US OPEN 9Ball. Questions and thoughts

Marc

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Hi all there,



I'm one of those semi-pro level players who hardly cash in Pro events, but doesn't complaint much. I like the game.



However, I want to bring this to the organizers attention, since it is a concern to me and it may very well be to other players planning on attending this great major tournament.





-Could players play in the tournament with Black Air Max or any other similar type of Nike sneakers? (as long as they are black?)

About Black New Balance sneakers, Puma,Brooks, and such?



(I saw many players at the recent US Opens promoted by CSI in Las Vegas this past july, playing with Nike Running sneakers,while most other players had hard black leather shoes on)



Criteria for the shoes should be specified well. It's not fair that some players are allowed to play with sneakers just because they are black, while others play with leather shoes.





-Why does this tournament keep on the "Break from the box" rule?



The WHOLE WORLD plays 9ball "Break anywhere behind the line"!



Any big 9Ball tournament in Asia is played "break from anywhere behind the head string". And there aren't more 9ball tournaments being played at the same time anywhere else in the world, than Asia!





Most prestigious tournaments like the China Open, Derby City 9Ball,World 9Ball Championship in Qatar , Japan Open (actually this and the All-Japan switched to 10Ball recently,but they used to be 9Ball and they used to "Break from anywhere"), allow breaking from the side rail.



WPA rules allow breaking from the side in all these big World Class events.



How can an event, like the US Open 9Ball, be a WPA event and then not follow the WPA Rules for 9ball?





The "Break from the box" allows for soft breaking and favors rack mechanics with the soft break.

With breaking from the side it's easier for players who do not want to spend time learning about how to rack, and what gaps to leave on,to be able to actually make the corner ball.



As much as there are a few things I don't like about rack templates, it is nowadays the ONLY way to give both players the same exact rack. Simply because it eliminates all gaps in between balls.

It also makes for faster racking and the pace of the tournament is faster too, matches do not take as long



I believe this is the reason, why the whole Europe and all of Asia use template racks, especially for 9ball,in all weekly,regional, and Pro events





Even when Breaking from the side and using template racks,it's not that easy to see huge packages in these big events, but when they happen they are fun to watch.





I dislike alternate break in 9Ball, so I do like continuing with the tradition of the "winner break" at the US Open.

Although if you are having a winner break 9ball tournament with the very best players in the world, the races should be longer than just 11.

Especially with a $1000 entry fee.

Race should be 15 at the very least.



Ok, yes I understand the logistics part and time constraints to have the Open.

But is this about money? It shouldn't be.



Most of the better players do not work, or they don't work full time.

So it's ok for them to commit for 10 days to play in the greatest 9Ball tournament in the US and part of the world. This is a once a year thing!



Pay more rent. Rent the space longer, it's more money for the hotel anyways.Do not shorten the field Open it up, make it attractive enough for qualifiers around the country and the world to be successful and bring in money to the purse, and give all of the true Professional players of this game a fair opportunity to win.



Race to 11 is too short. Lot of surprises can happen and they do happen.



A little more respect and fairness to the Professional players is due. They make very little money doing what they do.

Why not give them a tournament once a year, with long races, so that the best player most times will win the match.





"Ball in hand" should not be allowed neither, just like it isn't in many other pocket billiards games. The made for TV rule should vanish (there is no pool on TV anymore, at least in the US)



MOST IMPORTANT:



-Are the tables going to be too close to each other in this new location in Norfolk?



Can a player finish his run without having to wait for a player next to him to finish his?



I don't see something like this in any sport. It goes to show you how little we have evolved...

Imagine ping pong tournaments with tables to close to each other? Darts? Bowling?

Golf??? A player having to wait to shoot, because another player is on his way?



It totally messes the player's concentration, gets him off his rythm,etc. It's shameful!



Most of the biggest events (W9BC and China Open) have enough separation in between tables, thank God.

And the US Open should also be like it.





-Is there information already out of what type of rack,balls and cue balls they will be using for the Open?

Is it possible to be precise on the brand and model?



-Many other Pro tournaments around the world have many flaws,I think.



But I have never seen a tournament that allows so much unsportmanship conducts like the US Open, and I won't be precise on details here. I think most of the people who's played or watch it can agree on this.

Players being loud, not seating down while their opponents are playing, sharking the crap out of their opponents, drinking alcohol during matches (sometimes on the TV table),doing their weed and other substances freely in the bathrooms, coming out high and drunk out of their minds!!



It's funny and interesting at times for the spectators,I guess... not so much for others.

This is supposed to be a sport..





There are I'm sure many reasons why certain things are the way they are when we talk about the logistics and other technicalities of producing a big Pro event.

And I understand everyone works very hard and all.



But I still see, like I see in many daily world conflicts and problems, that the reason for all this is money.

Money seems to be the owner of everything these days...It's sad.



It would be nice to think about the Pro players a little more, and it would be nice to have their opinions count.



I like the US Open, but every year I go I come back feeling it could be so much better.



Anyway, looking for a good one this year! And looking for it to be run professionally!
 
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Could players play in the tournament with Black Air Max or any other similar type of Nike sneakers? (as long as they are black?)
About Black New Balance sneakers, Puma,Brooks, and such?

It really is a shame that this question even needs to be asked. As a "sport", we should never be wearing dress shoes.

I've talked with many professionals and most agree that wearing dress shoes is not only ridiculous, it's restricting. They play their best in comfortable shoes.

If this style is "classy" enough for professional golf, it's "classy" enough for professional pool.

nikes-revolutionary-new-tiger-woods-golf-shoe-will-transform-athletic-training-forever.jpg
 
It really is a shame that this question even needs to be asked. As a "sport", we should never be wearing dress shoes.

I've talked with many professionals and most agree that wearing dress shoes is not only ridiculous, it's restricting. They play their best in comfortable shoes.

If this style is "classy" enough for professional golf, it's "classy" enough for professional pool.

nikes-revolutionary-new-tiger-woods-golf-shoe-will-transform-athletic-training-forever.jpg

I agree with your point but guys will be out there with ratty looking sneakers they mow the yard in, etc. Then how do you say one can't but the other can. My thoughts anyway.
 
-Why does this tournament keep on the "Break from the box" rule?



The WHOLE WORLD plays 9ball "Break anywhere behind the line"!



Any big 9Ball tournament in Asia is played "break from anywhere behind the head string". And there aren't more 9ball tournaments being played at the same time anywhere else in the world, than Asia!





Most prestigious tournaments like the China Open, Derby City 9Ball,World 9Ball Championship in Qatar , Japan Open (actually this and the All-Japan switched to 10Ball recently,but they used to be 9Ball and they used to "Break from anywhere"), allow breaking from the side rail.



WPA rules allow breaking from the side in all these big World Class events.



How can an event, like the US Open 9Ball, be a WPA event and then not follow the WPA Rules for 9ball?





The "Break from the box" allows for soft breaking and favors rack mechanics with the soft break.

With breaking from the side it's easier for players who do not want to spend time learning about how to rack, and what gaps to leave on,to be able to actually make the corner ball.



As much as there are a few things I don't like about rack templates, it is nowadays the ONLY way to give both players the same exact rack. Simply because it eliminates all gaps in between balls.

It also makes for faster racking and the pace of the tournament is faster too, matches do not take as long



I believe this is the reason, why the whole Europe and all of Asia use template racks, especially for 9ball,in all weekly,regional, and Pro events





Even when Breaking from the side and using template racks,it's not that easy to see huge packages in these big events, but when they happen they are fun to watch.

They are using templates this year - the Accu Rack from Outsville, I believe.

I thought the Euros used the "break from the middle box" thing, and that it was in order to stop soft, predictable breaks. In any case, I believe it's standard on the Euro tour to require 3 balls to either fall or move to the other side of the table. In the US Open, ever since SVB has been winning them there have been complaints that he knows how to rack them and he cheats blah blah blah so they've fiddled with the break rules to try to make complainers happy - at least that's how it seems to me. And it's my understanding that changing those kinds of break rules (where to break from, balls have to move to the other side, etc.) are specified as acceptable by the WPA, but I couldn't find that on their website with a quick search, so I'm not sure about that.
 
Pool isn't a sport

It is a game. And the most unsporting game on the planet. Except for the last couple decades you had to play tournaments in a suit. Hustlers would go to Salvation Army's and buy suits and ties and shoes to be allowed entry. That was the best part of some tournaments. Watching the clowns parade on in..

It is called class. And you folks don't get it. And don't have any of it.
The big tournaments should institute a dress code.
It is called class.
Want real sponsors?

Nick :)
 
It is a game. And the most unsporting game on the planet. Except for the last couple decades you had to play tournaments in a suit. Hustlers would go to Salvation Army's and buy suits and ties and shoes to be allowed entry. That was the best part of some tournaments. Watching the clowns parade on in..

It is called class. And you folks don't get it. And don't have any of it.
The big tournaments should institute a dress code.
It is called class.
Want real sponsors?

Nick :)

iwS6rpw.png


You're a fool if you think wearing suits is going to attract sponsors or young people to play this game.
 
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I agree with your point but guys will be out there with ratty looking sneakers they mow the yard in, etc. Then how do you say one can't but the other can. My thoughts anyway.

That argument always seems to come up and I get it... and for the same reason professional players don't show up with holes in their shirts/pants, they won't show up with dirty ass shoes.

If your job is a pool players, you need to take yourself serious. Attack sponsors and fans etc. Most pros have started wearing golf shirts and pants, Nike/Adidas/UnderArmer. They're comfortable, stylish, breathable and stretch with you body when you're down on a shot or reaching/shooting over balls. Perfect for pool for the same reasons they're perfect for golf. The next step is shoes that are style, comfortable for playing long days, don't slip when stretched and shooting on one foot and flex the way your foot does while playing pool.

The problem is that the clothing has never really been thought about in any other way other than the "classy" way... real F'n Donald Trump of you pool... When you break down why every sport wears what they wear and apply it to pool, you'll realize we've been dressing like ball room dancers and looking totally out of place.
 
That argument always seems to come up and I get it... and for the same reason professional players don't show up with holes in their shirts/pants, they won't show up with dirty ass shoes.

If your job is a pool players, you need to take yourself serious. Attack sponsors and fans etc. Most pros have started wearing golf shirts and pants, Nike/Adidas/UnderArmer. They're comfortable, stylish, breathable and stretch with you body when you're down on a shot or reaching/shooting over balls. Perfect for pool for the same reasons they're perfect for golf. The next step is shoes that are style, comfortable for playing long days, don't slip when stretched and shooting on one foot and flex the way your foot does while playing pool.

The problem is that the clothing has never really been thought about in any other way other than the "classy" way... real F'n Donald Trump of you pool... When you break down why every sport wears what they wear and apply it to pool, you'll realize we've been dressing like ball room dancers and looking totally out of place.


Excellent point & I do agree. I would love for Nike or any big shoe company to market a "pool" shoe or glove with the Nike swoosh.
 
They are using templates this year - the Accu Rack from Outsville, I believe.

I thought the Euros used the "break from the middle box" thing, and that it was in order to stop soft, predictable breaks. In any case, I believe it's standard on the Euro tour to require 3 balls to either fall or move to the other side of the table. In the US Open, ever since SVB has been winning them there have been complaints that he knows how to rack them and he cheats blah blah blah so they've fiddled with the break rules to try to make complainers happy - at least that's how it seems to me. And it's my understanding that changing those kinds of break rules (where to break from, balls have to move to the other side, etc.) are specified as acceptable by the WPA, but I couldn't find that on their website with a quick search, so I'm not sure about that.

As someone who has to play under the European "break from the box, three balls over the line" rule, I can attest to its lameness. Whenever it looks like they can't screw pool up even more, they somehow come up with a new way...sigh. You are subject to all sorts of unlucky rolls with this rule. What can be lamer than making 2 balls on the break with perfect position, and then having to sit down because the balls collided funny and the 3d ball never made it across the line?:angry:

When it comes to dress codes, I think Ralph Souquet is the gold standard. Dark slacks with a nice polo shirt, tucked in with a belt. Is that so much to ask?

Pool isn't getting a lot of sponsors, with or without a dress code, but it just looks so damned stupid when people dress like bums. Jeans with holes in them, baggy trousers, worn out t-shirts, dirty baseball caps etc, etc..At least respect the game enough to have clothes that wouldn't get you thrown out of a 7 eleven. I have a suspicion that some people would dress like a hybrid of a mad parrot and a colorblind pimp, given the chance...What the heck, go for it. Might get some attention, but the hobo-look has to go IMO.
 

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When it comes to dress code and just the backwards thinking it seems most people in this game have, it reminds me of car commercials. Golf is a national Ford commercial and pool is a local car ad with bad graphics, sd footage that's stretched to an awkward ratio and someone is wearing a superman costume. And you all are all like "I really like that superman costume".

lol we're doomed.
 
It is called class. And you folks don't get it. And don't have any of it.
The big tournaments should institute a dress code.
It is called class.
Want real sponsors?

Nick :)

Sorry but that is old school thinking . It is old mindset like this and that old school nonsense about needing to gamble to be great player that keeps the game back in the dark ages
No wonder it is not attracting the young generation
:grin-square:

Dota-2-EG-Sumail.jpg



3217_Mark-Zuckerberg.jpg
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bumddH-zTOk

18inch break box....

9 on the Spot

Accu-Rack Diamond 9-Template....

I was seriously hoping Cleary would have bought some grown up clothes after losing the pounds LOL But I do understand the whole sports thing....

Shane and Thorsten have complained and those 2 I have to take a listen to...

If everyone showed up dressed like Ralf I would bet the dress code discussion could go away.....
 
It is a game. And the most unsporting game on the planet. Except for the last couple decades you had to play tournaments in a suit. Hustlers would go to Salvation Army's and buy suits and ties and shoes to be allowed entry. That was the best part of some tournaments. Watching the clowns parade on in..

It is called class. And you folks don't get it. And don't have any of it.
The big tournaments should institute a dress code.
It is called class.
Want real sponsors?

Nick :)
Put the pros in suits and hope for a Geritol sponsorship, or put the pros in Nike and hope for a Nike sponsorship?

Tough decision.
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bumddH-zTOk



18inch break box....



9 on the Spot



Accu-Rack Diamond 9-Template....



I was seriously hoping Cleary would have bought some grown up clothes after losing the pounds LOL But I do understand the whole sports thing....



Shane and Thorsten have complained and those 2 I have to take a listen to...



If everyone showed up dressed like Ralf I would bet the dress code discussion could go away.....


While I wish you success with your products things you post here are part of the problem in my opinion.

I don't like objects on the table when I play, IE a template. While many have warmed to it I haven't and won't. There shouldn't be anything on the table but the balls when play starts. A quality rack like a Delta 13 with a neutral racker would be more appropriate.

As far as the other rules IE breadbox of any sort and racking the balls with anything on the spot except the one ball is just so much crap. These things started cropping up when the Europeans entered the game and couldn't keep up with players with monstrous breaks and IMO are just wrong. The wing ball has always gone as long as I've been playing, the break IS a part of the game like any other skill. It is only in the last 15 years since the euro whiners arrived on the scene that the crying became so intense that these "format" rules have come about. Practice your break for f*ckssake.

In regards to dress, I agree with golf style clothing of a pair of slacks and polo style shirt but forcing players to wear dress shoes is just frivolous, it's inappropriate for the game and should be reevaluated.
 
While I wish you success with your products things you post here are part of the problem in my opinion.

I don't like objects on the table when I play, IE a template. While many have warmed to it I haven't and won't. There shouldn't be anything on the table but the balls when play starts. A quality rack like a Delta 13 with a neutral racker would be more appropriate.

As far as the other rules IE breadbox of any sort and racking the balls with anything on the spot except the one ball is just so much crap. These things started cropping up when the Europeans entered the game and couldn't keep up with players with monstrous breaks and IMO are just wrong. The wing ball has always gone as long as I've been playing, the break IS a part of the game like any other skill. It is only in the last 15 years since the euro whiners arrived on the scene that the crying became so intense that these "format" rules have come about. Practice your break for f*ckssake.

In regards to dress, I agree with golf style clothing of a pair of slacks and polo style shirt but forcing players to wear dress shoes is just frivolous, it's inappropriate for the game and should be reevaluated.

I would rather have a known good rack than mess with it for 5 minutes to try to get a good rack and not have a thin cloth on the table. The issues that a loose rack causes are way worse than what a ball rolling off 3 mm would cause if a slow rolling ball hits the edge of the rack. Just think of it as where that ball would have randomly gone anyway if it hits the rack.
 
Shane and Thorsten have complained and those 2 I have to take a listen to

So it's garbage when I say it but they say the same thing and it makes sense because they can draw their ball. Makes sense..


If everyone showed up dressed like Ralf I would bet the dress code discussion could go away.....

Does Ralf wear appreciate shoes for participating in a sport? I've only seen him in dress shoes.
 
I'm on a shoot today in Newark, NJ at the Prudential Center. They're setting up for a a skateboard tour. Crazy how they get major sponsors dressing like "bums". lol y'all are living in the past.

L6YdnyM.jpg
 
I'm not aware of Thorsten Hohmann complaining about dress code, in any case concerning this matter we should remember:

- There are many reasons why big companies outside Pool are not involved, if the official dress code was a problem I don't think they would stop because of it.
- Snooker does more than fine with official dress code, so does Carom, both with fewer players around the world.
- Pool is already "Sporty" enough these days, and even when we talk about shoes there are official dress code shoes being comfortable enough to play with. The Golf shoes support a specific function, besides that Pool is not a sport in the sense of Basketball, Football etc.

So there is no simple answer, and there are numerous tournaments where players participate in casual clothing, so why is Pool not reaching full potential?

I would say the other cue sports show the way, and sometimes "new" is not the "progressive" or at least the best approach...

Petros
 
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