2009 United States National Snooker Championship details

Alan Morris

Alan Morris

U.S. Snooker Association
Silver Member
Hi everyone,

Just a reminder that the Championship Information & Entry Form document is now available for the 2009 United States National Snooker Championship, which is to be played at the Prince Snooker Club in Brooklyn, NY, from May 21-24.

If you would like to receive the document just register your e-mail address on the SnookerUSA.com website and it will be sent to you.

There will be an initial group round robin stage which will take place over May 21-22, then the first single elimination last-16 knockout stage matches will commence at 1:30pm on May 23, with the day's play concluding with the completion of the four quarterfinals. The semifinals will get underway at 1pm on May 24, and the final is scheduled to start later at 5pm.

The Prince Snooker Club is a private members club, but for the duration of the Championship the owner Tommy Chen, who is a true gentleman, will welcome anyone who wishes to just drop by and watch the matches.

It should be a great Championship!

Best wishes.

Alan.
 
I just bought my plane tickets. Didn't know Jetblue flies direct from here to JFK... Anyway, I could use a pointer from anybody on Hotels in the neighborhood.
The brochure suggests two hotels, Comfort inn on Emmons and the Golden Gate on the shore parkway. Alan: is there easy transportation from the hotel to the club?

The snooker club seems to be straight off the orange line. Are there other hotels near an Orange line station?
Any New Yorker feel free to chime in! Some of you must be playing in the Prince club, right?

Thanks!
 
It's all coming together. I found a hotel right of the N-line only a few stops from the snooker club for $99+tax a night and 4 out of 5 stars on tripadvisor.com

PM me if anyone is interested.
 
Mr. Morris,
I have a question. What rules do you play by, and where can I find them. Are they traditional snooker rules, or do you play by American snooker rules? Everywhere I have ever played snooker has played by American rules, but I have looked up the traditional rules before(as well as watching live streams from across the pond)and the rules seem to be signifigantly different!

Jeremy
 
It will be played by international rules. Not really a whole lot different, fouls are a minimum of 4 points, unless a higher valued ball is involved and you don't have to hit a rail after contact. So roll ups to baulk colours are legal.
 
drsnooker said:
It will be played by international rules. Not really a whole lot different, fouls are a minimum of 4 points, unless a higher valued ball is involved and you don't have to hit a rail after contact. So roll ups to baulk colours are legal.
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Hey drsnooker,
Do try to network up in old NYC. Another match is in order soon. I have no discretionary vacation time or I would make the trip up there. I expect you to hoist the cup, if it is a cup. Dunno.:scratchhead:
 
the big difference in rules is that the foul and miss rule is not played until the semifinals. Not a fan myself would rather see it throughout the tournament, but it is what it is.
 
No pressure... Thanks mnorwood! I'm just gonna play my game and enjoy a long weekend in long island. First objective is to make it into the knock out stage.

I guess you need certified refs to call a miss. In the early stages, it's be easy to get a buddy to ref in your advantage. Although "real" snooker players wouldn't even consider bending the rules in the slightest.:wink:

I hereby propose that the winner is allowed to do some serious bragging on this forum for one week after! :D
 
instroke75 said:
Mr. Morris,
I have a question. What rules do you play by, and where can I find them. Are they traditional snooker rules, or do you play by American snooker rules? Everywhere I have ever played snooker has played by American rules, but I have looked up the traditional rules before(as well as watching live streams from across the pond)and the rules seem to be signifigantly different!

Jeremy
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Hi Jeremy,

Yes indeed we do play the international snooker rules - a copy of which can be viewed on the SnookerUSA.com website.

The United States Snooker Association, as a member of the International Billiards & Snooker Federation (IBSF), actually does not recognize the American snooker rules.

Thanks and best wishes.

Alan.
 
bnkunderme said:
the big difference in rules is that the foul and miss rule is not played until the semifinals. Not a fan myself would rather see it throughout the tournament, but it is what it is.
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Hi Chris,

In an ideal world we would have all the matches referreed, then of course we could implement the Foul & Miss rule for all matches.

I do think however in certain scenarios that we could implement the Foul & Miss rule. For example, a player can see a red ball on, but because it is a difficult safety shot he attempts to drop on a red ball that he is snookered on, safe in the knowledge that if he misses he will not leave anything on... this is of course unacceptable and should be called a Foul & Miss, as if you miss a ball on that you can make full contact with three times, the frame is awarded to your opponent.

Best wishes.

Alan.
 
Alan Morris said:
Hi Chris,

In an ideal world we would have all the matches referreed, then of course we could implement the Foul & Miss rule for all matches.

I do think however in certain scenarios that we could implement the Foul & Miss rule. For example, a player can see a red ball on, but because it is a difficult safety shot he attempts to drop on a red ball that he is snookered on, safe in the knowledge that if he misses he will not leave anything on... this is of course unacceptable and should be called a Foul & Miss, as if you miss a ball on that you can make full contact with three times, the frame is awarded to your opponent.

Best wishes.

Alan.
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I guess I have been spoiled by playing with true gentlemen, we always play foul and a miss, even in our very competitive league, its pretty straight forward wether someone hits an object ball or not, not something I truly feel a ref is needed. but hey.
 
bnkunderme said:
I guess I have been spoiled by playing with true gentlemen, we always play foul and a miss, even in our very competitive league, its pretty straight forward wether someone hits an object ball or not, not something I truly feel a ref is needed. but hey.
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Hi Chris,

Actually the rule officially states that the "striker shall, to the best of his ability, endeavor to hit the ball on."

This of course means that the rule is not so stringently applied in non-professional snooker, and it would be unfair to call a Miss on an unexperienced or novice player.

Best wishes.

Alan.
 
Alan Morris said:
Hi Chris,

Actually the rule officially states that the "striker shall, to the best of his ability, endeavor to hit the ball on."

This of course means that the rule is not so stringently applied in non-professional snooker, and it would be unfair to call a Miss on an unexperienced or novice player.

Best wishes.

Alan.
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Not to split hairs, but a novice or unexpierenced player shouldnt be playing in the US Open. For a player that is very strong in safety play, for them to be rewarded only one foul for a truly smart and clever snooker limits the field, this is just my opinion. I would even agree to a set limit, such as a player is allowed to put his opponent back 4 times, but at least then a snooker has the ability to mean something.
 
Arguing with the tournament director.... not very gentlemanly *laughs*

This will be my first time playing so I can't speak for the quality of the players, but anybody with $100 can play (at least the locals. Airfare and hotel push it up to a grand easy). Even professional refs have a very difficult time implementing the miss rule consistently. Besides it will require a lot more attention from the ref to remember where every ball was situated before the shot in order to put them all back.

I for one can't wait to play!
 
I have never seen any problems come up with the miss rule. The standard in this tournament will be good enough so the players can easily judge if they played a miss or not. If you play a 2 rail kick to glance off a red on your way back to baulk when you could have easily hit that red or another red full on (but probably left your opponent an opening) and miss it (even by a hair) well that is a miss and you should be made to play it again. I have been called for misses several times and I never had a problem with any of the calls. This is a gentlemans game and the refs word is final. In 10 years of playing in Ireland I don't think I ever argued with a ref's call. You just don't do that in snooker.
 
I by no means am arguing, I am making a statement, whatever rules are established I will abide by again (4th US open). I am simply presenting an alternative option.
 
bnkunderme said:
I by no means am arguing, I am making a statement, whatever rules are established I will abide by again (4th US open). I am simply presenting an alternative option.
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:):):)..... Oh no this is by no means an argument! Funny!

Chris of course is very entitled to put forward his opinion, and I welcome his thoughts that will be taken into account for future Championships.

I can assure you though that the "Miss" rule isn't even implemented in some very high quality leagues around England where there is no referee present.

At this moment in time anyone that is eligible can enter this Championship, no matter what standard they are. But we have discussed the prospect in the future of staging regional qualifiers, which will still allow all players to enter but will result in having a higher standard of play in the finals.

Best wishes.

Alan.
 
Only a week to go!
Alan do you know how big the field is this year? I think the registration deadline has come and gone, so you should have a pretty good idea.
 
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