With this event being the longest running, most prestigious event on American soil.....THESE ARE THE RULES I'D LIKE TO SEE THEM PLAYING BY!
A) Race to 21.
B) 10 game lead on your opponent equals early win by KO..NO COME FROM BEHIND UNLESS THE PLAYER FELL 10 BEHIND BECAUSE THE OPPOSITE RAN A 10 PACK. In which case after the run out player finally misses, his/her opponent shall have one attempt to equal or exceed the 10+ pack run, failure to do so is loss of match.
C) All balls must be racked in the same pattern, 1 ball on the spot, no rack AID, triangle only. 30 second rack and accept, or opposing player shall be awarded ONE penalty win as a violation for extending the racking time, in which the person racking shall be granted a new 30 seconds in which to complete racking the balls. 3 consecutive fouls is lost of match.
D) 9 ball on the break counts anytime, but must be spotted back into the game. Breaker keeps the win, BUT if the breaker falls to also pocket the 9 ball to win the game and the OPPONENT pockets the 9 to end the inning, then that player shall be awarded ONE win during the game as well. If the breaker successfully pockets the 9 on the break and subsequently as well to end the game, that shall constitute TWO wins in ONE game.
E) After the initial start of each game, each player shall have ONE lifeline/push out opportunity at anytime during the in play game, and can call to use such lifeline at any time. The opposing player shall either accept the push out, or pass the shot opportunity back to the current player. If how ever the opposing player accepts the push out, that player may as well choose to elect to use their lifeline/push out as well. Once a player has exhausted their lifeline, there are no more to use.
F) All matches have a maximum duration of 3 hours. If neither player has won in a race to 21 pryor to the maximize match time limit, then the winner of the match shall be decided by who ever is a head at the end of the 3 hour match limit. If the players are involved in a game that can end up a tie at the finish and does so, then a ONE game tie breaker will decide the winner after the time limit has expired. With a 30 minute recess between match rounds, all matches will start on time....and END on time. There shall be NO double elimination matches, once a player has lost a match....they are free to leave as their involvement in the field of play is no longer required. Under my rules, the US Open would be concluded by the end of the 4th day running 4 rounds of play in the first 2 days with the use of 16 tables. Every 3 1/2 hours 16 players would be eliminated from play, 64 players in the first day of play alone...149 players entered this year.
G) Shot clocks should be available at each table set to 30 seconds. Either player can activate the shot clock, BUT....once activated neither player can ask for a time extension, penalty for running out the shot clock will be ONE win awarded to the opposing player and a new 30 seconds shall be set and started again....same shooter at the table. 3 consecutive time violations shall be lost of match.
