MATCHROOM SPORT are delighted to announce that the 2010 PartyPoker.net World Pool Masters will take place from Wednesday 12th to Sunday 16th May at the Riviera Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada.

And, following 17 years as a 16 player invitational event, this year will see major changes to one of the longest established tournaments in pool. The field will expand to 64 players and the tournament will take place over five days instead of the traditional three. 

Working in conjunction with Cuesports International, the Masters takes place during the annual BCA National 8-Ball Championships, which sees thousands of players and fans flock to the Riviera for a lengthy festival of pool.  

The 64 player lineup will comprise 32 international stars of the game from around the world and they will be joined 32 qualifiers who will have won through events across the globe in the run up to the main event in May.  

'The Race to Vegas' will be getting underway with the first qualifier in Paris on Sunday February 14th and follow with tournaments scheduled in Australia, Japan, USA, and Canada as well as most of the major European countries.  

Commented Matchroom Sport Chairman Barry Hearn, "I am very excited about the future of the Masters. It did very well and was very prestigious as a 16 player invitational but now is the time to take the event to another level and then beyond. We've increased the field to 64 with the aim of having qualifying tournaments all over the world and that is the model the Masters will follow now and in years to come."  

The first two days of the event feature double elimination play on a multi-table set-up as the field reduces from 64 down to 32. The event then goes to single elimination and the last 16 is played out in a single table arena setting in front of the TV cameras, culminating in the final on the evening of Sunday May 16th.  

Television is produced by Matchroom Sport and will be seen as 15 one hour broadcasts in 14 countries around the world with more to be added to the list.  

The prize fund is set at a guaranteed $100,000 with $20,000 going to the eventual champion. For more info visit www.matchroompool.com