The sport of pool and billiards has a unique opportunity. Youtube has selected Inside POOL Video as a semifinalist in the Nextup Program. The program will select Youtube producers to receive assistance from Youtube in creating better programming. Inside POOL Video is asking for everybody’s help by voting for free between now and April 8 at the Nextup Program page. It’s free, easy and can be done every day to help promote billiards.

Please visit the link and vote once per day, every day, until April 8 to help Youtube choose to promote the sport of pool and billiards. Sharing with fellow billiard enthusiasts on Facebook, Twitter and forums is greatly appreciated.

Inside POOL Video creates a variety of programming dedicated to the sport of pool and billiards. Several favorite segments include full-length professional matches, pool lessons, trick shots, player interviews and What’s in the Case. The segments were developed to accompany the online version of Inside POOL Magazine.

J.R. Calvert of Inside POOL said, “We feel that this is a unique opportunity for the sport of pool and billiards. To partner with Youtube has infinite possibilities for promoting the sport of billiards. We’re asking everybody that loves pool to vote for us at the Next Program page. It’s free, easy and a great way to help promote the sport. We may never get another opportunity to help billiards like this.”

To vote to help promote billiards, visit the following video URL and giving it a thumbs up daily:

Promote Billiards by giving a thumbs up at Youtube Contest page here

Voters are encouraged to vote every day between now and April 8. Voters are permitted to vote only one time per day.

Any billiards enthusiast that would love to see more and better free billiards programming is also encouraged to share this with friends on Facebook, Twitter, forums and other social networking sites.

About Inside POOL Magazine
Inside POOL Magazine launched in 2001 and, with pool player-based content and high impact photography, quickly became the largest magazine in the world for the sport of billiards. The official web site, InsidePOOLmag.com, followed shortly after and became one of the largest web sites in billiards. The web site features videos, image galleries, pool lessons, custom Pool Cue makers, online games, player profiles, tournament brackets, live streaming video, rules, product reviews, and the latest billiard news from around the world.

The 2011 WPA World Artistic Pool Championship was held March 10th – 13th at the Allen Hopkins Super Billiards Expo in the Valley Forge Convention Center in King of Prussia, PA. Thirty three finely tuned players from around the globe competed for 9 World Titles consisting of 8 World Artistic Pool Discipline Champions and 1 Overall World Artistic Pool Champion. The World Pool Billiard Association (WPA) sanctioned this prestigious event.

The 2011 WPA World Artistic Pool Championship was held March 10th – 13th at the Super Billiards Expo in the Valley Forge Convention Center in King of Prussia, PA.

The stellar group of artistic pool playing artists competed in eight skilled and varied disciplines of the sport as follows: Trick and Fancy, Prop / Novelty / Special Arts, Draw, Follow, Bank / Kick, Stroke, Jump, and Masse. In addition, a special Sportsmanship award was presented to one player selected by player vote. Over $15,000 in prize money was paid out. (See accompanying results)
The sport of Artistic Pool made billiard history once again as players in the semi – finals and finals were filmed for television in 3-D, which has never been done before. Center City Film and video did the production for Comcast, and it was absolutely amazing. Helping the film crew, I was fortunate to get a sneak preview back stage at several artistic pool shots the players were demonstrating for the cameras – balls jumping off the screen and players moving around the table in special depth perception effects via a process that created a totally awesome and unique viewing experience.

By Sunday the field was reduced to 4 players with Andy Segal (USA) vs. Gabi Visoiu (Romania) in one semi final match, and Tim Chin (USA) vs. Jamey Gray (USA) in the other semi final match. The finals found Jamey Gray and Andy Segal battling for the title. This head to head shootout started very close, but a little over half way through the match, you could tell that Andy was in dead stroke. Taking no chances Andy finished strong, leaving nothing in question as to who was the 2011 WPA World Artistic Pool Champion.

Players and fans alike had a wonderful time as they expressed special appreciation to Allen Hopkins for hosting this championship. Valued sponsors that made it all possible were Allen Hopkins Productions, Dr. Cue Promotions. Professor Q-Ball Promotions, the USBA, Simonis Cloth, Diamond, Mueller, Run Out Sportswear, and Crown Cues. A special thanks also goes out to the WPA Artistic Pool Division and APTSA boards and select player / staff members for their dedication and effort in making this event a complete success.

If anyone has an interest in becoming part of our growing artistic pool movement as a player, fan, or sponsor, please go to the official website for Artistic Pool – APTSA.US. Artistic Pool event and sport history, tour updates, membership options, special player and event features, and detailed information for the APTSA (Artistic Pool and Trick Shot Association) new tour initiatives program for 2011 and beyond can be found there.