WPBA Colorado Classic in Ignacio??!!

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PoolSharkAllen

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
In reading the Colorado Cue Times monthly newspaper, I noticed that the first annual WPBA Colorado Classic is being held in Ignacio next month.

Ignacio is a very small town with a population of 670 people and is located about 300 miles from Denver. Wouldn't it make more sense to have this tournament in Denver with a population of 2 million people to draw spectators from?

How many spectators is the WPBA expecting to attend this tournament given that they will have to drive 600 miles round-trip from Denver to see it?

Since Ignacio is located in a remote area, both spectators and players will have to incur additional expenses to get there.

How did the WPBA decide upon this out-of-the-way location for this tournament?
 
measureman

measureman

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I live in Denver and there is no way i'm going to drive 600 miles round trip. What a bonehead decision this was.
 
Gatz

Gatz

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Yeah, just watch, all of those 670 people go and watch the WPBA event, LOL :lol:
 
Tbeaux

Tbeaux

Angelic Hotdog
Silver Member
First the wpba doesn't get to just pick and choose where they play. The venue has to meet certain requirements. Like wanting them there.

Second they are playing at the Skyute Casino and Resort (gambling, bowling, golf, entertainment, etc). Looks like a nice place.

It is 370 miles from Denver but only 189 from Grand Junction, 206 from Santa Fe and 224 from Albuquerque.
 
D

dardar

Darlene Stinson
Great job explaining! So, knowing that it starts with interest to get the WPBA to come to town ...how about all you Denver fans start doing some promoting of your own! You know the WPBA has a satelite tour which means they will bring the pro's to your local billiard club! Next time they could be a lot closer if you want! Just a thought. Make it a great day!

Tbeaux said:
First the wpba doesn't get to just pick and choose where they play. The venue has to meet certain requirements. Like wanting them there.

Second they are playing at the Skyute Casino and Resort (gambling, bowling, golf, entertainment, etc). Looks like a nice place.

It is 370 miles from Denver but only 189 from Grand Junction, 206 from Santa Fe and 224 from Albuquerque.
Click to expand...
 
Cuephoric

Cuephoric

1hole anyone?
Silver Member
Not worth a short drive? C'mon, give me a break....

I'm in Dallas, but I'll be there.....;)
But since we're going to have so many travelers to this one horse town, how about a few quiet matchups somewhere nearby....
Surely a town this big must have some tables hidden;)
 
desert1pocket

desert1pocket

Registered Fish
Silver Member
I grew up in the area, and actually went to elementary school in Ignacio. It most certainly is a one horse town, and I thought it pretty odd when I learned the tourney was being held there. Last I was there the only pool table was a bar box in absolutley horrendous condition. There was however a pretty nice little poolroom in nearby Durango, where you stand a decent chance of running into cuemaker Judd Fuller.
 
Tokyo-dave

Tokyo-dave

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I live in Montrose, which is around 3 hours north of Ignacio. I can speak for Montrose when I say that other than the senior citizens activity center, there are no 9 footers in this town, and the only 7 footers are at the local bars where they get moved twice a week to make room for the makesshift dance floor! So it would be my bet that there's not much of a chance of finding a table in that town that would be in any shape for what I would consider 'player' types.
I'd still like to go, but I'm one of those types that once I start seeing all the playing going on, I'd start getting the itch to play.
dave
 
Tbeaux

Tbeaux

Angelic Hotdog
Silver Member
Joe_Jaguar said:
another dumb location, just like Michigan City.
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These are Indian casinos. On their reservation land. I'm sure some of the Indians might agree with you about the places their ancestors were shoved into. Most Indian casinos are a bit out of the way. But they do sponsor the WPBA. I don't see too many Vegas casinos, Jersey casinos, gulf coast casinos or non casino venues doing that.
 
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PoolSharkAllen

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Tbeaux said:
These are Indian casinos. But they do sponsor the WPBA. I don't see too many Vegas casinos, Jersey casinos, gulf coast casinos or non casino venues doing that.
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Are you sure these Indian casinos sponsor the WPBA? The WPBA web site only shows the following sponsors:
American Poolplayers Association, Official Amateur League Sponsor
Brunswick Billiards, Official Table Supplier
Cuetec Cues, Official Cue
Iwan Simonis, Official Cloth
Saluc SA – Aramith, Official Ball
Mueller Recreational Products - Official Rack
Pooldawg.com​
 
CrisDeLaGarza

CrisDeLaGarza

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Tbeaux said:
These are Indian casinos. On their reservation land. I'm sure some of the Indians might agree with you about the places their ancestors were shoved into. Most Indian casinos are a bit out of the way. But they do sponsor the WPBA. I don't see too many Vegas casinos, Jersey casinos, gulf coast casinos or non casino venues doing that.
Click to expand...

That's a great point. I believe the host locations pay a fee to host the tournament. I don't know the specifics but that is most definitely why the events seems to be in random places.

Since these smaller, out-of-the-way casinos are hosting many of the events, I can't imagine that the fee is too outrageous. So anyone that knows of better locations and has some bargaining power with them (Casinos or hotels) please let the WPBA know and I'm sure Anne would be happy to pursue something with them.
 
Tbeaux

Tbeaux

Angelic Hotdog
Silver Member
PoolSharkAllen said:
Are you sure these Indian casinos sponsor the WPBA? The WPBA web site only shows the following sponsors:
American Poolplayers Association, Official Amateur League Sponsor
Brunswick Billiards, Official Table Supplier
Cuetec Cues, Official Cue
Iwan Simonis, Official Cloth
Saluc SA – Aramith, Official Ball
Mueller Recreational Products - Official Rack
Pooldawg.com​
Click to expand...

Sponsor....or "host", whichever. It works out as the events don't happen unless they are willing to hold it and put up some prize money.
 
cuechick

cuechick

Flys In the Kitchen
Silver Member
I thought I would see just how much it would cost to fly there, hoping to console myself a bit since I missed out winning the Q'er for this event in a hill hill match last Sunday. (A miss on a 6 ball has been haunting me for days) Well I found a flight from Atlanta to the Durango airport just 22 minutes from the casino for less than 250.00! oh well.....

Well I do have the Am. Championship Pre-lims that weekend but I would have passed on those to play in this event. Damn that six ball!
 
Johnnyt

Johnnyt

Burn all jump cues
Silver Member
cuechick said:
I thought I would see just how much it would cost to fly there, hoping to console myself a bit since I missed out winning the Q'er for this event in a hill hill match last Sunday. (A miss on a 6 ball has been haunting me for days) Well I found a flight from Atlanta to the Durango airport just 22 minutes from the casino for less than 250.00! oh well.....

Well I do have the Am. Championship Pre-lims that weekend but I would have passed on those to play in this event. Damn that six ball!
Click to expand...

I miss more 6-balls than any other ball. I think I'm going to get blue cloth next. Probably then I'll miss the 2-ball a lot. Johnnyt
 
ragbug74

ragbug74

Next NYTimes Best-Seller!
Silver Member
Tbeaux said:
These are Indian casinos. On their reservation land. I'm sure some of the Indians might agree with you about the places their ancestors were shoved into. Most Indian casinos are a bit out of the way. But they do sponsor the WPBA. I don't see too many Vegas casinos, Jersey casinos, gulf coast casinos or non casino venues doing that.
Click to expand...

BTW, the Blue Chip in Michigan City, Indiana is owned by Boyd Gaming. There is an Indian-owned casino just over the state line in New Buffalo, Michigan, the Four Winds Casino.
 
Joe_Jaguar

Joe_Jaguar

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Will this casino event be allowing in the under 21 players that weren't allowed to play at the Michigan City casino?
 
P

PoolSharkAllen

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
CrisDeLaGarza said:
That's a great point. I believe the host locations pay a fee to host the tournament. I don't know the specifics but that is most definitely why the events seems to be in random places.

Since these smaller, out-of-the-way casinos are hosting many of the events, I can't imagine that the fee is too outrageous. So anyone that knows of better locations and has some bargaining power with them (Casinos or hotels) please let the WPBA know and I'm sure Anne would be happy to pursue something with them.
Click to expand...

I would think that hosting a tournament in a bigger city or town would draw far more spectators than hosting it in an out-of-the-way location. In addition, it would be more affordable for both the players and the fans to have the event in a bigger city. Does the WPBA even take that into consideration when making its decision?

It appears that the WPBA is primarily interested in getting the fees paid to host the event regardless of where the event may be located.
 
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Cuephoric

Cuephoric

1hole anyone?
Silver Member
desert1pocket said:
I grew up in the area, and actually went to elementary school in Ignacio. It most certainly is a one horse town, and I thought it pretty odd when I learned the tourney was being held there. Last I was there the only pool table was a bar box in absolutley horrendous condition. There was however a pretty nice little poolroom in nearby Durango, where you stand a decent chance of running into cuemaker Judd Fuller.
Click to expand...

Luckily I always travel with my tools... where's thishere table that needs medical attention?:wink:
But I honestly do like that part of the state alot, and thought about moving there from Steamboat Springs about 4-5 years ago.
Durango can be a fun place to play indoors or out....and Yellow Jacket isn't such a drive either-everyone needs a new Judd!

But any Casino that is willing to put on a billiards event is always going to get my vote over the rest. I have no reason to go to the others though, now that I think about it...lol:thumbup:
 
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