Wonder what the turn out will look like this year?
2026 USA National Championships - DBQ
- Thread starter CallShotCowboy
- Start date
I hope it's gaining popularity. I've long been outspoken about the BCA's involvement in professional pool, only to be told that it's an industry member group and doesn't really have anything to do with promoting professional pool—or words to that effect.
Yet the Billiard Congress of America is the governing body of North America, and as such, I believe it should play a role in supporting and promoting American professional pool.
Last year was the inaugural event, and I think the announcement came a little too close to tournament time. This year, however, I'm hoping to see a larger field and increased participation. According to the BCA Facebook page, players expected to compete include Shane Van Boening, Justin Bergman, Tyler Styer, Rodney Morris, Oscar Dominguez, April Larsen, Savannah Easton, and more.
The stronger the turnout, the stronger the statement that American professional pool still matters.
Here's a cute promotional video on their FB page: https://www.facebook.com/reel/2179802212818230
Yet the Billiard Congress of America is the governing body of North America, and as such, I believe it should play a role in supporting and promoting American professional pool.
Last year was the inaugural event, and I think the announcement came a little too close to tournament time. This year, however, I'm hoping to see a larger field and increased participation. According to the BCA Facebook page, players expected to compete include Shane Van Boening, Justin Bergman, Tyler Styer, Rodney Morris, Oscar Dominguez, April Larsen, Savannah Easton, and more.
The stronger the turnout, the stronger the statement that American professional pool still matters.
Here's a cute promotional video on their FB page: https://www.facebook.com/reel/2179802212818230
I think that for it to be a legitimate national championship, it needs to attract most of the top ten players. Here's that list:
- Shane Van Boening USA846
- Skyler Woodward USA810
- Mike Dechaine USA804
- Thorsten Hohmann USA794
- Anthony Meglino USA794
- Oscar Dominguez USA792
- Tyler Styer USA792
- Justin Bergman USA792
- Joven Bustamante USA78
- Josh Roberts USA780
It looks like SVB will be in South Carolina for an exhibition for at least part of the championships.
Here is the schedule:
2026 National Pool Championship Events hosted by USA Cue Sports in Dubuque, IA from 5-12 July 2026.
2026 National Pool Championship Events hosted by USA Cue Sports in Dubuque, IA from 5-12 July 2026.
- Professional Men's 9 Ball: 5 July (10:00) - 6 July (21:00)
- Professional Men's 10 Ball: 7 July (17:00) - 11 July (13:00)
- Professional Women's 9 Ball: 6 July (17:00) - 8 July (21:00)
- Professional Women's 10 Ball: 8 July (17:00) - 11 July (13:00)
- Coed Wheelchair 8 Ball: 9 July (17:00) - 11 July (15:00)
- Coed Wheelchair 10 Ball: 6 July (17:00) - 8 July (21:00)
- U19 Male 9 Ball: 8 July (14:30) - 10 July (19:00)
- U19 Male 10 Ball: 9 July (10:00) - 11 July (17:00)
- U17 Male 9 Ball: 7 July (11:00) - 10 July (19:00)
- U17 Male 10 Ball: 9 July (15:00) - 11 July (17:00)
- U19 Female 9 Ball: 7 July (09:00) - 10 July (15:00)
- U19 Female10 Ball: 9 July (11:00) - 11 July (15:00)
jax_joe
Well-known member
So that registered list shows SVB, Bergman, Oscar, and Styer. That's it.the actual link to their web site is bca-pool.com, not bcapool.com.
So will the winner get a BCA paid spot in the World 10 or World 9?
As I recall last year, it was the top player in each division. I think it was entry and travel expenses.
Why use the word "Professional" on the name of some of the events?
I suppose so as not to offend those involved with amateur (league) championships, but it doesn't make any sense unless they establish separate divisions of pro/am. I think many of those entered will not be professional pool players.
Is there still a consensus #1 in the wheelchair division? Aaron A? Or is it a lot more competitive now?
The recommended hotel is the Holiday Inn on Main Street. The tournament rate there with tax was $145/night. I've stayed there before, and it's a nice hotel. It's a little over half a mile from the convention center.
jax_joe
Well-known member
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Here are the entrants for the men's 9-ball championships. Much better than last year.
- Shane Van Boening 846
- Justin Bergman 792
- Oscar Dominguez 792
- Tyler Styer 792
- Justin Martin 758
- Brandon "Shonuff" Shuff 755
- Rodney Morris 754
- Hunter Lombardo 740
- Tommy Tokoph 734
- Dylan Spohr 730
- Manuel "Manny" Perez 721
- Adam Behnke 718
- Frankie Hernandez 718
- Greg Hogue 710
- Payne McBride 707
- Mason Koch 706
- Hank Leinen 703
- Hayden "Maverick" Ernst 700
- Damian Pongpanik 697
- Ryan Behnke 680
- Jas Makhani 675
- Levie Lampaan 672
- Chad Behnke 666
- Robert Moreno 665
- Brendan "The Chainsaw" Greene 664
- Daniel "The Craftsman" Sharlow 642
- Grayson Vaughan 632
- Robert Orta 623
- Jake Jackson 618
- Michael Vondal 610
- Jeff Dunn 602
- Cory Data 587
- Daniel Cole 577
- Mega Ajroja 571
- Clyde Dunlap 569
- Allen Clay 568
- Tony Gotto 559
- Adam "Showtime" Sturges 558
- Brian Steuer 544
- Ethan Yeager 526
- Cory Mundfrom 512
- Irving Gamez 496
- Ronald Hersh 493
- Dan Hall 428
- Steven Knudson -
Yes, exactly what I have been told.
As do I. But you can’t make them care about the pros, unless it generates money for their respective businesses.
Guess they never heard the saying, A rising tide lifts all boats”
If anything, you’d think the multiple leagues would develop a feeder system between them to develop professionals. Until they figure out a way to monetize a “Cue School” that develops and grows upcoming players, we’ll continue to stagnate at the professional level,
(I know Shane & Jayson have youth programs in place, but I wonder if there’s a next step to be taken to grow them nationally
A shame I have to miss it.
Hear, hear!!
The people that have consistently helped the pros are listed at the bottom of the flyer: Simonis N.A./Aramith, Ivan, Master Chalk, Skip, Diamond, Chad, Greg, & Predator, (Karim?, the DeRuyters)