SNOOKER king Mark Williams pits his wits against the cream of the world's nine-ball pool players in Cardiff tomorrow and admits: "I don't even know the rules!".

The Cwm-based former world champion has been given a wildcard invite to the week-long tournament along with other snooker players which include Steve Davis, Tony Drago, and Paul Hunter.

They are up against nine-ball legends and ex-world kings like Earl 'The Pearl' Strickland, of the USA, Efryn Reyes, the biggest name in the sport, plus defending champion, Finland's Mika Immonen.

Williams had a go at the sport last year but did not come up against any of the big guns.

He won one match of his six group ties but admits: "I got slaughtered in the other five."

This time, he has practiced at his regular club in Bargoed, and, although he doesn't think he can win the event, says he would like to get into the knockout stages for the first time.

Williams added: "The only time I played last year was when I turned up at the venue (Cardiff International Arena) and had a practice.

"I don't even know the rules really but I enjoy watching the game and I don't think there are any snooker players who could compete with the nine-ball players."

In saying that, though, former six-times world snooker champion Steve Davis has proved himself so adept at the blue-baize sport that he reached the semi-finals last year and also won an incredible match against Reyes.

Out of all the snooker players, Davis is considered to have the best chance of clinching the crown but he has put in the practice to do it. Williams added: "Steve is playing it all the time. If a good snooker player takes up this sport, they will do well."

As much as Williams is serious about his cue sports, this is enjoyment for him.

He said: "It's just a bit of fun. Last year, I had to borrow someone's cue but this time I'm going to use my mate's snooker cue."

But he would like to have a crack at the top names like Strickland or Reyes just to test himself.

He added: "It would be nice to play them because you like to play world champions in another sport."

The tournament, which involves players from nearly 50 countries and is being shown live on television around the world, starts at the CIA at 11am tomorrow.