While the history of pool can be traced back to European nobility of the 18th Century, it was in the United States that the sport really took off. From the professional players that graced cigarette cards in the late 1800s to Hollywood movies like The Hustler, pool has always captured the imagination of the American public, and while it might not be as popular as it once was (Chicago alone had over 800 pool halls in 1915), the US remains the game’s spiritual home to this day.
Fast-paced and fun to watch, 9-ball is pool at its best. The game sees players take turns to pot numbered balls in ascending order, with the ultimate goal being to pot the 9 ball and earn victory. As the voiceover to Martin Scorsese’s The Color of Money explains, in 9-ball pool, “The only ball that means anything, that wins it, is the 9.” The result is that, in 9-ball, one lapse in concentration can change a match; one moment of genius can win a tournament.
In late 2022, the United States welcomes not one, but 2 of the world’s grandest 9-ball pool tournaments to its shores, and kicking things off is the US Open. Set to take place between 10–15 October at The Waterfront, Harrah's Resort Atlantic City, the event will see the likes of Shane Van Boening, Joshua Filler, and defending champion Carlo Biado battle it out for the coveted winner’s green blazer and a place in history. Seats for this year’s US Open are still available and start at around $39 for a day, and $171 for the entire week, meaning fans can still pick up a ticket to watch the world’s best take up their cues in New Jersey.
The action doesn’t stop there for Stateside pool fans. While the East Coast might have the US Open, the West Coast will host its own 9-ball extravaganza in late November – the Mosconi Cup. Known as the game’s biggest pool party, the Mosconi Cup pits a team of top players from Europe against their American counterparts in an annual Ryder-Cup-style quest for supremacy. Famous for its high-emotion and raucous atmosphere, the tournament is 9-ball's most popular event and is enjoyed each year by everyone from die-hard pool enthusiasts to casual sports fans. The 2022 edition of the Mosconi Cup will hail from Bally's Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas between 30 November – 3 December, and seats for this Sin City showdown can still be secured for around $85.
For more information about pool events near you, or to purchase tickets, click here.