SJM Analyzes Matchroom’s New Game Plan
On an introductory note, I nearly posted in the other thread about Matchroom’s announcement, but I felt I was raising very different issues and taking a very different look than what I found there, so I chose to start a new thread. Hope that's OK.
My Reaction to Matchroom’s Announcement
Wow, Matchroom’s announcement had me on the edge of my seat as I listened to Barry Hearn and Emily Frazer lucidly unveiling Matchroom’s new, ambitious game plan for pro pool. Volumes could be written about the impact or potential impact of Matchroom’s new plan (especially in my case) but I’ll encapsulate my thoughts by focusing on these six things:
1. Pro Pool is Growing and Growing
2. Pool Will Return to Being a Meritocracy
3. Standardization of the Game and the Rules
4. More Prize Money Helps Pros Make Ends Meet
5. Big Events Less Dependent on Dead Money Players
6. Europe Will be the Epicenter of the Pool World
1. Pro Pool is Growing and Growing
A year ago, Matchroom added a new event called the Predator League Championship Pool, but this year they’ve added even more, with the addition of the UK Open and the European Open. The Matchroom Pool series is a living, breathing reality, and is a great step forward for pro pool. Matchroom continues to lead the way for growth in our sport.
2. Pool Will Return to Being a Meritocracy
An objective ranking system and seeding methodology that is merit based is something I don’t feel I’ve seen in pool since 1999 when the PBT folded. The WPA ranking system has added value over the years, but Matchroom is taking rankings to a higher level and we are approaching a time when invitations and seeds will be earned by superior performance, just as they should be. Favoritism and ranking systems that just don’t get the job done will be on the endangered list soon. This is a big step in assembling the best possible fields for pro events. When the initial rankings are announced, there will be room for debate, but the performance-based ranking system will bring the cream to the top quickly.
3. Standardization of the Game and the Rules
While paying lip service to other games such as bank pool and eight ball, Matchroom made it clear that their commitment is to nine-ball alone, and I am delighted by this. The fringe games, of course, have their place but I have long felt that call-shot games (bank pool, eight pool, ten ball, straight pool) are not as fan-friendly as nine-ball. Nine ball is the game people know and it’s the one that most of the fans want to watch more than any other. Nobody understands better than Matchroom that part of snooker’s success was attributable to the fact that it’s easy to follow, and so it is with nine-ball.
Matchroom announced that rules will be standardized for Matchroom-affiliated events, and this is fantastic. Break from the box, alternate break, winner breaks, jump cues allowed, jump cues disallowed, shot clock, no shot clock, shot clock stops while you get the bridge or your jump cue, shot clock keeps running while you get the bridge or your jump cue. It seems there are countless versions of the rules, and now Matchroom will standardize the rules, something that pool has needed for many years. Players won’t have to stress out over finding out about and adjusting to nuances in rules from event to event.
4. More Prize Money Helps Pros Make Ends Meet
Pool professionals have had a difficult risk vs. reward equation to solve for years now, for participation costs have always been high relative to prize money available. The sad reality has been that elite players sometimes skip the top events because they can’t easily make financial ends meet.
Matchroom has made it clear that entry fees will drop and prize funds will be increased, so the economics of participation for pro players will improve, which should result in better fields in the top events. Both Matchroom and the fans want the best fields possible, so this is a step forward.
5. Big Events Less Dependent on Dead Money
A sad reality of pool in recent times is that substantial participation of non-professional level players (as we know, there is no definition of a pro, but to me it means players with a Fargo of 725+) has been fundamental to ensuring the profitability of events for most event producers. Matchroom’s initiative is a step away from this, and that bodes well for our game.
6. Europe Will be the Epicenter of the Pool World
A few may bemoan this, but I embrace it. Yes, the Matchroom US Open will still be a premier event, and Matchroom is not overlooking the other two most important nine ball events in the US, affiliating themselves with the Derby City 9-ball and the International 9-ball. I’m surprised that they are not including the China Open 9-ball, Asia’s greatest 9-ball event that always draws a great international field, as a rankings event. Still, this as a small issue for another day, and perhaps it’s not an issue at all until China gets past COVID. There was no China Open in 2021.
All that said, however, with the conception of new events in Europe as well as increased importance of some Eurotour events (such as the Treviso), there is no getting away from the fact that for those trying to earn a good living at pro pool, Europe will be pool’s epicenter.
The most elite players will earn much of their living in Europe (seemingly good news for Dennis Orcullo and fans of him like me) and a very good living will be available to more players than ever before.
In Conclusion
I am the self-proclaimed greatest advocate for Matchroom in the United States, and, through their actions, they keep reminding me why I have so much faith in them. Matchroom has, once again, distinguished itself. Their goals are lofty, their standards are high, and they have both the commitment and the managerial skills to follow through with their very innovative and aggressive plan.
To Barry and Emily, and everyone at Matchroom, thanks for your ambitious plan for pro pool and good luck in its pursuit.
On an introductory note, I nearly posted in the other thread about Matchroom’s announcement, but I felt I was raising very different issues and taking a very different look than what I found there, so I chose to start a new thread. Hope that's OK.
My Reaction to Matchroom’s Announcement
Wow, Matchroom’s announcement had me on the edge of my seat as I listened to Barry Hearn and Emily Frazer lucidly unveiling Matchroom’s new, ambitious game plan for pro pool. Volumes could be written about the impact or potential impact of Matchroom’s new plan (especially in my case) but I’ll encapsulate my thoughts by focusing on these six things:
1. Pro Pool is Growing and Growing
2. Pool Will Return to Being a Meritocracy
3. Standardization of the Game and the Rules
4. More Prize Money Helps Pros Make Ends Meet
5. Big Events Less Dependent on Dead Money Players
6. Europe Will be the Epicenter of the Pool World
1. Pro Pool is Growing and Growing
A year ago, Matchroom added a new event called the Predator League Championship Pool, but this year they’ve added even more, with the addition of the UK Open and the European Open. The Matchroom Pool series is a living, breathing reality, and is a great step forward for pro pool. Matchroom continues to lead the way for growth in our sport.
2. Pool Will Return to Being a Meritocracy
An objective ranking system and seeding methodology that is merit based is something I don’t feel I’ve seen in pool since 1999 when the PBT folded. The WPA ranking system has added value over the years, but Matchroom is taking rankings to a higher level and we are approaching a time when invitations and seeds will be earned by superior performance, just as they should be. Favoritism and ranking systems that just don’t get the job done will be on the endangered list soon. This is a big step in assembling the best possible fields for pro events. When the initial rankings are announced, there will be room for debate, but the performance-based ranking system will bring the cream to the top quickly.
3. Standardization of the Game and the Rules
While paying lip service to other games such as bank pool and eight ball, Matchroom made it clear that their commitment is to nine-ball alone, and I am delighted by this. The fringe games, of course, have their place but I have long felt that call-shot games (bank pool, eight pool, ten ball, straight pool) are not as fan-friendly as nine-ball. Nine ball is the game people know and it’s the one that most of the fans want to watch more than any other. Nobody understands better than Matchroom that part of snooker’s success was attributable to the fact that it’s easy to follow, and so it is with nine-ball.
Matchroom announced that rules will be standardized for Matchroom-affiliated events, and this is fantastic. Break from the box, alternate break, winner breaks, jump cues allowed, jump cues disallowed, shot clock, no shot clock, shot clock stops while you get the bridge or your jump cue, shot clock keeps running while you get the bridge or your jump cue. It seems there are countless versions of the rules, and now Matchroom will standardize the rules, something that pool has needed for many years. Players won’t have to stress out over finding out about and adjusting to nuances in rules from event to event.
4. More Prize Money Helps Pros Make Ends Meet
Pool professionals have had a difficult risk vs. reward equation to solve for years now, for participation costs have always been high relative to prize money available. The sad reality has been that elite players sometimes skip the top events because they can’t easily make financial ends meet.
Matchroom has made it clear that entry fees will drop and prize funds will be increased, so the economics of participation for pro players will improve, which should result in better fields in the top events. Both Matchroom and the fans want the best fields possible, so this is a step forward.
5. Big Events Less Dependent on Dead Money
A sad reality of pool in recent times is that substantial participation of non-professional level players (as we know, there is no definition of a pro, but to me it means players with a Fargo of 725+) has been fundamental to ensuring the profitability of events for most event producers. Matchroom’s initiative is a step away from this, and that bodes well for our game.
6. Europe Will be the Epicenter of the Pool World
A few may bemoan this, but I embrace it. Yes, the Matchroom US Open will still be a premier event, and Matchroom is not overlooking the other two most important nine ball events in the US, affiliating themselves with the Derby City 9-ball and the International 9-ball. I’m surprised that they are not including the China Open 9-ball, Asia’s greatest 9-ball event that always draws a great international field, as a rankings event. Still, this as a small issue for another day, and perhaps it’s not an issue at all until China gets past COVID. There was no China Open in 2021.
All that said, however, with the conception of new events in Europe as well as increased importance of some Eurotour events (such as the Treviso), there is no getting away from the fact that for those trying to earn a good living at pro pool, Europe will be pool’s epicenter.
The most elite players will earn much of their living in Europe (seemingly good news for Dennis Orcullo and fans of him like me) and a very good living will be available to more players than ever before.
In Conclusion
I am the self-proclaimed greatest advocate for Matchroom in the United States, and, through their actions, they keep reminding me why I have so much faith in them. Matchroom has, once again, distinguished itself. Their goals are lofty, their standards are high, and they have both the commitment and the managerial skills to follow through with their very innovative and aggressive plan.
To Barry and Emily, and everyone at Matchroom, thanks for your ambitious plan for pro pool and good luck in its pursuit.
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(that last part may be an exaggeration, but you get my point)
