My Pool Tournament Bucket List

With the end of my 2013 tournament year in sight (4 more tournaments in the next 6 weeks), I am compelled to share my pool tournament bucket list with you...  I would love to hear what events are on yours.

Women's World 10 Ball Championship in the Phillipines- This is definitely the most difficult to attain as I need to achieve a certain level of play to even be considered for an invitation...  But by writing it here, I am one step closer to achieving the possibility of this as a reality.  Pool in the Phillipines is essentially the equivalent to football in the US.  Players like Efren Reyes, Francisco Bustamante, and Dennis Orcullo are celebrated as national heroes.  Venues in the Phillipines are generally open area malls and I think it would be an absolutely amazing experience.

Derby City Classic- Definitely one of the most prestigious tournaments in the United States, this 10 day pool extravaganza is in my sights for January of 2015. I will most likely sign up for the 9 ball division only, but have heard that there are many amazing historical and geologic sites to visit in the near vicinity. Tournaments ran during this event included 9 ball banks, 1 pocket, and 9 ball on the 9 footers, then Straight Pool and 10 ball on the 10 Footers.  2013 Champions include: 9 ball banks- Francisco Bustamante, 1 pocket- Corey Deuel, 9 ball- Alex Pagalayun, 10 ball- Dennis Orcullo, Straight Pool- Max Eberle

US Open 9 Ball Championship- Also a very prestigious event in the US.  I have no other real motivation for attending, other than players from around the world covet the title.  Recent champions include: 2012 Dennis Orcullo, 2011-2010 Darren Appleton, 2009-2008 Mika Immonen

Turning Stone Classic- Hosted at the absolutely beautiful Turning Stone Resort & Casino in Verona NY, this event brings out the very best of what pool has to offer.  I want to see this event first hand and learn how everything works.  It is my goal to organize events on this scale, where the level of play is at the highest that it can be and where it can be appreciated by the community of pool players far and wide.  Earl the Pearl just snapped this one off last weekend :)

Jay Swanson Memorial Tournament- Played at the Hard Times in Bellflower, this tournament is one of the toughest 9 ball fields on US soil.  Top players from around the world come out to compete on sub 4" pockets.

White Diamonds - I honestly have only heard about this tournament because I was in the south a couple years ago playing at Emerald Billiards for US Amateur Open.  My soul purpose of attending would be for the Calcutta.  Chris Miller is legendary as the auctioneer.

Super Billiards Expo- Also known as Valley Forge, this Allen Hopkins event has achieved legendary status and includes both amateur and professional events.  The trade show is where you can view all of the exciting new product lines put out by the billiards industry for the year.

I am sure there are many more events that will be added to this list, but for now these are the biggies :)