And here is the result of the draw:

Group A
pot_the_lot
blueberry
bumble37
al_

Group B
marksmith
cannibals
_k1rk_
dnbimagine

Group C
doubted2
joker86
super_pool
apples_back

Group D
killerblue
mr_pink_eyes
kimbo_xx
16th player


Group stage format
Each player will play each other player in their group. These games will consist of:
- 2 games of US 8 ball
- 2 games of UK 8 ball
- 2 games of 9 ball
in any order. Games shall be friendlies. If you end up accidentally playing them as ranked, be more careful next time

If the overall score is 3-3, each player gets 1 point as the match has ended in a draw. If it ends 4-2, 5-1 or 6-0, the winner gets 3 points and the loser gets 0.

If two players are tied on points, frame difference (frames won minus frames lost) will be used to separate them. If two players are tied for 2nd and 3rd position in their group on points and frame difference, a best-of-three playoff will separate them, with one game of US 8 ball, UK 8 ball and 9 ball in any order.

Then...
The top 2 players in each group qualify for the quarter-finals, and a draw will be used to decided who plays who when we get that far. Group winners will avoid each other in this round. The quarter-final format will be different, but we'll cross that bridge when we come to it.

Other less important rules will be thrown here by me to deal with technicalities.

Any questions? Best of luck all!!!

Any rough idea as to what the deadline will be?

None whatsoever So I'll keep a close eye on it and see how things go, and if there's any tardiness then I'll put the boot in.

Just realised I now have to message everyone, aaaaaa...

you don't need to me or those there at the draw mate, the rest just send link of this forum sayin draw is done

ok put me in m8 if there still room

you'll get the 16th spot in group D

Welcome aboard

Group D
killerblue
mr_pink_eyes
kimbo_xx
no_talking

And a quick look at the stats suggests that no_talking would have been seeded along with mr_pink_eyes, with killerblue (although only just) and kimbo_xx being unseeded, thereby justifying the idea of having an 8th seed sitting between the seeded and unseeded players. Aren't I just great I suppose this then is technically the Group of Death...?

The affected players have been messaged with this update.

Oh cloone, how did your head fit through the forum door?

thanks for the group of death mate lol .....or are just trying to build the tension

Nick has to reboot the server every few times I come through the forum door due to the damage done. And yes, shamelessly trying to build tension, how did you guess

RESULT: 8 Ball Pool UK Friendly - al_ (1) loses to bumble37 (1) with 2 balls remaining

RESULT: 9 Ball Pool Friendly - bumble37 (0) loses to al_ (2)

RESULT: 8 Ball Pool Friendly - al_ (0) loses to bumble37 (2) with 3 balls remaining

3-3 match drawn

al_ v bumble37

uk 1-1
9 2-0
8 0-2

overall 3-3, great games against a class opponent, all the best in your other fixtures

Thanks Bumble - great games and great comeback !!!

Blueberry v Al
RESULT: 8 Ball Pool UK Friendly - blueberry (0) loses to al_ (1) with 7 balls remaining
RESULT: 8 Ball Pool UK Friendly - blueberry (0) loses to al_ (1) with 1 ball remaining
RESULT: 9 Ball Pool Friendly - blueberry (0) loses to al_ (2)
RESULT: 8 Ball Pool Friendly - blueberry (0) loses to al_ (1) with 4 balls remaining
RESULT: 8 Ball Pool Friendly - blueberry (0) loses to al_ (1) with 1 ball remaining

6-0 to Al - ty Blueberry ggs

And we're off! I'll try to keep the tables on my profile and stick the other rubbish that's there already into a spoiler.

cannibals v marksmith

8 ball 1-1
8 uk 2-0
9 ball 1-1

overall 4-2 me

ggs mark

Nice

3 games played, and all updated on my profile.

Hoping to play some tonight, it will be on my girlfriend's laptop (Perfect time for my opponents to pounce lol).

All fun and games

see aaron is getting his excuses in early

Actually it is a true excuse, I can't pot for toffee on her laptop