Open 9-Ball Championship was a pool tournament played annually at the Holiday Inn Arena in Binghamton, New York.
The inaugural tournament took place from August 28, 1985 to September 2, with a prize of $25,000 awarded to the champion.
open Jean Balukas was scheduled to play in both the men's and women's events.
She did not have formal attire with her and realizing how important a figure she was to the sport she protested the dress code and after a vote by the other participants was not able to play in the women's division.
She was hurt by the fact that she was trying to stand up for a cause and the other women, including personal friends, voted against her playing and held the event anyway.