Organizers of the inaugural Philippine Open Ten Ball Championship in May said the tournament will feature a double-elimination format up to the semifinals, giving contenders more chances to do well in the competition.

Raya Executive Director JP Fenix said in a report posted on AZBilliards.com that the format was adopted after consultations with players and billiards officials.

“Double elimination means that a player has to lose twice in order to be booted out of the competition, unlike the knockout system when one loss means you’re out,” he said. “This is only fair to all players, especially those who have to travel far to come to the Philippines.”

The Final Four players are determined with two players coming from the winners’ bracket, and two from the losers’ bracket. Once they are determined, the tournament becomes a knockout affair.

Semifinal matches will be a crossover of players from the winners’ and losers’ bracket. The winners of these matches then clash for the championship.

Among foreign competitors who expressed interest to join the tournament are World Ten Ball champion Darren Appleton of England, European women’s champion Jasmine Ouschan, World 8-ball king Ralf Souquet of Germany, and top World 9-ball player Daryl Peach.

The Philippine Open Ten Ball Championship will be held at the SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City on May 26-31.

A total prize fund of $84,000 will be at stake, with $20,000 and a trophy going to the top winner.