I know that the US Open 9 ball tourney is still considered the most prestigious tournament in the US, but as 10 ball has become the predominant rotation game, will the US Open 10 ball in May in Vegas eventually surpass the 9 ball tourney in terms of prestige? Any thoughts?
US Open 9 ball vs. US Open 10 ball
- Thread starter westcoast
- Start date
Maybe in 30 years. The US Open 9 ball has one thing that no other major tournament has, tradition. It's really one of the only legitimate major due to it's longevity and the fact that it's been consistently held every year. The DCC is getting to or already on that same level by now.
Cant predict if the tournament will be be bigger. But I do think the winner has won his title by stronger overall play. The focus in 9-ball on the break is so big. Ofcourse you got to have awesome game to run rack after rack, but in 10-ball theres just more safety play and complicated racks to shoot. If you then win the title, you must have fought heavily in many racks.
Realising that break is so important in 9-ball does make Appletons double victory very special.
Realising that break is so important in 9-ball does make Appletons double victory very special.
Personally, I'm already more interested in the 10 ball US Open. There were so many good players missing at this Open. Not to say I don't love seeing some relative no names beating big name pro's but the 10 ball Open is so much more deep. Not the same without the whole Filipino crowd.
In a nutshell, the U.S. Open 9-Ball is the hardest tournament in the world to win! Just ask the players. 
In a nutshell, the U.S. Open 9-Ball is the hardest tournament in the world to win! Just ask the players.
Might well be, Jay. Only once a year do this many stars of pool assemble in a single place. That's why the last man standing deserves, and gets, so much attention and appreication.
Still, even though the field had some prominent stars of international pool, I'd like to see greater participation from the foreign-based players. The absence of David Alcaide, runner up at the US Open 10-ball event, is one of many examples of a disappointing absence from Europe, and as disturbing was the absence of 2011 Derby City Nine Ball Dennis Orcullo, in my opinion the world's best pool player (although Darren has me thinking about it!).
Nine ball, to be honest, is the most exciting rotation game from the standpoint of the fans. Even in rack your own, according to statistics compiled by AZBer AtLarge, the person breaking won about 58% of the racks and broke and ran about 20% of the racks this week on the stream table. In other words, the break was one of many factors in determining who won the event. Also, the absence of "call shots" allowed players to use their entire imagination in shot conceptualization. The defense, two way shots, and kicking showcased in this year's US Open were breathtaking, especially when compared to "call-shot, option-to-refuse-the table-after-any-miss" ten ball. Ten ball played that way is getting a little too close to total offense for my tastes, and all moves in the direction of total offense are repulsive to this fan.
Defense, two ways shots, jumps and kicks are what electrify the fans, and they were displayed with special skill and grace this week. Nine ball played this way is the most majestic of all rotation games and I am grateful to those who competed in the US Open this week for their thrilling display of both the offensive and strategic components of the game.
Every year, the winner of the US Open has accomplished the near impossible ---- namely, mixing it up with hundreds of stars of pool and being the last man standing! In other words, well-played Darren.
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I didn't mean to degrade Appleton. He is clearly a great player.
I posted this because it seems 10 ball is taking over and more big names were at the 10 ball this year. No matter what though it seems like some big names are missing for all tournaments this year. I wish they could coordinate the schedules so that nearly all of the best players would show up
I posted this because it seems 10 ball is taking over and more big names were at the 10 ball this year. No matter what though it seems like some big names are missing for all tournaments this year. I wish they could coordinate the schedules so that nearly all of the best players would show up
You have not degraded Appleton in any way with your post, and have asked a perfectly reasonable question.
The growing popularity of ten ball is undeniable, and perhaps, one day, the US Open 10-ball championship will have a huge following. Then again, unless the pros resume playing with, essentially, the same rules as nine ball, they'll be playing a game with which the mainstream amateur player is unfamiliar. That, to me, is not a recipe for success.
On the brighter side, you have to love what TAR is doing with 10-ball, ensuring that matches include only the most skilled and prestigious players playing a game of their own choosing. In a TAR match, one player has challenged and one has accepted the challenge, so they should, indeed, play the game in which the challenge was made.
TAR's wonderful efforts aside, I wonder whether, as a tournament game, 10-ball will ever catch on the way 9-ball has (yes, there has been a USA Open 9-ball event for thirty six consecutive years) unless 10-ball replaces 9-ball as the game of choice for amateurs in the bars and pool halls.