Does this mean the USOpen is Open?

[Wyoming Will]

The U.S. Open has traditionally barred women from playing. Of course now there are many women capable of beating good men players. Scary huh!

If Barry would like to increase his gate by 20-25%, he would allow women to play. If it were me, they would be in like Flynn!
I'd like to see Jasmin playing Efren in the Finals for all the marbles! But that's just me. No offense to any chauvinists out there.

I really wanted to prove you wrong. I looked over so many player lists, trying to find a woman who played in the US Open. I mean, I could've sworn women played recently but it seems you're right. It goes back to the inaugural year of the WPBA when Men's pool was really irate over the women forming their own tour. I'm really surprised I never knew that was the case. I wonder if that's even legal (banning women from a Men's event).

 

[branpureza]

So you think they shouldn't be allowed to play because they can't compete?

Nope, never said that at all.

They need to be protected from going "broker"? I don't think I know what you're point is.

My point is that the women need their own tour, they can't survive having to compete against the men in every tournament.

Oh, and in reference to promoting the sport versus making money - Yes, they play because they love it. If they played simply for money, the tour would be 6 deep.

If there was no money the tour would be 0 deep.

Do you know any of these players? Have you talked to any of them that are on the tour but not top ranked? They know they're not paying the bills with pool money.

Yes, I know quite a few of them actually... do you?

I really wanted to prove you wrong. I looked over so many player lists, trying to find a woman who played in the US Open. I mean, I could've sworn women played recently but it seems you're right.

Have you ever played in the US Open? Ever even been to it?

I wonder if that's even legal (banning women from a Men's event).

Are you serious?

 

[Neil]

.............

 

[Fuji-whopper]

Why do people keep saying that men are afraid of losing to women? The people making the rules aren't even the same people competing are they? How could a player change the rule even if they wanted to?

I'm really curious about why people keep saying this over and over.

 

[branpureza]

How can you argue that it isn't fair for women to not be able play in the men's US Open but disregard the fact that men can't play in the women's US Open?

It can't just work one way... how hard is this to understand?

 

[MikeM]

There's another argument...

That only leaves one argument. That some of the men are scared of getting beat by a woman.

...and it goes to Sactown Tom's point above as well. Say they do get 400 people signed up and pay 128. If there are say, 5 women who place in the top 128 and get paid, that's 5 men players who DON'T get a paycheck (however, small it would be).

Those 5 women players, however have another opportunity to earn a check on the WPBA tour and those 5 men don't. With the dearth of prize money in pool these days, those few dollars make a difference in letting women play or not.

All that being said, as a peson who buys VIP tickets every year, I personally would LOVE to see the woment get to play in the Open, but I understand if they don't.

MM

 

[Wyoming Will]

My point is that the women need their own tour, they can't survive having to compete against the men in every tournament.

I agree women should have their own tour but I wouldn't go so far as to say they can't survive having to compete against the men in every tournament. A lot of men can say the same thing. So what?

If there was no money the tour would be 0 deep.

I think your definition of "money" and mine are a bit different. There isn't a single woman on the money list that has made more money in tournament winnings than the average person posting here. Also, you have to imagine what the expenses must be to travel all over the place. Xiao-Ting Pan (ranked 3rd) has a $15,000 payday which is great but it's not MONEY. That's a year's mortgage and you're still eating bologna everyday. She can't possibly be looking at pool like this is an amazing opportunity to make money.

Yes, I know quite a few of them actually... do you?

Yes. I know most of them and know they have a tough time making ends meet. It's very difficult to tour the country and still pay the bills. There is simply no need to restrict them.

Have you ever played in the US Open? Ever even been to it?

No, not the US Open but I've played in a major event before and been invited to a few. I know those guys and they don't care if they play a woman.

Are you serious?

Yes, I'm actually serious about the legality of it. I'm not a lawyer so I'm only curious. You see, the WPBA can argue their events are for invited players. Nobody, man or woman, can show up at a WPBA event and just play so they slightly side-step discrimination laws. However, The US Open is OPEN hence, they are in blatant disregard of the law. I would be curious as to what would happen if a woman tried to register and was denied. On the flip side, I'd be curious as to what would happen if a man tried to register for a women's qualifier.

You can see what is happening with women's poker here. They're dealing with similar issues:

http://www.pokernews.com/news/2007/10/womens-poker-spotlight-ladies-only-revisited.htm

 

[SLBEHRMAN]

2008 U.S. Open

My dad will begin posting himself next week.

In regards to the debate about women entering the U.S. Open, he wanted to let everyone know that the U.S. Open is only open to men. This year marks the 33rd year were only men have played in the men's division. He had a women's division for 11 straight years during this time, the men played in the U.S. Open as well. In 1993 the women formed their own tour which included the U.S. Open Women's only event which began in 1998 or 1999 and no man has ever played in their U.S. Open.
He agrees that it would be great for men and women to play together in some event in the future, but in a not major one such as the U.S. Open 9-Ball Championships. As we speak, the U.S. Open Tennis is on and they have their own divisions, rightfully so. Everyone knows my dad loves women; they receive a rose each night at the open, but when it comes to a major sporting event such as tennis, golf, or billiards he strongly believes the two should be separated. My dad's goal is to have as many of the greatest male player's from around the world at this year's U.S. Open. We Hope this clarifies a few things.

 

[Neil]

.............

 

[Jimmy M.]

Why do people keep saying that men are afraid of losing to women? The people making the rules aren't even the same people competing are they? How could a player change the rule even if they wanted to?

I'm really curious about why people keep saying this over and over.

5 words:

sofa king we todd did.

 

[Fuji-whopper]

5 words:

sofa king we todd did.

That's right man, I am the KING!! Even if it means I ride the short bus and wear the helmet, my mom says I am special damn it.

 

[Milo]

Many feel that the women should not play with the men because they have their own tour. So, lets' look at why they have their own tour. probably 95% of the women cannot compete with the men. Some feel that none of them can. (I believe they are wrong)

So, since they supposedly can't compete, they are then by default lesser players. Being lesser players, there should be no problem with them 'stealing' money from the men. If they do, then just who is the lesser player? And, being a lesser player than the women, why should they be entitled to any money?? That argument just doesn't work.

Since the U.S. Open does not have a limited number of players, the women cannot be taking any spots from any man. So, that arguement doesn't work either.

That only leaves one argument. That some of the men are scared of getting beat by a woman. Well, to that, I say, if you are scared of getting beat by a woman, what are you going to do when you have to face Archer or Efren? If your game is so low that you are playing your opponent instead of the table, you don't deserve to win anyways. And, if you are that insecure, that you fall apart playing a woman, you will never make it to the top levels of pool either.

I say, if they have earned it, let them play! The men can't play on the womens tour for the exact same reson they can't play on the amateur tours. They would dominate.

That is the problem with the womens tour right now. You have a handful of women that can compete with the men that dominate the womens tour. The rest of them really have no chance. But they still show up! That's more than the men do! Many mens fields are not full anymore just because they feel they can't take first. That doesn't help pool at all.

One more thing, if it wasn't for the women's tour keeping pool alive to the public. I don't think there would be much of anything for the men anymore.

Neil, I tried to rep you. It says I have to spread some around before repping you again. Nice post!!!!
I wish more men had your views on this issue.
Jay is also a keeper.

 

[jamesroberts]

This has been discussed before, and I believe that Barry has an agreement with the WPBA, in which the US Open will be exclusively for men. Someone could use the search feature to confirm. I'm on here via mobile as I'm en route to Florida or I would.

seriously wtf is up with your avatar?????

 

[jamesroberts]

That's right man, I am the KING!! Even if it means I ride the short bus and wear the helmet, my mom says I am special damn it.

dude would you stop being so chauvenistic.........just because your really not much of a pool player, dont be scared at getting beat by a women ............ ...we all know why women dont play in the mens open..........because they would rob the men thus giving them 2 us opens

 

[jasonlaus]

My dad will begin posting himself next week.

In regards to the debate about women entering the U.S. Open, he wanted to let everyone know that the U.S. Open is only open to men. This year marks the 33rd year were only men have played in the men's division. He had a women's division for 11 straight years during this time, the men played in the U.S. Open as well. In 1993 the women formed their own tour which included the U.S. Open Women's only event which began in 1998 or 1999 and no man has ever played in their U.S. Open.
He agrees that it would be great for men and women to play together in some event in the future, but in a not major one such as the U.S. Open 9-Ball Championships. As we speak, the U.S. Open Tennis is on and they have their own divisions, rightfully so. Everyone knows my dad loves women; they receive a rose each night at the open, but when it comes to a major sporting event such as tennis, golf, or billiards he strongly believes the two should be separated. My dad's goal is to have as many of the greatest male player's from around the world at this year's U.S. Open. We Hope this clarifies a few things.

Shame on you!!! Time for a change of title then. This should NEVER be billed as the US OPEN. Isn't this about crowning a true champion for the highest skill level possible?
If women are not allowed to play then the "title" is a joke. Or are you claiming that women have no chance of winning? To this I say there will be alot of men in this tournament who are very capable of being beaten by the top women in tournament play. New title THE WE ARE AFRAID OF WOMEN, MEN'S US OPEN. Sorry if your feathers are ruffled but it's time to bring the game into this century.JMHO

 

[da_rookie_77]

as you all can tell by me having no rep i dont post much but i have to put in my 2 cents on this. i personally could care less if women play in tournaments with the guys like they do on the joss tour. the us open on the other hand i believe is perfect the way it is. due to just 1 reason and that is the fact that there is a womens us open. alot of you use the " its open so anyone should be eble to play" card but let me ask you something could i being a male jump into the womens us open? that answer is no. but by your standards the title is us womens OPEN. some say the women need there own tour for money to survive and others say that men need those spots the women would take to get by. in my opinion it all sounds like the south end of a mule headed north to me. if no one but the top 5 or 6 pro's in any catagory make money then why does every tourny have more then 5 or 6 players? it takes money to travel and eat and so on and last i knewyou cant reach into an empty pocket and pull out cash. ill get the sponsor blah bla blah crap to say thats how they do it. but if the sponsors are paying the way why do they need to play in anything but there own tour stops any ways. now that im done angering alot of you and prolly not making n e sense i have one last thing to say. i am an american hence i live in america and pool is a sport like no other tall or short skinny or fat perfect viion or glasses almost everyone can play the sport and its the most played sport in america and prolly the world. from the local bar to the us open. everything from has beens to never will be's. does the wpa or w/e help the sport? only cuz its on tv. why is it on t.v? 1. because a jeanette lee in tight leather pants attracts attention from the mostly male veiwers that watch. if u dont believe me ask yourself one question. if u watched every pool match on tv and it was always 2 400lb women playing eachother yould you watch it? and be honest with yourself. and reason number 2. gambling . if you had to place a bet with your very last 100 bux before a tourny started would u bet on shane vanboening to win the mens challenge of champions or would u rather place that money on allison fisher to win the womens challenge of champions? that being said im just a 23 yr old redneck who was told by a few i could be pro if i had 6 months and a pro quality 9 footer. i know the game inside and out but do i know what im talking about here well u all be the judges

 

[Fatboy]

I never said anything about being 'fair'. Since when is anything in this life 'fair'?

One thing I forgot to add, is why isn't anybody complaining about Wu, or the other 'young guns' that get to play in junior events, (or did get to), and still play with the top men? Wu wins two world titles when he's 16. Where's the outrage in that? There wasn't any. Just praise for the 'kid'. The same should hold for the women.

Remember, they aren't playing in the 'mens' events. They are playing in 'open' events.

i agree whats fair and for that matter why should it be?? mincing up words and being PC is just fag shit, how's that??:thumbup: thanks to bill we shall forever have to carefully define every word we say, write or think for that matter

/except for me, of course

 

[JB Cases]

I think that the WPBA made a deal with Barry Behrman that they could have the title "US Open" for a women's only tournament - which by the way is not "open" either, that they wouldn't seek to enter the "male" US Open. I think Barry should reconsider this and allow women to enter. Especially as it's really unfair to all the women who have emerged as real contenders well after such a deal was consumated.

In today's climate every promoter can use all the publicity that they can get. Jeanette Lee showing up to compete guarantees a few more write ups and extra coverage.

 

[JB Cases]

...and it goes to Sactown Tom's point above as well. Say they do get 400 people signed up and pay 128. If there are say, 5 women who place in the top 128 and get paid, that's 5 men players who DON'T get a paycheck (however, small it would be).

Those 5 women players, however have another opportunity to earn a check on the WPBA tour and those 5 men don't. With the dearth of prize money in pool these days, those few dollars make a difference in letting women play or not.

All that being said, as a peson who buys VIP tickets every year, I personally would LOVE to see the woment get to play in the Open, but I understand if they don't.

MM

The Men can earn $100,000 for winning the World 9-Ball Championship. The Women can earn $20,000 and it goes downhill from there.

The wheelchair players are allowed to play in the US Open if they are male.

What about all the amateurs and no-name players who have day jobs who enter the US Open? What happens when one of these players has a good day and knocks Johnny Archer out of the event? Aren't these players also "double dipping" by taking money away from "the struggling pros"?

The fact is that IF it weren't for all the "suckers" who have little to no chance to get in the money then the US Open wouldn't be able to pay anything worthwhile.

I say let EVERY LIVING BREATHING HUMAN who wants to put $500 into the prize fund play. If a woman ends up near the top or even WINS it then it will only serve to get more publicity and entice even MORE people to try next year. Imagine all the shortstops who would swim a river of garbage to play any woman for money.....they couldn't STAND IT if a woman finished high at the Open and they didn't play.

 

[JimS]

I say let EVERY LIVING BREATHING HUMAN who wants to put $500 into the prize fund play. .

Tap. Tap. Tap.