US Open Straight Pool

[HOB Weert]

Question:

Why is it that this Tournament is only organised once in a decade?
The last time was 2000 and the one before was i think 1992!!!

I believe if you ask Accustats that they tell you that tapes of these Tournaments and Great Matches with high runs are the one most bought!!
And they still do...

Over here in Europe there are some great Straight Pool players but only a few Tournaments, at the last European Championships there where at least 7 or 8 runs of 125 and out!!

So it is time for another US Open Straight Pool 2004!
What do you think?

Maurice

 

[yobagua]

I heartily agree with you. Until organizations like the BCA and WPBA start leading instead of following with their concept of races to 7 in 9 ball for TV there will be a lack of appreciation for the game. Do not underestimate the public. There are many out there who love 14.1 and many more who can learn to appreciate it.

 

[Tom In Cincy]

Question:
So it is time for another US Open Straight Pool 2004!
What do you think?
Maurice

56 years ago, there was an organization formed to hold sanctioned regional 14.1 events. The organization coordinated all the events and was responsible for the promotional efforts. The winners of these regionals were the final entries to the World 14.1 tournament. A round robin event, where everyone played everyone. Usually there were only 8 to 10 entries.

Somehow, this organization got side tracked and the 14.1 events became more like 'invitational' happenings. The current champion would be allowed to take on 'challenge matches' for the title, the champ picked where and when the 'defence' would take place. There were 14.1 championship matches maybe 3 or 4 times a year.

Care to guess the name the organization that promoted these events and then became the sanctioning body?

 

[Wally in Cincy]

Question:

Why is it that this Tournament is only organised once in a decade?.....

Unfortunately the promoters of the last 14.1 US Open lost quite a bit of money on that event ( IIRC )

When someone figures out how to make money on it there will be another one. I will be there if it happens.

 

[yobagua]

Not everything has to make money. Thats what I mean about leadership. You take the BCA thing in Vegas. Right after the pro nine ball tournament you have some 14.1 exhibition matches. Ralf Soquet vs Jim Rempe, Alison Fisher vs Grady Mathews, Oliver Ortmann vs Efren Reyes, etc. Or a little round robin with $2000 to winner. Fans would be flocking to see it. With the money you make from the pro and amateur thing you kick over to 14.1 side. If you break even great. You bring status and education to the game. Not everything has to be commercial.

 

[crawdaddio]

Not everything has to be commercial.[/QUOTE]

I only wish you were right about that.
~~David

 

[cueball1950]

wally is right

Not everything has to make money. Thats what I mean about leadership. You take the BCA thing in Vegas. Right after the pro nine ball tournament you have some 14.1 exhibition matches. Ralf Soquet vs Jim Rempe, Alison Fisher vs Grady Mathews, Oliver Ortmann vs Efren Reyes, etc. Or a little round robin with $2000 to winner. Fans would be flocking to see it. With the money you make from the pro and amateur thing you kick over to 14.1 side. If you break even great. You bring status and education to the game. Not everything has to be commercial.

not everyone has to make money. are you kidding. Blatt billiards put the last one on and they lost over $80,000.00 putting it on. How many people or organizations do you know that can lose that much money every year. It is unfortunate, but we participate in a sport that even it's own industry will not support. Diamond is doing everything they can to promote it, but it takes lost of cash. And it seems no one wants to put it up. People are confused about the Camel tour also. RJR the parent company of camel only got into the mens pro pool for 1 reason. to work their way into the APA. once that was accomplished they dropped the mens tour..............mike

 

[yobagua]

Mike did you read my post? I didnt say people have to lose money. Did you not like my idea of doing 14.1 Challenge matches at money making events? Education leads to an investment in the popularity of the game. We have to show people that there is an alternative to 9 ball race to 7. The more people learn about the game they'll be more demand. If we just appeal to the lowest common denominator we'll just be watching "junk" pool.

As for Blatt Billiards they made a gutsy move. But they sure got name recognition on a National if not International scene. I had never heard of them before this. I think for what they did they got their $80,000 worth in publicity and tax deductions. I attended all the matches and it cost me $2500 to fly to NY and see wonderful 14.1 games. It was worth it.