Derby City Classic, 2027, Jan. 22-31, Fri-Sun

sad part is if few can even get to stay at the hotel and have to look elsewhere.
that would be fine if it was in a city or place where you could find things within walking distance.

it is what it is though and most have to tough it out or not go.
 
If it was closer to Montana I'd pull a 5th wheel camper down there and park it wherever possible even if I had to supply my own shore power I've got a good generator that is good on gas with a good sized refrigerator & freezer in it and I also have two darn good coolers for extra storage .

Yes if you're wondering it is rather comfortable to stay in .
 
Whether you're staying there or not, you may want to eat at the Gordon Ramsay Steakhouse at Caesar's, the one solid restaurant in a hotel where the food choices are not very good. Getting reservations there can be quite difficult and you must move quickly to get them. Some of the Derby dates are now bookable using the Open Table app. If you want a reservation, I wouldn't wait at all as you may find yourself unable to get a reservation there later on.
 
lfigueroa said:
I think I did 20+ Derbys going back to the EW.

The EW was flat out fun and I obviously stuck with the new joint for many years, cashing several times in the 1pocket and even making it to something like the last 18. However, as they allowed the tournament to grow without limiting entries, given the number of tables they could cram in, it became less and less fun. One year I zoomed in bright and early only to learn I would not play until morning the next day. The following year I am inbound on the river road to the casino and look at the online scheduling and find out I'm playing the first round and have 25 minutes to get my badge and get to my table. It's so crammed that unless you get up in the middle of the night, like 4am, it's impossible to get a table to gamble or practice on.

AND THEN they started limiting the food available. For a while there was an Asian joint that was pretty good, a burger joint, and then they down sized to an Asian booth, and then the last time I went even that was closed. I ended up eating at the steak house because it was the only decent food though stupid expensive.

The last few years I'd get there and would, literally, sit in my room and tell myself to record a video to my future self who would be entertaining going to the Derby and tell them, "Don't do it. It sucks and it is not worth it." I never did the video but did finally listened to my past self and have found other things to do like the Railyard Mini Deby, the International Open (finished tied for 12th), or just go down to Buffalo's in May and eat great food in New Orleans and sweat the big 1pocket.

I appreciate what Greg & Co. have done but it's not for me anymore. I am a much happier camper now not going.

Lou Figueroa
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I feel exactly the same way. I think I went 6 or 7 times between about 2010 and 2018. Every single time it got worse. I'm so happy now not going.
 
This year they are making the first rule change that will have a legit impact on the time, IMO. The one pocket matches are time limited to 3 hrs. Great move, IMO. Although, I would have gone a step further and put a time limit on the banks and 9 ball as well.

I ran a one pocket tournament with a time limit a month ago. It ran like clockwork, pun intended!
 
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I don't quite understand how they are doing the 3 hrs limit. My interpretation is below. The second option I don't have a guess.

Player A winning 2 games to 1, and winning the ball count in the current rack. A wins the match.
Player A wining 2 games to 1, but losing the ball count in the current rack. Unclear what happens to me.
Player A and B tied 2 games a piece (or 1 game a piece), and tied in ball count on current game. Next score change determines winner.
Player A and B tied 2 games a piece (or 1 game a piece), and Player A leading ball count on current game. A wins the match.
 
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Here are two suggestions I’ve made before, one for speeding up one-pocket at the Derby and the second for eliminating the time-consuming fuss over the racking in nine ball. I have learned in the meantime that the second is sometimes used for small local tournaments in New Jersey. In science it’s called “independent discovery.”

Suggestion 1, one pocket. If a match takes three and a half hours, both players lose. Yes, I have thought about it. Works for the Derby where there are no brackets to disrupt.

Suggestion 2, nine ball. No matter what happens on the break, the first person to shoot after the break must roll out.

Yes, I am sane and functional. I can handle my own personal affairs. I’d love to see your responses, but please play the consequences out in your mind first before responding. I love the Derby, and I offer these suggestions to improve it.
 
With a time limit players will game the clock.

Any decent player knows how to go into lock down mode. If you don't need anymore balls you can just stall and bunt balls all day long and give your opponent nothing. Two and a half hours into the match one guy can shut it down and win.

Lou Figueroa
 
fixing the racking problems isnt easy. the only solution i can think of that would work is the breaker gets to rack the balls on the short rail and gets one push to the spot and removes the rack. his opponent can make him do it once agasin if he wishes.

forced shoot out after the break will force breakers to not break the balls open which will make more moving games but much slower.

best overall is to have a neutral person do all the racking.

for one pocket it is painfully obvious when a player plays too slow. so just have the ref. or t.d. tell them to play at a normal speed or they cant come back. and will forfeit their match. no exceptions. same for 9 ball or any game.

no need for 30 second rules and extensions. these are private events, and not required by law to let anyone enter.
 
Frosty said:
I still want to understand who thought having this event in the heart of winter in this location was a good idea?
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those that can get great considerations from a slow period at the casino as to room rebates and casino losses. only reason.

things only change if people stop supporting or boycott for better conditions.
but sheep will be sheep.
 
lfigueroa said:
With a time limit players will game the clock.

Any decent player knows how to go into lock down mode. If you don't need anymore balls you can just stall and bunt balls all day long and give your opponent nothing. Two and a half hours into the match one guy can shut it down and win.

Lou Figueroa
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The way I ran my tournament worked great. At the time limit, the player at the table finishes their inning. Then the next player gets one inning. If the game is not finished after that, both players lag for each remaining point, until the game is won. If that still doesn't win the match, then the players will lag for the entire next game, etc. Out of about 25 matches, I only had maybe 4 go to the time limit. One was won on the extra inning. The other 2 just needed 1-2 lags. And a single match needed 5 lags to determine the winner.

I got the idea from Pat in his 650U international Open 9 ball event that I played in. He did the same thing there if a 9 ball match was not finished. The players lagged for each remaining game until a winner was determined.

My format was single elimination, race to 2, 70 min time limit, no handicap, owed coins cancel out. I bought kitchen timers and put one on each table. I had 26 players, 8 tables, started at 7:30 pm (weeknight) and ended at 12:50am.
 
Tobermory said:
Here are two suggestions I’ve made before, one for speeding up one-pocket at the Derby and the second for eliminating the time-consuming fuss over the racking in nine ball. I have learned in the meantime that the second is sometimes used for small local tournaments in New Jersey. In science it’s called “independent discovery.”

Suggestion 1, one pocket. If a match takes three and a half hours, both players lose. Yes, I have thought about it. Works for the Derby where there are no brackets to disrupt.
Click to expand...
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Frosty said:
I still want to understand who thought having this event in the heart of winter in this location was a good idea?
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LOL. Sounds like you don't understand pool's business model.

Yes, I'd prefer June in Monte Carlo to January in Louisville, but the $3,000 room nights might be an issue, and maybe Monte Carlo doesn't need much help with filling its hotels in June, so no good deal could be cut by a potential pool event producer. In this very thread, we hear countless complaints that players can't afford the off-season rates at Caesar's? Is in-season really an option?

In truth, the Derby is one of the most successful business ventures in American pool history. As Diamond had hoped and planned for, it has proven a credible revival of one of the most successful and celebrated pool events in American history, namely the Johnston City All Around, Championships, contested from 1961-72.

The location derives from Louisville's proximity to the headquarters office of Diamond Billiards, but it is also tied to the fact that the fringe games like bank pool and one pocket have their biggest following in that part of the country. The time of year is all about being able to make the best possible deal with the venue. Room nights are more valuable to the host hotel off season, which enables Diamond to make a better deal with the hotel, which in turn enables them to keep entry fees low and keep payouts very respectable. What other events in pool have a $100 entry fee and a $20,000 first prize? Demand for participation has skyrocketed in recent years. The need to set a cap on field size is a relatively new thing at the Derby. How many American pro pool events can you name that have lasted more than 25 years? In my case, it isn't many.

Of course, the Derby is not without its problems and issues, but it remains one of the greatest shows in pool. It remains one of the great proving grounds for the game's greatest legends of all-around play, and for that reason it continues to capture our imagination.

Is the timing and location of the Derby really any different from what Matchroom has done in 2026, producing events in the sweltering August heat of a) Orlando, Florida, b) Yuma, Arizona, and c) Frisco, Texas, visiting hotels off-season in order to cut a better deal with them? No, it's the same. Until pool produces the kind of revenue that will enable event producers to stage events in better locations and in season, this is what we should expect. Speaking for myself, if this is what event producers must do to ensure that they can afford to add events and to continue paying big prize money, I'm all for it.
 
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total time limit can be bad. if you dont like a top player and wont win anyway and matched up with him just run out the clock and both lose.

or if it goes to some kind of sudden death, thats better than playing it out with him.

i got a much better chance of beating filler or any top pro in a lagging contest. so my strategy is to run out the clock by whatever means necessary.
 
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sjm that why i like vegas as the preferred choice.

all can find cheaper rates in the winter at least nearby. and the big plus is you can bring others with you who can find lots to do not pool related in town.
and winter weather isnt bad.

although the venue might not get as good of deals, but may at some of the smaller casinos, but maybe entry fees need to go up with the times.

100 bucks is the price of dinner out for two or breakfast out with the family. that isn't an entry fee but a ticket to a show.

and this way a major tournament can be a vacation as well and some may stay on after its over rather than ditching the joint as soon as they are out.
 
Frosty said:
I still want to understand who thought having this event in the heart of winter in this location was a good idea?
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It's probably a better location than somewhere here in Montana in the dead of winter , in Billings there is Metra Park which has the Montana Pavilion , the Expo building and Metra Park main building with many hotels and motels close by .
Just a thought is all .
 
maha said:
sjm that why i like vegas as the preferred choice.

all can find cheaper rates in the winter at least nearby. and the big plus is you can bring others with you who can find lots to do not pool related in town.
and winter weather isnt bad.

although the venue might not get as good of deals, but may at some of the smaller casinos, but maybe entry fees need to go up with the times.

100 bucks is the price of dinner out for two or breakfast out with the family. that isn't an entry fee but a ticket to a show.

and this way a major tournament can be a vacation as well and some may stay on after its over rather than ditching the joint as soon as they are out.
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I love Las Vegas, too, and I was there earlier this month.

Still, Matchroom tried Las Vegas, having the US Open 9ball there in 2019 and the Mosconi Cup there several times. I think it is probable that they moved these events out of Las Vegas because better deals were available to them elsewhere. Production costs must be managed aggressively if we are to continue to enjoy the wide array of major events that pro pool is now offering.
 
Frosty said:
I still want to understand who thought having this event in the heart of winter in this location was a good idea?
Click to expand...




Your observation is a good one, I would be willing to bet Diamond has a Deal with Cesars to get some of the Room & Food Revenue. So it is win win for Diamond.

For year people have been complaining about the venue, food availability, price of restaurants. But until Pool Player & Spectators do not come, business will be as usual.

Never had to decide to go to DCC after it moved out of Louisville, KY. Lexington has restaurants & lodging close to DCC location, but that was how it was before moving to middle of nowhere.
 
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It all works for Diamond -- they make a boatload of money and tons of players enter from all over the world.

BUT

It is not for everyone. Maybe if you just go to spectate, or you're champion, or you just want to go and see what all the hullabaloo is about.

But it has long lost it's charm for myself and many other players that I know of. I wish them every success.

Lou Figueroa
their scheduling and
1pocket rules blow
 
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