Is Reno really a Major ?

S

Spade

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
jus wondering if this event is really considered a major event?

i heard some of the pros saying that they didn't consider it a major event.
the event looks like it pays well and had some decent pros in it, but it did look like many big names were missing (archer, deuel, morris, ) and no international players(hohmann, souquet, manalo,reyes,bustamente )
 
Well the Mosconi Cup was going on at the same time which is where most of those people were.
 
nfty9er said:
Well the Mosconi Cup was going on at the same time which is where most of those people were.
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I think that may have cut down on the top stars, but I have to agree with the OP that the field is not as strong as the other events mentioned.

At one time, the Reno Sands events were on the PBTA tour, which guaranteed that the top players would be there. Reyes was there for quite a few events. I got to play Mizerak there once.

Now that there is effectively no pro tour in the US, I think they get the top players who have no other event to play in and lots of regional top players, plus locals who just want to try the competition. Also, since more of the top players now are non-US than 20 years ago, more of them will be missing from the relatively isolated venue.
 
cheemagun said:
I think the true majors in pool is probably

WPC
US Open
and Derby City. (all around)
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I would add the BCA Open to that list as well as the WPC eight ball too, just because of the super tough fields these events have. I don't see how anyone could possibly consider the Reno Open a major.
 
It seems like in the past it was a major event, but that in the past few years it's been a semi-major event. It's still big though.

I think it may not be considered as large as others for three reasons:

1. It's further West than most poolplayers will travel.
2. They're held twice a year, so if a player shows for one he might not show for the other.
3. Payouts are good at the top, but drop pretty dramatically after that (Sort of like the US Open this past year)

Big names have won in the past few years, and as noted in a previous post the Mosconi Cup was scheduled at the same time -- so I don't think the lack of international flavor can be a factor in why it's not a "major."

I did a little research and found the past winners of the events and the runner-ups. I couldn't find 2004 data for whatever reason, but it's all world class players. And remember that the most famous shot in pool (to most people) is Efren's doulbe-rail kick shot against Strickland in the hill-hills finals... and that was in Reno ('95?).

Looking at the past winners and runner-ups:

2006:
December Open:
1. Rich Orem
2. Gabe Owen

Summer Open:
1. Dennis Orcullo
2. Kim Davenport

2005:
December Open:
1. Ronnie Wiseman
2. Shawn Putnam

Summer Open:
1. Marlon Manalo
2. Tony Chohan

2003:
December Open:
1. Mike Davis
2. Santos Sambajon

Summer Open:
1. John Schmidt
2. Alex Pagulayan
 
StevenPWaldon said:
I did a little research and found the past winners of the events and the runner-ups. I couldn't find 2004 data for whatever reason, but it's all world class players. And remember that the most famous shot in pool (to most people) is Efren's doulbe-rail kick shot against Strickland in the hill-hills finals... and that was in Reno ('95?).
Click to expand...

Man I love youtube:

Efren 2 rail kick in Reno

George
 
The Sands regency has definitely dropped a little in stature in the eyes of this fan. Of course, this year, the Mosconi Cup kept some top players away, but overall I'd say this event used to be far more elite.

The WPC, BCA Open, Derby City and the US Open are the only events I consider majors.
 
many mentioning derby city as a major, but the format seems gimmicky
a race to 7 nine ball...re-draw every round...no seeding...400 amateurs
very low prize money after 1st and 2nd...

unless there are other reasons why it should be considered? or we talking not about 9 ball event?
 
not the same

I agree the Reno Sands Open used to be a lot better to see the "major" Pros....I was disappointed some years ago to see that many of the top pros from the East stopped coming to Reno.....So now, you may get a few upper echelon Pros attending, but it's just not the same.....although the top 2 positions pay decent money, the drop off thereafter is such that it's not worth it to many from the East to make the trip......and now, they have eliminated the June Tournament so there will be only one in December....
 
Hey guys, I am a new member but have always been an avid player, just never took it to serious because being from Ga. football, baseball, and many other sports consume the area. Now I need to also shair some info. as to how I got involved with this forum, my nephew whom I practically helped raised till he was 5 or 6 is the (Sands Reno 9-Ball Open Champion, Richie Orem). Richie has always loved the game of pool. He is a very talented, smart, and focused young man that could have done anything else he wanted to do. He has perticipated in many stage plays, loves to act and is very spiritual when it comes to his christian beliefs. He chose pool. We all thought he was crazy but pool was his passion. With all that said, I have been reading most of the forums on Reno and did a little research myself. I can not understand why the money in pool is not as good as it should be. I mean a bowler can win in the triple digits for a win but a pool player is lucky to get into the 10's or 20's. The drop-off after first and second is also rediculous. To me I would think that the prize money would be responsible for qualifying an event as MAJOR, and that would also attrack the top players. Now I do not know why there is not a major tour or league nor a major sponsor but I do believe that with the right people in the right places and the top players united that pool could explode into the 6 and 7 figure sums. The fan base does exist.
 
Spade said:
many mentioning derby city as a major, but the format seems gimmicky
a race to 7 nine ball...re-draw every round...no seeding...400 amateurs
very low prize money after 1st and 2nd...

unless there are other reasons why it should be considered? or we talking not about 9 ball event?
Click to expand...

Well, it draws most of the top players in country and it has a strong international field. It is also an all around tournament which is reminiscent of Johnston City. The only area it falls short in is prize money. With so many people entering into the different tournaments I have to wonder where the entry fee is going. Though I am not sure how much it is to enter.
 
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Cameron Smith said:
Well, it draws most of the top players in country and it has a strong international field. It is also an all around tournament which is reminiscent of Johnston City. The only area it falls short in is prize money. With so many people entering into the different tournaments I have to wonder where the entry fee is going. Though I am not sure how much it is to enter.
Click to expand...

Tap, tap, tap. Derby City continues to draw killer fields that are very intrernationally diverse. The number of disciplines contested also makes is very special.
 
chilli66 said:
First time I've seen that, although I'd heard about it. That takes some kind of self-belief to even attempt that shot.
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i always wondered if he just ment to kick-safe the ball, and got a roll.
either way the shot shows just how brilliant he is :eek:
 
wahcheck said:
......and now, they have eliminated the June Tournament so there will be only one in December....
Click to expand...

The June Tourney has been eliminated? Any idea why? Is there some place that one could find out more information?


Lunchmoney
 
It may move to Hardtimes in Sac.

I think that it was announced that it will move to Hardtimes in Sacramento CA - more tables a good thing?
 
fatlester said:
Hey guys, I am a new member but have always been an avid player, just never took it to serious because being from Ga. football, baseball, and many other sports consume the area. Now I need to also shair some info. as to how I got involved with this forum, my nephew whom I practically helped raised till he was 5 or 6 is the (Sands Reno 9-Ball Open Champion, Richie Orem). Richie has always loved the game of pool. He is a very talented, smart, and focused young man that could have done anything else he wanted to do. He has perticipated in many stage plays, loves to act and is very spiritual when it comes to his christian beliefs. He chose pool. We all thought he was crazy but pool was his passion. With all that said, I have been reading most of the forums on Reno and did a little research myself. I can not understand why the money in pool is not as good as it should be. I mean a bowler can win in the triple digits for a win but a pool player is lucky to get into the 10's or 20's. The drop-off after first and second is also rediculous. To me I would think that the prize money would be responsible for qualifying an event as MAJOR, and that would also attrack the top players. Now I do not know why there is not a major tour or league nor a major sponsor but I do believe that with the right people in the right places and the top players united that pool could explode into the 6 and 7 figure sums. The fan base does exist.
Click to expand...

Richie sounds like a great guy. I don't know him as I am quite his Sr in years and don't get out much anymore and hardly ever play 9-ball.

Reno used to be a major event and drew quite a field for many years. Things in pool have change quite a bit, but Reno hasn't. IMO, they haven't kept up with the changing times.

Travel these days, is expensive and a lot of these events, are simply not cost effective. The only thing to help Reno, at this point is the Added money.

These things, tours and sponsors and so forth have been argued and discussed many time here and will likely be in the future. There will be another pro tour at some point. Someone will take the chance, but, after the IPT fiasco, I believe it will take a while yet. The Ipt broke many hearts and did a lot of damage.

It will happen though. Every tiem a door closes, another one opens. Lessons are learned and new ideas are born. It is a shame though, pool has never filled with as much talent as now.

It sounds as if you folks did a great job raising Richie.

FWIW, anytime you double dip a Gabe Owen in the finals, please consider that a MAJOR WIN.

Congratulations to Richie.
 
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