Barry wants to know which do you think would work best?

RobertaAgnor

RobertaAgnor

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Which do you think would work best?
By Barry Behrman

I'm going back & forth in my mind about several important matters pertaining to this year's U.S. Open. That's right, "Open". As I ponder if I'm doing the right & best thing to do. Such as cutting off the field at 128 players? Such as the high entry fee & trying my best to make as many players, sponsors, vendors, the greatest fans on Earth, & more as happy as possible.

So I'm asking the pool world, "What Should I Do?" Here is one example. Having 175 or so players pay only $700.00 comes to $122,500.00 & added money of $72,000.00 comes to around $195,000.00. By doing so now most players who have been playing for years will be able to continue which brings more people to the event, a welcome sight. Why have less is the question I'm asking myself every day. This is an easy fix to have 175 plus players paying $700.00 by just using 4 additional tables in the other ballroom for the first 2-3 days. Start the event as usual on Sunday rather than Monday, have the players meeting as usual at 4 pm Saturday & by 9 pm players will know what time they may play Sunday starting at 11 am.

I'm adding $72,000.00 regardless of the number of players as a Tier II W.P.A. points sanctioned event, leaving 1st place at $30,000.00 & continue to pay deep. I want my sponsors, vendors, more players, & fans which is why I'm asking for "your input". It's not too late to make a positive improvement which I feel this certainly is. Or do I leave it as it is now? What do you think?
 
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RobertaAgnor said:
Which do you think would work best?
By Barry Behrman

I'm going back & forth in my mind about several important matters pertaining to this year's U.S. Open. That's right, "Open". As I ponder if I'm doing the right & best thing to do. Such as cutting off the field at 128 players? Such as the high entry fee & trying my best to make as many players, sponsors, vendors, the greatest fans on Earth, & more as happy as possible.

So I'm asking the pool world, "What Should I Do?" Here is one example. Having 175 or so players pay only $700.00 comes to $122,500.00 & added money of $72,000.00 comes to around $195,000.00. By doing so now most players who have been playing for years will be able to continue which brings more people to the event, a welcome sight. Why have less is the question I'm asking myself every day. This is an easy fix to have 175 plus players paying $700.00 by just using 4 additional tables in the other ballroom for the first 2-3 days. Start the event as usual on Sunday rather than Monday, have the players meeting as usual at 4 pm Saturday & by 9 pm players will know what time they may play Sunday starting at 11 am.

I'm adding $72,000.00 regardless of the number of players as a Tier II W.P.A. points sanctioned event, leaving 1st place at $30,000.00 & continue to pay deep. I want my sponsors, vendors, more players, & fans which is why I'm asking for "your input". It's not too late to make a positive improvement which I feel this certainly is. Or do I leave it as it is now? What do you think?
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$1000.00 for pros, $500 for none pros, field of 175! have none pros match up separate, pick last say 16 and mix them with the pros. Hope defining a player's skill level is not an issue! add second none pro tournament for loosers..
 
naji said:
$1000.00 for pros, $500 for none pros, field of 175! have none pros match up separate, pick last say 16 and mix them with the pros. Hope defining a player's skill level is not an issue! add second none pro tournament for loosers..
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I don't think that is a terrible idea but will create havoc and a nightmare for Barry. The reason why is that you are always going to have a problem with the grey area of "What makes you a pro?" Obviously with people like Archer, Earl, Morris, etc its easy to sort them into the pro division. But what about Stan T from Seattle? Or some of the other players who have jobs and play when they can and have to major titles? Someone is always going to have something t say I think in this area. So on top of an already hard job to run the tourney it adds another facet to the whole thing and sets him up for potential controversy. Just my opinion but I do like the idea if the other part can be managed.
 
Leave it at 128/1000. He spent so much time thinking and figuring that out. Now, it's time to see that plan through and see how it pans out. This back and forth now is not a good idea after months and months of 128/1000.

After the tournament at 128/1000, the successes and areas for improvement can be discussed.
 
iusedtoberich said:
Leave it at 128/1000. He spent so much time thinking and figuring that out. Now, it's time to see that plan through and see how it pans out. This back and forth now is not a good idea after months and months of 128/1000.

After the tournament at 128/1000, the successes and areas for improvement can be discussed.
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Agreed. This is a case of, "physician, heal thyself." After the pay (lack of) episodes of years past, trying to monkey with the format is secondary -- almost a diversion.

Barry needs to focus on Barry issues; not on other distractions.

-Sean
 
The tournament would lose it's integrity if separate policies, fees, fields, are created for anyone. If you want to play in the "Big One", everyone has to play by the exact rules.

That said, I understand that there already is a certain amount of "seeding" that place within the brackets. I'm not certain of how, exactly, it's done, but hopefully it's in place to equal out some of the minor bumps and not done in an unfair manner.

J
 
I think its a good idea not to limit the number of players, but the cost of playing should be the same for everyone. If more than 128 people play, it certainly helps the financials. If not, then that information is there for future Opens.
 
I'm in agreement with the 128/1000. To further remove any controversy, I would do a live draw for the brackets. This levels the playing field and removes most potential conflict. Only question I have is whether or not there's going to be an escrow account this year.
 
Yeah changing now just seems schizophrenic. Wasn't there some plan for qualifiers? Make the "Open" part the qualifiers and reserve x spots for people who make it through the qualifiers.
 
Im pretty sure it's a rhetorical question but jmho. i doubt the field is filling at 1000.00 per pop and i think it will have to change.
 
naji said:
$1000.00 for pros, $500 for none pros, field of 175! have none pros match up separate, pick last say 16 and mix them with the pros. Hope defining a player's skill level is not an issue! add second none pro tournament for loosers..
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There needs to be something for advanced amateurs to play for. They are the key to growing the sport. Run it DCC style. I'd spend 500 all day if they made it competitive for us to play. I don't mind donating to have a slim shot at 32nd place, but not a grand. If a guy like me could place...you could get 1000 players. We all know pro speed when we see it. Setting handicaps would not be so difficult.
 
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good chance you are right

Nostroke said:
Im pretty sure it's a rhetorical question but jmho. i doubt the field is filling at 1000.00 per pop and i think it will have to change.
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Good chance you are right but will $250 less entry gain enough more players to help? You would be losing a theoretical $32,000 if he can fill the field of 128 at $1000 entry compared to $750. Going to have to find over forty more players just to break even. Looks like 175 players at $750 is little more than a wash compared to 128 at $1000 each. Might have to work harder to fill the 128 player field.

May want to consider raising the entry for next year to $1250 or so to get more money in the pot. The real expenses are travel, hotel, and time off from other activities for most. That is why I don't think $250 entry fee difference either way is going to heavily influence participation.

Hu
 
iusedtoberich said:
Leave it at 128/1000. He spent so much time thinking and figuring that out. Now, it's time to see that plan through and see how it pans out. This back and forth now is not a good idea after months and months of 128/1000.

After the tournament at 128/1000, the successes and areas for improvement can be discussed.
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AGREED! A decision was made - STICK TO IT :thumb up:

Anything else will cause confusion and unrest in many players minds...
 
Leave everything the same but start the tournament wednsday and make them play all day. The money that the players and spectators save will be huge. 300 on the hotel plus food for each player /spectator is alot of money and who can take a whole week off to begin with to attend. The first three days of this tournament are nothing but meaningless match's and bye's. Also there is a offer to pay 200 toward entry for every single person who sign's up in august so it's 800 right now on usopen 9ball facebook page. Fill the 128 and thats it.
 
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cuedoctor said:
Leave everything the same but start the tournament wednsday and make them play all day. The money that the players and spectators save will be huge. 300 on the hotel plus food for each player /spectator is alot of money and who can take a whole week off to begin with to attend. The first three days of this tournament are nothing but meaningless match's and bye's. Also there is a offer to pay 200 toward entry for every single person who sign's up in august so it's 800 right now on usopen 9ball facebook page. Fill the 128 and thats it.
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Most likely he has dates already committed with the hotel. Johnnyt
 
iusedtoberich said:
Leave it at 128/1000. He spent so much time thinking and figuring that out. Now, it's time to see that plan through and see how it pans out. This back and forth now is not a good idea after months and months of 128/1000.

After the tournament at 128/1000, the successes and areas for improvement can be discussed.
Click to expand...

Most likely he is not going to get enough (128) @ $1000 a pop. He was told he wouldn't get 128 @ 1k when he first put out the press release. Thirty + years of putting on this tournament and he still doesn't know what he has to do. No wonder it's a mess almost every year at the end. Johnnyt
 
I think there was only one year where the price was increased from the 500. 4 or 5 years ago I believe it went to 600. I don't recall if attendance was affected or not that year. I might be off on the entry or timeframe, I'm going by memory.
 
Nostroke said:
....i doubt the field is filling at 1000.00 per pop and i think it will have to change.
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TO BARRY:
9 weeks to kickoff & all the rules/dates are changing???? this screams, that the field isn't filled.

last year, you had (33%+/-) decline in players projections (from 254 field). so this year, you upped the entry & readjusted at another (28%), (175 to 128). and now you're stuck - short? till the last minute sign-up (and "paid")?

it's not rocket science. hotel ballrooms are $200/day. rent another one & get more tables & cut the week in half. cut everyone's expenses in half. and draw a bigger crowd.

ROBERTA - this is NOT directed @ you. but it is why i was going to call you - to confirm that this event would even occur, cause i've got 6-8 guys trying to book reservations. good thing we haven't yet. and we thank you for your info!
 
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