The Games

There are many games in the world of billiards: games that require a singular skill or aptitude and games that demand a combination of qualities. Some games are as old as Mark Twain (an avid player in his time) and others are as new as two teenagers making up the rules as they go along. A game's popularity may be limited to a specific region or location or might be international in scope, but one thing remains constant: billiard "people" are interested in them all. By expanding tournament play to include additional games, the Classic introduced new avenues of interest and competition to experienced players and newcomers. By reaching more current players, it created new interests and enlarged possibilities for room owners, equipment manufacturers, sponsoring companies and organizations, and future enthusiasts.

Click the title of each game for official Dates, Rules, Details, etc.

9-Ball

Speed, flair and the television age has focused media and spectator attention on the familiar and widely played game of 9-Ball. Because the game itself has become a traditional classic with a wide following, it will be a major element of the Derby City Classic and the finals will be televised.

Because of its national and international popularity, this event always draws a full complement of serious players. Additionally, because of its popularity both as a frequently televised sport and a leisure time pursuit, this event is usually a magnet for spectators. The sponsor of 9-Ball competition can expect to receive solid and positive name recognition and association both during and after the nine days of tournament play and with a national television audience.

One Pocket

This is a game that often attracts the premier players: those who with time and attention have honed their skills to a fine, overall edge. Because of the intricacies of One-Pocket, our maximum field is limited, further making its participants members of an elite, specialized group.

9-Ball Bank

A mathematically precise game of angles, rotation, and speed, 9-Ball Bank has exacting demands. The pace, skill and sounds of colliding balls make it a game of flamboyance and style. 9-Ball Bank is a favorite game in the Midwest and southeast and as such, is widely played in our home area. Each successfully scored shot in the game must be "banked" off at least one rail of the table, but it is not unusual for a planned shot to careen off four rails in a zigzag pattern that could make an Amish quilter envious and dizzy.

9-Ball Bank will start the Derby City Classic and is a favorite game in the Midwestern and South eastern regions of the United States. The game of 9-Ball Bank has an excitement all its own. Those who enjoy an adrenaline rush, whether players or spectators, are immediately attracted to the action of 9-Ball Bank. Because it is rare to find vast quantities of visual adrenaline in one location, the Derby City Classic may well amass a maximum field.