US Open 10-Ball & US Open 8-Ball

[GideonF]

It says a lot about the state of pool in USA when the top Euro players are opting to play in a British event rather than one in Vegas :thumbup:

I'm not sure what it says. The UK Open is a Mosconi Cup Euro points event, has free entry for members of their tour and a guaranteed 2,500 pound first prize. Unless you add a ton of added money (like the US Open 9b), it is hard to imagine why any sane Euro pro would fly all the way over hear to compete in the US Open 10 and 8 ball.

http://www.gb9balltour.com/news/the-2016-uk-open

This is not a knock against CSI, who are putting time and money into promoting these events.

 

[Straightpool_99]

Wait what??? 7ft table? I'm glad I read all comments before purchasing, I almost hit the buy button, glad I didn't. there's noway I'm going to watch 7ft table.

Actually people wondering why US players playing worst than EU's and keep losing, and I know you might not believe me because you have different mindset and ideas, but this is exactly why, bar tables are killing the US players, not only that, it's killing the game as awhole, I don't know who invented it, but it is literally killing the players skill, and the game.

Fields are smaller and smaller because pool brings no money, its simple, you got 1% chance of winning, everybody can run out, you go to a new state, live in a hotel, and you don't know if you can win or even if a C player will knock you out in 2nd round, it's the truth, in pool anybody can win, which is exactly why you will see a new name winning a tournament, and it keep happening, there's no domination in the game, like the old days where you will see the same 5 players names in the last 8 of a tournament every time!!!, now it's different, I wonder why that is, but it is true, and don't tell me that now everybody is skillful, it's not true.

This is all true! Not popular around this forum, but true none the less.

I don't even understand how this could even happen? I thought for sure some poolroom would want to have their own US Open on proper tables (9 foot)? Oh, right the name..How about The North American Open? It wouldn't have the money or the field, but at least it would be a proper POOL tournament, not whatever this is! This is like having the olympic 100 meter sprint on a 25 m track!

I have no idea who would pay money to watch someone play on 7 foot tables, and I'm not sure I want to know! You literally could not pay me to watch this! I did in fact try, at one point to sit through a match, but it is simply impossible! An hour of professionals bunting balls around on kiddie tables, I can't belive ANYONE could take this seriously! Even looking at a still frame, the table looks completely ridiculous!

I can't believe there are no pool purists left in North America!? These people claim to be "saving" the sport, but what they have in fact done is completely changed it, and IMO turned it into crap! What's next, 5 foot tables? 5 drink minimum? Maybe pool is better off as a true amateur sport, rather than becoming something completely different and inferior. Thank God allmighty that snooker is being run by Brits. They may have their quirks, but at least this kind of thing would NEVER EVER fly there!

 

[s0lidz]

Personally I like the Diamond 7' tournaments...especially 8-ball. I'm amazed at some of the situations the pros run out from. Breaking up multiple clusters and navigating through traffic. It a nice change of pace. Apparently my opinion is not a popular one.

 

[StuartTKelley]

I'm not a fan of alternate breaks..... far too often, the winner of the match ends up being the one who won the lag to start the match.

The break and run outs would be more fun if they had winner break....then see if a guy could put together an 11 game package and keep the other guy in the seat the whole match.....that I'd like to see.

I agree about the alternate break. If you don't win the lag you have to hope for some kind of turn over by your opponent and you can't afford to make any mistakes.

 

[Mark Griffin]

Us open events

All your comments are welcome- but so many of the statements and assumptions assumptions are wrong.

Every year this is discussed. It is totally impractical to hold 9' events. The table transportation and light hanging costs far exceed $1,000 per table. The PPV for 9' tables is less than 7' tables.

The majority of our league members play on 7' tables - and they relate better to $' play.

If we don't get support from the players, the events might go away. That would be a shame because we want to provide events for the very best players. Last week there was a $10,000 added event, $125 entry in a great room. Only 43 players.

It seems to me the better players (pros) are just not going to events. And we are adding $15,000 for each event. That is out of our pocket!!!!!

Just quit blaming the lack of 9' events on CSI. We do more than anyone else- and we still have to react to the market. Pool stil needs some sponsors!

Mark Griffin

 

[westcoast]

Personally I like the Diamond 7' tournaments...especially 8-ball. I'm amazed at some of the situations the pros run out from. Breaking up multiple clusters and navigating through traffic. It a nice change of pace. Apparently my opinion is not a popular one.

I agree that it is more interesting to see pros play 8 ball on 7 footers. It is amazing the type of break outs they are able to accomplish

 

[Johnnyt]

Why do these world tournaments HAVE to be played in a casino and tables brought in for union workers to install lights and stuff? A large poolroom or sports bar already has tables installed and ready to go. Also no need to stretch these tournaments out over 4-6 days for more PPV and a bigger gate. That's one reason the same old farts go to them. Working people can't take that kind of time off work. There are plenty of nice poolroom venues around...use them. Johnnyt

 

[robsnotes4u]

Why do these world tournaments HAVE to be played in a casino and tables brought in for union workers to install lights and stuff? A large poolroom or sports bar already has tables installed and ready to go. Also no need to stretch these tournaments out over 4-6 days for more PPV and a bigger gate. That's one reason the same old farts go to them. Working people can't take that kind of time off work. There are plenty of nice poolroom venues around...use them. Johnnyt

Can you name a pool room that could handle the tournament, has the hotel rooms close, and is easy to fly into?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Wheels33]

I agree that it is more interesting to see pros play 8 ball on 7 footers. It is amazing the type of break outs they are able to accomplish

I agree.....I think 8 ball should be played on a 7 footer, it makes it a tougher game.


But I've had pro players tell me that 9 or 10 ball on a 7 footer is a complete joke for them.

 

[Johnnyt]

Can you name a pool room that could handle the tournament, has the hotel rooms close, and is easy to fly into?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Finding a nice room for 100 players or so isn't that hard if you get the hell out of Vegas. While your at it get rid of the promoters and let a good TD and the poolroom run it. There is no money or big fan following in pool, so why not get rid of the middle man? Johnnyt

 

[BRussell]

I have no idea who would pay money to watch someone play on 7 foot tables, and I'm not sure I want to know! You literally could not pay me to watch this! I did in fact try, at one point to sit through a match, but it is simply impossible! An hour of professionals bunting balls around on kiddie tables, I can't belive ANYONE could take this seriously! Even looking at a still frame, the table looks completely ridiculous!

I also would prefer pro events all be on 9' tables (and let's be honest, the 7' tables are actually 6'8" of playing area), but I'll let you in on a little secret: the vast majority of pool players in the US play on 7-footers, including the majority of league players there in Vegas. I totally understand why someone would want to watch matches played on familiar equipment. Not sure why that would be so hard to understand.

 

[Proofsc]

If people didn't know this event is run in conjunction with the BCA National tournament for Amatuers. It is also played on 7ft tables so people can enter and not only play with pros but feel like they might be able to put up a slight challenge. The main purpose of these events is to help grow the sport, I would love for them to be on 9ft but all you would get is the pros and rail birds watching if it was at a pool room.

 

[watchez]

Finding a nice room for 100 players or so isn't that hard if you get the hell out of Vegas. While your at it get rid of the promoters and let a good TD and the poolroom run it. There is no money or big fan following in pool, so why not get rid of the middle man? Johnnyt

middle man? do you even have any understanding of why the BCAPL or CSI events would take place in a casino/large hotel as opposed to a pool room?

Some pool room gonna add $30,000? If you can explain how they would come close to getting even on that added money, the world is listening.

 

[Cameron Smith]

A format that leads to the very best players being almost guaranteed to win is fine in a sport where the money is coming from sponsors/media. In pool, most of the money for the prize pool comes from the players, so races that are short enough to let a lot of players have a chance at a deep run are key to getting participation among the pro players. It probably also helps to get the amateurs to play as well, although some of them will know they are dead money and step up anyway just for the experience.

I understand what you mean, if people are going to pay the entry fee they will want a chance at a return or at least win a match or two.

But in non-handicapped events I don't think B and A players win against pros anyways. And even low level pros are beaten pretty handily it seems by the world beaters. And that is with short races.

I know there has been a few long race events, but I think the entry fee has been pretty high at something like $1000.

Perhaps a mix of events would be preferable and leave the long races for majors.

 

[justadub]

middle man? do you even have any understanding of why the BCAPL or CSI events would take place in a casino/large hotel as opposed to a pool room?

Some pool room gonna add $30,000? If you can explain how they would come close to getting even on that added money, the world is listening.

It's magic. That's how. Simply magic..... Mark doesn't have anything to do with this stuff actually getting done....

Sigh..... Good luck, Mark. Rooting for your events to be a success.

 

[Bella Don't Cry]

I'm not sure what it says. The UK Open is a Mosconi Cup Euro points event, has free entry for members of their tour and a guaranteed 2,500 pound first prize. Unless you add a ton of added money (like the US Open 9b), it is hard to imagine why any sane Euro pro would fly all the way over hear to compete in the US Open 10 and 8 ball.

http://www.gb9balltour.com/news/the-2016-uk-open

This is not a knock against CSI, who are putting time and money into promoting these events.

Fair points made... :thumb:
With MC points being made available far and wide around Europe and not just on the Euro Tour certainly brings added value to events like GB9. More and more Euro players will attend such events now rather than travel further afield, which is a blow for other international events. I guess that's what I was trying to say... :thumbup:

 

[saint1]

Email sent

Mark, Please check your email and or PM box when and if you are able.

 

[Bella Don't Cry]

All your comments are welcome- but so many of the statements and assumptions assumptions are wrong.

Every year this is discussed. It is totally impractical to hold 9' events. The table transportation and light hanging costs far exceed $1,000 per table. The PPV for 9' tables is less than 7' tables.

The majority of our league members play on 7' tables - and they relate better to $' play.

If we don't get support from the players, the events might go away. That would be a shame because we want to provide events for the very best players. Last week there was a $10,000 added event, $125 entry in a great room. Only 43 players.

It seems to me the better players (pros) are just not going to events. And we are adding $15,000 for each event. That is out of our pocket!!!!!

Just quit blaming the lack of 9' events on CSI. We do more than anyone else- and we still have to react to the market. Pool stil needs some sponsors!

Mark Griffin

Moon On A Stick is what many players are wanting.
IMO promoters need to keep to 'their' action plan that is beneficial to the game of pool, rather than cater to a few minority aficionados... :thumbup:

 

[BRussell]

Here's what Darren Appleton said on Facebook:

No Vegas for me this year for bca ... Too close to world 9ball champs.. So bad preparation to play Bar box tables then few days later big table with 10 hr time zone difference ...

For me it's all about the Major World events so didn't want to risk it.. Instead I give myself the best preparation possible for the world championships

Sad to miss it though, first time I've missed it since taking up American pool in 2006 . If was big table I be playing and I'm sure many many top players missing also.. Shame..

Good luck to everyone making the trip always a fun week

 

[westcoast]

Mika also said that was why he decided not to play- the 7 footer