The World Trick Shot Championship is the world's championship of trick shot billiards. The competition first took place on snooker boards in 1991. Matchroom Sport was responsible for organizing the event. Matchroom Sport organised the event. Players were evaluated on technical merit and presentation. The competition was held at Celtic Manor in 2005.
During the 1970s, several international professional billiards players started performing trick shots. These players were rewarded with prizes, including the World Championship of Artistic Pool, the International Challenge Cup, and the Swedish Championship. Today trick shot is a sanctioned form of pool by the World Pool-Billiard Society. Apart from participating in tournaments, trick shooters also teach the sport.
Mike Massey is a well-known trick shooter. He has been doing tricks since the 1970s. He has played with many sports stars, including Jason Gedrick (and Paul Sorvino). Massey was also an instructor and fundraiser for the sport. Massey's performance at the Waste Management Pheonix Open in New York and the Volvo PGA Wentworth in New Jersey have made him a prominent figure.
Mike Massey has been teaching many professionals in the sport, including Scott Baiin, Dean Cain, and James Tolkan. He has won several professional international competitions, and has been a member of Team U.S.A., which won the trick shot world championship in 2002. This team has also performed at the HSBC Championships in Abu Dhabi and at the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters.
Jim Sommer is another talented trick shot artist. He has participated at many international Trick-shot turning competitions and has also traveled all over the United States to compete for the US Nationals. He was the winner of the US Nationals Artistic Pool Championship.
The World Trick Shot Artists Association or WTSAA is an international association of trick-shot artists. Paul Gerni, world champion trick shot artist, is the founder of the association. The WTSAA Book contains 160 tricks. These tricks include machine gun shots, quick-fire shots, and the "kick". Other trick shots include "pro" shot (extremely cut shot), and "proper" shot.
Tim "The Dragon", Chin (2022 US Nationals Artistic Pool Champion), won the prestigious title defeating Jason Lynch (The Michigan Kid) in the finals. Both Lynch as well as Chin are WPA World Ranked. Lynch is still in school at Ohio State, but Chin is a more experienced professional.
On October 9-10, Trick Shot Magic will host its next event. The event will include eight international stars. The prize pool is $40,000. Each player will have six to ten choices. Each player will be allowed three chances to complete the shot after choosing their favorite. Each player who makes a successful shot earns a point.
Geoff McIlroy was the best trick shot artist of all time for many years. Noel Hunt inspired him and he began to practice trick shots. He has been on ladders, met people he didn't expect to meet and has fallen off them all but he has not stopped trying.