Final figures for charity money raised have been published for the recent 35^th BAPTO National Finals in Rhyl. New for the event was an exciting 14:1 competition with the lion's share of funds raised, donated to this year’s chosen charity, Help for Heroes. Shane Thompson, the eventual winner of the main Singles Competition, triumphed in the main 14:1 Competition on Saturday. From the combined donation from entry fees, a tombola and the mixed doubles charity event, BAPTO players raised a generous and commendable £1189 for our country’s patriotic cause! That equates to nearly 10% of all prize money paid to the players.

SAM have striven to design an air hockey table capable of enduring the toughest weather conditions, while providing the best possible security. The new Tempo Air Hockey has been approved under European regulation IEC 60529. It is utilises colour – lacquered, water-resistant panels, with plastics, metal sheet and aluminium profiles used throughout. An internal drainage system takes care of the rain!

Now the UK’s favourite air hockey with the fastest game, most fun and highest revenues can be enjoyed in all weather locations. Perfect for the British Summer, or Autumn, or Winter or Spring!

The most exhilarating feeling is owning something unique and special. The Penelope is just that. You can stand out from the crowd with the ultimate designer pool table. A stunning showcase which combines the true craft of pool and snooker manufacture with the art and craftsmanship of leather work. Carefully stitched and bonded premium aniline leather, provides a tactile quality to your pool table. The texture under your finger tips when playing makes you feels so good and assures you that you made the right choice. A visual statement is assured with the striking pink crocodile patterned effect real aniline leather. Smell the quality!!

Strength in design, perfect harmony in blending natural materials to provide an opulence not possible from other traditional pool and snooker table makers. You want the best, you want everyone to know it’s the best. This table will tick the box every time.

The Finals weekend drew to a close on Sunday Afternoon and weary pool players from across the nation headed home some nursing trophies and cheques, some sore heads! A thoroughly enjoyable weekend of pool was had by all, with pool of the highest standard played in the spirit of true sportsmanship. 

The BAPTO £11,000 prize fund was, as always, distributed well down the table to reward as many players as possible. The 2011 Team Champions are ‘Normans Snooker’ from Manchester who pipped ‘Fingers & Four Thumbs’ from Wisbech in the final. The Plate winners were ‘Team Europe’ from Leicestershire with Potaholics of Powys Runners up. In the Mixed Doubles, Scotland’s Andy & Shona Lucas edged out David Atherley & Kerry Griffiths from Nottingham 3 frames to two.

In the Singles events, Shane Thompson was imperious conceding only 2 frames in his last 3 matches to lift the trophy ahead of Sammy Donaldson. The Ladies event, with yet another increase in numbers this year, was won by Shona Lucas, Kim Carney from Basildon was runner up.

The geographical spread of the winners proves the continuing appeal of pub pool with team and singles entries this year from every corner of Britain. The state of the economy had lead to fears of reduced entries in 2011 but BAPTO were rewarded for their hard work in promoting Pool with numbers on a par with last year and universal praise from players for the quality of the event.

The 35th Annual BAPTO Amateur Blackball Pool Challenge Weekend 2011 kicked off officially on Friday morning this week, although players had begun arriving at Lyons Robin Hood Holiday Park in Rhyl the previous afternoon  and much pool had already been played before the competition proper began.

More than 550 players and guests are attending the event representing the 81 registered teams and have filled the camp accommodation. The BAPTO is the UK's longest running pool championship and is firmly aimed at the grass roots players that compete and enjoy their pool in pubs and clubs across the UK.

Each year since BAPTO moved to Rhyl, Lyons Robin Hood have improved the camp facilities and this year a newly built sports bar with nightly entertainment has proved popular with the players. New for the event has been a 14:1 competition with funds raised being donated to this year's chosen charity, Help for Heroes.

The competition is being played on SAM Atlantic pool tables, this year in a new, limited edition,  exclusive cabinet design. Look out for the SAM Atlantic Champion BAPTO Edition in stunning Silver finish. Only very few of these tables will ever be available to the general public.

The Atlantic Champion Pool Table is the finest contemporary professional English pool table available. It features the finest slate playing surface, a cabinet constructed in marine ply veneered with a high impact, mar and burn resistant laminate and strikingly contemporary but robust legs with easy level feet. The Atlantic's professional secret is its aluminium extruded top rail and unique "ProActive" cushion system which provides the most accurate and consistent ball response possible. As well as delivering the unparalleled playing performance, this system makes reclothing easier and prevents any possibility of cushions being fitted incorrectly.

News of the competition winners and all final results will be posted after the event closes on Sunday 11th September.

The Incredible Value New 2011 Buffalo Ash range

 A pair of centre jointed 2 piece 8 Ball pool cues. Full matching grain ash cues with ebonised hand spliced effect butts and exotic wood effect front splices. Great value with 8.5mm tip for improved cue ball control.

9960.691           2pc BUFFALO ASH CUE BOCOTE 8.5MM                                 Just £27.50

9960.692           2pc BUFFALO ASH CUE SNAKEWOOD 8.5MM             Just £27.50

 Two top quality ash cues featuring ¾ split quick release joint and base joint to take mini butts, or our slim extension. Fantastic value and quality. Burrwood model with multi hand spliced decal. The ebony hand splice model with real bocote front splice.

9960.693           3/4 BUFFALO ASH CUE BURRWOOD SPLICE   9.5mm             Just £42.00

9960.694           3/4 BUFFALO ASH/EBONY HANDSPLICED 9.5mm                   Just £66.00

american pool

SAM Pool tables have been firmly established in the UK as the very best earners for over 15 years with huge success in Arcade sites, Bowling centres, Pubs and Bars, Night clubs and Lounges, Clubs and premium Gamesrooms.

SAM tables ooze style and quality, this in itself encourages play as they appeal to non pool players who are just as keen to “have a go” as the regular and more serious pool players. This fact is a fundamental part of SAM’s success. If you can attract non pool players to play then you have additional income. Keep them playing and you have a real business! Of course the pool players in your venue, will play on what is provided. SAM have succeeded in getting girls, guys, families and friends to all enjoy potting balls, initially with the attractive style, and then with the easier, more rewarding potting type of game provided by American pool (bigger balls, bigger pockets, more potting and quicker games) and finally by maintaining high standards. It is no coincidence that the highest earning pool tables are well serviced with valeted cloth, decent cues and chalk available. If the customer experience is a good one they will stay and play again and return another time with more friends. A few pounds spent on a service, keeping standards high and providing the correct accessories will result in improved customer experience. This in turn provides far greater cash box income.

Bar Holdings operate a number of sites in and around London, MD David Evan’s, states “We always use SAM coin op pool tables in our sports bars and are focused on providing our clientele with the best experience possible. SAM supports us with not just a great product, but also ongoing regular service and accessories. Thus we can relax and let them deal with keeping the tables earning, whilst we deal with other business challenges. Our pool income, as a consequence continues to build, and is a key part of our offering”.

Its not just in the capital that American pool works. Adam Goldstone of Spot White in the north east commented “We recently introduced SAM American pool tables to our cuesports operation. Since this time we have had to increase table numbers twice and we still have waiting lists every night. I am convinced that the quality and standard provided by SAM of both tables and accessories is a major part of the appeal and ultimately success of this venture”.

American Pool widens a venues appeal, generating its own high income and driving the right kind of valuable footfall.