The US Open 9 Ball Championship has become one of the most highly-coveted titles in nine pool. The tournament attracts over 1000 spectators every year and is broadcast by ESPN sports channel. A total prize fund of $148,000 will be awarded to 64 players in the competition. A $500 entry fee is required for the event.
There have been many notable winners of the US Open 9 Ball Championship. Earl Strickland was crowned the champion, along with Steve Mizerak and Mike Sigel. Efren "The Magician", Reyes, is the pocket billiards player who has had the greatest success. He has won one U.S. Open Championship as well as a World Championship.
Luther Lassiter, who was killed in October 1988, was an iconic road player who won six of the world's nine ball championships. His career was long and he was better than many of the big names during his prime. However, Lassiter would've won more if there was more nine-ball tournaments.
He was also a World Teams Championship champion. The World Teams Championship was revived this year in Austria. Both Earl Strickland (left) and Kurt DeKlerck (right) have won national titles previously. But in the last 20 years, the top names have been surpassed by the likes of Allen Hopkins and Efren "The Magician"Reyes.
Reyes is the most skilled player in straight pool and one-pocket table billiards. In 1999, he won the World 9-Ball Championship and the US Open. He holds two additional major titles.
Buddy Hall is the most famous 9 ball name. Hall has won the US Open title back-toback. His talents have been recognised and he has been highly praised by fans. He was a dominant player in Shreveport's 9-ball league in the 1970s.
Tanvee, a nine-year old Indian girl from Hyderabad, began playing nine-ball seven years ago. He has been working out with Billiards Education Foundation coach Roy Pastor. On Monday, he will compete in the Predator World Junior 9 Ball Championship.
Many players have won multiple titles in the US Open or WPA 9 ball championships. Jouni Tahti, Fred Dinsmore and Aaron Aragon are some of the most prominent names. Earl Strickland, Kurt DeKlerck and Mike Sigel are some of the other notable players who have won numerous US Open and world titles.
The World Pool Championship is the largest pool tournament in the world. Guinness World Records has been running it since 1981. The tournament has become a global competition, attracting millions of spectators worldwide. It has also been broadcast on ESPN since 1999.
Buddy Hall is considered one of the top nine ball players in history. He won a major tournament in the early 1980s and beat all the big names in his field.