The World Trick Shot Championships is a worldwide championship of trick shot pool. The competition first took place on snooker boards in 1991. Matchroom Sport organised the event. Players were judged based on technical merit and presentation style. The 2005 competition took place at Celtic Manor.
Many professional billiards players from around the world began performing tricks shots in the 1970s. These players were awarded prizes including the World Championship of Artistic Pool (ICCP), the International Challenge Cup and the Swedish Championship. Today, trick shot is a form of pool that is a sanctioned sport by the World Pool-Billiard Association. Other than participating in tournaments as trick shot artists, they also teach other people the sport.
Mike Massey is a well-known trick shooter. He has been doing tricks since the 1970s. He has been a part of many games with celebrities such as Jason Gedrick, Paul Sorvino and others. Massey is also an instructor and fund-raiser for the sport. Massey's performances at the Waste Management Pheonix Open, and at the Volvo PGA at Wentworth have earned him a lot of attention.
Mike Massey has taught many professionals in the sport including Scott Baiin, Dean Cain and James Tolkan. He has competed in several international professional competitions. In 2002, he was part of Team U.S.A. which won the trick shot championship world title. This team has also performed at the HSBC Championships in Abu Dhabi and at the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters.
Jim Sommer is another great trick shot artist. He has participated in numerous international Trick-shot turning events, and has traveled to the USA to compete at the US Nationals. He won the US Nationals Artistic Pool Championship.
The World Trick Shot Artists Association of (WTSAA), a group that includes trick shot artists from all parts of the globe, is called the World Trick Shot Artists Association. Paul Gerni, world champion trick shot artist, is the founder of the association. The WTSAA book contains 160 tricks. Some of these tricks include the machine gun shot, the "kick" shot, and the quick-fire shot. Other tricks shots include the "pro", "extreme", and "prop" shots.
Tim "The Dragon" Chin, the 2022 US Nationals Artistic Pool Champion, won the prestigious title by defeating Jason "The Michigan Kid" Lynch in the finals. Both Lynch and Chin have been ranked WPA World. Lynch is still in school at Ohio State, but Chin is a more experienced professional.
The Trick Shot Magic competition will take place October 9-10. This competition will feature eight international stars of the sport. They will compete for a prize of $40,000. Each player will have the option to pick from six to ten preset shots. Each player will be allowed three chances to complete the shot after choosing their favorite. Those who make a successful shot will earn a point.
For many years, the best trick shot artist in the world was Geoff McIlroy. Noel Hunt inspired him to learn trick shots. Although he has fallen off ladders and met people he never expected to meet, he has never stopped trying.