End of the US Open?

[trob]

You can Still play your way in. The pga doesn’t let Joe hacker sign up and play in the us open. You have to win a qualifying event. Snooker doesn’t allow just anyone to play in their tournaments . It’s bad for the product. They are trying to elevate the game. Letting guys who can’t put 3 balls together play in a tournament this size is terrible. Do you guys want pool to rise up or just stay a game that hardly anyone watches and the players make little money? You can’t have it both ways.

 

[skogstokig]

Not only that, but I think the top 128 only can get invited to those types of events... And also, players using qualifiers as entry can will be limited to number of open events allowed to play.

they got that part wrong imo, limiting entry to two majors for players outside the seeded 128. it should be if you qualify for any major you earned it

 

[vjmehra]

Not a bad idea.., but you wouldn't be able to see the table from most of the seats? I do think they need to arena style the events so that the viewers are always above the action with a better viewing angle, not easy, not cheap.

I think thats already been done....

World Snooker Championship in Sheffield

he World Snooker Championship is professional snooker's longest-running, most prestigious, tournament and has been held at the iconic Crucible Theatre in Sheffield since 1977.

www.welcometosheffield.co.uk

It sells out every year, people buy tickets the day after the final for the following year!

 

[sammylane12]

I don`t care about amateurs playing pros. Very, very boring, stupid really. I am only interested in watching the best players in the world. I can watch hacks play every day if I want to.

 

[JAM]

In the words of Ronnie O'Sullivan, "Numpties are quite happy to slog through every tournament, where every event counts towards the rankings, where as the cream of the crop would back themselves to have there best 10 tournaments count towards there ranking regardless of how many events there are."

 

[The_JV]

The only aspect to the partially closed door and the subsequent requirement to place in a qualifier that concerns me, is where these qualifiers will be held. It only makes sense that the gross majority be in the country of origin. However for some, lets pretend like myself, there's now international travel just to play in a qualifier that I'll likely not win. If they're offering up 128 spots via qualifier then there clearly will be more than 1 spot provided per event. ...but even with that said, what's the cost to enter, to travel/stay, how many times you going to try and beat the MR non-contract players...?

These events fill within minutes no differently then all the local tourneys with an internet presence. Players scrambling to get "their spot" on the main draw in hopes to avoid the wait list. Only to back out when it comes down to it. Adding qualifiers won't alter this. Players playing local qualifiers because it's convenient. Winning spots, and then backing out for whatever reason. Two things will happen. Yes, the strong will only be able to qualify. The ultra dead money a 256 event needs to have a full field can no longer be counted on.

I'm not saying what MR is doing is wrong or a bad idea. I just think it doesn't really fix anything, and is really just a illusion of something greater.

 

[9BallKY]

i guess based on that 'logic' the US Open golf tournament should just let every 30+handicap hack play too. it IS a prestigious event, one the the most coveted events in all of pool and should be run like one. hey, if a 600+ Fargo got through a qualifier into the main field i think that would be awesome but i don't agree on just letting anyone enter regardless of skill level.

I totally understand what you are saying. Yes it is a prestigious event. However there is a tremendous difference in playing in the US Open rather than playing a qualifier. I’ve never played in it and probably never would even if they hadn’t made these changes. The only way i would play a qualifier is if it was within 2 hr drive of me. I wouldn’t travel to play an event with the same level players as myself with a chance to travel to another event but that’s just me.

 

[1pocket]

Although I think the dead money players have made the US Open a better event over the years, no other sport lets the underqualified participate in their premier events. That's because the spots in those fields are in very high demand and those who get in have to earn it by either earning a tour card or by winning a qualifier, which takes very strong play.

The US Open will still be "open" because given the emerging presence of qualifiers, all who think they are worthy will have a chance to prove they belong in the field.

Some choose to bemoan these changes in pool, but I embrace them 100%. There are now enough great players that fields in the majors can consist almost entirely of Fargo 740+ players, and the growing prize money available makes it much more enticing for the worthy to try to earn a spot in a major.

As our sport grows, we should not only embrace getting stronger fields over time but should demand it. Matchroom is making the dreams I've always had for pool come alive. The majors are bringing the strongest fields ever seen in majors, and especially the Matchroom majors. Matchroom envisions a Q-school in which emerging talent can earn a touring card, so the door will always be open for the truly worthy players to join their tour.

Dead money players will still have ample opportunities to compete against pro level players, but it will be away from the majors, in Euro-tour, Joss Tour, Mezz Tour, many Asian events and countless regional and local tours and events.

Transition can certainly be painful for some and I'm not without compassion for those whose access to the top events is about to decline, but our sport is advancing in a big way and it's something to get excited about.

Pool is starting to evolve past the point where the revenue derived from dead money players with a dream isn't needed to make the business model work at the majors. At least in the eyes of this fan, it's about time!

In a thread like this, I always look for you and Bob Jewett in particular Thank you for your insight! It has been amazing watching the rise of international pro players over the last 20 years. I would say that (along with of course the rise of One Pocket lol) has been by far the biggest development in pool over these last 20 years -- the growing international strength of the game! And honestly, I don't think it reflects a decline in American player level -- I think it is much more a reflection of a rise in the international player level.

Matchroom is definitely focused on the international growth of the game; it is almost as if we are seeing the US Open move from a US event to an international event -- much like the golf majors did years ago. And of course, I don't mean moving in physical location, but if you think about it, just the fact that an international pool conglomerate (Matchroom) now owns the US Open, you can see the international element there as well as in the mix of players (at the top in particular!).

 

[Podunker]

The game is growing. It is a more organized tour than ever before. In the past, the dead money was needed to fund the tournament. US open should be elite. Golf has pre tournament pro ams for rich jock sniffers. They're not playing in the big show. If I ever go to a big pool tourney, I don't want to buy an entrance ticket and watch somebody I may play on Monday night. We can't take batting practice with the Houston Astros.

 

[easy-e]

The game is growing. It is a more organized tour than ever before. In the past, the dead money was needed to fund the tournament. US open should be elite. Golf has pre tournament pro ams for rich jock sniffers. They're not playing in the big show. If I ever go to a big pool tourney, I don't want to buy an entrance ticket and watch somebody I may play on Monday night. We can't take batting practice with the Houston Astros.

I bet you could if you paid enough. They just charge more because people care about baseball.

 

[briankenobi]

Lots do. Lots of people also enjoy the underdogs. It's the same as any event, watch the matches you want and tune out for the matches you don't. What's the harm in them playing?

I agree people love the underdog stories. That is why if there are qualifiers to get in, then you can still have the same underdogs. Just this way those underdogs might play better than the 500 Fargo player that had the money to play.

 

[KAP1976]

We had a top level event in Galveston many years ago. They had a pro event and an amateur event. None of the amateurs came over to the pro side to sweat matches. It was me and few other people watching the worlds best. The final table didn't have more than 30 people watching. It was a massive event and it failed massively. Based on that experience I don't see where amateurs care at all about pros. If an amateur goes to a big event I think most would rather play.

I think it’s getting better. The first year of the World 10 ball in Vegas you had a handful of people watching on the outside tables. Now it’s pretty packed in most days.

 

[9BallKY]

I agree people love the underdog stories. That is why if there are qualifiers to get in, then you can still have the same underdogs. Just this way those underdogs might play better than the 500 Fargo player that had the money to play.

This is true but how many of the ones who qualify will decide they don’t want to fork out the money and time to travel 5 states away to play? It could happen.

However I think it’s a good thing that Matchroom has done with the game. Unfortunately we can’t have it both ways if we want pool to be mainstream like other sports amateurs are going to be able to compete on the same stage as the pros.

One thing is how many spectators will attend just to watch? Watch the final of any tournament on YouTube and tell me how many pro players are watching? Yes there are some. I go to the derby and believe me when the tv arena is packed, 90-95% of those people are people who participated in the tournament. If the average guy can’t play he isn’t going to travel a long way just to watch. Matchroom is probably more worried about streaming revenue than they are who pay to watch at the venue

 

[lfigueroa]

Seems like there are two viewpoints developing: from those that play and from those that spectate.

Lou Figueroa

 

[garczar]

Seems like there are two viewpoints developing: from those that play and from those that spectate.

Lou Figueroa

Thankfully the game looks to be getting beyond the days when big events required lots of dead-money "Hey i donated too" players to pay the ones that actually had any chance cashing.

 

[The_JV]

This is true but how many of the ones who qualify will decide they don’t want to fork out the money and time to travel 5 states away to play? It could happen.

I think this will happen more often then most would be willing to admit. If the ability to transfer a "spot" remains the same. I wouldn't bet against the ~725-750 players selling their spots before the event. I had a buddy obtain his spot in the last Open via purchase from a room owner who bought a block for sake of tourney prizes.

However I think it’s a good thing that Matchroom has done with the game. Unfortunately we can’t have it both ways if we want pool to be mainstream like other sports amateurs are going to be able to compete on the same stage as the pros.

Completely agree

One thing is how many spectators will attend just to watch? Watch the final of any tournament on YouTube and tell me how many pro players are watching? Yes there are some. I go to the derby and believe me when the tv arena is packed, 90-95% of those people are people who participated in the tournament. If the average guy can’t play he isn’t going to travel a long way just to watch. Matchroom is probably more worried about streaming revenue than they are who pay to watch at the venue

Speaking as someone who was there on the last day, last year. I wouldn't buy those tickets again. Witnessing the production was awesome but I found that I spent more time looking at the overhead screens showing the streamed footage then I did the live player. You simply can't beat the viewing angles on the streams and having the commentary as background noise is something I missed being there live.

As far as pros in attendance goes. I will bet my house that there wasn't 126 of them last year for the final day...lol. There were a maybe a couple handfuls in the stands, and some lingering behind scenes. I imagine like most tourneys in local areas. Players typically have better things to do then watch other players when they have nothing further personally invested

 

[The_JV]

Thankfully the game looks to be getting beyond the days when big events required lots of dead-money "Hey i donated too" players to pay the ones that actually had any chance cashing.

I'm proud that I donated when the opportunity was still there.

While I wasn't one of the "players" as we would consider the elite. It was pretty cool to be on the other side of the curtain. Real shame that Joe "deadmoney" Blow won't ever get that chance again. However I fully agree with the MR move.

 

[Bob Jewett]

they got that part wrong imo, limiting entry to two majors for players outside the seeded 128. it should be if you qualify for any major you earned it

It does seem like a strange rule. Maybe the idea is that back in the qualifiers, it will get other players to enter when Willie is barred after two.

 

[iusedtoberich]

Seems like there are two viewpoints developing: from those that play and from those that spectate.

Lou Figueroa

Well you yourself said the DCC is now pretty bad, as a player, with unlimited fields. The same thing would happen to the US Open if they kept it "open" for anyone with $500.

Its not possible to have your cake and eat it too

 

[Bob Jewett]

Thankfully the game looks to be getting beyond the days when big events required lots of dead-money "Hey i donated too" players to pay the ones that actually had any chance cashing.

I think the Matchroom large open events already get the very large majority of their money from spectator fees, either in person or from broadcast/streams. Shortly after they acquired the US Open, they said a long term goal was to have the Open be a zero entry fee event.

Of course the Mosconi Cup is funded entirely by viewers with a total production budget that is somewhere around a million dollars. It's remarkable that some people still say, "Nobody watches pool."