32 players x 3 events instead of 36 players x 2 events
Standard double-elimination stuff.
They have 36 players. So they have to use a 64-player bracket (32 is too small). With 36 players, the number of byes in the first round is 64 - 36 = 28. So just 8 players (36 - 28) play in the first round (4 matches). The byes then carry through into the losers' side, yielding no matches in the losers' first round and 4 matches in the losers' second round. No more byes after that.
They should have just removed 4 dead money at bottom and refund their money. Consider it "euthanasia". That will be it nice 32 men field and strengthen field with elimination of 4 dead money.
Then they can add another event for 9 ball - they cannot call it US Open 9 ball cos they will get sued by Matchroom/Behrman family so they can call it "CSI Las Vegas 9 ball".
So instead of 3 days for each event, it will be 2 days each for 10 ball, 9 ball and 8 ball.
Means there will be 3 final days so they should get another 50% PPV revenue cos right now most revenue is from just 2 final days.
They can reduce winners cheque for each event to around $9K. I think last year for 8 ball they had about same number of players and winner $9K. They can still charge the 32 players for the 9 ball event around $500 each and use some of the extra PPV revenue as added money for the 9 ball event
If I am not mistaken 36 field is about 34 matches x2 events =68 matches
32 field for 3 events is 90 matches
Means just another 22 matches or just 30% more matches that can be easily managed. 3 events will still finish in 6 days like the 2 events now
Not that the viewership or audience will jump since it will be same small 32 field for all 3 events
