Some Questions About The U.S. Open

[spktur]

I have been going to the Open for about 25 years, and as play and competitors go this was pretty much as good as it has been in the past. There were about half as many vendors as I have sen in the past. The audience way off quite a bit from other Opens I have been to. There is only one real problem with the event and there isn't much you can do about that. It's Barry Behrman, he was about three sheets most of the evenings and would do better just staying in the background. There is no local promotion of the event. My group has met a lot friends over the years locally and when we saw them they would ask 'Is it tournament time again? . The early part of the week the place was about empty. You would think Barry would give out some early week tickets to some of his regular poolroom customers just toi fill the seats a bit and on the idea they might come back later. They would at least but some snacks and drinks. And no I'm not one of his customers, I drive 10 or 11 hours to get there.

 

[Pushout]

It's Barry Behrman, he was about three sheets most of the evenings and would do better just staying in the background. There is no local promotion of the event. My group has met a lot friends over the years locally and when we saw them they would ask 'Is it tournament time again? . The early part of the week the place was about empty. You would think Barry would give out some early week tickets to some of his regular poolroom customers just toi fill the seats a bit and on the idea they might come back later.

I have to say, sadly, that I agree about Barry. But, it's his show and he's been doing for a long time now.

 

[MOJOE]

I think you are completely entitled to your opinion and many of us appreciate your answer.. "Sorehead", what the heck is that, and why would Jay call you something for your giving your opinion?? Makes little sense to me..

I've been to the Open in the past and am not in any hurry to get back either. I enjoy the DCC 100 times more than the U.S. Open.

When I went a few years ago, attendance was not great then either nor were there many vendors in comparison to the DCC or Hopkins event..

Thanks for your input C.O.!

Ok well if my opinion makes me a "sorehead" as you stated then sorry, i was just stating some of the things i witnessed that i didnt care for...there was a lot about the open i did like but that wasnt the op's question and i never once said i didnt enjoy thr event or that it was ran poorly...

 

[strmanglr scott]

I would guess money issues are a contributing factor not only on attendance but age of spectators as well.

 

[juegabillar]

I was at the open and I have to say overall in my opinion it was a bust and not very energetic at all...many aspects of it seemed cheesy to me and as far as the vendors they were ok but i dont think there were enough of them...and I also have to say over all player behavior was horrible

I wouldn't say it was a bust, but it was definitely not energetic at all.....

 

[JAM]

I wouldn't say it was a bust, but it was definitely not energetic at all.....

Long time no read, Juegabillar. Hope you're doing well. So you made it to this year's Open? Glad to read you. Wish you'd post more! :smile:

 

[Celtic]

Ok well if my opinion makes me a "sorehead" as you stated then sorry, i was just stating some of the things i witnessed that i didnt care for...there was a lot about the open i did like but that wasnt the op's question and i never once said i didnt enjoy thr event or that it was ran poorly...

What you said was completely fine, the promotors and the people in charge if they were smart would take such comments as constructive criticism and see how they can change things for the better to make the fans have a better overall experience. Because it is the people like you, who actually went to the US-Open and spent the money that the US-Open needs to keep coming out and build upon. Instead your honest opinion gets attacked, and I know that you are not the only one who has it, there were many threads on AZB commenting on the actions of some of the players.

I am not sure alot of parents would be happy to bring a kid out to watch some professional pool if the kid gets to watch performances like that, it sends a pretty bad message to a young child about sportsmanship and the proper way to act as a professional. And parents with kids that are introducing this sport to the younger generation is something this sport could use, it is not going to happen if things like this are not curbed.

The response you recieved was definately NOT the way to treat a fan, supporter, and paying customer of the US-Open when they give some feedback.

 

[The Renfro]

Jay just put in a week+ of 12 hour days plus long travel back and forth... I think you got lucky with just getting "sorehead" LOL

As far as their taking criticism... They do.... Did you not notice that the rack your own went clear thru the finals? They also changed the racking rules on the TV table after the Pinegar match to speed things up for all the spectators......

The crowds were close to last year for the final few days but the early part of the week was a ghost town as usual... As far as vendors go I can only count that were there last year that didn't come this year and they had a new one who supplies fabulous exotic woods....

The economy is tough action so I didn't expect the demographics to be anything but what it was... Retirees are the main fans that can travel to a week long event so they are gonna raise the average age substantially.... I did note that very few kids were there, but I would bet my 12 and 14 year olds would have not have been the least bit interested in going......

 

[juegabillar]

"Sorehead", what the heck is that, and why would Jay call you something for your giving your opinion?? Makes little sense to me..

Originally Posted by jay helfert

I thought it was one of the best Opens ever! A great field of players and many fantastic matches. One sorehead (or1pkt) doesn't change that for me. The crowds were large and very energetic and enthusiastic. Maybe the OP wasn't there on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. I don't know. There will always be some problems when you have 250 players, but overall things went well. Pool players can be emotional. It's the nature of the game. We really had very few problems this year compared to past years. The slow play of quite a few players (over three hour matches) bothered me more than anything else. We will be more proactive with shot clock usage next year.

P.S. I can't remember ever getting so many compliments on the way the tournament was run, by spectators and players alike.

 

[TheHustler819]

i wonder how a 9 ball match race to 11 can takes more than 3 hours. I heard during this canadian championship 9 ball a match race to 9 took like 3h and 30 minutes.

I know that last year or the year before the Quebec Provincial had Alain Martel Vs Pierre Normand , first game took 40 min .. major safety battle.. they match took 3:45 min ..

 

[Phidget]

Age does matter, in that I believe the Op was looking for an idea if the demographic is skewing younger or not. This is an important factor in determining if the event (and the sport in general) is drawing a new generation and growing, or if it is dying with its fan base over time. From a marketing perspective, my company is always trying to skew our product to the younger generation. You get one of them involved and you have a fan for dozens of year.
Take me for instance. I am 37, and in the 5 years I have gone to the US Open (missed this year), I have personally introduced 4 new fans to the sporting event who don't even play often. They went this year even though I couldn't make it. If you look at them and my life expectancy, you can anticipate 5 fans (and growing) in my circle for the next 20-40 years.

 

[JoeyA]

Thank you. I was not there this year but I did purchase the Accu Stats PPV for my players in my room. We watched quite a bit of it. It was hard to get a sense of the crowd on the PPV. Therefore I am asking here. The screen can only say so much.

I really appreciate the full spectical of any sporting event. The spectators are very much a part of the dynamic that can make a competition very special.

BTW Paul, Jimmy Leone, owner of Buffalo Billiards in Metairie, Louisiana remembers your first pool room and that you were one of the BEST players in the area back in the day, Erie, Pennsylvania if I am not mistaken.
I don't think you knew him but he knew who you were.

Buffalo Billiards bought the who week for his customers and we enjoyed betting on the matches between each other. Would love to have seen more of the panning of the audience as Accu-stats was prone to do from time to time. I wanted to see some grimacing from the audience members although they did catch some of the opponents, doing some facial contortions from time to time.

 

[efirkey]

I was at the open from sunday through thursday. I am 43 years old and there were several times that I looked around and felt old because everyone around me was older. I only saw actual kids twice and they were seeking autographs. I didn't actually see them in the stands any where watching the matches.

The crowds did grow each day as is to be expected and there were less than ten vendors which surprised me. This was my first time going and I expected more prestige.

In hindsight I would not have attended at all on tuesday, because it was loser bracket day and the quality of matches didn't surpass the level of play at local tournaments...sorry to say.

The pros played extremely well. Their safety play was flawless and the kicking was extremely good and they get out virtually every time they should.

I do have to say that I am embarassed to tell people who aren't into pool what the actual prize purse is for these competitors at one of the biggest tournaments in the world.

I also have to say that I enjoy watching pool as much as anyone, but after 3 days of watching I was all pooled out and ready to go home.

 

[KoolKat9Lives]

Two thumbs up!

I was there Friday and Saturday, as well as the previous 3 years. It was a great field with a couple notable exceptions: Efren, Francisco, Orcullo, Alcano (IIRC).

The attendance these two days seemed similar to last years. For the semis and finals, if you didn't have VIP seats, it was a struggle to get a good view. Many people just watch monitors nearby.

However, the vendors were far reduced, at least in half. I'm thinking the boycott had an impact on this.

Players behavior seemed similar, just a couple bumps in the road. Pinnegar, Hatch and Nevel...

Racking time was improved over prior years' "rack for your opponent". I still wish they'd use the Magic Rack or reinforcements though, it takes too long. Some players are horrible at racking

Pace of play with some players is definitely too long and a shot clock for those matches is needed IMO. I don't know how you fairly judge when to put someone on the clock though.

The tourney was very well run IMO. Barry is a goofball, love him or hate him. Jay and Ken did great. Not sure how we went from 4 ref's last year to two and managed so nicely - well done gents!

I just don't know how you beat the Open. We paid @ $40/night and had an efficiency adjacent to the convention center (Extended Stay). $20/day for admission. $3 hotdogs. Qmasters action 12 minutes away (assuming you don't get lost). Ability to strike a conversation with any player.

It was a blast, as well as a treat to watch the best players on the planet.

 

[JoeyA]

Travel like a pool player.

I was there Friday and Saturday, as well as the previous 3 years. It was a great field with a couple notable exceptions: Efren, Francisco, Orcullo, Alcano (IIRC).

The attendance these two days seemed similar to last years. For the semis and finals, if you didn't have VIP seats, it was a struggle to get a good view. Many people just watch monitors nearby.

However, the vendors were far reduced, at least in half. I'm thinking the boycott had an impact on this.

Players behavior seemed similar, just a couple bumps in the road. Pinnegar, Hatch and Nevel...

Racking time was improved over prior years' "rack for your opponent". I still wish they'd use the Magic Rack or reinforcements though, it takes too long. Some players are horrible at racking

Pace of play with some players is definitely too long and a shot clock for those matches is needed IMO. I don't know how you fairly judge when to put someone on the clock though.

The tourney was very well run IMO. Barry is a goofball, love him or hate him. Jay and Ken did great. Not sure how we went from 4 ref's last year to two and managed so nicely - well done gents!

I just don't know how you beat the Open. We paid @ $40/night and had an efficiency adjacent to the convention center (Extended Stay). $20/day for admission. $3 hotdogs. Qmasters action 12 minutes away (assuming you don't get lost). Ability to strike a conversation with any player.

It was a blast, as well as a treat to watch the best players on the planet.

I am volunteering you for the Travel Committee. You know how to travel inexpensively and still have a great time.

 

[KoolKat9Lives]

I am volunteering you for the Travel Committee. You know how to travel inexpensively and still have a great time.

Ok, I accept. Hot Damn! For my first recommendation I offer to the pool playing masses the following lifestyle recommendations:

 

[Paul Schofield]

Age does matter, in that I believe the Op was looking for an idea if the demographic is skewing younger or not. This is an important factor in determining if the event (and the sport in general) is drawing a new generation and growing, or if it is dying with its fan base over time. From a marketing perspective, my company is always trying to skew our product to the younger generation. You get one of them involved and you have a fan for dozens of year.
Take me for instance. I am 37, and in the 5 years I have gone to the US Open (missed this year), I have personally introduced 4 new fans to the sporting event who don't even play often. They went this year even though I couldn't make it. If you look at them and my life expectancy, you can anticipate 5 fans (and growing) in my circle for the next 20-40 years.

Thank you. You are right on target. The spectator numbers, their profile, and their level of excitement speak volumes about the event, professional pool, and our sport in general. I will ask more questions. Who attented? Who were they? Were they some of the thousands of area APA players?

 

[KoolKat9Lives]

Thank you. You are right on target. The spectator numbers, their profile, and their level of excitement speak volumes about the event, professional pool, and our sport in general. I will ask more questions. Who attented? Who were they? Were they some of the thousands of area APA players?

Gosh, I didn't pay close attention to the demographics. But, all I can offer is: the crowd skewed largely older. I'd have to speculate it in large part consisted of older, tried and true pool following enthusiasts - far more so than league players.