MAHOMET, Ill. (WCIA) — Central Illinois will soon meet Sin City — and it’s all thanks to the game of billiards.

An eight-ball pool team from Central Illinois will get a chance to compete on the world stage next month. The team, “Welcome to Southpaw,” plays at Southpaw Billiards in Mahomet every Wednesday.

They won a qualifier tournament in May against 24 other teams in the area, punching their ticket to the five-day world championship in Las Vegas in August.

“We already did the hard part, we got there,” said Kevin McDuffie, team captain. “So, we’ll do our best and have a great time.”

He also said the competition on the big stage is stiffer than a pool cue, with more than 700 teams from six different countries.

“It’s going to be a little bit nerve-wracking,” McDuffie said. “You walk into a room with about 350 pool tables and the best of the best all over the world, competing for $30,000.”

Cory Garcia owns Southpaw Billiards and is on the team.

“Our team mentality is show up and be the best we can be,” Garcia said.

It’s the team’s first trip to Vegas, and the real prize is just getting there.

“It’s exciting, it’s what every team dreams of,” Garcia said. “Going to Vegas.”

The five-day tournament starts Aug. 5 and ends Aug. 10. On July 30, the team will hold a raffle on the Southpaw Billiards Facebook page and the money raised will help cover some of the expenses.