Where is the love for inaugural Predator Canada 10 Ball Open (17-21 Aug)? Winner gets $25K

[spartan]

Predator Canada Open – Predator Pro Billiard Series

probilliardseries.com

Unbelievable! Only 28 players so far and only 3 FR800- Yapp, Oi, Zielinski
Total prizemoney $100K and top prize is $25K
And this is after the big Matchroom event European Open (9-14 Aug)

 

[skip100]

Insisting on a tacky shootout format that no one wants certainly isn't helping their cause.

 

[WGDave]

Maybe it is the vax mandates?

We're seeing it with MLB baseball teams not sending their full normal roster up to Toronto because the players do not have up to date vax shots.

 

[garczar]

Maybe it is the vax mandates?

We're seeing it with MLB baseball teams not sending their full normal roster up to Toronto because the players do not have up to date vax shots.

This. The format is not the reason. The other Pred. events have had pretty stout fields.

 

[The_JV]

most are probably thinking they'll have to use sled dogs to navigate around the wild fires.

 

[kling&allen]

Could be cost (gas prices) also. Red Deer is beautiful but a long way from the US (15 hours from SD for example). Or an expensive flight to Calgary and then a rental car.

 

[Banger]

For many, it's probably just too hard and expensive to get there.

 

[Cuebuddy]

Promise a orange five ball and it will be like the gold rush.

 

[Wolven]

Could be cost (gas prices) also. Red Deer is beautiful but a long way from the US (15 hours from SD for example). Or an expensive flight to Calgary and then a rental car.

Yeah, it is middle of nowhere. If you don't have vaccine then you will need quarantine.

 

[Banger]

At least it's not in January. I've had a bunch of layovers in Calgary, and January is not fun.

 

[9ballhasbeen]

The bad format, the bad tables, the high travel costs, Matchroom points matter more, and the general risk (vaccinated or not) of getting COVID are all factors. I don't believe Predator has had a full field for one of these yet.

I'll also point out that the names are terrible. It should be the Canadian Open or the German Open, not the Germany Open and the Canada Open. For all of Predator's bluster, they haven't created much meaningful over the past few years. Everything is just a giant Predator Logo or a color change. It takes more than that to make a great brand or event.

 

[stunshotDAVE]

predator is foolish. it should be in toronto or montreal.

 

[ctyhntr]

For all the complaints about Predator, it's forcing others to step up. I guarantee you, if Predator stops sponsoring tournaments, don't be surprised if Matchroom scales down their prize money back to the pre-Predator sponsorship days. Don't take these tournaments for granted.

 

[KAP1976]

For all the complaints about Predator, it's forcing others to step up. I guarantee you, if Predator stops sponsoring tournaments, don't be surprised if Matchroom scales down their prize money back to the pre-Predator sponsorship days. Don't take these tournaments for granted.

And then whining will commence that "we need a pro tour!"

 

[The_JV]

Yeah, it is middle of nowhere. If you don't have vaccine then you will need quarantine.

Hardly in the middle of nowhere, but yes there are far better places to hold such an event. Vancouver or Toronto are the easiest examples.

The vaccine isn't an issue for players travelling internationally already.

That part of the country is all about the BB game.

 

[sjm]

I think it's chiefly about location. Looking at the field to this point, it is primarily the Americans who have failed to sign up.

To their credit, Predator continues to produce events with good prize funds and are keeping entry costs low. This has enabled many Americans to make ends meet whenever travel is convenient and relatively inexpensive.

Most of these ten-ball events have been in places to which many US-based players could drive, and that has surely helped participation levels. Alberta, however, is not easily accessible from any of the major cities in the United States.

I believe that had the same event been held in Toronto, it would have generated far more interest from American players, as Toronto is easily drivable from any of New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island.

Still, let's tell it like it is --- Because of super-top-heavy prize payouts, American players are generally failing to make money in these events, so perhaps many of them are looking for a better spot to invest their money.

Still, I agree with this thread's premise. The event deserves better than this and I do hope players will get on board and sign up. Finally, I'm pleased to see a WPA sanctioned title up for grabs in Canada and feel that having one serves our sport well.

 

[Black-Balled]

... about the BB game.

I'm all abooot that.

 

[The_JV]

I'm all abooot that.

That's a weird way to spell "about". Do you have some kind native typing accent...?

 

[DaveK]

predator is foolish. it should be in toronto or montreal.

Ya, likely a better turnout in TO or Montreal, but not sure that everything should be concentrated in a few major cities just for convenience. It's nice to have a tournament in regional areas. I hope Predator and the tournament in Red Deer do well.

And some of you need new material.

Dave

 

[ctyhntr]

I think it's chiefly about location. Looking at the field to this point, it is primarily the Americans who have failed to sign up.

To their credit, Predator continues to produce events with good prize funds and are keeping entry costs low. This has enabled many Americans to make ends meet whenever travel is convenient and relatively inexpensive.

Most of these ten-ball events have been in places to which many US-based players could drive, and that has surely helped participation levels. Alberta, however, is not easily accessible from any of the major cities in the United States.

I believe that had the same event been held in Toronto, it would have generated far more interest from American players, as Toronto is easily drivable from any of New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island.

Still, let's tell it like it is --- Because of super-top-heavy prize payouts, American players are generally failing to make money in these events, so perhaps many of them are looking for a better spot to invest their money.

Still, I agree with this thread's premise. The event deserves better than this and I do hope players will get on board and sign up. Finally, I'm pleased to see a WPA sanctioned title up for grabs in Canada and feel that having one serves our sport well.

You are correct, Predator is the main sponsor of this professional tournament series, but in North America they're not producing these events alone. They partnered with CSI to produced these events. Locations are picked where CSI have BCA league presence, and to support the local CSI/BCA league operators.