The GB 9-ball Tour starts season three this coming weekend (12th-14th March) with many significant changes from the tour in the past two years.

The first important point is that the tour is now being played exclusively in Barcelo Hotels. This has meant massive infrastructure changes to the tour as the tournaments now need lighting and tables to be brought to the venue and installed ready for play.

Due to the cumbersome nature of 9ft American Pool tables the tour spoke with SAM Leisure. The Spanish based table manufacturer with a distributor in the UK have come up with a uniquely designed table. The new tournament table features a one piece slate, traditionally 9ft tables have three slate sections. The main reason for this development is the extra speed that a one piece slate bed enables during set-up and takedown. In addition the table features professionally cut pockets that fit flush to the cushions of the table. The tables are also fitted with Artemis Steel Response Cushions, this will enable a much more consistent table than previously used on the tour.

The other big change is that the tour has been extended to 144 players to accomodate the demand, this has led to a scheduling change which will see the final of the Pro Cup division being played at around 4:30pm on the Saturday afternoon.

The tour has also signed on a new cloth partner in Simonis and Cuesport TV will continue to provide coverage for the tour in 2010.

The coverage provided by Cuesport TV this year will include live streaming as well as the continued video-on-demand of recent years.

The first live stream kicks off on Saturday 13th March at 12pm UK time.

It is one of the most highly anticipated tours for some years and the UK is not lacking a richness in pool playing talent, Daryl Peach, Imran Majid, Darren Appleton, Karl Boyes and Mark Gray all feature on the tour as do other notable players. The strength in depth is excellent in th UK and having a professionally run tour at professional venues will only serve to strengthen this further.

The two dates confirmed so far are:

> Buxton 12th-14th March

> Blackpool 23rd-25th April