The PartyPoker.net World Pool Masters is one of the most prestigious events in the pool calendar with 16 of the world's top players from around the world competing for the $20,000 top prize.

Date & Venue
The 2011 PartyPoker.net World Pool Masters will take place from Saturday, September 3 to Monday, September 5 at the SM City North EDSA Mall in Metro Manila, Philippines.

Format
The 2011 PartyPoker.net World Pool Masters sees the field return to 16 players in a single-elimination format. All matches are winner-breaks, race to eight.

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 schedule and players will be announced shortly

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)
Total $68,000