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On December 20, 2022, Shane Van Boening made history by becoming the world champion of pool at the World Pool Championship final held at the Marshall Arena in Milton Keynes, England. The South Dakota native defeated Albin Ouschan in an intense and highly competitive match that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the very end.

Van Boening, commonly known as the “South Dakota Kid,” has been a force to be reckoned with on the pool circuit for years. He has dominated the American pool scene, winning multiple U.S. Open Nine-ball Championship titles and representing the United States in international competitions such as the Mosconi Cup. However, despite his numerous accomplishments, Van Boening had never been able to claim the ultimate prize: the title of world champion.

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The match between Van Boening and Ouschan was a showdown between two modern greats of the game, with both players known for their precise cue work and expert safety play. The American got off to a strong start, winning the lag and taking the opening rack in comfortable fashion. But Ouschan, a former world champion himself, quickly found his groove and put daylight between the two players at 3-1 after four racks.

It was at this point that Van Boening began to make his move. He twisted the screw with a pinpoint jump shot on the 3, followed by a raking effort to pot the 4, and closed the gap to make it 3-2. Ouschan reasserted a two-rack difference in the sixth rack, but it was short-lived after scratching on the break in the resulting rack. Van Boening then turned the contest on its head to take the eighth rack and level the match at 4-4 before a simple 1-9 combo put him in front for the first time since 1-0.

The match was back-and-forth from there, with both players putting on a clinic in safety play and leaving the crowd entertained throughout. A standout moment came in the 12th rack, when Ouschan found himself with no eye on the pocket on the 1. He played a sweet safety shot to tuck the cueball behind the 4 and 6 balls while leaving the 1 ball near the bottom pocket, but Van Boening kicked out to make the 1 ball and level the match again at 6-6.

From there, it was all Van Boening. He kept the cue ball on a piece of string, running home with an expert performance and delivering his first-ever world title, leaving Ouschan with very few opportunities at the table as he wrapped up an emotional 13-6 win.

The victory was especially sweet for Van Boening, who had come close to winning the world championship twice before but had fallen short. “I have been trying for years. Two times I’ve been in the final and two times in the final. I just knew I was going to win the World Pool Championship. I dreamed I would be World Champion. It teaches you to work hard, follow your dreams and never give up,” Van Boening said in an emotional post-match interview.

Related: World Pool Championship 2023 is Coming: Everything You Need to Know

The World Pool Championship is a highly-anticipated event in the world of pool, attracting some of the best nine-ball talents from around the globe. With a significant prize pool and the prestige of being crowned champion at stake, the tournament always promises several days of intense and exciting competition. In this guide, we will provide all the necessary information on the tournament’s location, format, prize money, ticket availability, notable players, qualification, and how to watch, as well as any other relevant details. Whether you are a pool enthusiast planning on attending the event or simply a fan looking to follow the action from home, this guide will provide everything you need to know about the World Pool Championship 2023.

Location and Format of the World Pool Championship 2023

The World Pool Championship 2023 will take place in Kielce, Poland from Wednesday, February 1 through Sunday, February 5. This marks the first time that the event will be held in Poland, though Kielce does have experience hosting major pool tournaments, having previously hosted the World Pool Masters in 2012.

The tournament will follow a double-elimination format, which was first introduced in the 2022 edition of the event. This format utilizes a seeding system and has received praise for producing high-quality pool matches. Each player will need to win two matches in order to advance to the next round, with the final match determining the overall champion.

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Prize Money and Betting Opportunities

There is a significant amount of prize money up for grabs at the World Pool Championship 2023, with a total of over $325,000 available. The winner of the tournament will take home $60,000, while other top finishers will also earn a share of the prize pool. This can serve as a strong motivator for players to bring their best game to the table and compete for the title.

In addition to the prestige of winning the tournament, the growing popularity of pool as a spectator sport has also allowed fans to place bets on their favorite players. Introduction betting deals are often available, providing an opportunity for fans to get in on the action and potentially win big. Whether you are an experienced bettor or new to the world of pool betting, these deals can be a great way to engage with the tournament and potentially come away with a profit.

Ticket Availability and Attendance

The World Pool Championship 2023 is not just for the players, but also for fans of the sport who want to experience the excitement in person. Day tickets for the event can be purchased for €5, or fans can opt for a full-pass ticket that grants access to every day of the tournament for €20. It is recommended to purchase tickets as soon as possible, as they may sell out closer to the event date.

If you are planning on attending the World Pool Championship in person, it is also important to make arrangements for transportation and accommodation. The nearest major airport is located in Kraków, which is a short journey from Kielce. There are likely to be a variety of accommodation options available in the city, though it is advisable to make reservations early to ensure that you have a place to stay during the tournament.

For those who are unable to attend the event in person, the World Pool Championship 2023 will be televised in countries around the world, including on DAZN in the United States. This allows fans to watch all the action from the comfort of their own homes.

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Notable Players World Pool Championship

The World Pool Championship 2023 will feature some of the top pool players in the world, all vying for a chance at the title and a share of the prize money. Poland has ten players included in the top 100 players in the world, including Wiktor Zielinski who is ranked number 7. These players will be looking to make a strong showing on home turf and potentially make a run for the championship.

One player to watch out for is Shane van Boening, the South Dakota native and current number-one ranked player in the world. Van Boening has previous experience at the World Pool Championship, having won the title in 2022 by defeating Austrian Albin Ouschan. He will be hoping to defend his title and add another championship to his already impressive resume.

While any player has the potential to come out on top in a single elimination tournament, van Boening and other top-ranked players will likely be among the favorites to contend for the title. It will be exciting to see who comes out on top and claims victory at the World Pool Championship 2023.

Qualification for the World Pool Championship 2023

In general, the top players from each country or region are eligible to compete in the tournament, with the exception of a certain number of wildcard spots that are given out to players who have not qualified through the normal means. The specific qualifications and wildcard spots will vary depending on the host country and the organizing body (in this case, the World Pool-Billiard Association).

Additionally, some countries have their own qualifications process where the top players are selected to participate in the World Pool Championship.

It is recommended to check with the World Pool-Billiard Association website and your national federation website to get more accurate information on the qualification process and available spots for your country.

Players that have previously performed well in past tournaments, and have a reputation in the pool community usually are given priority for the spots.

It should be noted that the World Pool Championship tournament format and qualification process may change from year to year and the information provided here is based on the information available for the 2023 edition.

How to Watch the World Pool Championship 2023

The World Pool Championship 2023 will be broadcasted in various countries around the world, making it easy for fans to follow the tournament from anywhere.

One way to watch the tournament is through television. The tournament will be broadcasted on DAZN in the United States, and other countries may have their own television channels that will broadcast the tournament live. You can check your local listings for the schedule.

Another way to watch the tournament is through streaming services. Streaming platforms such as YouTube and Twitch often have live streaming coverage of the tournament, where you can follow the action and keep up with the latest scores, as well as access to highlights, interviews, and other behind-the-scenes content.

Finally, if you’re able to attend the event in person, you can buy day tickets or full-pass tickets to be able to watch the tournament live. You can check the World Pool-Billiard Association website or the host venue website for more information on how to buy tickets.

It is worth noting that some of the streaming options or TV channels may require a subscription, so it’s best to check the availability and the cost of the service beforehand.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the World Pool Championship 2023 is a must-watch event for pool fans around the world, attracting some of the best nine-ball talents from around the globe. With a significant prize pool and the prestige of being crowned champion at stake, the tournament always promises several days of intense and exciting competition. Whether you are a pool enthusiast planning on attending the event in person, a fan looking to watch the tournament on television, or someone who wants to follow the action online, this guide has provided all the necessary information on the tournament’s location, format, prize money, ticket availability, notable players, qualification and how to watch. Make sure to tune in to the World Pool Championship 2023 to see which player will come out on top and claim victory.