Please find enclosed the following in respect of this series only:

Competing Players

There are eight events in the Pontin’s International Open Series (PIOS), which are all open to players aged 15 years by 23 June 2008. All entrants must be amateur (non-members of WPBSA) and be members of their relevant National Governing Body. Proof of membership will be checked and any entries received that do not comply will be refused.  

Players do not have to play all eight events; you can play as many or as few as you wish but once you have entered you must pay for all eight events. This can be a one off payment of £950 or two instalments of £475, the full amount of £950 must be paid by 01 September 2008. Entry fees are non-refundable. If paying by cheque, please make payable to 'PONTIN’S Ltd'.

Venue

All eight events will be played at the World Snooker Centre at Pontin’s, Prestatyn. 

Seedings / Draws

No draws will be seeded for the 2008/9 PIOS Series the draw for series one will be made at random in front of a "live" audience. The draw for event two will be made at event one and this sequence will continue throughout the series. If byes are required these will be given at random.

At Series One the draws for series two will be issued at the event. If you are not present the draw will be posted to you.

Round Structure

Matches will be played on timed sessions and play will commence at 9.30 am each day and will continue until all matches are completed. 

All matches up to and including the Last 16 will be the best of 7 frames, Quarter Finals and Semi Finals will be best of 9 frames and the Final will be the best of 11 frames.

Prize Money

The prize money breakdown will be subject to the number of entries received and will be sent with the playing details. However, based on 128 entries we intend that a minimum of 85% of the total entry fees will be allocated to the prize fund and it is anticipated that the breakdown will be as follows:

Prize money to be paid directly at the event in Pontin’s Prestatyn

The Proposed PIOS Dates (Playing days)

2008

Series One: Monday 23 to Friday 27 June

Series Two: Monday 28 July to Friday 01 August

Series Three: Monday 25 to Friday 29 August

Series Four: Monday 20 to Friday 24 October

Series Five: Monday 10 to Friday 14 November 2008

2009

Series Six: Sunday 01 to Thursday 05 March.

Series Seven: Tuesday 24 to Saturday 28 March.

Series Eight: Monday 04 to Friday 08 May 2009.

PIOS Order of Merit List

The Order of Merit List for the PIOS is based on one season’s Order of Merit points only and the Points List will be sent with the playing details. Only the best seven results during the season will count towards the end of season PIOS Order of Merit List.  Points earned on the PIOS relate only to the PIOS.

Future Tour Structure

At the end of the 2008/2009 season, the top eight players from the PIOS Order of Merit List will be nominated a place on The World Snooker Main Tour 2009/2010. 

General

If you have any questions please feel free to contact the PIOS Operations team. Roland Van Laere 07791 550741, Terry Lyons 07801 491983, Haydn Parry 07766 990315 or Email vanlaere@va-event-management.com

Finally, please remember the closing date is 13 June 2008 and be assured that we will post your playing details to you as early as possible.

Yours sincerely

Roland Van Laere

Signed on behalf of Pontin’s and PIOS