US Open - possible different format?

inside_english

inside_english

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
What does everyone think about making this prestigious tournament a single-elimination event?

Also, do you think that anyone who can pony up $550 bucks should be allowed to play?

This is supposed to be a collection of the world's greatest...but I could very well play if I had the money. Doesn't seem right. I think amateurs should have to earn a spot through qualifiers only.

Makes for a shorter tournament I know, but the quality of play would be superb. I would rather watch a pro with a case of the jitters in a big game than watch an amateur getting the jitters just because he is playing a pro. I don't think people would want to come to the US Open to watch someone play at my speed or better, but well below pro-level.

Thoughts?
 
inside_english said:
What does everyone think about making this prestigious tournament a single-elimination event?

Also, do you think that anyone who can pony up $550 bucks should be allowed to play?

This is supposed to be a collection of the world's greatest...but I could very well play if I had the money. Doesn't seem right. I think amateurs should have to earn a spot through qualifiers only.

Makes for a shorter tournament I know, but the quality of play would be superb. I would rather watch a pro with a case of the jitters in a big game than watch an amateur getting the jitters just because he is playing a pro. I don't think people would want to come to the US Open to watch someone play at my speed or better, but well below pro-level.

Thoughts?
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I would just leave well enough alone. Why run a tournament single elimination when you can do it as a double. My reasoning is that i believe a lot of players would bypass it if it was a single elimination.....but then again that is only my opinion...................mike
 
My thoughts...

I think it should be a sigle-elimination format. One race to 11 is enough to determine the better player. With that said,
I would make it 10-ball with alternating break.
No soft breaks, no safeties with 7 balls or less on the table and no 3-foul rule.
No intentional fouls. You must try and contact the lowest numbered ball, or it's a loss of game and the incoming player gets the break.

This format does not apply to local qualifiers.
 
I played in 2004 and beat a pro so whats the big deal alot of people can play but its the mental game that seperates players aka shane.smoth operator barry wants 256 there was 233 so even with anyone playing its not full plus it is very exciting to play and the pros dont mind a couple matches to get in stroke so dont change and its 9 ball us open not 10 ball .
 
Quit

trying to 'reinvent' the wheel, especially just to suit you. It's round, and it rolls, leave it alone. This is why we have a variety of events that players can compete in.

One event I would like to see though, Shane VB vs. Efren in Rotation.
 
cueball1950 said:
I would just leave well enough alone. Why run a tournament single elimination when you can do it as a double. My reasoning is that i believe a lot of players would bypass it if it was a single elimination.....but then again that is only my opinion...................mike
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How many pros from other countries would be willing to come all the way out here to play single elimination?
 
Big C said:
One race to 11 is enough to determine the better player.
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That's a very naive statement.
Big C said:
This format does not apply to local qualifiers.
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You propose local qualifiers be held but not hold them to the same rules as the actual event?!?!?

The US Open 9B Championships is doing just fine. It draws the lions share of the greatest players from around the world and pays out a large sum of money. Highly competetive & well-paying...there is no need to alter it.
 
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yes but if it aint broke dont fix it 32 years and counting im in next year.I love pool I was watching the finals last night with cue in hand great day in america for pool.and at 24 svb should be around for some time to come.
 
one race to 11 dosent prove anything, look ar Rof vs. Archer the other night, Archer never had a shot, one race isnt anything, a player can catch a gear and run out the set, not break and run 11 on those tables....yet but have full control so when they do miss the other player dosent have a shot. it has to be double elimanition,


the schedual this year was horrible on friday with guys playing 15 hours, look at Rolf he got to sleep at 610am he said and had to play 7 hours later, anyone might be able to beat him then.


i have no shot at winning that tournment but If I thought I could win a couple matches and had the $$$ and time I would give it a shot, it would be a cool experience, who knows i might go there next year if i feel well.

if it aint broke dont fix it, just tweak it a bit to improve it, 10 ball is too much for a field that big, single elimination would eliminate half the players from showing up, adjusting the friday schedual HAS to be done,

Barry did a great job but talks to much before the final match, i know its his business and needs to thank alot of people, so i think he should thank some of them before each match on the final day-with the most important before the final match, people would listen to 10 minutes before each match not 45 minutes all at once, He does a hell of a job to get players from 25 countrys.
 
Two words in the title of the event..."open" "9-ball"

An open tourney is just that, an open. Pay the money and play.

Through the years there have been a number of dark horses that have made it far, or won the event. Reed Pierce, and Tommy Kennedy come to mind

A single elim tourny race to 11 will never guarantee the best player winning. I was there during Shanes Saturday morning match with the Japanese player (mekeri sp) It was a darn close match, mostly because the Japanese player crapped in 2 nineballs early, and SVB break was not working like it did Friday night. He came up dry at least 6 times, and refused to move the cueball to the other side of the table where balls were being made that morning.

Had he lost that match using the changes you suggest he would not be the US Open 9 ball champ today.

He was clearly the superior player, he just had one of those matches that happens every now and then in 9 ball.




inside_english said:
What does everyone think about making this prestigious tournament a single-elimination event?

Also, do you think that anyone who can pony up $550 bucks should be allowed to play?

This is supposed to be a collection of the world's greatest...but I could very well play if I had the money. Doesn't seem right. I think amateurs should have to earn a spot through qualifiers only.

Makes for a shorter tournament I know, but the quality of play would be superb. I would rather watch a pro with a case of the jitters in a big game than watch an amateur getting the jitters just because he is playing a pro. I don't think people would want to come to the US Open to watch someone play at my speed or better, but well below pro-level.

Thoughts?
Click to expand...
 
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Neil said:
This topic has been discussed before. Maybe you don't understand the OPEN part of U.S. OPEN. Open means anybody can play.
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Sounds like you don't consider the US Open golf or US Open tennis tournament truly open. Open does not mean anyone can show up and play, it means that a well-defined system is in place by which anyone can attempt to earn the opportunity to play.

Though I am delighted for those unaccomplished amateur pool players that get the opportunity to mix it up with the world's best nine ball players, I think it's a bit ridiculous. I don't want to watch unaccomplished players when I watch the US Open golf, the US Open tennis, or the US Open 9-ball event.

Some will say that opening the US Open 9-ball field to every John Q Public that wants to play is necessary to give the event a decent purse. If that's the unfortunate reality of this moment, and perhaps it is, then finding more sponsor money to help keep this event as lucrative for the pros while leaving out those who've not proven themselves of deserving of the opportunity, is critical.
 
If the US open 9-BALL tounament was reduced to just those that had documented accomlishments (tournament wins) through out the year then the tournament would have about 20 players ( not including past champions whom have retired for the most part and who have free entry for life into the Open).

100% of the time, the best player wins the event as well as all of those placing in the money are the best players. I NEVER see anyone complaining about the DCC that anyone who puts up money can play! So stop complaining.

Also, will someone list the players at the US Open whom have made specticals of themselves while playing? Or a list of players from this year that did not deserve to be there? There would be a nice little list of "well known" players that would not "derserve" to be there!

The US 9-ball Open is a "OPEN" challenge to those that are the best and those that are trying to win against the best. Is that not the spirit of the event?
 
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JustPlay said:
If the US open 9-BALL tounament was reduced to just those that had documented accomlishments (tournament wins) through out the year then the tournament would have about 20 players ( not including past champions whom have retired for the most part and who have free entry for life into the Open).

100% of the time, the best player wins the event as well as all of those placing in the money are the best players. I NEVER see anyone complaining about the DCC that anyone who puts up money can play! So stop complaining.
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The DCC is a gimmick independent event, not our national championship. There is simply no comparison.
 
go play tennis or golf or dont watch the matches you dont feel are up to your standards thats all youy sound like someone who just likes to yelp.
 
sjm said:
The DCC is a gimmick independent event, not our national championship. There is simply no comparison.
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That may well be the case (i personally do not think so). But a champion is crowned nontheless as well as as an overall champion. And who comes out on top? The best players do.

Also, why would you compare a couple of miss labeled "open" events like the Golf and Tennis to pool? Pool has no and never will have a structured system like professional golf or tennis has in place. US pool has only 3 count them 3 big events a year- US open 9-ball, DCC and Mosconi cup. Please note that I am referring only to Men's "professional" pool here in the US only.
 
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