Pool pundits battle about whether the European Open or the World 10-Ball Championship had the stronger field—or which event truly ran deepest in 2025. Or which tournaments should be considered majors.

These debates almost always come down to some version of the same tradeoff:
star power vs. depth — comparing the top few entrants to the overall quality and density of the field.

Panozzo might argue the star-power side this time, pointing out that Filler, Gorst, SVB, and FSR were all in the field of some tournament. Or he might count how many of the World Nineball Tour top 10 were there. Or how many players were rated over 830.

The other Mike might counter that while Panozzo’s event had a few more marquee names, this other field, with more players traveling from Asia, ran deeper and included more of the top 100 or more players over 800 or 780.

Both sides have a point. It’s a good instinct to care about both star power and depth. How hard it is to win — or just to go deep — really does depend on both. It is more likely for a top contender to get snake-bit early when the field runs deep.

Until now, though, we haven’t had a unified way to balance that tension in a single number.

Introducing: Harmonic Field Strength (HFS)

You’ve probably come across some version of the 80/20 rule, also known as the Pareto Principle -- 20% of the people do 80% of the work. Or 20% of the seals do 80% of the barking.

That idea reflects a deeper pattern called a power law, where impact isn’t spread evenly but instead tapers off from the biggest contributors to the many smaller ones.

The same pattern appears in tournament field strength.

• We care a lot about the presence or absence of the top five or ten players.
• We care somewhat about the next 30 or 40.
• And we care very little about whether the bottom half of a 256-player field is rated 680 or 610 — or even whether they’re there at all.

To account for that uneven importance we borrow a concept from economics and physics: A harmonic-style average that naturally emphasizes the top-ranked players while still incorporating the strength of the rest in a balanced way.

What is HFS?

Harmonic Field Strength (HFS) is a single-number summary, a rating-style average that weights each player’s contribution by the reciprocal of their rank, where rank here comes from a top-to-bottom ordering of the players in the field by Fargo Rating.

• The 2nd-highest rating counts half as much as the top rating.
• The 3rd counts one-third
• The tenth counts one-tenth.
• And so on — through the top 64 players.

This produces a number that:

• Looks like a player rating
• Reflects both star power and depth
• Allows clean comparison between tournaments

An Illustration: Bali vs Hanoi

Two overlapping events happened in 2025:

• World 8-Ball Championship in Bali (Filler, SVB, …)
• Hanoi Open (Gorst, FSR, …)

Which field was tougher?

By average rating of the top 16, Bali is a smidge ahead, by less than a point. But when we reach further to consider the top 32 or top 64, the tide changes and Hanoi looks stronger. The average rating of the top 64 players is 801.3 for Hanoi and 792.2 for Bali. HFS conbines the influence of the top 64 players and reveals Hanoi as the stronger field overall.

Event HFS Score
Hanoi Open 825.2
World 8-Ball 824.6

What About Other Events?

Here’s a taste of what HFS reveals:

• Eurotour events, Derby City 9-Ball and Super Billiards Expo come out comparably tough.
• The Battle of the Bull (Roanoke VA) ranks right alongside Bali and Hanoi, surprising perhaps, until you note its proximity to the US Open

Which tournament had the toughest field in 2025?

What about these big ones?

• China Open
• Las Vegas Open
• US Open 9-Ball
• World 10-Ball
• UK Open
• Florida Open
• World Pool Championship
• Peri Open
• International Open

Which one do you think had the strongest field?
What are the top three picks?

We’ll compile the full numbers and share the results soon.

Congratulations to stop # 5 winners: Ron Casanzio ($1,100 & Northeast 9-Ball Open XXXVII Champion), Frank Wolak ($340 second chance) & $1,800 Joss Cue Raffle winner Frederick Nichols.

Stop # 6 of my Joss Northeast 9-Ball Tour's 29th season will be a $1500/$500 added event at Brick House Billiards in North Syracuse, NY on October 18 & 19. This is once again the first of two events there this season. Brick House is one of the most beautiful rooms in the state and comes complete with some of the Diamond Pro tables used at one of our Turning Stone events, plus eight, 7 foot Diamond tables for the bar league crowd. There is also a full bar and kitchen boasting a full pub menu with a few homemade specials thrown in to satisfy all of our needs. So let’s give Brick House a warm Joss Tour welcome by coming out to play in or just watch another great 9-ball tournament. While you are there, be sure to take a chance at winning a gorgeous, custom engraved, Joss Cue, valued at $1,800 in their raffle. Anyone can participate in the raffle and you do not have to be present to win! The winner will be drawn immediately prior to the final match of the main event. The raffle cue may be viewed here: https://josscues.com/product/joss-northeast-9-ball-tour-25-26/

For more info about Brick House, look them up on Facebook or call them at 315-455-1979.

For those of you needing motel info, please call Brick House directly at 315-455-1979.

This event at Brick House Billiards will consist of a $1500 added Saturday and Sunday Main Event (entry Fee $120 for pro level or $70 for non pro level plus any applicable tour fees) and a $500 added second chance event on Sunday ($20 Entry Fee) for those non pro level players eliminated from the main event on Saturday. All of our events are open to players of all skill levels. Please remember that all of our billiard parlor events are races 9 on the winners side and races to 7 on the one loss side. FYI, I reserve the right to modify the format in the event of very large fields or at the direction of the host room.

Those coming to play must arrive on Saturday Oct.18, Before 11:00 AM in proper dress of No t-shirts, tanks, sweats or shorts!! Clean Jeans and sneakers and a shirt with a collar work just fine for our billiard parlor events. Complete tour info can be found on our site: http://www.joss9balltour.com

Our $25,000 Added Turning Stone Classic XLI 9-Ball Open on January 8-11, 2026 is fast approaching and will be here before you know it. The event is currently full with a waiting list. I Call now if you would like to be placed on the waiting list. 518-356-7163. THIS IS, AS ALWAYS, A FREE SPECTATOR EVENT!!

Also, I am currently in need, and accepting any donations of cash or billiard products for our next Joss Junior 9-Ball Championships at Brick House billiards on March 14, 2026. All cash donations will be turned into billiard items and given free to all participants. Contact Mike Zuglan or see me at any of our stops if you would like to donate to our future players! 518-356-7163 no text.

Please remember to spread the word to frequent your local billiard parlors and utilize and promote the world class products of our most generous sponsors. They are the backbone of our sport and deserve and need our support now more than ever!!

Thanks and I hope to see you all at Brick House Billiards.

Mike Zuglan

The Joss Northeast 9-Ball Tour Is Proudly Sponsored By;
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