US Open 9-Ball--Bucket List?

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VillageSlim

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Back in the 1980's I beat a guy named Corey Deuel 9-5 in a Florida Seminole Circuit tournament in Tampa. Granted he had an off day. But at my advanced age I can still play a little bit. I've always wanted to play in the Open, but never did. I know that even back in the 80's, my chances of cashing were next to none. Even less now. But I would gladly pay the $1,000. plus another grand or more in expenses just to be a warm up match for whoever would be lucky enough to draw me. Its about the experience. But should I feel guilty about taking a spot from someone who might actually have a chance? In this years Open, in the first round, Skyler played a guy who missed ball in hand twice. Skyler felt so bad for the guy, at 8-0 he missed the 9 on purpose to let the guy win a game. I think I could have beat that guy. I'm pretty sure that guy was fulfilling a bucket list item. And he was on the main TV table against Skyler!!!! That's a triple bucket list!!! Good for him. Anyway, does anyone know when the entry window opens? Thanks!
 
VillageSlim said:
Back in the 1980's I beat a guy named Corey Deuel 9-5 in a Florida Seminole Circuit tournament in Tampa. Granted he had an off day. But at my advanced age I can still play a little bit. I've always wanted to play in the Open, but never did. I know that even back in the 80's, my chances of cashing were next to none. Even less now. But I would gladly pay the $1,000. plus another grand or more in expenses just to be a warm up match for whoever would be lucky enough to draw me. Its about the experience. But should I feel guilty about taking a spot from someone who might actually have a chance? In this years Open, in the first round, Skyler played a guy who missed ball in hand twice. Skyler felt so bad for the guy, at 8-0 he missed the 9 on purpose to let the guy win a game. I think I could have beat that guy. I'm pretty sure that guy was fulfilling a bucket list item. And he was on the main TV table against Skyler!!!! That's a triple bucket list!!! Good for him. Anyway, does anyone know when the entry window opens? Thanks!
Click to expand...
Great story. On one hand i do like the fact that its truly 'open' but on the other i wish they had some sort of qualifying ala the US Open golf. I hate to see such a marquee event filled with, lets be honest here, cannon-fodder dead money. Me personally i would never go play something like this with basically zero chances to win. Having qualifiers and a stouter 128man field would be better for an event so big. My $.02, nothin more.
 
VillageSlim said:
Back in the 1980's I beat a guy named Corey Deuel 9-5 in a Florida Seminole Circuit tournament in Tampa. Granted he had an off day. But at my advanced age I can still play a little bit. I've always wanted to play in the Open, but never did. I know that even back in the 80's, my chances of cashing were next to none. Even less now. But I would gladly pay the $1,000. plus another grand or more in expenses just to be a warm up match for whoever would be lucky enough to draw me. Its about the experience. But should I feel guilty about taking a spot from someone who might actually have a chance? In this years Open, in the first round, Skyler played a guy who missed ball in hand twice. Skyler felt so bad for the guy, at 8-0 he missed the 9 on purpose to let the guy win a game. I think I could have beat that guy. I'm pretty sure that guy was fulfilling a bucket list item. And he was on the main TV table against Skyler!!!! That's a triple bucket list!!! Good for him. Anyway, does anyone know when the entry window opens? Thanks!
Click to expand...
I got the opportunity and went for it this year. When I was younger I snapped off several area and regional tourneys in the late 70’s and 80’s. Past year I got to 6 th round at Derby. At 63 years young I play on 3 7/8 pockets at home. Can I win a major, NO, Can I get HOT and WIN. YES. I had the opportunity and financially was no issue. Lost 1st round to Mika and WON 2nd round . Was toe to toe with player from Spain and he closed with a 3 pack. No REGRETS. Live Life
 
VillageSlim said:
Back in the 1980's I beat a guy named Corey Deuel 9-5 in a Florida Seminole Circuit tournament in Tampa. Granted he had an off day. But at my advanced age I can still play a little bit. I've always wanted to play in the Open, but never did. I know that even back in the 80's, my chances of cashing were next to none. Even less now. But I would gladly pay the $1,000. plus another grand or more in expenses just to be a warm up match for whoever would be lucky enough to draw me. Its about the experience. But should I feel guilty about taking a spot from someone who might actually have a chance? In this years Open, in the first round, Skyler played a guy who missed ball in hand twice. Skyler felt so bad for the guy, at 8-0 he missed the 9 on purpose to let the guy win a game. I think I could have beat that guy. I'm pretty sure that guy was fulfilling a bucket list item. And he was on the main TV table against Skyler!!!! That's a triple bucket list!!! Good for him. Anyway, does anyone know when the entry window opens? Thanks!
Click to expand...
Watch the announcements like a hawk. I think they open up for entries a month or two before the event, and sell out within one day.

If you are referring to "the" Corey Deuel, 2001 US Open Champ, you might be thinking of the mid 2000's instead of the 1980's. That's when the Seminole tour was going on. Plus, Corey was born in 1978:)
 
iusedtoberich said:
Watch the announcements like a hawk. I think they open up for entries a month or two before the event, and sell out within one day.

If you are referring to "the" Corey Deuel, 2001 US Open Champ, you might be thinking of the mid 2000's instead of the 1980's. That's when the Seminole tour was going on. Plus, Corey was born in 1978:)
Click to expand...
He musta played pretty sporty for a 5yr old i guess. ;)
 
VillageSlim said:
Back in the 1980's I beat a guy named Corey Deuel 9-5 in a Florida Seminole Circuit tournament in Tampa. Granted he had an off day. But at my advanced age I can still play a little bit. I've always wanted to play in the Open, but never did. I know that even back in the 80's, my chances of cashing were next to none. Even less now. But I would gladly pay the $1,000. plus another grand or more in expenses just to be a warm up match for whoever would be lucky enough to draw me. Its about the experience. But should I feel guilty about taking a spot from someone who might actually have a chance? In this years Open, in the first round, Skyler played a guy who missed ball in hand twice. Skyler felt so bad for the guy, at 8-0 he missed the 9 on purpose to let the guy win a game. I think I could have beat that guy. I'm pretty sure that guy was fulfilling a bucket list item. And he was on the main TV table against Skyler!!!! That's a triple bucket list!!! Good for him. Anyway, does anyone know when the entry window opens? Thanks!
Click to expand...
I mean if it's something you want to do and you can budget for it, why not? Money is only paper and you only go around once. It would be the experience of a lifetime for a pool player. You might not win the tournament but you might do better than you think too!
 
iusedtoberich said:
Watch the announcements like a hawk. I think they open up for entries a month or two before the event, and sell out within one day.

If you are referring to "the" Corey Deuel, 2001 US Open Champ, you might be thinking of the mid 2000's instead of the 1980's. That's when the Seminole tour was going on. Plus, Corey was born in 1978:)
Click to expand...
You are very correct sir!! My wife tells me my memory is shot. I hate it when she's right!!!
 
Kentucky Rack Man said:
I got the opportunity and went for it this year. When I was younger I snapped off several area and regional tourneys in the late 70’s and 80’s. Past year I got to 6 th round at Derby. At 63 years young I play on 3 7/8 pockets at home. Can I win a major, NO, Can I get HOT and WIN. YES. I had the opportunity and financially was no issue. Lost 1st round to Mika and WON 2nd round . Was toe to toe with player from Spain and he closed with a 3 pack. No REGRETS. Live Life
Click to expand...
Great job on winning a match!! I'll be 73 next year. It's now or never!!
 
I'm 70 and will be getting into practicing once I get the new 9ft installed in the new house we're building. I've watched all the pool for quite a while now and know what I need to do. If all works out and I'm happy with my results I'll start slow at some local tournaments and see how I do and use that as a guage. It'd be fun for an old fart like myself out there competing. As far as the US Open that would be a pipe dream and I would definately enjoy that .
 
If the money and time spent doesn't harm you or your family? Beats hell out of buying some bauble like a status wrist watch, if you ask me. When enough lifetime has passed, you have all the thing you really need or want, and you know the grim reaper will soon knock on your door? Take my word for it....good memories are worth far more than any of the "stuff" you have.
 
pwd72s said:
If the money and time spent doesn't harm you or your family? Beats hell out of buying some bauble like a status wrist watch, if you ask me. When enough lifetime has passed, you have all the thing you really need or want, and you know the grim reaper will soon knock on your door? Take my word for it....good memories are worth far more than any of the "stuff" you have.
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Well said sir. Thanks!!
 
garczar said:
Great story. On one hand i do like the fact that its truly 'open' but on the other i wish they had some sort of qualifying ala the US Open golf. I hate to see such a marquee event filled with, lets be honest here, cannon-fodder dead money. Me personally i would never go play something like this with basically zero chances to win. Having qualifiers and a stouter 128man field would be better for an event so big. My $.02, nothin more.
Click to expand...
I've always felt the presence of the dead money players enhances the US Open. For the most part, the tournament you want starts on Day 3 of the event, and with rarest of exception, no elite players fail to reach Day 3. Also, the event economics are based on hotel-nights. Greatly (and intentionally) oversimplifying the deal between Matchroom and Harrah's, Matchroom is providing Harrah's a certain number of room nights and Harrah's is providing their facilities for use by Matchroom. Cut the field in half and the event economics might not work.
 
sjm said:
I've always felt the presence of the dead money players enhances the US Open. For the most part, the tournament you want starts on Day 3 of the event, and with rarest of exception, no elite players fail to reach Day 3. Also, the event economics are based on hotel-nights. Greatly (and intentionally) oversimplifying the deal between Matchroom and Harrah's, Matchroom is providing Harrah's a certain number of room nights and Harrah's is providing their facilities for use by Matchroom. Cut the field in half and the event economics might not work.
Click to expand...
I think having regional qualy's scattered around the country would be better than a mad scramble to see who can call/email the fastest. Still going to be dead-money but possibly not quite so dead. ;)
 
If MR can grow the sport further such that 500 people want to put up the entry fee, then they can make the “open” entries qualifier based. That may very well happen within the next 5 years if things keep on their trajectory.

This might be the last few years it truly is open to anyone with the will and the money. So sign up now while you still can:)
 
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garczar said:
I think having regional qualy's scattered around the country would be better than a mad scramble to see who can call/email the fastest. Still going to be dead-money but possibly not quite so dead. ;)
Click to expand...
Agreed, but the field size and how entries are best handled online are two different subjects.
 
sjm said:
Agreed, but the field size and how entries are best handled online are two different subjects.
Click to expand...
I just think it should be treated as a world-class sporting event and not life affirming tourist destination.
 
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