I'll be there. I look forward to meeting you.
Matchroom Strikes Again – The US Open Delivers
- Thread starter sjm
- Start date
Heaven forbid.
In snooker, the toughest game of them all, there is no call shot. Surely, the hardest game played on a pool table is one pocket and it is played without call shot. Why should pool ever need call shot?
Call shot games are fan unfriendly and I believe that call shot had a lot to do with why the straight pool era ended and was replaced by the nine-ball era over 40 years ago.
Ten ball is a fringe game, and at least for me, you can keep it unless it is played with Texas Express rules, as is the case at the Bigfoot 10-ball on the 10-foot table.
Yes, Shane's fluked eight ball vs Filler in the semis was the difference between him having a 5-2 lead and 3-3, but the breaks even out over time.
Thanks (again) for the insightful writeup!
The only thing I would add from the remove view perspective: I'm glad Matchroom is trying different things to attract viewers. Having a tik tok live feed was pretty interesting. I understand what they're trying to do and it was probably great for the intended audience. But, I didn't particularly care for it. Well, I am from another era so tik tok isn't my thing...
I was really pulling for SVB, but I was equally happy Fedor took it down.
-td
The only thing I would add from the remove view perspective: I'm glad Matchroom is trying different things to attract viewers. Having a tik tok live feed was pretty interesting. I understand what they're trying to do and it was probably great for the intended audience. But, I didn't particularly care for it. Well, I am from another era so tik tok isn't my thing...
I was really pulling for SVB, but I was equally happy Fedor took it down.
-td
Too close to call. There's no topping a Matchroom production or the fields that Matchroom majors draw. The US Open is a fantastic event, but Derby City gives you 9ball, 10ball, banks and one pocket, so for those who enjoy all the disciplines, Derby City is probably the choice. The only negative at the Derby is the failure to adhere to the schedule year after year, and that's a big problem. Matchroom events always stay on schedule.
I think I have to pick the US Open, but it is a close choice.
For a while 10ball became my favorite game, there were aspects of it I didn't like, like not being able to play 2 way shots correctly, but to be frank, 9 ball had gotten too easy.
The new format 9 ball, break from the box, 9 on the spot, makes it so that it isn't cookie cutter runouts all the time.
You're not as likely to see massive runs, but when a player gets down and they get their break dialed in, they can still make a comeback from a deficit.
The break is interesting, it's ALL about speed control to get that 1 dialed into the side. You have the medium speed break that most players gravitate to because it's easier to make the one in the side, and then you have the harder break that gives you some outs. You have to cut the medium breaks at a thinner angle, but when you hit harder, you're hitting more dead on and have to hit harder, the funny thing is, if you hit TOO hard, then you make the wing in the corner. Shane does this a lot and I've heard commentators mistakenly say he gets lucky with the harder break.
It's not luck, that's what happens when you hit that break too hard.
Jaden
And that's two "are's"
i think we are seeing that the break strategy of svb, kaci, fedor and a few others are paying dividends. they don't have the cb control of FSR or lechner but they are making stray balls when 1b doesn't go. it's a trade off.
there are others capable of breaking real hard but that aren't doing it, i think that may change.
Last edited:
Yes, I probably should have mentioned this. It is just another sign of the fact that Matchroom is growing our sport and that the fortunes of those who play pool for a living are on the upswing.
if prize funds get high enough then more watch and spend. also better people enter the sport that can do wonders for it.
and players can actually earn a living playing tournament pool.
as long as the prize pools are spread out enough. and the games and rules played allow for other than the top five or so to cash high and make matches exciting to others than die hard pool players.
and players can actually earn a living playing tournament pool.
as long as the prize pools are spread out enough. and the games and rules played allow for other than the top five or so to cash high and make matches exciting to others than die hard pool players.
When I was first exposed to 10 ball it was Texas Express like SJM mentioned. The 10 ball rack made the break more difficult and the 10 wasn’t going to go very often. To me this is ok, but I preferred 9 ball. Call shot 10 ball with being able to turn down shots etc…. is not a good game IMO. And not a good game for spectators or TV.
Yeah others can break hard, but you have to be able to break hard AND maintain super tight accuracy. That's why Shane has the best tenball break because he can break that hard while maintaining that accuracy.
Jaden
Well said. Add Marc Bijsterbosch to the list of those thriving with the big break strategy. He tied for 9th at the US Open and won a silver at last year's Spanish Open.
That's the dream. If and when more pool players can make a big living at pool, more will try their hand at it.
While the game is offering a far better income than in the past, (23 players have prize money earnings of at least $50,000 through August), the day when all of the Top 50 earn $100,000 or more may not be more than a few years off.
By affiliating themselves with countless events and offering Matchroom ranking points in every corner of the globe, Matchroom is in the process of making pro pool both a) popular with the fanbase, and b) accessible to players all over the world. Those who are worthy of being WNT pros will have the opportunity to prove it BEFORE they begin to bear the daunting costs of global participation on the WNT.
It's a winning formula, but it takes time.
Last edited:
Correct me if I'm wrong Stu.
All races began at 9.
Losers side races then went to 8.
Next 64 were the races to 10?
Then final (16) races to 11
Finals to 13.
All races began at 9.
Losers side races then went to 8.
Next 64 were the races to 10?
Then final (16) races to 11
Finals to 13.
Qualifying Rounds
All winner side matches were race to 9
Loser rounds 1,2, 3 were races to 8
Loser's qualification round was races to 9
Stage 2
Race to 10 in round of 64
Race to 10 in round of 32
Race to 10 in round of 16
Race to 10 in quarterfinals
Race to 11 in semifinals
Race to 13 in the final