confusing about PIOS

[dingshot]

i see that there are many competitions which held by PIOS such as world pro-am,home international,businessland under 21,spring festival and etc.which of these competition if we win,then we can play in ranking events?anyone here can explain about that?

[Alex0paul]

They aren't held by PIOS they are held by Pontins in Prestatyn

[sunny3909]

PIOS is the Pontins International open series held every year in Prestatyn.It includes 8 events.The top 8 in the final merit list are included in the pro tour next year.

[superaussie]

alex

there is a young aussie called vinnie and he is supposed to play in the pios series but i looked at the drawshets and he never seems to be in the draw

any idea why that is ?

[Alex0paul]

He aint on the ranking list so I guess he didn't decide to enter this year. Bit of a journey to come for the 8 events though. Would probably lose a lot of money in the long run attempting to get on the tour that way which is sad really.

[JanieWatkins]

The PIOS (Pontin's International Open Series) is EIGHT events, from which the best seven results count to the final rankings.
8 players gain promotion to next season's WSA Main Professional Tour.

Anyone fifteen years and over may enter PIOS (the the reason for 15 age limit is because a player must be 16 to play on WSA main tour).

The PIOS is run by the Pontin's PIOS team and all events are held at the World Snooker Centre in Pontin's Prestatyn.

Other Pontin's events include
The World Pro Am Series (just finished today for 2007, but will be back in 2008)
That is a series of SIX events, open to everyone regardless of age.
The Top 64 at the end of six events, qualify to return for the finals weekend, competing for a first prize of £5,000. (Won today by Joe Perry)

The Businessland Under 21 series has closed entries now for 2007-8, with a maximum 80 entry.

The Spring and Autumn Festival are also open to all and includes the Open, Junior Events, Over 40s etc

The Junior Festival, in February has age groups 8-11, 12-15 and 15-20. There are very good prizes in this festival including sponsorship from Pontin's. The winner of the 15-20 age group receives all expenses paid entry to next season's PIOS.

Note: Vinnie Calabrese did not enter this season's PIOS, as he'd had some ill health back home in Australia and had been out of competition for a while.

[dingshot]

what about the winner of the world pro-am,businessland under 21,spring and autumn festival?if they win,will they gain promotion to next season's WSA Main Professional Tour?

[The Statman]

what about the winner of the world pro-am,businessland under 21,spring and autumn festival?if they win,will they gain promotion to next season's WSA Main Professional Tour?

No, I don't think they do.

I think there are only these routes available to play on the main tour:

1) already there
2) top-8 of the PIOS as mentioned above
3) winner of the world and your continent's amateur championship
4) discretionary wildcard (2 of these I think)

But I expect I have forgotten something and someone is about to correct me...

[hegeland]

No, I don't think they do.

I think there are only these routes available to play on the main tour:

1) already there
2) top-8 of the PIOS as mentioned above
3) winner of the world and your continent's amateur championship
4) discretionary wildcard (2 of these I think)

But I expect I have forgotten something and someone is about to correct me...

Yes here I am...

The tour this season consisted of this:
* Top 64 Two Year List
* Top 8 One Year List that are not on the list above
* Top 8 PIOS Rankings
* 7 International Nominations
2006 IBSF World Amateur Champion
2007 European Play Off Champion
2007 European Under 19 Champion
2007 Asian Champion
2007 Asian Under 21 Champion
Asia nominee
Oceania nominee
* 6 National Governing Body Nominations
England 2, Wales, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland and Scotland 1 each
* 3 World Snooker Invites

[Ekphantos]

Looking at this list, if you are from North or South America, or Africa you have a disadvantage as there is only one possibility for you under the "international nomination" category. Of course this due to the lack of interest in snooker there, but it still seems a bit strange.