The PartyPoker.net World Pool Masters - the Race to Vegas is one of the biggest events in the pool calendar with 64 of the world's top players from 25 different nations competing for the $20,000 top prize.

Date & Venue
The 2010 PartyPoker.net World Pool Masters will take place from Wednesday, May 12 to Sunday, May 16 at the Riviera Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada.

Format
The 2010 PartyPoker.net World Pool Masters sees the field increase from 16 players to 64. The first round of matches is double elimination, winner-breaks, race to nine that will see the field reduce from 64 to 32. From the last 32 onwards, it is straight knock-out with all matches a race to nine for the last 32 and reverting to race to eight for the last 16 onwards.

Shot Clock
There will be a 40 second shot clock in force at the televised stages of the tournament - last 16 onwards. There will be a 10 second warning issued to the player at the table when 30 seconds have elapsed. Each player is allowed one 40 second extension per rack. They must signal this to the referee by clearly saying 'Extension'. The onus is on the player to make himself loud and clear. The referee will then repeat 'extension' to confirm that they have heard it. The player may call 'extension' at any time during the 40 seconds - the additional 40 seconds will not start until the initial 40 seconds has elapsed. Ball cleaning, the use of a rest / mechanical bridge, or any other regular interventions by the referee will be included in the 40 second period.

The Break
1. The balls will be racked higher up the table with the 9 ball resting on the spot and the rack will be lightly tapped in.
2. On completion of the break shot, three balls must pass the headstring. This does not include the cue ball. Pocketed balls count, therefore if a breaking player makes one ball on the break, only two would then be required to pass the headstring.
3. Balls are not required to come to rest past the headstring so a ball that strikes the rail and returns across the head string back down table would be a legal ball. A ball that passes the headstring and is subsequently pocketed counts as one ball.
4. A pocketed 9 ball only wins the rack if at least two other balls pass the headstring or are pocketed.
5. The penalty for an unsuccessful break as per the above guidelines is a loss of visit. The incoming player will have the option of i) playing the lowest numbered ball ii) pushing out or iii) putting the other player back in.
6. With a 40 second shot clock in operation, the incoming player following the conclusion of the break shot will have a maximum of 80 seconds to appraise the table before continuing.

The Format
Days One & Two (Wednesday, May 12 and Thursday, May 13): Round 1 - Double Elimination (64 Players)
The first round consists of 8 groups of eight players.
The eight players in each group will play a total of 10 matches between them. Two straight wins will qualify players into the last 32 while two straight defeats will eliminate competitors out of the tournament.
The final set of matches in the group will feature players with one win and one defeat competing to stay in the competition. All first round matches will be a race to nine racks with the winner breaking. Each group will be played over one day on two tables.

Day Three (Friday, May 14): Round 2 - Last 32 Players Single Elimination
The winning four players from each group enter into the last 32 single elimination knock-out. All matches are race to nine racks with the winner breaking.

Day Three (Friday, May 14): Round 3 - Last 16 Single Elimination
Play moves to the TV Arena where three of the eight last 16 matches are played. All matches are race to eight racks with the winner breaking.

Day Four (Saturday, May 15): Round 3 - Last 16 Single Elimination
Three last 16 matches in the afternoon followed by the final two last 16 matches in the evening session. All matches are race to eight racks.

Day Four (Saturday, May 15): Quarter Finals Single Elimination
This is then followed by the first Quarter-Final. All matches are race to eight racks.

Day Five (Sunday, May 16): Quarter Finals/Semi Finals/Final
The remaining three quarter final matches are played out in the afternoon session with the two semi-finals and the final following in the evening. All matches are race to eight with the winner breaking.

The Schedule
Wednesday, May 12 and Thursday, May 13
Round 1 -8 tables x 5 matches per table (80 matches).
Session starts at 12 noon. 1 set of race to 9, winner breaks, roll on roll off system

Friday, May 14
12 noon, Round 2 - last 32 (8 tables x 2 matches per table) (16 matches)
1 set of race to 9, winner breaks.
19.00 TV Arena - Three matches, last 16. 1 set of race to 8, winner breaks.

Saturday, May 15
14.00, 3 x Round 3 matches
19.00, 2 x Round 3 matches & 1 x Quarter Finals match.
1 set of race to 8, winner breaks.

Sunday, May 16
14.00 3 x Quarter Finals
19.00, 2 x Semi Finals and then the Final
1 set of race to 8, winner breaks.

Prize money
Champion: $20,000 ($20,000)
Runner-up: $10,000 ($10,000)
Semi-finalists: $5,000 ($10,000)
Quarter-Finalists: $4,000 ($16,000)
Last 16: $2,500 ($20,000)
Last 32: $1,500 ($24,000)
Total $100,000