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Behrman Shooting for 256-Plus Players at U.S. Open
Sep 4, 2008, 6:35 PM

Behrman will make it happen by moving some losers bracket matches to Q-Master Billiards.

Barry Behrman, creator and promoter of the U.S. Open 9-Ball Championships, has announced that he will open the event’s mammoth field past its 256-player limit this year.

The 2008 Championships are scheduled for Oct. 19-25 at the Chesapeake Conference Center in Chesapeake, Va. Citing the possibility that the 2008 World Pool Championship will not take place on its scheduled dates of Nov. 1-9, Behrman opened the field in part so players who might have been reluctant to hop continents on a tight schedule would have the opportunity to play and be guaranteed a spot in the field. (The WPC, produced by U.K.-based Marcthroom Sport, has been slated for Asia this year, but no deal has been struck yet with an area promoter to help stage the event.)

In the event the U.S. Open field exceeds 256, match times will stay the same as in the past, but some losers-bracket matches will take place at Behrman’s Q-Master Billiards poolroom nearby, Behrman told BD.

Behrman noted that additional entries would help beef up the prize fund, which for a 256-player field would be $250,000, paid to the top 96 players. In the event of a 300-player field, the fund would jump another $26,400 and expand to 128 players, he said.

"It's a win-win for everybody," Behrman said. "I hope we get 400 players."

Players must produce their $600 entry fee by Oct. 12 to avoid the $50 late fee. For more information, see the event's web site at www.usopen9ballchampionships.com/index.php .