Each year thousands of pool-players travel to Southern Indiana each year for the Derby City Classic. This annual event offers a variety competitions such as 9-Ball Banks, One Pocketet and the BIGFOOT 10 ball challenge.
The Derby City Classic first took place in 1998. Greg Sullivan, who created the tournament, was a lifetime fan of Johnston City Hustlers Jamboree. Sullivan worked with the Pantone Company on a research project to determine the best color for pool cloth. The results of the testing by the Pantone Company led to Tournament Blue being the most popular color in professional tournaments.
The second event took place in 2003. The World Pool Alliance sponsored this tournament which featured several top players. The tournament started with nine balls banks. Then came the one-pocket, and finally the BIGFOOT ten-ball challenge. The tournament was held in the Caesars Southern Indiana Casino in Elizabeth, Indiana. There were many vendors at the event, as well as ring games and cash games. The tournament was played on 53 9-foot Diamond Tables.
A number of players were there for their first Derby City Classic appearance. In addition to the tournament, the event featured special events like the Diamond Ten Foot challenge, which was a limited field of pros. The challenge is played on five-foot-by-ten-foot tables. The winner is awarded $16,000 and the winners of the nine-ball banking and one-pocket contests each get $8,000. BIGFOOT 10ball Challenge was also the first Derby City Classic event. The winner of that contest receives $16,000, while the winner of the nine-ball bank and one-pocket contests each receive $8,000.
In 2006, the third event took place. Many players were returning to the field from their first Derby City Classic event. Corey Deuel and Dennis Grabe performed well in the one-pocket and 9-ball bank events. The other players were not as successful. Darren Appleton performed well enough in the One-Pocket to take third place. He also used his algorithm well in the Derby Cup, earning a third place finish.
The 2015 edition of this event was held. A number of players participated in the tournament, many of whom had been playing for their first Derby City event. Corey Deuel, Darren Appleton, Lee Vann, and Joshua Filler all did well in the Derby City Classic. Joshua Filler and Darren Appleton were able to place third in the one-pocket. Efren Reyes and Mika joined them, as well as Shane VanBoening.
The Derby City Classic is an annual pool tournament that is held at the Caesars Southern Indiana Casino in Elizabeth, IN. The tournament features nine-ball banks, one pocket, and the BIGFOOT 10 ball challenge. The event will be held in January. Tickets are available from January 20th. Tickets can be bought at the Derby City Classic office, Caesars Southern Indiana Gaming Casino and Hotel. You must be able to provide a valid photo ID to purchase a ticket.