SJM Analyzes Matchroom’s New Game Plan

Geosnookery said:
This is all a step towards moving to parallel with World Snooker. One can debate a few nuts and bolts but it’s basically creating a ranking and tournament structure that is consistent. This gives confidence for companies outside of the billiards world to invest in sponsorship.

As prize money grows this will attract crossover from Pro and semi pro Snooker players. …bringing along an established fan base in UK and in China. China is ‘the’ ultimate market goal. A nine ball tournament With Ding or Yan might attract 20 million viewers in China. An established Match Room structure will also attract top Chinese 8 ball players.

Anyways, watch for a couple of top Snooker players doing PR work for Match Room. Ten to one we’ll see Mark Selby in the forefront not just because he’s the current World Snooker champion but because he’s a known figure in China.
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Nice post. Thanks for your insights.
 
I didn't read through all the posts, sorry...but here is my opinion:

Matchroom tries to apply the same tactic that worked for them with darts and snooker.
First, strengthen the main market, the main fan base, their main events and their main players.
So focus on 9ball, focus on the European broadcasters and focus on the European top players.
Second, try to expand the product.
I predict a 10 or 8 ball event in one or two years, an Asian top event and a second US based event.
Third, take over the pro/am scene, with qualification tournaments, youth tournaments and last but not least try to make it a worldwide circus of tournaments.

I understand why SJM gets a little bit excited.
 
The_JV said:
Required...? I'd say no. Benefit...?..., definitely. A strong potter will shoot his way out of mis-steps in 9 ball. That option isn't as readily available on a congested 8 ball table.

Would you say that 9 ball requires more CB skill then say 14.1...? In 14.1 you can literally shoot any ball on the table, but yet most runs die because the player got out of line and ended up stupid on his break ball. There's a game where the bail out options are as great as balls on the table yet is still renowned for fine CB control.

Nearly all discussions on this matter fall on to personal bais. I play more rotation than anything else. 14.1 second and 8 ball only in league. The top league players (and there's a significant jump from rest to the best) all have extreme CB control and all see 8 ball as the tougher game.

If it matters. Maybe I should add that I'm speaking only in terms of the games on a 9ft table.
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You make some good points here, I would probably suggest that yes at the top level pattern play is required, but I would concede below the top level you could shoot your way out of trouble (at the very top level I make the distinction as eventually the player would miss and a top level opponent would punish them far more harshly than a lower level player).

The 14.1 comparison is interesting and a valid point, I know I run out of position in 14.1 far more than I feel I should (it looks so easy after all)! That said, in reality in 14.1 its the last 3 shots of the rack where people tend to struggle (I presume anyway, just making that assumption from my own experience)...but that is really down to poor planning (which perhaps comes back to patterns).

I only think in terms of 9 foot tables too, I concede that there is a congestion argument for smaller tables that changes things.

Anecdotally I would say this, playing against low level opponents (i.e. social players) I don't think I've ever had anyone run out against me at 9-Ball (by which I mean the full rack), of course I've lost plenty of racks, but that is when I make a mistake and leave the last 1, 2, 3 or maybe 4 balls remaining.

At 8-Ball however its much more common for a low level opponent to be able to run a higher number of balls, perhaps not all 8, but instead of maybe just the last 3 in 9-Ball they can put together a run of 4, 5 or maybe 6 balls.

Also from solo practice, when at my absolute peak I would run out an 8-Ball rack 1/2 of the time, whereas 9-Ball it would be around 1/3 (this is ball in hand after the break btw...I'm not a super star, ha), so for me personally at least I find (or found perhaps as I haven't played for ages) running out an 8-Ball rack noticeably easier on average.
 
Oze147 said:
I didn't read through all the posts, sorry...but here is my opinion:

Matchroom tries to apply the same tactic that worked for them with darts and snooker.
First, strengthen the main market, the main fan base, their main events and their main players.
So focus on 9ball, focus on the European broadcasters and focus on the European top players.
Second, try to expand the product.
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Yup, we're on the same page here.
 
vjmehra said:
You make some good points here, I would probably suggest that yes at the top level pattern play is required, but I would concede below the top level you could shoot your way out of trouble (at the very top level I make the distinction as eventually the player would miss and a top level opponent would punish them far more harshly than a lower level player).

The 14.1 comparison is interesting and a valid point, I know I run out of position in 14.1 far more than I feel I should (it looks so easy after all)! That said, in reality in 14.1 its the last 3 shots of the rack where people tend to struggle (I presume anyway, just making that assumption from my own experience)...but that is really down to poor planning (which perhaps comes back to patterns).

I only think in terms of 9 foot tables too, I concede that there is a congestion argument for smaller tables that changes things.

Anecdotally I would say this, playing against low level opponents (i.e. social players) I don't think I've ever had anyone run out against me at 9-Ball (by which I mean the full rack), of course I've lost plenty of racks, but that is when I make a mistake and leave the last 1, 2, 3 or maybe 4 balls remaining.

At 8-Ball however its much more common for a low level opponent to be able to run a higher number of balls, perhaps not all 8, but instead of maybe just the last 3 in 9-Ball they can put together a run of 4, 5 or maybe 6 balls.

Also from solo practice, when at my absolute peak I would run out an 8-Ball rack 1/2 of the time, whereas 9-Ball it would be around 1/3 (this is ball in hand after the break btw...I'm not a super star, ha), so for me personally at least I find (or found perhaps as I haven't played for ages) running out an 8-Ball rack noticeably easier on average.
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Here's my take... I play within the realm of high 600 to extremely low 700 fargo group. Going beyond just CB but all relative.

9 ball:
If you use a template your odds of continuing after a 'controlled' break should be >80%. You're either on the first ball or your playing safe. If the layout is screwed your going to play safe. If you need to play safe it generally an easy task to do so. CB control generally benefits from wider zones and open paths. Most patterns involve funneling down along the next shot line because of the fore mentioned zones/paths. Your pattern play involves determining if you can run the rack in order. Yes you tend to work the CB harder. Play more rails, use more spin, hit everything a tad harder.

8 ball:
Strong opprotunity to continue after the break, however the outcomes are far more random. Usually involves just managing the CB and hoping for a lack of clusters. Next shot, options abound if your lucky to be playing 'open table' rules. Follow what you make, and you may be punting on the first shot. Regardless, your mental difference engine goes into overdrive trying to determine best odds using various pattern options. If you know what your doing and there's nothing to cumbersome to deal with you choose the pattern with the greatest odds of success. That may or may not allow for insurance balls. You miss, you're done. Odds of getting a second inning are akin to owning the winning powerball ticket...lol.

Pattern shape zones can regularly be tiny. Running into these zones regularly fly in the face of "correct" funneling techinque most equate to solid 9 ball play. Common to control pace/path of CB with caroms off of other balls (difficult). 'Moves' and safe play early in a rack of 8 ball is only available to advanced players with strong CB control and table IQ. Sure league bangers get fortunate but usually land on their faces in this aspect of the game.

Overall:
Most seem to think 9 ball is a game of aggression but it's no where near the level of 8 ball. You simply need to play perfect 8 ball to win against a quality opponent. 9 ball allows haphazard play by only allowing a single OB target. You might think it makes it harder, but it makes the decisions much easier. The bulk of the comments I've made don't appear to directly relate to CB but they're all contingent on it. However what's harder..? Ripping a shot 3 rails with outside/draw and running down a 4ft shape line, or sliding the CB to the left and forward a few inches at light pace..?

Regardless:
I enjoy all games. I like what MR is attempting to do. I also believe that in a couple short years you'll see 8/10 ball get some MR attention.
 
I just finished watching the above video. One key takeaway is there are several more USA soil tournaments to announce in the next few weeks. MR is working with additional promoters who are about 80% committed. Once 100%, MR will make announcements and add them to the schedule.

Another item of interest is the UK Open will have a 256 field, with entry of 200USD, and prize fund of 200k or more (I forgot exact number) USD. Signups will go live shortly on the MR website.
 
iusedtoberich said:
I just finished watching the above video. One key takeaway is there are several more USA soil tournaments to announce in the next few weeks. MR is working with additional promoters who are about 80% committed. Once 100%, MR will make announcements and add them to the schedule.
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Great news for sure. Maybe Europe won't be pool's epicenter at all. To be determined.
 
Finally catching up on this thread. This is great news. I wish Matchroom and the players involved nothing but success!
 
jokrswylde said:
but have ran quite a few more racks of 9ball in vastly fewer attempts than I have in 8ball.
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I am the opposite. In 8 ball I have to only sink 7 balls in any order and then the 8. In 9 ball I have only one ball I can shoot and only one ball I can shoot next etc., for 9 balls. The harder part of 8 ball is more traffic,
 
iusedtoberich said:
Another item of interest is the UK Open will have a 256 field, with entry of 200USD, and prize fund of 200k or more (I forgot exact number) USD. Signups will go live shortly on the MR website.
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Wow, that's an immediate fulfillment of Matchroom's promise to make entry fees lower and prize money more substantial. The added money here is huge and bodes well for the future at Matchroom's premier events.
 
I don’t know if there will be more US events on this tour, but it’s hard to care when the American players don’t even play in the existing tournaments.

There’s currently a long list of top European players at the CSI Arizona tournament: Fedor, Albin, Kazakis, Alcaide, Mario He, Max Lechner, Fortunski, Grabe, Hohmann, Immonen. I listed those because they all have higher fargoratings than the top US player present, Corey Deuel. Good for Tyler and Chris as well as US players like Jeremy Seaman and Justin Martin for showing up, but where are all our other top players? I know, the top Americans think they’re too good for an event with a shootout. World champions Fedor and Albin don’t think they’re too good for it. The top Americans weren’t at Turning Stone either. The Europeans dominate the US players at US events, in places like Arizona, Ohio, and Michigan!

Maybe getting some of these US events on board this Matchroom “nineball” thing will get the top US players to play, but I wouldn’t bet on it.
 
sjm said:
SJM Analyzes Matchroom’s New Game Plan

On an introductory note, I nearly posted in the other thread about Matchroom’s announcement, but I felt I was raising very different issues and taking a very different look than what I found there, so I chose to start a new thread. Hope that's OK.

My Reaction to Matchroom’s Announcement
Wow, Matchroom’s announcement had me on the edge of my seat as I listened to Barry Hearn and Emily Frazer lucidly unveiling Matchroom’s new, ambitious, game plan for pro pool. Volumes could be written about the impact or potential impact of Matchroom’s new plan (especially in my case) but I’ll encapsulate my thoughts by focusing on these six things:

1. Pro Pool is Growing and Growing
2. Pool Will Return to Being a Meritocracy
3. Standardization of the Game and the Rules
4. More Prize Money Helps Pros Make Ends Meet
5. Big Events Less Dependent on Dead Money Players
6. Europe Will be the Epicenter of the Pool World

1. Pro Pool is Growing and Growing
A year ago, Matchroom added a new event called the Predator League Championship Pool, but this year they’ve added even more, with the addition of the UK Open and the European Open. The Matchroom Pool series is a living, breathing reality, and is a great step forward for pro pool. Matchroom continues to lead the way for growth in our sport.

2. Pool Will Return to Being a Meritocracy
An objective ranking system and seeding methodology that is merit based is something I don’t feel I’ve seen in pool since 1999 when the PBT folded. The WPA ranking system has added value over the years, but Matchroom is taking rankings to a higher level and we are approaching a time when invitations and seeds will be earned by superior performance, just as they should be. Favoritism and ranking systems that just don’t get the job done will be on the endangered list soon. This is a big step in assembling the best possible fields for pro events. When the initial rankings are announced, there will be room for debate, but the performance-based ranking system will bring the cream to the top quickly.

3. Standardization of the Game and the Rules
While paying lip service to other games such as bank pool and eight ball, Matchroom made it clear that their commitment is to nine-ball alone, and I am delighted by this. The fringe games, of course, have their place but I have long felt that call-shot games (bank pool, eight pool, ten ball, straight pool) are not as fan-friendly as nine-ball. Nine ball is the game people know and it’s the one that most of the fans want to watch more than any other. Nobody understands better than Matchroom that part of snooker’s success was attributable to the fact that it’s easy to follow, and so it is with nine-ball.

Matchroom announced that rules will be standardized for Matchroom-affiliated events, and this is fantastic. Break from the box, alternate break, winner breaks, jump cues allowed, jump cues disallowed, shot clock, no shot clock, shot clock stops while you get the bridge or your jump cue, shot clock keeps running while you get the bridge or your jump cue. It seems there are countless versions of the rules, and now Matchroom will standardize the rules, something that pool has needed for many years. Players won’t have to stress out over finding out about and adjusting to nuances in rules from event to event.

4. More Prize Money Helps Pros Make Ends Meet
Pool professionals have had a difficult risk vs. reward equation to solve for years now, for participation costs have always been high relative to prize money available. The sad reality has been that elite players sometimes skip the top events because they can’t easily make financial ends meet.

Matchroom has made it clear that entry fees will drop and prize funds will be increased, so the economics of participation for pro players will improve, which should result in better fields in the top events. Both Matchroom and the fans want the best fields possible, so this is a step forward.

5. Big Events Less Dependent on Dead Money
A sad reality of pool in recent times is that substantial participation of non-professional level players (as we know, there is no definition of a pro, but to me it means players with a Fargo of 725+) has been fundamental to ensuring the profitability of events for most event producers. Matchroom’s initiative is a step away from this, and that bodes well for our game.

6. Europe Will be the Epicenter of the Pool World
A few may bemoan this, but I embrace it. Yes, the Matchroom US Open will still be a premier event, and Matchroom is not overlooking the other two most important nine ball events in the US, affiliating themselves with the Derby City 9-ball and the International 9-ball. I’m surprised that they are not including the China Open 9-ball, Asia’s greatest 9-ball event that always draws a great international field, as a rankings event. Still, this as a small issue for another day, and perhaps it’s not an issue at all until China gets past COVID. There was no China Open in 2021.

All that said, however, with the conception of new events in Europe as well as increased importance of some Eurotour events (such as the Treviso), there is no getting away from the fact that for those trying to earn a good living at pro pool, Europe will be pool’s epicenter.

The most elite players will earn much of their living in Europe (seemingly good news for Dennis Orcullo and fans of him like me) and a very good living will be available to more players than ever before.

In Conclusion
I am the self-proclaimed greatest advocate for Matchroom in the United States, and, through their actions, they keep reminding me why I have so much faith in them. Matchroom has, once again, distinguished itself. Their goals are lofty, their standards are high, and they have both the commitment and the managerial skills to follow through with their very innovative and aggressive plan.

To Barry and Emily, and everyone at Matchroom, thanks for your ambitious plan for pro pool and good luck in its pursuit.
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SJM I agree with all of this but there is some hypocrisy with the statement they desire a meritocracy. How to you reconcile that with their insistence that Earl play in as many of their events as possible (e.g. Mosconi Cup). He's good entertainment but undeserving at this point in his career.
 
dnschmidt said:
SJM I agree with all of this but there is some hypocrisy with the statement they desire a meritocracy. How to you reconcile that with their insistence that Earl play in as many of their events as possible (e.g. Mosconi Cup). He's good entertainment but undeserving at this point in his career.
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Why do you think he is undeserving of these opportunities? He's got a 777 FR rate as of today, no reason a person of his playing ability should be shunned. He's had some rough times over the years (and I was NOT a fan of his for a while but have since changed my viewpoint) but if he has the ability to play and earn money, no reason he shouldn't be allowed to.
 
BRussell said:
I don’t know if there will be more US events on this tour, but it’s hard to care when the American players don’t even play in the existing tournaments.

There’s currently a long list of top European players at the CSI Arizona tournament: Fedor, Albin, Kazakis, Alcaide, Mario He, Max Lechner, Fortunski, Grabe, Hohmann, Immonen. I listed those because they all have higher fargoratings than the top US player present, Corey Deuel. Good for Tyler and Chris as well as US players like Jeremy Seaman and Justin Martin for showing up, but where are all our other top players? I know, the top Americans think they’re too good for an event with a shootout. World champions Fedor and Albin don’t think they’re too good for it. The top Americans weren’t at Turning Stone either. The Europeans dominate the US players at US events, in places like Arizona, Ohio, and Michigan!

Maybe getting some of these US events on board this Matchroom “nineball” thing will get the top US players to play, but I wouldn’t bet on it.
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I know I asked Skyler if he was playing in the Music City Open since it close to his home in Kentucky. He said he was celebrating Christmas with his fiancée's family. Maybe the top US players wanted a weekend off before the expensive and hectic week that is Derby city? Maybe the foreign players didn't want to risk any Covid/ Passport issues so they didn't travel home and decided to play since they were here anyway?

I am just speculating, of course. I don't know anything about the Arizona Open. Is it a storied or prestigious tourney? Is the prize money too good to pass up a chance at? Why do YOU think so many foreign killers showed up to Arizona? do they play in it every year?
 
dnschmidt said:
SJM I agree with all of this but there is some hypocrisy with the statement they desire a meritocracy. How to you reconcile that with their insistence that Earl play in as many of their events as possible (e.g. Mosconi Cup). He's good entertainment but undeserving at this point in his career.
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They stated all seeding is merit based. Based on prize money won (no points, prize money = points). This is for the “regular events” that are open.

The Mosconi specifically will be 3 based on seeding, and 2 wild cards.

The other invitational events with small fields (24 players, etc) will be drawn from the top seeded players on tour. So merit based also. Note, the results from these special invitationals don’t count towards the seeding. Only the open events do.
 
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jokrswylde said:
I know I asked Skyler if he was playing in the Music City Open since it close to his home in Kentucky. He said he was celebrating Christmas with his fiancée's family. Maybe the top US players wanted a weekend off before the expensive and hectic week that is Derby city? Maybe the foreign players didn't want to risk any Covid/ Passport issues so they didn't travel home and decided to play since they were here anyway?

I am just speculating, of course. I don't know anything about the Arizona Open. Is it a storied or prestigious tourney? Is the prize money too good to pass up a chance at? Why do YOU think so many foreign killers showed up to Arizona? do they play in it every year?
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I don’t know why they won’t play in this Predator series (6 events, $775,000 prize money) and I don’t really care. They have their stated reasons: they don’t like the “race to 4” (it’s actually two sets to 4), the shootout, whatever. All I know is that Europeans dominate Americans, both in entries and winnings, in US events in the middle of the country.
 
BRussell said:
I don’t know why they won’t play in this Predator series (6 events, $775,000 prize money) and I don’t really care. They have their stated reasons: they don’t like the “race to 4” (it’s actually two sets to 4), the shootout, whatever. All I know is that Europeans dominate Americans, both in entries and winnings, in US events in the middle of the country.
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Is this a new series/ tournament? Seems like good prize money...
 
dnschmidt said:
SJM I agree with all of this but there is some hypocrisy with the statement they desire a meritocracy. How to you reconcile that with their insistence that Earl play in as many of their events as possible (e.g. Mosconi Cup). He's good entertainment but undeserving at this point in his career.
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i think mosconi cup will be 3 based on rankings, the other 2 wild cards/captains choice. for the WPM the vast majority will be from rankings, and a 3-4 will be wild cards. one of them could be earl but i doubt it
 
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