End of the US Open?

[Jason Robichaud]

Now that matchroom released all Open events are "Closed" to professional and qualified players, are we seeing the end of the US Open? I don't understand the move because the base of viewers for pool is, pool players. We don't have a large viewing audiences like other sports and next to zero events televised. Any of the professional events I had the privilege to attend, 99% of the crowd are the players, family and friends.

As a weekend hack that travelled to play the top players in the world, its extremely disappointing news. Amateurs having the ability to pay and play against professional players was the best part of our sport, in my opinion. Hearing Emily's interview, the thrill of pool died for me (dramatic but true). I practiced, watched streams, followed players, and supported events in the hopes of playing the Alexs', Morra, Fedor, Fillers.. etc. Now what? No more amateurs, and I guess former champions as well, doesn't seem right.

 

[HelpMeScrubs0013]

He'll half the field would always be amateurs. They gonna lose lot of entry money. Fuck matchroom

 

[Cornerman]

Now that matchroom released all Open events are "Closed" to professional and qualified players, are we seeing the end of the US Open? I don't understand the move because the base of viewers for pool is, pool players. We don't have a large viewing audiences like other sports and next to zero events televised. Any of the professional events I had the privilege to attend, 99% of the crowd are the players, family and friends.

I would disagree with the "players, family and friends" being 99%. I'd be interested to see what the actual number is.

As a weekend hack that travelled to play the top players in the world, its extremely disappointing news. Amateurs having the ability to pay and play against professional players was the best part of our sport, in my opinion. Hearing Emily's interview, the thrill of pool died for me (dramatic but true). I practiced, watched streams, followed players, and supported events in the hopes of playing the Alexs', Morra, Fedor, Fillers.. etc. Now what? No more amateurs, and I guess former champions as well, doesn't seem right.

Maybe that's why Emily was at the Derby City Classic... to feel good that amateurs would still have a place to play the professionals. But, yeah, the idea of the US Open in the other sports have qualifiers for amateurs to get to the final dance. Maybe there's something like that in the future. I don't think she will have any trouble filling up the field with qualified player. What are the qualification?

 

[skogstokig]

but how is being able to click on a registration link faster than others more fair than qualifiers?

 

[Jason Robichaud]

but how is being able to click on a registration link faster than others more fair than qualifiers?

You think an amateur will win qualifiers? A lot of great players not ranked in top 128. And, who wants to spend a few thousand to fly in for a qualifying event then more time off and $$ spent to attend the US Open if happen to win a spot? Online registration allowed anyone, anywhere to enter. It also allowed venues to purchase spots and hold qualifiers locally. Who knows where the qualifiers will be or how many. All the booths as well.. not sure the purpose of those moving forward.

 

[stewie]

In a growing environment there will be lower tier ranking events drawing top pros and not requiring qualifiers. Last year there were quiet a few good events around the us open on the east coast

 

[Kid Dynomite]

Business model is broken! Venue is the Main reason! Pool needs to change Venue to places like round house theater! Set up a table on the stage!

Have the pro players have proper attire! Make it a formal affair! Something that you could take a girlfriend or wife on a date to!

Mind you, that eliminates bleacher cost ! Plus, you can leverage the local APA and BCA to support the event! Prizes and giveaways to generate and retain members should include tickets to the theater to watch the Matchroom !

They need a schedule of towns/cities appearing in! Pre sale tickets! Create a tour! This hotel / casino venue is awful ...


They should consult with a theater troop! They do productions and go from city to city! That model works much better. Those venues are always looking for something new!

Put the table in the center and pump the commentary through the sound system for all.


Kd

Sent from my SM-G998U using Tapatalk

 

[dendweller]

In a growing environment there will be lower tier ranking events drawing top pros and not requiring qualifiers. Last year there were quiet a few good events around the us open on the east coast

I can get all the competition I need a couple towns over. Racking for people way over my head in a tournament format is not on my bucket list.

Nothing wrong with what she's doing, she seems to be trying to elevate the sport, not do a "weekend with a pro" event. Allocating some spots for qualifiers would be good though. People that are really serious about playing will attend and see if they should or not. That would help keep the "open" part in the US Open.

 

[Jason Robichaud]

Business model is broken! Venue is the Main reason! Pool needs to change Venue to places like round house theater! Set up a table on the stage!

Have the pro players have proper attire! Make it a formal affair! Something that you could take a girlfriend or wife on a date to!

Mind you, that eliminates bleacher cost ! Plus, you can leverage the local APA and BCA to support the event! Prizes and giveaways to generate and retain members should include tickets to the theater to watch the Matchroom !

They need a schedule of towns/cities appearing in! Pre sale tickets! Create a tour! This hotel / casino venue is awful ...


They should consult with a theater troop! They do productions and go from city to city! That model works much better. Those venues are always looking for something new!

Put the table in the center and pump the commentary through the sound system for all.


Kd

Sent from my SM-G998U using Tapatalk

The current venue has next to zero seating until final table. Horrible for spectators but incredible as a player (minus the 4In pockets)

 

[Jason Robichaud]

I can get all the competition I need a couple towns over. Racking for people way over my head in a tournament format is not on my bucket list.

Nothing wrong with what she's doing, she seems to be trying to elevate the sport, not do a "weekend with a pro" event. Allocating some spots for qualifiers would be good though. People that are really serious about playing will attend and see if they should or not. That would help keep the "open" part in the US Open.

Some are players out there work fulltime and have pool as a hobby but play strong. Vacation to them is practicing a few weeks before a major event and playing against the top players in the world - others are fine staying locally. That's what was great about it, options for everyone.

 

[garczar]

US Open pool should have local/regional qualifiers just like US Open golf tournament. It should be 'open' in as much as anyone can 'TRY' to qualify not just pay-n-play. No one wants to see 500 Fargo weekend warriors getting slaughtered just 'cause they could afford the entry fee.

 

[JPB2]

US Open pool should have local/regional qualifiers just like US Open golf tournament. It should be 'open' in as much as anyone can 'TRY' to qualify not just pay-n-play. No one wants to see 500 Fargo weekend warriors getting slaughtered just 'cause they could afford the entry fee.

Shouldn’t call it an open when there are no qualifiers. They will for branding and the name the US Closed doesn’t have a ring to it. National opens should have a lot of spots for qualifiers IMO. The specific number depends on field size. But I don’t really expect it in pool.

 

[easy-e]

US Open pool should have local/regional qualifiers just like US Open golf tournament. It should be 'open' in as much as anyone can 'TRY' to qualify not just pay-n-play. No one wants to see 500 Fargo weekend warriors getting slaughtered just 'cause they could afford the entry fee.

I love watching the dead money play the Open. Always makes me feel better about myself.

 

[JPB2]

Looks like they are doing qualifiers for the upcoming UK Open. That is good.

 

[briankenobi]

US Open pool should have local/regional qualifiers just like US Open golf tournament. It should be 'open' in as much as anyone can 'TRY' to qualify not just pay-n-play. No one wants to see 500 Fargo weekend warriors getting slaughtered just 'cause they could afford the entry fee.

Agreed. The more pool becomes a legit pro sport like golf, tennis, etc, the less and less people who are far from pro players but have the entry fee will be able to play in "pro events." Still plenty of amatuer/open events to play in.

 

[Jason Robichaud]

I love watching the dead money play the Open. Always makes me feel better about myself.

I enjoy watching it.. You get to see the pro firing on all cylinders. Crazy some of the shots they can make but don't try against other top level guys. Obviously I wouldn't want to see the slaughter fulltime, but it has its place.. And who knows, maybe a hack like me might take one them to the hill.

 

[skogstokig]

You think an amateur will win qualifiers? A lot of great players not ranked in top 128. And, who wants to spend a few thousand to fly in for a qualifying event then more time off and $$ spent to attend the US Open if happen to win a spot? Online registration allowed anyone, anywhere to enter. It also allowed venues to purchase spots and hold qualifiers locally. Who knows where the qualifiers will be or how many. All the booths as well.. not sure the purpose of those moving forward.

online registration resulted in lesser players getting spots that better players then couldn't get, because they were slower mouse clickers. i'd rather see them duke it out on a pool table than that. yes, semi-pros, former pros and strong amateurs will win qualifiers but imo that's the way it should be

 

[garczar]

I love watching the dead money play the Open. Always makes me feel better about myself.

Good for you but does it do the game/event any good? IMO it lessens the event by having hacks in the field. That's why the USOpen golf requires qualifiers to be 2handicap or better golfers. I have no problem with weekend warriors in the field if they got there on merit not just 'cause they could pay the entry fee.

 

[easy-e]

Good for you but does it do the game/event any good? IMO it lessens the event by having hacks in the field. That's why the USOpen golf requires qualifiers to be 2handicap or better golfers. I have no problem with weekend warriors in the field if they got there on merit not just 'cause they could pay the entry fee.

I think it does more good than bad. It won't affect the die-hard fans, but it may introduce the event to a lot of the dead money's hometown followers. I love it when they throw a 650 on the streamed table against a champion instead of two of the usual suspects. How many more SVB vs FSR matches do we really need to see?

 

[skogstokig]

I think it does more good than bad. It won't affect the die-hard fans, but it may introduce the event to a lot of the dead money's hometown followers. I love it when they throw a 650 on the streamed table against a champion instead of two of the usual suspects. How many more SVB vs FSR matches do we really need to see?

i agree there is some fun in seeing lesser players adapting to the bigger occasion. some do real well too. but i just don't get why the criteria should be clicking on a web link rather than qualifying against other non-pros. we will still get to see lower ranked players trying their luck against SVB or FSR, only their route there will be more fair/deserved