As many of you will have noticed, pool tables are coming back in to pubs and clubs by the dozen as the sport gets a new lease of life largely thanks to the IPA (www.ipapool.com) , and their high quality live-streaming that was closely followed by a deal with Freesports for free-to-air television coverage of the top professional players on a weekly basis (plus repeats), but just when it looked as if the sport had reached a peak, they have somehow taken it another step forward.

Years of “door-knocking” have now seen the BBC sit up and take notice and this weekend’s European Open from the Hilton Doubletree in Coventry will see both Saturday and Sunday shown on their website Streaming Link offering our sport to a whole new audience Worldwide which is where it belongs, with 8 ball pool a hugely popular sport in Africa, France, Malta, Australia and so on.

As expected this year’s European Open, won last season by Rob Donkin, sees a full line up of the maximum players allowed plus reserves hoping for a no show (I should know -I’m one of them!), and will be as fast, furious, colourful, and loud as usual, while Clint I’Anson will look to retain his European Professional crown.

With the BBC covering the weekend the betting should be interesting and hopefully profitable, and IPA Betting Partners Blacktype have kindly extended their IPA Pool Special, which sees a “Bet £20 get £20 bet free” promotion that looks well worth making the most of (Blacktype link), and seems a decent offer to me.

Back to the pool and with free entry to spectators feel free to pop in if you are in the area (head to the top table and you will be warmly welcomed), or catch it as mentioned on the BBC via the link above – I’ll be there reporting live and if you like (or love) your pool then please turn in and follow us on social media - the more fans the powers that be are aware of, the more chance of expanded coverage in the future.

Sean Trivass

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More information on BBC Sport

Player starring include :-

Ben Davis

Neil Raybone

Arfan Dad

Clint L'Anson

Emma Cunningham