2015 US Open 9 Ball Rules

[Wedge]

I notice on the website it says nothing about racking the 9 Ball on the spot or the rack to be used. Did something change?

Race to 11
Double Elimination
Finals 1 race to 13
Break Box
3 Balls past Side Pocket
No soft Breaks
Velocity is key to determining a proper break. Players must break the balls with proper speed and it will not be a foul if three balls do not pass the headstring. Players must make an honest attempt to break the balls. A foul will not be called if a player breaks with velocity.
Winner breaks, Rack your own
2 ball behind 9 ball

Dress Code:
Nice Slacks, Sweater or nice shirt, no T-Shirts, No tennis shoes, Nice comfortable soft shoes permitted. Look your best head to toe.

Ear plugs are acceptable, no headphones, walkmen, I-pods... (ie. nothing sticking out of your ears)
Play starts on Sunday the 25th at 10:30am and there is a players meeting the 24th at 4:00pm.
Final Day
Format for Final 3 matches - Quarter and Semi finals: Race to 11; must win by 2. 12/12 is Hill, Hill. - Finals: Race to 13; must win by 2. 14/14 is Hill, Hill.

Thanks (PS: 2 Ball behind the 9 Ball...That could mean 3 different positions or does it mean in the very back of the rack)

Wedge

 

[BRussell]

Yeah I don't remember the Accu rack ever appearing on the US Open site. Are you thinking it's been changed, or just that it hasn't been finalized, or maybe they just didn't put that on their site. And yeah if the 9 goes on the spot, which is what Outsville has said, that should be listed. And "break box" is too vague. I assume they mean two diamond widths around the center.

And then the "velocity" business is a bad idea. Does that mean if someone hits it soft but still makes three cross the center, they can be called for a foul? And who's going to judge, and will it be judged consistently? Will a break speed meter be used? There's a reason that courts throw out laws that are too vague. They can't be enforced consistently.

Why not just say three balls have to cross center or its a dry beak, and leave it at that. And why center? Has that ever been used before? Three balls crossing the headstring has been widely used, and it works. Why fiddle with something like that?

 

[Wedge]

I would reasonably think...

Yeah I don't remember the Accu rack ever appearing on the US Open site. Are you thinking it's been changed, or just that it hasn't been finalized, or maybe they just didn't put that on their site. And yeah if the 9 goes on the spot, which is what Outsville has said, that should be listed. And "break box" is too vague. I assume they mean two diamond widths around the center.

And then the "velocity" business is a bad idea. Does that mean if someone hits it soft but still makes three cross the center, they can be called for a foul? And who's going to judge, and will it be judged consistently? Will a break speed meter be used? There's a reason that courts throw out laws that are too vague. They can't be enforced consistently.

Why not just say three balls have to cross center or its a dry beak, and leave it at that. And why center? Has that ever been used before? Three balls crossing the headstring has been widely used, and it works. Why fiddle with something like that?

That players would want to absolutely know what rack is to be used and if the 9 ball is being racked on the spot or in its normal racking position

Wedge

 

[one stroke]

That players would want to absolutely know what rack is to be used and if the 9 ball is being racked on the spot or in its normal racking position

Wedge

Personaly I not only think they should not know the should change it from round to round and let the opponent move 2 balls in the rack


1

 

[Johnnyt]

40 years of this tournament and many months each year to get ready and still screwed up. What a joke this has become. Johnnyt

 

[Wedge]

Perhaps

The Renfro may be able to shed some light on the racking as he originally posted, I believe, about the 9 ball on the spot and that his template was being used.

Thanks

Wedge

 

[spartan]

Velocity is key to determining a proper break. Players must break the balls with proper speed and it will not be a foul if three balls do not pass the headstring. Players must make an honest attempt to break the balls. A foul will not be called if a player breaks with velocity.

This is ridiculous rule
Unless they have some speed checker like tennis tourneys ,"Velocity" is subjective and up to discretion of ref
Anything that is subjective and requires discretion is a time bomb for controversies

 

[FranCrimi]

I think it will be pretty straight-forward to tell if a player is breaking to spread the balls but doesn't happen to get three past the center pockets and someone who is safe-breaking.

I think it's a good rule.

 

[bdorman]

With all due respect, "three balls beyond the headstring" is a disaster.

Look at all the break fouls in the Mosconi Cup where the breaker smashed the rack at 24+ mph, pocketed a ball, but only had one other ball pass the headstring due to collisions down-table. It introduces the ULTIMATE luck factor! (or, bad luck, as the case may be).

 

[dnschmidt]

It's the U. S. Open. Somehow or another Barry will screw this up. Even with all of Pat Fleming's good intentions keeping this from becoming a cluster is like fighting gravity.

 

[Donny Lutz]

open break speed

I think it will be pretty straight-forward to tell if a player is breaking to spread the balls but doesn't happen to get three past the center pockets and someone who is safe-breaking.

I think it's a good rule.

I get your point, but as Spartan suggested, it will always be arbitrary. I can't believe that every ref (let alone player) will agree on every call of whether the break was "just" hard enough or not.

I've seen referees call "not an open break" on occasion where the breaker struck the rack very hard, but the balls didn't spread because the head ball rolled out a tad just before the break...

But of course, I don't have a better solution!!

I'm wondering what the rules definition of a "tennis shoe" is? What about running shoes? Basketball shoes? Walking shoes? I've probably played 95 % of my pool in some form of "sports" shoe...

 

[BRussell]

With all due respect, "three balls beyond the headstring" is a disaster.

Look at all the break fouls in the Mosconi Cup where the breaker smashed the rack at 24+ mph, pocketed a ball, but only had one other ball pass the headstring due to collisions down-table. It introduces the ULTIMATE luck factor! (or, bad luck, as the case may be).

I understand but completely disagree. First, it's not a foul. The opponent does not get ball in hand. Second, people complain about how easy it is to make a ball - this just makes it a little harder to stay at the table. Third, it ensures a hard break, with more spread of the balls and less predictable patterns, addressing another major complaint about pro 9-ball.

I think it should be a standard rule in 9-ball. "But it would have been a good break under the old rules" is not a good enough argument for me.

 

[Joe T]

I've been messing here and there when possible with this year's US Open proposed rack & break format. With the Accu Rack being used, 9B on the spot and break box (possibly a slightly smaller one idk) I think the best thing to do would be opponent racks. I say this because I think the best thing an opponent could do under this format would be to give a tight and straight rack, anything other than that may increase the breakers chance of making a ball.

When using a normal rack I understand rack your own or opponent racks can be brutal on everyone involved and spectating but with the Accu Rack in play even the shakiest of players can put up a tight rack pretty quick. If it's rack your own I believe there will be more arguing, opponents getting up to check the racks and accusations of cheating.
As I stated above, if my opponent gives me something other than tight and straight I think they're increasing my chances of making a ball otb.

Note to John Brumback; Hi John, we haven't had a racking argument in American Rotation in 2 years

 

[Wedge]

So

I've been messing here and there when possible with this year's US Open proposed rack & break format. With the Accu Rack being used, 9B on the spot and break box (possibly a slightly smaller one idk) I think the best thing to do would be opponent racks. I say this because I think the best thing an opponent could do under this format would be to give a tight and straight rack, anything other than that may increase the breakers chance of making a ball.

When using a normal rack I understand rack your own or opponent racks can be brutal on everyone involved and spectating but with the Accu Rack in play even the shakiest of players can put up a tight rack pretty quick. If it's rack your own I believe there will be more arguing, opponents getting up to check the racks and accusations of cheating.
As I stated above, if my opponent gives me something other than tight and straight I think they're increasing my chances of making a ball otb.

Note to John Brumback; Hi John, we haven't had a racking argument in American Rotation in 2 years

Joe, is it verified that the Accu Rack is being used and the 9 Ball is being racked on the spot? I can't find any information on it other than AZ forums.

Thanks

Frank

 

[Johnnyt]

Whatever template is being used, lines need to be drawn on tables for its placement. You wonder why pool is not a bigger game/sport? Nine ball has been played for at least 75 years and no two promoters or two TD's can agree with one way only to rack. Everyone knows the answer, but won't say it. As long as the 9 ball game is racked in a diamond shape, there will be problems W/O a ref on EVERY TABLE. Whatever happened to 15 ball rotation? TV won't touch it. TV won't touch any pool now. It takes too much time. Sometimes good/better things take longer. 10 ball on the BB and 15 ball on 9' tables...says I. Johnnyt

 

[Joe T]

Joe, is it verified that the Accu Rack is being used and the 9 Ball is being racked on the spot? I can't find any information on it other than AZ forums.

Thanks

Frank

Well Chris has been working pretty hard promoting it that way so I hope so. I just sent him a message so maybe he'll chime in.

 

[The Renfro]

Well Chris has been working pretty hard promoting it that way so I hope so. I just sent him a message so maybe he'll chime in.

The Accu-Rack Diamond 9 is the Official Rack...

I have been sending templates all over the world for the registered players to get a chance to practice with them before they arrive in Norfolk...

The break box is 9 inches either side of the center line and the 9 goes on the Spot...

We will mark the tables with the front and rear slots so getting a straight rack will be a no brainer...

I do like the idea of Opponent rack and am pushing for it so the last vestiges of anyone being accused of cheating can be done away with but the Diamond 9 means manipulation options are mitigated to only a few and a visual glance should be plenty if it's rack your own..

I will get Barry and Roberta to issue a statement regarding the racks but I think they are still selling Banners, vendor booths and Arena advertising even tho they hit their marks and are likely waiting to list all of the Sponsors and Vendors in another press release....

 

[Wedge]

Thanks Chris

The Accu-Rack Diamond 9 is the Official Rack...

I have been sending templates all over the world for the registered players to get a chance to practice with them before they arrive in Norfolk...

The break box is 9 inches either side of the center line and the 9 goes on the Spot...

We will mark the tables with the front and rear slots so getting a straight rack will be a no brainer...

I do like the idea of Opponent rack and am pushing for it so the last vestiges of anyone being accused of cheating can be done away with but the Diamond 9 means manipulation options are mitigated to only a few and a visual glance should be plenty if it's rack your own..

I will get Barry and Roberta to issue a statement regarding the racks but I think they are still selling Banners, vendor booths and Arena advertising even tho they hit their marks and are likely waiting to list all of the Sponsors and Vendors in another press release....

View attachment 397756

Do you know where behind the 9 ball the 2 ball is racked? Anywhere in the three possible positions or at the very back of the rack?

Thanks

Wedge

 

[jay helfert]

The Accu-Rack Diamond 9 is the Official Rack...

I have been sending templates all over the world for the registered players to get a chance to practice with them before they arrive in Norfolk...

The break box is 9 inches either side of the center line and the 9 goes on the Spot...

We will mark the tables with the front and rear slots so getting a straight rack will be a no brainer...

I do like the idea of Opponent rack and am pushing for it so the last vestiges of anyone being accused of cheating can be done away with but the Diamond 9 means manipulation options are mitigated to only a few and a visual glance should be plenty if it's rack your own..

I will get Barry and Roberta to issue a statement regarding the racks but I think they are still selling Banners, vendor booths and Arena advertising even tho they hit their marks and are likely waiting to list all of the Sponsors and Vendors in another press release....

View attachment 397756

This is correct and the two ball will rack directly behind the nine ball. For now it's rack your own, but I also would like to see that changed either this year or in the future.

 

[Wedge]

So

This is correct and the two ball will rack directly behind the nine ball. For now it's rack your own, but I also would like to see that changed either this year or in the future.

The two ball can be either on the left side or right side as long as it is directly behind the 9 ball?

Thanks

Wedge