Are Non Matchroom players allowed to play in the Open Matchroom events ?

[Desmondp]

Look i do like what Matchroom is doing for Pool, more events for me to watch, proper coverage, great.

But it does seem to be the same old players over and over again, even in the open events. I know many events are ranking based or invitation but there are some supposed open tournaments

Take the US open, isn't that open to everyone ? I would expect to see the likes of Dennis Hatch, Rodney Morris, Johnny Archer amongst many others to still appear. But it seems to be the main core US players from Mosconi who appear in most events, Shane, Tyler, Skyler, Billy and a few others like Cory. Nowhere near the diversity i would expect from a true open event.

Politics rears it's ugly head in every sport, hell in any situation you get humans together, but hopefully this isn't the reason why the player base in Matchroom events is so '"curated"

 

[garczar]

Look i do like what Matchroom is doing for Pool, more events for me to watch, proper coverage, great.

But it does seem to be the same old players over and over again, even in the open events. I know many events are ranking based or invitation but there are some supposed open tournaments

Take the US open, isn't that open to everyone ? I would expect to see the likes of Dennis Hatch, Rodney Morris, Johnny Archer amongst many others to still appear. But it seems to be the main core US players from Mosconi who appear in most events, Shane, Tyler, Skyler, Billy and a few others like Cory. Nowhere near the diversity i would expect from a true open event.

Politics rears it's ugly head in every sport, hell in any situation you get humans together, but hopefully this isn't the reason why the player base in Matchroom events is so '"curated"

Do a dig and you'll find it. A certain number are in on WNT points and the rest come from qualifiers and entries last. Some info here: https://forums.azbilliards.com/threads/us-open-9-ball-2024-august-19-24-atlantic-city.563230/ Its not just open to anyone with entry fee $$. The top 128 off the WNT list are in and the rest come from qualifiers and open entries filling up last spots. USOpen and BritishOpen golf use similar similar systems. It guarantees strong fields and has been in use for eons. Also, past USOpen 9b champs get free entries.

 

[sjm]

Yes, the non-Matchroom pros are allowed in, but only the 128 WNT pros under contract are guaranteed a spot at the Matchroom majors.

FYI, it hasn't been same old same old this year. Two of the five Matchroom majors were won by Cinderelllas. At the UK Open, Robbie Capito topped Mieszko Fortunski in the final, and at the European Open, Mickey Krause topped Johann Chua in the final.

 

[Swighey]

Yes

 

[Bob Jewett]

.... Take the US open, isn't that open to everyone ? I would expect to see the likes of Dennis Hatch, Rodney Morris, Johnny Archer amongst many others to still appear. But it seems to be the main core US players from Mosconi who appear in most events, Shane, Tyler, Skyler, Billy and a few others like Cory. Nowhere near the diversity i would expect from a true open event. ...

This year the US Open was effectively open to anyone who wanted to play and was willing to do a little work. I'm not sure, but I think they are still inviting previous winners to play with free entry.

There are 128 "tour pros" who got in simply by entering. They are also seeded.

The remaining 128 spots were filled by qualification events, partly.

Four entries came from a Salotto (online match-making app) promotion. People could play matches online and get their entry plus $1000 in expenses paid.

That left a lot of available spots, as few rooms signed up to do qualifiers. Those spots were offered to anyone who had registered for a qualifier. They had to pay full entry. I believe that there were a few spots still open after that which were offered to anyone who could get there.

I believe Matchroom's plan is to have all entries by tour card or qualifier for the Matchroom-run majors.

 

[jbart65]

Look i do like what Matchroom is doing for Pool, more events for me to watch, proper coverage, great.

But it does seem to be the same old players over and over again, even in the open events. I know many events are ranking based or invitation but there are some supposed open tournaments

Take the US open, isn't that open to everyone ? I would expect to see the likes of Dennis Hatch, Rodney Morris, Johnny Archer amongst many others to still appear. But it seems to be the main core US players from Mosconi who appear in most events, Shane, Tyler, Skyler, Billy and a few others like Cory. Nowhere near the diversity i would expect from a true open event.

Politics rears it's ugly head in every sport, hell in any situation you get humans together, but hopefully this isn't the reason why the player base in Matchroom events is so '"curated"

No disrespect, Desmond, but the premise of your question is just wrong. The opens are still open enough. A qualifier actually got to the Hanoi Open a few weeks ago.

For now anyway. Not as easy to enter, and who knows How MR will proceed.

 

[Bob Jewett]

... Take the US open,... I would expect to see the likes of Dennis Hatch, Rodney Morris, Johnny Archer amongst many others to still appear. ...

Those particular players don't play any more. Their time is past. They have essentially no chance to finish in the money or to make a profit, so they wisely don't enter.