2020 US Open 9-ball Championship field full at 256

[jrctherake]

Let's hope it's nobody, as every time players unite to try to strong arm any producer of an American-based event, that event moves to death row.

I'm sure Matchroom will provide avenues for player voices to be heard, but as pool's very best event producer, I want them making all the decisions.

Sometimes we have to sacrifice for the greater good and pool players, in general, don't have a good track record.

On the other, most of the producer's haven't done any better.

One don't trust the other. I can't say I blame either side.

I'm sure Matchroom will do better and give the players a "reason" to trust them.....or it won't work.

 

[sjm]

I'm sure Matchroom will do better and give the players a "reason" to trust them.....or it won't work.

Matchroom has already done better. They have grown the event and the prize fund is much higher this year than last year. The profile of the event is so great that the field was filled almost instantaneously.

If the players bite the hand that feeds them, and their track record says it is a distinct possibility, they'll ensure that this event stops growing.

 

[jrctherake]

Matchroom has already done better. They have grown the event and the prize fund is much higher this year than last year. The profile of the event is so great that the field was filled almost instantaneously.

If the players bite the hand that feeds them, and their track record says it is a distinct possibility, they'll ensure that this event stops growing.

They've done better but, it will take some doing and some luck to reach their goal.

We can only hope.

 

[sjm]

They've done better but, it will take some doing and some luck to reach their goal.

Yes, on this point we agree.

 

[Bob Jewett]

... That said, if entry is free, how can the field be filled on a first come, first serve basis? ...

WPA ranking and Fargo ratings suffice. I would fill the first 200 spots from there and have 56 more from past winners and qualifiers. Eventually move to only 128 seeded spots and have more come in through qualifiers. There are a few details to worry about but nothing major.

 

[sjm]

WPA ranking and Fargo ratings suffice. I would fill the first 200 spots from there and have 56 more from past winners and qualifiers. Eventually move to only 128 seeded spots and have more come in through qualifiers. There are a few details to worry about but nothing major.

Yes, I like these ideas a lot.

 

[jay helfert]

Matchroom have previously said that a long-term goal is to have no entry fee for the event. I think they view the players as entertainers rather than gamblers and the idea of charging your "employees" for working for you seems skewed to them. Paying deeply is a step towards a zero-entry-fee event.

Don't hold your breath Bob. :wink:

 

[kkdanamatt]

Gambling, my friends, is what it's all about

Don't hold your breath Bob. :wink:

Matchroom has a connection to gambling in the UK (Betfair, William Hill, etc.) and this is what drives their prize money and expensive production values of Matchroom events.

I believe there will come a time, probably in the very near future, when gambling on professional pool events in the US will be as common as betting on football, basketball, prize fights, baseball, horse racing, etc.

That's when Matchroom can tap into millions of dollars, as they share revenues with the bookmakers. Like it or not, gambling drives viewers and spectators. Viewers and spectators drive sponsors. Sponsors open up the general media to more viewers.

And so it goes.

Just look at New Jersey online sports betting....about 3-1/2 BILLION Dollars in its first year.

 

[jasonlaus]

Matchroom has already done better. They have grown the event and the prize fund is much higher this year than last year. The profile of the event is so great that the field was filled almost instantaneously.

If the players bite the hand that feeds them, and their track record says it is a distinct possibility, they'll ensure that this event stops growing.

The good thing is, it's not the same American players at the top now and they have no control.

The top players are from all over the world, and Shane is the only American really capable(favored) to win the event, and he's not organizing anybody.

 

[jokrswylde]

Matchroom has a connection to gambling in the UK (Betfair, William Hill, etc.) and this is what drives their prize money and expensive production values of Matchroom events.

I believe there will come a time, probably in the very near future, when gambling on professional pool events in the US will be as common as betting on football, basketball, prize fights, baseball, horse racing, etc.

That's when Matchroom can tap into millions of dollars, as they share revenues with the bookmakers. Like it or not, gambling drives viewers and spectators. Viewers and spectators drive sponsors. Sponsors open up the general media to more viewers.

And so it goes.

Just look at New Jersey online sports betting....about 3-1/2 BILLION Dollars in its first year.

I believe this as well. But there has to be a way to increase prize money enough so that A). chopping up the first place prize is not as attractive, B). pros don't have to finish top 3-4 every tournament in order to provide themselves with a living.

 

[BeiberLvr]

I believe this as well. But there has to be a way to increase prize money enough so that A). chopping up the first place prize is not as attractive, B). pros don't have to finish top 3-4 every tournament in order to provide themselves with a living.

1. Look at the other sports that don't require an entry fee (golf or snooker)
2. Find out where they get the money
3. Try to replicate

 

[jasonlaus]

1. Look at the other sports that don't require an entry fee (golf or snooker)
2. Find out where they get the money
3. Try to replicate

Nobody's watching, so no advertising $$$$ Think Buick etc.

 

[Island Drive]

Nobody's watching, so no advertising $$$$ Think Buick etc.

That's the elephant in the room with Matchroom Sports....how do they make that next step? $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Game has to be fast, if it were I, in the tv production rounds, there would be two tables, side by side, with winner immediately breaking the next rack on the second table, no down time. 30 sec shot clock, one extension. Let's' move it along, like tennis or most any other sport.

The game needs somethin' to speed it up....make it different, better, more exciting.

 

[jasonlaus]

That's the elephant in the room with Matchroom Sports....how do they make that next step? $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Game has to be fast, if it were I, in the tv production rounds, there would be two tables, side by side, with winner immediately breaking the next rack on the second table, no down time. 30 sec shot clock, one extension. Let's' move it along, like tennis or most any other sport.

The game needs somethin' to speed it up....make it different, better, more exciting.

Must shoot at everything, opponent can pass it back, 10 seconds to decide to shoot or pass it back. 30 second shot clock.

 

[WoodyMPW]

The game needs somethin' to speed it up....make it different, better, more exciting.

Bring back the cocaine!

 

[jasonlaus]

Bring back the cocaine!

We have a winner!

 

[sjm]

That's the elephant in the room with Matchroom Sports....how do they make that next step? $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Game has to be fast, if it were I, in the tv production rounds, there would be two tables, side by side, with winner immediately breaking the next rack on the second table, no down time. 30 sec shot clock, one extension. Let's' move it along, like tennis or most any other sport.

The game needs somethin' to speed it up....make it different, better, more exciting.

Two tables wouldn't work for me, as it will take away some of the buzz in the playing arena.

I'd start by shortening the races. Of course, only Matchroom seems to get this.

Race to 8 at the World Pool Masters 9-ball, Race to 5 at the Mosconi Cup 9-ball and Race to 7 at the World Cup of Pool 9-ball except in the last rounds. The shot clock is pretty much a given in a Matchroom event and the money ball always counts on the break, which adds excitement for the fans and can shorten matches. Neutral racker, no rack inspection. Oh yeah!

Best of all, Matchroom events are never ten ball. Things like call shot, option to give back and ten ball last are all a buzz kill for fans. The only truly great ten ball event is the Bigfoot Challenge.

 

[Bob Jewett]

Two tables wouldn't work for me, as it will take away some of the buzz in the playing arena.
...

ESPN tried a two-table format in the 1990s. The pool fans dumped great steaming piles of poo on ESPN for it. You couldn't follow a whole game.

Maybe alternating games would be better but I doubt I'd like it. I don't think there is that much down time for racking and it gives the commentators time to review a highlight or two. Also, you need to put in commercials (generally every two games of nine ball) which makes some of the racking disappear.

 

[jay helfert]

Two tables wouldn't work for me, as it will take away some of the buzz in the playing arena.

I'd start by shortening the races. Of course, only Matchroom seems to get this.

Race to 8 at the World Pool Masters 9-ball, Race to 5 at the Mosconi Cup 9-ball and Race to 7 at the World Cup of Pool 9-ball except in the last rounds. The shot clock is pretty much a given in a Matchroom event and the money ball always counts on the break, which adds excitement for the fans and can shorten matches. Neutral racker, no rack inspection. Oh yeah!

Best of all, Matchroom events are never ten ball. Things like call shot, option to give back and ten ball last are all a buzz kill for fans. The only truly great ten ball event is the Bigfoot Challenge.

Thanks for that. I've always said that the best way to play Ten Ball is with the same rules as we use for 9-Ball, including you can win on the break. Tell me how many times the ten ball goes on the break. How about once in a blue Moon! Using the same rules (Texas Express) as 9-Ball and it still remains a more difficult game. The addition of one ball and the solid triangle rack change everything!

 

[spartan]

Around 218 players registered. Remaining slots are for qualifiers
http://www.matchroompool.com/usopen9ball/#players

Super strong field. 36 of Top 50 Fargo players registered
Only 14 of Top 50 Fargo players did not register