The US Open Pool Championship is one of American pool’s most prestigious annual events, contested on the nine-ball format and drawing the sport’s elite players from around the world. This page covers the 2013 edition of that cue sports tournament, held in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and not to be confused with any other sporting event sharing a similar name.
Quick Facts
| Venue | Virginia Beach Convention Center, Virginia Beach, Virginia |
| Format | 9-ball, double elimination |
Tournament Recap
The 2013 US Open Pool Championship brought together a stacked field of professionals, as it does every year, mixing established American stars with a growing wave of elite international talent, particularly from Asia and Europe. Virginia Beach has long served as a fitting home for this event, with the Convention Center providing enough space to run the sprawling double-elimination bracket that gives every competitor a genuine second chance before they are sent to the rail for good.
I want to be straightforward with you here: while I have confident general knowledge of the US Open Pool Championship as an institution, I cannot state with full certainty the specific champion, runner-up, and final score for the 2013 edition without risking confusing it with results from a neighboring year. Rather than invent a plausible-sounding winner, I have omitted those rows from the Quick Facts table above. What is well documented is that the event continued its tradition of high-level nine-ball competition, with the field featuring players such as Shane Van Boening, who was among the dominant American forces on the nine-ball circuit throughout this period, alongside international contenders who had been reshaping the competitive landscape of American pool in the early 2010s.
The double-elimination format remained one of the defining characteristics of the event. Losses early in the tournament did not end a player’s run outright, which historically produced dramatic comebacks through the one-loss side of the bracket and set up finals that sometimes featured a player who had already dropped a match against a player who had come through undefeated. This structure rewards consistency and mental resilience as much as raw shot-making ability, and it is a big part of why the US Open retains such credibility among professionals and serious fans alike. Players needed to bring their A-game across multiple grueling sessions rather than simply peaking for a single match.
Prize money at the US Open during this era remained among the highest on the American pool circuit, a factor that drew international entries and kept the prestige of the title firmly intact. Equipment and table conditions at the Virginia Beach Convention Center were held to a high standard, as expected for an event of this caliber. For players investing in top-level equipment to compete at events like this, our pool cues buyer guide covers what separates a competition-grade cue from the rest. The atmosphere across the week combined the focused intensity of professional sport with the accessible, fan-friendly environment that American pool does better than almost anyone.
Frequently Asked Questions
What format is used at the US Open Pool Championship?
The US Open Pool Championship uses a double-elimination bracket played on nine-ball, meaning players must lose twice before being eliminated. This format is a core part of the event’s identity and gives competitors a second chance if they drop an early match.
Where was the 2013 US Open Pool Championship held?
The 2013 edition was held at the Virginia Beach Convention Center in Virginia Beach, Virginia, which has served as the tournament’s home venue for an extended run of years.
Who were the leading American contenders at the 2013 US Open?
Shane Van Boening was among the standout American contenders during this period, having established himself as the most decorated American nine-ball player of his generation. The field also included other top domestic professionals competing alongside a strong international contingent.
Why does the US Open Pool Championship carry so much prestige in nine-ball?
The event has decades of history, consistently attracts a genuinely global field, and offers prize money that reflects its standing at the top of American pool. Winning the US Open is considered one of the defining achievements in professional nine-ball.
Is the US Open Pool Championship related to any tennis or golf event of a similar name?
No, this is an entirely separate event. The US Open Pool Championship is a cue sports competition focused exclusively on nine-ball pool, with no connection to any tennis, golf, or other sporting event that may share a similar title.