Judd Trump to play U.S. Open.................
- Thread starter garczar
- Start date
From some pool players I hear a couple of opposed sentiments.
1. Hoping Trump burns out early, as that will make it clear that pool is a tough sport and enhance the reputation of the game.
2. Hoping Trump goes deep as that will raise the profile of the game.
I've also heard that there is an attached fear that if Trump goes deep, and that leads to pool's profile and money being raised too much, there will be fleets of snooker players (1st, 2nd, and 3rd tier), competing and warping the field. Apparently lots of Chinese snooker players compete in Chinese 8-ball.
I'd prefer if Trump was able to go deep as i believe it will help the game, but I'd be surprised if he was able to get by Sossei.
It's 9 ball, races to 9 and 11. Anything can happen. If Trump goes very deep it will probably be either because he adapts to the game quicker than most, or more likely because he gets the "run of the balls" and doesn't have to play too many shots that are beyond his repertoire. Any elite snooker player has more than a chance in a pool match. Winning 8 or 9 matches in succession against professional and elite amateur pool players is a big ask though. Contrary to what some say, I'm of the opinion that snooker is a far more straightforward game strategically. 9 Ball doesn't appear to be but that's because good players already know most of the patterns and only occasionally have to go into the tank.
Regardless of how well he actually plays, I too would love to see him go deep as I think it can only be good for pool.
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Starting to wonder if a UK Open is likely to supplement the overall Matchroom calendar or whether it will overtake and overshadow the US Open due to geographic convenience for where the best players are located.
i can't watch a second of bar table pool. i have tried, but it's effing silly to have tables smaller than the players. especially true with some of the current e8b players.. i did watch the old matches played on 8ft and that was quite enjoyable. selby, mick hill, quinten hann, potts stuck out as the best players
BlueRaider
Registered
I think the best outcome is that he wins a few matches to make it interesting but ultimately gets curb stomped by a "known" player. Trump vs Shaw would be an incredible matchup for the sheer spectacle of it, but I don't think Trump makes it that far.
I've never been interested before, but I watched the Chinese 8-ball match between Trump and Hohmann. Trump's break was undisciplined and rushed so hopefully he's improved on that. But Trump did pretty well with potting and safeties.
In one of the first games, Hohmann scratched and Trump looked to the ref to explain 'what now?", and he got ball-in-hand and continued. Clearly he hadn't spent a lot of time at this. On one game, Trump spent three or four shots trying to sink the ball then get the cue ball to break a ball off from the rail. He was close every time and it was interesting seeing the different approaches he made.
I watched a few more matches with other players as well, and was pleased at how soft they were shooting, how precise their cue ball control was and how they came up with options to block the other player. The difference tight pockets make.
In one of the first games, Hohmann scratched and Trump looked to the ref to explain 'what now?", and he got ball-in-hand and continued. Clearly he hadn't spent a lot of time at this. On one game, Trump spent three or four shots trying to sink the ball then get the cue ball to break a ball off from the rail. He was close every time and it was interesting seeing the different approaches he made.
I watched a few more matches with other players as well, and was pleased at how soft they were shooting, how precise their cue ball control was and how they came up with options to block the other player. The difference tight pockets make.
I don't think they meant it as a sponsor, just that they asked him to play in it for the news.
i delved into it a bit some year ago. my tip: check out melling and bingjie. the two most interesting players in c8b.
So. Judd’s first opponent comes across as about the most likeable guy you could ever meet.
Emily is a fashion chameleon. Every Matchroom event, she has different look. https://www.instagram.com/emfrazer/ 
Definitely J Trump playing is more snooker marketing than anything else. Even he himself doesn't believe he has much chance. He must be getting appearance money/perks like when snooker pros Hendry, Selby went to play in Chinese 8ball events
Although we may see a UK Open, I don’t see it overshadowing the US Open. Matchroom probably likes the history and tradition of that tournament. A new tournament would need many years of successful iterations before they could start push it to the forefront. But I do think Matchroom will likely want to develop a third pool singles major if their objective is to develop a professional tour.
I can imagine a UK (London? European?) Open. For a long time Matchroom's largest event each year was maybe 64 players. Then in 2019 they did their first edition of the US Open at Mandalay Bay with 256. I think they're pretty happy with how that large-entry event has turned out. Now they also have the World Championships with 128. Adding a large Open event in Europe seems like a reasonable if not obvious move assuming the other productions go well.
Geosnookery
Well-known member
A big variable wih a potential UK Open is ‘who participates?’. About 25 of the top 128 ranking Snookerplayers are Chinese who reside in Britain. Most of them play Chinese 8 ball. And, If Selby, Trump enter then it could create a momentum that draws in a lot of participation from not only ranked British players but those going through Q school.
Most snooker fans in both Britain abd China would then be watching.
It would have to be scheduled just right to avoid the snooker calendar. Late June is probably the best time for snooker players since it’s far enough away from the world championships that the players get a break, but still a few weeks away from the championship league in July. But I think the world championships currently occupies that calendar spot. And I’m less keen on filling the World Pool Championships with snooker players.
Funny the posters who claim Trump doesn't need any sponsors are probably the same guys who lament no money in "Professional" pool?
I am thrilled he is competing ! Look at all the publicity it is generating. If he goes far it will continue to buzz.
I am thrilled he is competing ! Look at all the publicity it is generating. If he goes far it will continue to buzz.