2000 US Open Straight Pool Championship

Results

Recap

Published April 13, 2026

The 2000 US Open Straight Pool Championship was held at New York's Roseland Ballroom from April 12-16, bringing together straight pool's top competitors for a $46,000 prize pool. German player Ralf Souquet, known as "The Kaiser," won the championship and the $15,000 first-place prize.

Souquet defeated Min-Wai Chin in the final to claim the title. The tournament featured strong competition from Efren Reyes, who finished in 3rd place and earned $3,500, and fellow German Oliver Ortmann, who took 4th place with $2,500. Chin received the $7,500 runner-up prize.

By 2000, Souquet had established himself as a dominant force in professional pool. He turned pro in 1988 and won the WPA World Nine-ball Championship in 1996. The victory at the US Open added to his growing list of professional tournament wins and demonstrated his skill across multiple pool disciplines.

The tournament field included American players Jim Rempe, Johnny Archer, and Allen Hopkins. Dallas West and Thomas Engert both finished in 5th place and earned $1,850 each. Reyes brought international representation to the event.

The 2000 championship proved to be historically significant. After 2000, the US Open Straight Pool Championship did not return until 2016, creating a sixteen-year gap in the tournament's history. Souquet's win demonstrated his ability to compete at the highest levels across different pool games during an era when many players were specializing in single disciplines.

Sources: Ralf Souquet Wikipedia US Open Straight Pool Championship Wikipedia

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