U.S. Open Pool Championship

The U.S. Open 9-Ball Championships is an annual professional men's nine-ball pool tournament that began in its current form in 1976. The U.S. Open is one of the most sought-after titles in nine-ball and in pool generally. Traditionally, winners of the U.S. Open are given a green blazer and are awarded free entry fees to all future U.S. Open tournaments.

Chesapeake Conference Center, site of the U.S. Open 9-Ball Championship from 1997 to 2011

The Women's U.S. Open is a separate event, sanctioned by the Women's Professional Billiard Association (WPBA).

History

In its first official edition in 1976, the U.S. Open was contested by just 16 players. Over the years, the number of participants steadily increased, reaching its current level of 256 players.[1]

The tournament is a male-only event, though it is otherwise a true "open" tournament, in that the only requirement is the payment of the entry fee, which was $1000 in 2015. The total purse for the tournament at that time was $200,000, where the winner was awarded $40,000.

Original U.S. Open promoter Barry Behrman (right) with Rob Sykora of Billiard Club Network (left) at the 2004 event.

The tournament's original venue was Q-Master Billiards pool hall, in Norfolk, Virginia, which hosted the event, other than one year, from 1976 until 1988.[2] From 1997 to 2011, the U.S. Open Men's Division was held at the Chesapeake Conference Center in Chesapeake, Virginia.[2] Q-Masters is still involved in the tournament.[3]

Original promoter Barry Behrman died on April 23, 2016. His children, Brady Behrman and Shannon Behrman Paschall, took over operating the tournament until 2018, when it was sold to Matchroom Sport, who moved it to Las Vegas.[4]

Format

The tournament format is essentially double-elimination (a player is out of the tournament after losing two matches) until two players remain. Most professional pool "double-elimination" events, however, are not true double-elimination formats, where the player who reaches the finals from the loser's side has to defeat the winner's side player twice for the title.

As of 2021, the tournament reverts to single-elimination from the last 16 onwards. At the U.S. Open, matches are played in races to 11, with the winner breaking. However, the final match, as is customary with most professional nine-ball tournaments today, is one extended race. At the U.S. Open, the extended race in the finals is 13 racks.

Winners

Men
Year Winner Runner-up Final score Venue Winner's Prize Total Prize
2021 Carlo Biado Aloysius Yapp 13–8 Harrah’s Resort, Atlantic City, NJ $50,000 $300,000
2020 Not held due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2019 Joshua Filler Wu Jia-qing 13–10 Mandalay Bay Resort, Las Vegas, NV $50,000 $300,000
2018 Not held due to a venue relocation
2017 Jayson Shaw Eklent Kaci 13–4 Sheraton Norfolk Waterside Hotel, Norfolk, VA $40,000 $200,000
2016 Shane Van Boening (5) Kevin Cheng 13–9 Sheraton Norfolk Waterside Hotel, Norfolk, VA $50,000 $200,000
2015 Cheng Yu-hsuan Karl Boyes 13–6 Sheraton Norfolk Waterside Hotel, Norfolk, VA $40,000 $192,000
2014 Shane Van Boening (4) Dennis Orcollo 13–10 Marriott Chesapeake, Norfolk, VA $30,000 $165,000
2013 Shane Van Boening (3) Lee Vann Corteza 13–10 Marriott Chesapeake, Norfolk, VA $30,000 $135,000
2012 Shane Van Boening (2) Dennis Orcollo 13–7 Holiday Inn Virginia Beach Norfolk, VA $25,000 $170,000
2011 Darren Appleton (2) Shawn Putnam 13–6 Chesapeake Conference Center, VA $30,000 $175,100
2010 Darren Appleton Corey Deuel 15–13 Chesapeake Conference Center, VA $40,000 $180,000
2009 Mika Immonen (2) Ralf Souquet 13–10 Chesapeake Conference Center, VA $40,000 $200,000
2008 Mika Immonen Ronnie Alcano 13–7 Chesapeake Conference Center, VA $40,000 $212,000
2007 Shane Van Boening Ronnie Alcano 13–10 Chesapeake Conference Center, VA $50,000 $182,000
2006 John Schmidt Rodolfo Luat 11–6 Chesapeake Conference Center, VA $40,000 $159,000
2005 Alex Pagulayan Jose Parica 11–6 Chesapeake Conference Center, VA $40,000 $200,000
2004 Gabe Owen Thorsten Hohmann 11–3 Chesapeake Conference Center, VA $30,000 $145,000
2003 Jeremy Jones Jose Parica 11–4 Chesapeake Conference Center, VA $30,000 $125,000
2002 Ralf Souquet Alex Pagulayan 13–11 Chesapeake Conference Center, VA $30,000 $150,000
2001 Corey Deuel Mika Immonen 11–0 Chesapeake Conference Center, VA $30,000 $148,200
2000 Earl Strickland (5) Takeshi Okumura 11–5 Chesapeake Conference Center, VA $50,000 $211,000
1999 Johnny Archer Jeremy Jones 11–7 Chesapeake Conference Center, VA $30,000 $131,600
1998 Buddy Hall (2) Tang Hoa 11–5 Chesapeake Conference Center, VA $25,000 $105,500
1997 Earl Strickland (4) Efren Reyes 11–3 Chesapeake Conference Center, VA $25,000 $124,500
1996 Rodney Morris Efren Reyes 11–6 Virginia Beach Convention Center, VA $25,000 $116,250
1995 Reed Pierce Efren Reyes 11–6 Holiday Inn, Chesapeake, VA $20,000 $77,800
1994 Efren Reyes Nick Varner 9–6 Holiday Inn, Chesapeake, VA $15,000 $53,200
1993 Earl Strickland (3) Tony Ellin 11–8 Holiday Inn, Chesapeake, VA $15,000 $58,400
1992 Tommy Kennedy Johnny Archer 9–1 Holiday Inn, Chesapeake, VA $15,000 $61,600
1991 Buddy Hall Dennis Hatch 9–8 Holiday Inn, Chesapeake, VA $15,000 $65,000
1990 Nick Varner (2) Johnny Archer 11–10 Lake Wright Hotel, Norfolk, VA $10,000 $41,000
1989 Nick Varner[5] Kim Davenport 13–6 Lake Wright Hotel, Norfolk, VA $10,000 $35,000
1988 Mike Lebrón[6] Nick Varner 11–6 Q-Master Billiards, Norfolk, VA $8,000 $30,000
1987 Earl Strickland (2)[7] Jim Rempe 11–7 Q-Master Billiards, Norfolk, VA $7,000 $24,000
1986 David Howard[8] Allen Hopkins 11–9 Q-Master Billiards, Norfolk, VA $7,000 $22,200
1985 Jimmy Reid[9] Mike Lebrón 11–5 Q-Master Billiards, Norfolk, VA $7,800 $23,000
1984 Earl Strickland[10] Mike Sigel 11–10 Lake Wright Hotel, Norfolk, VA $10,000 $25,900
1983 Mike Sigel (3)[11] David Howard 11–10 Q-Master Billiards, Norfolk, VA $5,000 $13,750
1982 David Howard[12] Mike Zuglan 10-4 Q-Master Billiards, Norfolk, VA $4,000 $10,000
1981 Allen Hopkins (2)[13] Mike Sigel 11-7 Q-Master Billiards, Norfolk, VA $4,000 $10,000
1980 Mike Sigel (2)[14] Ray Martin 11-7 Q-Master Billiards, Norfolk, VA $3,600 $8,500
1979 Steve Mizerak[15] Jim Rempe 11-10 Q-Master Billiards, Norfolk, VA $3,600 $8,500
1979 Louie Roberts[16] David Howard 15-11 Q-Master Billiards, Norfolk, VA $3,000 $8,000
1978 Allen Hopkins[17][18] Steve Mizerak 15-11 Q-Master Billiards, Norfolk, VA $5,000 $14,500
1977 Not held
1976 Mike Sigel[19] Peter Margo 11-1 Q-Master Billiards, Norfolk, VA $3,100 $8,975

Records
  • Earl Strickland and Shane Van Boening, all from the U.S., share the record for winning the Men's U.S. Open the most times: five. Strickland in 1984, 1987, 1993, 1997, and 2000. Van Boening in 2007, 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2016.[20]
  • Van Boening holds the record for the most consecutive wins: three. (2012, 2013, 2014).
  • Van Boening is the winner of the largest first-place prize ever offered at the event, for the time, with a prize of $50,000, in 2007. Van Boening remained undefeated in the field of 233 players, beating Ronato Alcano 13–10 in the final.[21]
  • The oldest pool player to ever win the men's tournament to date is Mike Lebrón of Puerto Rico, at 54 years old. The youngest player to win to date is Joshua Filler of Germany, at 21 years old.[22]

Top Performers
Rank Name Nationality Winner Runner-up Finals
1 Shane Van Boening  United States 5 0 5
Earl Strickland  United States 5 0 5
2 Mike Sigel  United States 3 2 5
3 David Howard  United States 2 2 4
Nick Varner  United States 2 2 4
4 Mika Immonen  Finland 2 1 3
Allen Hopkins  United States 2 1 3
5 Darren Appleton  United Kingdom 2 0 2
Buddy Hall  United States 2 0 2
6 Efren Reyes  Philippines 1 3 4
7 Johnny Archer  United States 1 2 3
8 Alex Pagulayan  Canada 1 1 2
Corey Deuel  United States 1 1 2
Jeremy Jones  United States 1 1 2
Ralf Souquet  Germany 1 1 2
Steve Mizerak  United States 1 1 2
Mike Lebrón  Puerto Rico 1 1 2
  • Active players are shown in bold.


Women

Unlike the men's tournament, the U.S. Open is not a true "open" event. Each female player must qualify through the Women's Professional Billiard Association, the professional women's billiards tour based in the United States, in order to compete in this annual event.

Year Winner
2016 Ga-young Kim (4)[23]
2012 Allison Fisher (6)[24][25]
2011 Allison Fisher (5)[24][25]
2010 Ga-young Kim (3)[23]
2009 Ga-young Kim (2)[23]
2008 Kelly Fisher[26]
2007 Allison Fisher (4)[24][25]
2006 Allison Fisher (3)[24][25]
2005 Allison Fisher (2)[24][25]
2004 Ga-young Kim[23]
2003 Karen Corr[27]
2002 Helena Thornfeldt
1999 Allison Fisher[24][25]
1994 Jeanette Lee[28]
1992 Robin Bell
1991 Ewa Laurance (2)[29]
1990 JoAnn Mason
1989 Loree Jon Jones
1988 Ewa Laurance[29]
1987 Jean Balukas (3)
1986 Jean Balukas (2)
1985 Belinda Calhoun
1984 Jean Balukas

References
  1. Barry Behrman (July 7, 2011). "Statement From Barry Behrman and Shannon Berhman Paschall-Exclusive to AZB". AzBilliards.com. Retrieved 2011-07-15.
  2. "History". USOpen9BallChampionships.com. Norfolk, VA: Q-Master Billiards. 2009. Retrieved June 14, 2010.
  3. "Contact". USOpen9BallChampionships.com. op. cit. 2010. Retrieved June 14, 2010.
  4. "History". USOpen9BallChampionships.com. Norfolk, VA: Q-Master Billiards. 2009. Missing or empty |url= (help)
  5. "National Billiards News Jan 1990". National Billiards News (Jan 1990). Retrieved 26 November 2021.
  6. "Billiards Digest Feb 1989". Billiards Digest (Feb 1989). Retrieved 26 November 2021.
  7. "National Billiards News Feb 1988". National Billiards News (Feb 1988). Retrieved 26 November 2021.
  8. "Billiards Digest Jan 1987". Billiards Digest (Jan 1987). Retrieved 26 November 2021.
  9. "National Billiards News Dec 1985". National Billiards News (Dec 1985). Retrieved 26 November 2021.
  10. "National Billiards News Dec 1984". National Billiards News (Dec 1984). Retrieved 26 November 2021.
  11. "National Billiards News Feb 1984". National Billiards News (Feb 1984). Retrieved 26 November 2021.
  12. "National Billiards News Jan 1983". National Billiards News (Jan 1983). Retrieved 26 November 2021.
  13. "National Billiards News Feb 1982". National Billiards News (Feb 1982).
  14. "National Billiards News Jan 1981". National Billiards News (Jan 1981). Retrieved 26 November 2021.
  15. "National Billiards News Dec 1979". National Billiards News (Dec 1979). Retrieved 26 November 2021.
  16. "Billiards Digest Mar 1979". Billiards Digest (Mar 1979). Retrieved 26 November 2021.
  17. "National Billiards News Aug 1978". National Billards News (Aug 1978). Retrieved 26 November 2021.
  18. "National Billiards News Aug 1978". National Billards News (Aug 1978). Retrieved 26 November 2021.
  19. "American Billiard Review Nov 1976". American Billiard Review (Nov 1976). Retrieved 26 November 2021.
  20. USOpen9BallChampionships.com Archived 2007-10-20 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 21 October 2007
  21. "US Open Down to Final Four", BilliardsDigest.com, October 20, 2007. Retrieved October 21, 2007
  22. "History of The U.S. Open 9-Ball Championships". U.S. Open 9-Ball Championships. Archived from the original on 2004-04-10. Retrieved 2017-02-19.
  23. "Player biographies (Ga Young Kim)". WPBA.com. Archived from the original on January 24, 2009. Retrieved 2009-09-06.
  24. "WPBA's Top 5". Billiards Digest. Chicago, Illinois: Luby Publishing. 30 (3): 55. February 2008. ISSN 0164-761X.
  25. Cuetec Cues US Open Archived 2011-07-16 at the Wayback Machine, WPBA.com. Retrieved 21 October 2007.
  26. "Player biographies (Kelly Fisher)". WPBA.com. Archived from the original on June 9, 2008. Retrieved 2009-09-06.
  27. "Player biographies (Karen Corr)". WPBA.com. Archived from the original on October 9, 2008. Retrieved 2009-09-06.
  28. "Player biographies (Jeanette Lee)". WPBA.com. Archived from the original on July 16, 2011. Retrieved 2009-09-06.
  29. "Player biographies (Ewa Laurance)". WPBA.com. Archived from the original on July 16, 2011. Retrieved 2009-09-06.
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