SJM at the 2021 International Open

sjm said:
There was unanimity among the many fans and players with whom I spoke that the event went on a day too long. Thursday was the day that didn't add up for most us, as the round of sixteen was the only one played in the nine ball event, and it seemed that the quarterfinals should also have taken place on Thursday. I think the schedule was intended to accommodate the juniors, who used up many of the tables on that day, but in my heart of hearts, I still believe that the nine ball event could have easily fit in two rounds of play that day.

Still, the positive was that they were able to play all four quarterfinals on the stream table on Friday, and this was a big positive for those following the event on stream, who could enjoy the commentary of Mark Wilson, Jeremy Jones and Billy Incardona during all the quarterfinal matches. For those of us in attendance, it meant we, too, didn't miss any of the action in that round. In view of this, I wasn't much bothered by how drawn out the late rounds were, but there's no question that this event lasted a day longer than was absolutely necessary.
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As someone that watched quite a bit of the streaming throughout the week (and worked 50 hours), the more spread out format was a HUGE benefit. Did not get to see all of it, but enough to get a good feel of how things were going. Commentary was very good, and Jeremy was outstanding as usual.

If it had been compressed, I really don't think people would get good value for their money, especially since the outer tables streaming was poor and hard to follow. Feel like I got my $60.00 worth out of the week.

Thank you for sharing, and I was jealous of the seat you had for the week in the arena. One of these days.
 
Fatboy said:
Wonderful Stu, thanks so much for your recap of the weeks action.

While my writing has improved reading yours is inspiration to me to keep working on mine. I have a long way to go.

To address a couple things you mentioned. I’ve notice the food at hotels in general since Covid has really slipped, Ive been to Denver, Fla, Sc, Atlanta, San Diego and they hotel food is fair at best these days. Also I get what you mean about going to these things and being introverted-I do much the same. Go to bed early and kinda keep to myself most of the time. I’m always nice to people and do enjoy seeing them for sure-but I’m not part of the “late night” crowd. There’s nothing wrong with just coasting along taking it as it comes.

Look forward to seeing you at Derby this year and thanks again for such a great write up.

Kindest regards
Fatboy
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It is not just the hotel food, it is food everywhere, IMO... Seems like food , life, my pool game, and about everything has slipped a notch or two... Of course it now cost more for a lower quality of everything... Makes me wonder if we will ever fully recover?? Hope it will next year!!!!
 
Quesports said:
It is not just the hotel food, it is food everywhere, IMO... Seems like food , life, my pool game, and about everything has slipped a notch or two... Of course it now cost more for a lower quality of everything... Makes me wonder if we will ever fully recover?? Hope it will next year!!!!
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Yes absolutely correct.

More so on the west coast than the east.

I think what’s going on is the food and beverage places are sticking to frozen everything. In case there’s a lockdown again they lose less inventory. Which I understand. Just a guess, Also the lack of labor is hurting that biz as well.

But I’m not guessing that most things are slipping in quality. I was in Monaco this year and the food there was still good like before.

I’m not one to glorify the past and knock the present but right now things aren’t up to par in most cases.

Best
Fatboy😀😀
 
WGDave said:
As someone that watched quite a bit of the streaming throughout the week (and worked 50 hours), the more spread out format was a HUGE benefit. Did not get to see all of it, but enough to get a good feel of how things were going. Commentary was very good, and Jeremy was outstanding as usual.

If it had been compressed, I really don't think people would get good value for their money, especially since the outer tables streaming was poor and hard to follow. Feel like I got my $60.00 worth out of the week.

Thank you for sharing, and I was jealous of the seat you had for the week in the arena. One of these days.
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Thanks for sharing. An event’s story is incomplete without some feedback from those that experienced it on the internet.

I recall asking JJ after a match in which Albin shot a .966 TPA whether he had commentated to a .966 level. He replied “not even close”. Of course, he may have just been being humble!
 
hey stu, thanks for (another) terrific writeup, and real glad you had a nice time.
one of these days, I hope to make it out to an event of the intl. open's caliber-
I especially enjoyed reading about your experience at the HOF dinner- special!
and your comment about dennis playing with joy intrigues me, but I'm heartened by it- go robocop!
and "go pool!"
it sounds like the intl. open more than played its part in adding fibers to the game's collective cloth-
thanks again for relaying that~
 
Bob Jewett said:
Yes, that is a remarkable development. In the same vein, how about Singapore and Albania and the squad from Poland?

I'm sure you remember the days when the US Open had zero or a few non-US players. In this tournament there were only eight Americans in the final 32:

Earl Strickland
Shane Wolford
Hunter Lombardo
Dee Adkins
Shane Van Boening
Corey Deuel
Josh Roberts
Nathan Childress

Only one of those made it through to the final 16.
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I think we've been oohing and aahing about the Polish contingent of players for a while now, especially when all nine Polish players in the field reached Stage 2 at the 2021 World Pool Championship. I'm not too familiar with the Albanian players not named Kaci or the Singaporean players not named Yapp.

Times sure have changed, Bob. Shane was not only the only American in the final sixteen at the International, but he was the only American in the last sixteen at the US Open. The United States is starving for young new talent, so I was encouraged by the play of Nathan Childress, Shane Wolford, Eric Roberts and Landon Hollingsworth, all of whom I'd guess are 21 and under.
 
evergruven said:
hey stu, thanks for (another) terrific writeup, and real glad you had a nice time.
one of these days, I hope to make it out to an event of the intl. open's caliber-
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Find a way, fella. First round of drinks is on me when you attend a tournament that I'm at.
 
skogstokig said:
that's very true. i was a bit dismissive of both omar and szolnoki going deep in the world championship, but both have proven that wasn't just a fluke. i think szolnoki made it to the semis in the straight pool event
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I was, similarly, dismissive in the aftermath of the WPC.

I have to say that since the WPC Omar has really validated that he is an elite player. Szolnocki did not reach the semis at the straight pool (Filler, Gorst, Fortunski and Chinkhov were the last four in that event) but I have now seen him beat JL Chang at the US Open and he looked sharp again at the International. He continues to up his game and may win something big one day.

Perhaps we were both guilty of a rush to judgement, but now we are in the know!
 
Always a great write up Stu. The Hall of Fame dinner sounded like an amazing time. I'm sure it usually always is though. Pretty awesome how you know and get to chat with tons of great people. I'm sure the best moment of the week for pretty much everyone was seeing Janette Lee there and back in the scene after such a horrific past couple of years with her health.
 
Great writeup! I felt like I was there. It's nice to read what goes on behind the scenes. That was a long trip. I had not realized it went for so long. I'm sure you were happy to return to Home Sweet Home. Thanks again!
 
gregnice37 said:
I'm sure the best moment of the week for pretty much everyone was seeing Janette Lee there and back in the scene after such a horrific past couple of years with her health.
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So true. Jeanette's presence was an unexpected pleasure. She not only attended the BCA Hall of Fame dinner but even came to watch the quarterfinal between Ouschan and Immonen on Friday night.
 
sjm said:
So true. Jeanette's presence was an unexpected pleasure. She not only attended the BCA Hall of Fame dinner but even came to watch the quarterfinal between Ouschan and Immonen on Friday night.
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They did acknowledge Jeanette's presence at that quarterfinal match on the stream by focusing a camera on her briefly (about 10 seconds). It was nice to see her there, and that she was treated well and given a great seat there on the corner to your right.
 
JAM said:
Great writeup! I felt like I was there. It's nice to read what goes on behind the scenes. That was a long trip. I had not realized it went for so long. I'm sure you were happy to return to Home Sweet Home. Thanks again!
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I've never forgotten my roots, JAM. When I was relatively new on this forum, I always enjoyed your trip reports and they inspired me to share my experiences when I'm lucky enough to attend major pool events. It is your reports of yesteryear that sensitized me to the fact that a pool tournament is so much more than just the matches.

... and, yes, I'm really happy to be home.
 
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