WNT in Arizona

J

jbart65

Well-known member
Frazer said the WNT wanted to go bigger in the US. They just introduced a 128-player event in Yuma shortly before the U.S. Open in Frisco.

Seems patterned after the Philippines Open. Sixty-four top ranked WNT pros and 64 others. Single elimination start to finish.

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Yuma? What the actual Frick!?!

Phoenix would be the obvious place with Tucson the next best. There are bigger and better casinos. And in August no less!!

P.S. Because it is my best chance to see a “close to local” WNT event. I will make the drive. But Yuma in August? 🤦‍♂️
 
First off, Yuma is a most excellent place to grow grapefruit. If you have the water. I used to have relatives there.

Second, the casino there has been hosting US 3-cushion tournaments for several years, so they're cue-sports friendly.

I haven't been to the casino, but it is remote enough to have avoided the Las Vegas casino blight. Let's hope. It looks like the room rate is around $110 per night that time of year.

PHX and SAN are both about 180 miles away. Only American flies into Yuma (YUM!) with flights to PHX and DFW. So, I guess you could do
--> PHX --> YUM --> DFW --> on American and maybe they wouldn't be too harsh on your wallet. I hope no one at Matchroom was thinking Yuma is close to Frisco -- they are about 1000 miles apart, or twice the distance from the top to the bottom of Great Britain.
 
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All of the rooms at the casino are booked. I am gonna go, already told the wife, probably AB&B or Motel 6 then find every last AZB celeb and say hi and buy them a drink but I still say Scottsdale/Tempe would have been a better location.

As assessed by an Arizona native…

Bob, if you see a really tall guy introducing himself, have your drink order ready!
 
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Having been to large convention centers in Palm Springs where the summer temps are 110-124 day time.... Only swamp coolers were used.
Wondering if this area uses swampers in the event/convention areas?
 
Phoenix is not the place to do much, Chuck Bobbit Burned the Pro Player years ago, Jay Helfet know story only too well. RUBBER CHECKS.
 
TheGrandWazoo said:
All of the rooms at the casino are booked. I am gonna go, already told the wife, probably AB&B or Motel 6 then find every last AZB celeb and say hi and buy them a drink but I still say Scottsdale/Tempe would have been a better location.

As assessed by an Arizona native…

Bob, if you see a really tall guy introducing himself, have your drink order ready!
Click to expand...
All booked, or just blocked off?
 
TheGrandWazoo said:
All of the rooms at the casino are booked. I am gonna go, already told the wife, probably AB&B or Motel 6 then find every last AZB celeb and say hi and buy them a drink but I still say Scottsdale/Tempe would have been a better location.

As assessed by an Arizona native…

Bob, if you see a really tall guy introducing himself, have your drink order ready!
Click to expand...
It's possible to stay in Mexico for the tournament.

I wonder how many will make the trek -- pros, US players, US spectators. I have to believe that MR couldn't find a location with as good a deal near Phoenix.

My standard drink in league was a Screwdriver, hold the vodka. Gotta keep your wits about you when among pool players.

If it's possible to get there by Amtrak, that would add to the adventure.
 
jax_joe said:
All booked, or just blocked off?
Click to expand...
Unavailable at least. My guess is that the rooms will be reserved for the players. It is not a big hotel and the players and WNT staff would most likely consume all the rooms.

I am still going even if I have to stay in Gila Bend…
 
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WNT thinks it’s found gold in the South for pro pool. After Florida and Texas, Arizona was beckoning.

Trial run likely. If Yuma is a success, WNT will try to find a regular home in Arizona.

MR also seems to be expanding into different formats. Now we have the 128-player single elimination format.

My guess is, MR won’t care if not too many non American players show up. This seems geared toward the U.S. market. But of course some will. Why not do Florida, Arizona and the U.S. opens.

This does seem to be replacing the Battle of the Bull.
 
Island Drive said:
OP.... Single Elimination event. ... Is this true?
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The WNT events are described on the Matchroom Pool website: https://matchroompool.com

Here is a direct link to their description of the Arizona Open:

matchroompool.com

WNT EXPANDS IN THE USA WITH INAUGURAL ARIZONA OPEN POOL CHAMPIONSHIP, 13–16 AUGUST 2026 - Matchroom Pool

Where The Heat Meets The Elite The World Nineball Tour is proud to announce the Arizona Open Pool Championship, the newest major event on the WNT calendar, set to take place from 13–16 August 2026 at the impressive Quechan Casino Resort in Yuma, Arizona. TICKETS ON SALE SOON – SIGN UP FOR...
matchroompool.com matchroompool.com
 
I like the format! Single elimination, 4 days, 64 seeded pros, 64 other. In and out and done fast!

IMO, 256 is too many, can’t fill the field. 128 makes it more special if you get in.

Single elimination means amateurs have a chance to cash if the pros have a bad set, or if they get a favorable draw. More luck involved this way.
 
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