The world of professional pool is buzzing with excitement as the 2023 Hanoi Open Pool Championship kicks off from October 10th to 15th at the prestigious Hanoi Indoor Games Gymnasium. This tournament promises to be a thrilling spectacle, featuring 256 top-tier players from around the globe competing for a staggering $200,000 in prize money. In this article, we’ll dive into the details of this event, including the draw, bracket, format, match schedule, prize fund, and where you can catch all the action.
Event Details:
- Event: Hanoi Open Pool Championship
- Venue: Vietnam National Sports Complex, Hanoi City
- Date: October 10 – 15, 2023
- Start time 10th-12th: From 10:00 am daily local time
- Start time 13th-15th: From 11:00 am daily local time
- Live stream: Watch from anywhere!
The Hanoi Open Pool is a 9-ball pool championship that has replaced the former Asian Open Pool Championship. This event is being organized through a collaboration between the municipal Department of Culture and Sports, Vietcontent Company, and Matchroom Pool – a renowned global leader in hosting, promoting, and broadcasting nine-ball pool competitions. This year, it is the 1st edition of Hanoi Open Pool Championship. From now it will be held every year in Vietnam.
As a significant addition to the World Nine-ball Tour’s global circuit, alongside prestigious events such as the US Open, UK Open, European Open, and Spanish Open, the championship will be hosted at the Hanoi Indoor Games Gymnasium. It promises to attract a total of 256 skilled cueists, comprising 128 players from the top tier of the World Nineball Tour and an additional 128 who have qualified through preliminary rounds.
It will also feature the newly named Hanoi Junior Open, where some of South-East Asia’s most talented young pool players will demonstrate their incredible skills.
I have been excited about the Hanoi Open Pool 2023 for months and keep tracking all the news regarding the event. Here are more must-know information about the event:
The Draw and Matchups
The draw for the Hanoi Open Pool Championship is complete, and it offers some thrilling matchups right from the start. Here are some of the marquee names gracing the tournament:
Francisco Sanchez Ruiz: World Number One
Leading the pack is none other than Francisco Sanchez Ruiz, the reigning world number one in the world of pool. His incredible skill and finesse on the table make him a favorite to clinch the championship.
Ko Ping-Chung: US Open Champion
Fresh off his US Open victory, Ko Ping-Chung enters this tournament in red-hot form. His tenacity and precision make him a formidable contender.
Shane van Boening, Albin Ouschan, and Jayson Shaw
These seasoned professionals bring a wealth of experience and talent to the table, ensuring fierce competition at every turn.
Eklent Kaci’s Anticipated Return
The UK Open champion, Eklent Kaci, is set to make a highly-anticipated return after missing the European Open and the US Open due to injury. His comeback adds an element of unpredictability to the tournament.
Filipino Contingent
The Filipino players, including World Cup of Pool champions Johann Chua and James Aranas, will be a force to reckon with. With names like Carlo Biado, Anton Raga, Roland Garcia, Jeffrey De Luna, and Michael Feliciano, they make up a strong contingent from the Philippines.
Notable Absences
While the tournament boasts an impressive lineup, some notable players have opted not to participate. This includes Joshua Filler, Vietnamese number one Duong Quoc Hoang, and several Polish players like Wiktor Zielinski and Wojciech Szewczyk. Nonetheless, the competition remains fierce.
Where to Watch
Pool enthusiasts and fans can catch all the exciting action of the Hanoi Open Pool Championship live through various broadcasters. The coverage will be available on Matchroom Pool’s YouTube Channels for the opening four days from 10 a.m. local time. Sky Sports will subsequently broadcast the final two days in the UK and Ireland. In the USA, DAZN will provide extensive coverage throughout the duration of the event, while Vietcontent and TAP will show the action in the Vietnam and Philippines. Fans worldwide can enjoy the tournament on Matchroom.Live.
Note: For a full list of global broadcasters, please visit here.
Session Times and Match Schedule
The Hanoi Open Championship will take place at Vietnam National Sports Complex, Hanoi City, from October 10-15th. Here are the session times in Local Time (EDT):
- October 10-12th: 10 am daily
- October 13th: 11 am
- October 14th: 11 am – 3:30 pm / 5:30 pm – 10:00 pm
- October 15th: 11 am – 3:30 pm / 5:30 pm – 8:00 pm
You can check out the latest bracket, match schedule, and live scoring here.
Tournament Format
Understanding the tournament format is crucial to enjoying the matches fully. The Hanoi Open Pool Championship will follow these rules:
- Nine on the Spot: The tournament will use the “Nine on the spot” rules, with a break box.
- Winner Breaks Throughout: In the main round, the winner will continue to break.
- Shot Clock: A shot clock will be implemented from the last 16 onwards, ensuring brisk gameplay.
Race to Victory
The format for each round is as follows:
- Main Round: Race to nine
- Winners Round One: Race to nine
- Losers Round One: Race to eight
- Losers Round Two: Race to eight
- Winners Qualification Round: Race to nine
- Losers Round Three: Race to eight
- Losers Qualification Round: Race to nine
- Last 64: Race to 10
- Last 32: Race to 10
- Last 16: Race to 10
- Quarter-Finals: Race to 10
- Semi-Finals: Race to 11
- Final: Race to 13
Prize Fund
The Hanoi Open Pool Championship boasts an impressive prize fund:
- Champion: $30,000
- Runner-up: $15,000
- Semi-finalists: $9,500
- Quarter-finalists: $6,000
- Last 16: $4,000
- Last 32: $2,000
- Last 64: $1,000
- Losers Qualification Round: $500
- Total Prize Money: $200,000
Conclusion
The 2023 Hanoi Open Pool Championship promises to be a thrilling event with top-tier players battling for glory and a substantial prize pool. Whether you’re a dedicated pool fan or a casual observer, this championship is not to be missed. Tune in to witness the drama, skill, and excitement that only a professional pool can deliver.
FAQs
The championship is hosted at the Hanoi Indoor Games Gymnasium in Hanoi, Vietnam
Francisco Sanchez Ruiz, the world number one, is the player to watch out for.
DAZN will provide coverage of the tournament in the United States.
The tournament will follow the “Nine on the Spot” rules with a shot clock implemented from the last 16 onwards.