Sudden Death Seven-ball (also known as ESPN Sudden Death Seven-ball for promotional purposes) was an annual pool tournament (and television show) held in the United States; it was broadcast on and sponsored by ESPN. SDSB was the most notable event featuring the game of seven-ball. It was usually held (in a variable location each year) at the same time as Trickshot Magic, another annual televised pool tournament.
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The event series was short-lived: After six events, 2000 – 2005, the tournament was never again staged. There's a possibility that it might have been replaced by the International Speed Pool Tournament, a new cue sport event that started taking place simultaneously with Trickshot Magic in 2006.
Format
Each year, eight invited notable players have competed in this single elimination event.
Every match has two sets, both of them are race-to-7. To win, a player has to win both. If there's an exchange, then the players will go into a single rack decider to determine a winner.
If a player fails to pocket a ball, the other player shall be awarded ball-in-hand. To prevent this from occurring, the player at the table must call a safety. Each player can only call a safety once per rack.
The seven-ball had to be called before being pocketed. Failing to call it or calling a pocket other than where it really went would result of the seven-ball being re-spotted and player at the table loses his turn. Also, winning by pocketing the seven-ball wasn't permitted.
Prize money distribution
The total purse of the tournament was US$40,000, distributed in the following ratio: