Arizona Hot Shots has long watched the dart community in Arizona be treated to ‘The Masters’ division in their league system.  For those that don’t know what the Dart Masters are let me explain.  This ‘draft style’ league takes the best 8 dart players in stats and designates them as captains.  The league holds a draft party in where the captains choose teammates from a list of interested players in a draft style format to form their teams.  Eight captains, three draft rounds, eight outstanding teams.  Team captains can choose their ‘picks’ each round from the player list considering many factors.  Some captains use the players previous statistics, choose them by their known ability or just people they like or are friends with.  But when 1st place takes home $2000 and only the top four teams cash, captains need to choose wisely.  After the 10 week season is over and players are recognized as the best of the best and paid accordingly ($2000), the top eight players in stats are designated as captains for the upcoming session.  If one captain chooses to sit out, they go on down to the next player in stats to offer him/her the captainship.

Now, Dart Master (Mike Bates) was told it wouldn’t work in the beginning.  People will lose interest and it will not last.  Well, the first season had over 70 players sign up with only 32 spots available.  After the first season ended, the interest grew even larger and the list of players not chosen so long that Dart Master formed the ‘B’ Masters division to accommodate 8 more teams.  This gave many interested players a chance to play and battle for big prize money & recognition of being a master player.  Many players have found their way to the A’s by being noticed in the B’s.  B division started with the top eight players listed in stats that were not chosen for the A’s becoming captains in the ‘B’ Masters Division.  Thus the B’s started its long run.  Continue on years later and with the growth of the top lady shooters Phoenix has seen the Lady Masters division formed.   This format/league is now regarded as the best run league & format in the nation and giving Arizona the status of having the BEST dart players in the country.

What has enamored me with the Masters format was I witnessed dart players work so hard to improve in their stats, abilities and tournament performance just to improve their chances of making the A’s.  Whereas, I have seen over the years many tournament pool players dumb down their games, for lack of a better term, to stay rated lower than their ability just to win a few tournaments or have a gambling edge when discussing ratings.  I love the concept of these players over the years doing everything to improve and get noticed to be picked to be on a Masters team.  Years ago the kids of tomorrow that were working hard to play in the Masters are some of Arizona’s best Dart Players (Masters) today.  Mike Scarborough and Justin Babel are two examples of that drive and success.  I want to see this format used in pool to bring out the best players to compete against the best.  To have captains draft players who they may not have ever played with before.  To provide many upcoming players the chance to team up with great players to further their game.  And the chance to become Masters Champions.

Format – Monday Night Masters Draft 8-Ball

10 Weeks – 16 race to two matches nightly played In-House @ Bullshooters on 7’ Tables

$100 Per Player paid at the draft.  100% plus payback to the players

1st Place – $2000
2nd Place – $1000
3rd Place – $500
4th Place – $200

The Awards Banquet/Payout Party will feature a $500 added blind draw scotch tournament with a $15.00 entry fee.  That is potentially a $1000 payout without any subs even participating.

1st session the league director will determine by Known Ability (KA) the top 8 players and designate them as captains.  Subsequent seasons the captains will be determined by current stats or (KA) for new incoming players.  Draft Night will be held at Bullshooters Sports Bar on June 4th with play beginning on June 11th.  Interested players can go to the league website and have their name added to the draft list.  Everybody is eligible to sign up.

www.azhotshotsonline.com
larry@azhotshotsonline.com
602-677-4220

This division will be a win / loss format using BCAPL league ball in hand rules.  The National rules will be followed regarding the break.  You cannot win or lose on the break.