1987 WPBA US Open 9-Ball Championship

Results

Recap

Published April 13, 2026

Jean Balukas added another prestigious title to her legendary career in 1987, capturing the WPBA US Open 9-Ball Championship and further establishing her status as one of pool’s greatest players. The victory came during a pivotal period for the trailblazing champion, who had already established herself as a dominant force across multiple disciplines with five World Straight Pool Championships under her belt.

This US Open triumph was particularly significant as it showcased Balukas’s versatility beyond her straight pool dominance. While she had been successful in 14.1 continuous throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s, her mastery of 9-ball demonstrated the complete skill set that led to her recognition as the fifteenth greatest player of the 20th century by Billiard Digest. The win also preceded her World Nine-Ball Championship the following year in 1988.

The 1987 season proved to be eventful for Balukas beyond this WPBA victory. That same year, she competed at the B.C. Open 9-Ball Championship in Binghamton, New York, where she objected to gender discrimination in dress codes. The championship required formal attire for women but not men. Balukas protested this double standard. A vote by other female participants prevented her from competing in the women’s division, a decision that significantly impacted the champion, particularly given that personal friends voted against her participation.

This controversy highlighted Balukas’s role as more than just a champion player. Her willingness to challenge the sport’s inequities and take a firm stance on equality issues, combined with her opposition to discriminatory women’s dress codes, made her a transformative figure who paved the way for future generations of female players.

The 1987 WPBA US Open victory represented another milestone for a player who had been in the spotlight since childhood, having first gained attention at age six during a pool exhibition at New York’s Grand Central Terminal. By 1987, Balukas had turned professional at the age of 10 and accumulated over 100 tournament wins. This US Open title further validated her exceptional talent and competitive drive that would eventually lead to her becoming a five-time Billiards Digest Player of the Year and the youngest inductee into the BCA Hall of Fame.

Sources: Jean Balukas – Wikipedia, B.C. Open 9-ball Championship – Wikipedia

This recap was compiled from public tournament records and tournament organizer communications. ForceFollow is not affiliated with the tournament organizer.