woodworking abilities, and Dan Sr.'s inspiration, Prather Cues really took off.  Dan's daughter, Jennifer, has also been involved in the business since its inception.  Today Prather Cue makes a complete line of cues including many custom "one of a kind" beauties.  They also continue to be a leading supplier of cue components to many of the world's cuemakers.  

Also to be recognized at this year's ACA banquet will be the recipient of the People's Choice Award.  This award acknowledges the cue buying public's choice of the their favorite cue on display at the ACA booth at the Super Billiards Expo.  Every ACA member can display one cue of which they are especially proud.  Attendees at the expo then have the opportunity to vote on their favorite cue.  The cuemaker whose cue receives the most votes will be recognized at the banquet with the People's Choice Award.  

Stay tuned for coverage of this event! 'Til then, learn more about Prather Cues at www.prathercue.com