Each year thousands of pool-players travel to Southern Indiana each year for the Derby City Classic. The Derby City Classic features a variety of competitions including One-Pocket and 9-Ball Banks.
In 1998, the Derby City Classic's first event was held. Greg Sullivan, who created the tournament, was a lifetime fan of Johnston City Hustlers Jamboree. Sullivan contracted with the Pantone Company to research the optimum color for pool cloth, and the Pantone Company's testing resulted in Tournament Blue becoming the prevalent color in professional tournaments today.
The second event took place in 2003. The World Pool Alliance sponsored this tournament which featured several top players. The tournament started with nine-ball banks. Next came the one-pocket challenge and the BIGFOOT 10-ball contest. The tournament was held at Caesars Southern Indiana Casino Elizabeth, Indiana. The event featured a variety of vendors, ring and cash games, as well. The tournament took places on 53 9-foot Diamond table.
A number of players were there for their first Derby City Classic appearance. Apart from the tournament there were special events including the Diamond Ten Foot challenge. This was a competition for 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-10-ball challenge was the first Derby City Classic event. This is a small field that includes professionals who are competing in the BIGFOOT title.
In 2006, the third event took place. This tournament saw many players who were playing in their first Derby City Classic event. Corey Deuel Dennis Grabe, Lee Vann, and Lee Vann all performed well at the 9-ball Bank and One-pocket events. Other players weren't as successful. Darren Appleton finished third in the One-Pocket. He also utilized his algorithm well for the Derby Cup, earning him a third position finish.
Last year's event was held in 2015. A number of players participated in the tournament, many of whom had been playing for their first Derby City event. Corey Deuel and Darren Appleton all performed well in their first Derby City Classic. Joshua Filler, Darren Appleton, and Joshua Filler did well enough to take third place in the one pocket. Efren, Mika and Shane VanBoening were there as well.
The annual pool tournament, the Derby City Classic, is held at Caesars Southern Indiana Casino Elizabeth, IN. The tournament features nine-ball banks, one pocket, and the BIGFOOT 10 ball challenge. The event takes place in January. Tickets are available from January 20th. Tickets can be purchased through the Derby City Classic office located at the Caesars Southern Indiana Casino and Hotel. To purchase a ticket you must present a valid ID.