Jay Helfert - 'The Million Dollar Tournament Director"

CJ Wiley

CJ Wiley

ESPN WORLD OPEN CHAMPION
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Jay Helfert is a fine commentator, and author, however, in our book he's one of the greatest tournament directors of all time hosting numerous major tournaments all over the country.

Below is a You Tube video of Jay back in 1996 "doing his thing" with class and style announcing and directing one of the most historic tournaments in history.....the 'Dallas Million Dollar Challenge' where Earl did the unimaginable running 11 racks of 9 Ball in a row for One Million Dollars - the entire final match will be available soon on PPV and DVD.


Jay Helfert Announcing the Million Dollar Challenge Finals - CLICK HERE
 
jay helfert

jay helfert

Shoot Pool, not people
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CJ Wiley said:
Jay Helfert is a fine commentator, and author, however, in our book he's one of the greatest tournament directors of all time hosting numerous major tournaments all over the country.

Below is a You Tube video of Jay back in 1996 "doing his thing" with class and style announcing and directing one of the most historic tournaments in history.....the 'Dallas Million Dollar Challenge' where Earl did the unimaginable running 11 racks of 9 Ball in a row for One Million Dollars - the entire final match will be available soon on PPV and DVD.


Jay Helfert Announcing the Million Dollar Challenge Finals - CLICK HERE
Click to expand...

OMG I looked like such a dork. I'm glad you saved that match on video CJ. It was a great final to a great tournament! You had it all together with the PCA until Earl ruined everything running ten racks in the very first event, and on the first day no less! Who knew? :grin:

Maybe you'll be successful once again with your new endeavors. I sure hope so. We damn sure need some good news for 2014:eek:!
 
CJ Wiley

CJ Wiley

ESPN WORLD OPEN CHAMPION
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I remember when Bustrmante first came to the United States and was amazing

MahnaMahna said:
But is Jay one of the best or the best tournament director ever?
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I like it more like this ----- "Jay Helfert.....Great Tournament Director, or the Greatest Tournament Director?"

We had some great times in Burbank at the Hilton Hotel didn't we Jay.....

I remember when Bustrmante first came to the United States and was amazing everyone with that unorthodox stroke of his. We played a huge match at the Burbank Hilton (one of Jay's tournaments) and there must have been 500 people there squeezed together watching (I got "lucky";)).....those were really nice events.

We can create that type of excitement again, just need to bring out the "Heart and Soul" of pool again with some changes, adjustments and fine tuning. Pool's the ultimate example of a "diamond in the rough".

black-diamondhead.jpg
 
sjm

sjm

Older and Wiser
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Jay Helfert is one of pool's greatest assets and his participation in any event as a producer, commentator or director gives it increased credibility.

I really wonder whether any living American has a more comprehensive understanding of the world of pro pool than Jay, and his energy and enthusiasm for the game are still at peak level after all these years.

There's only one Jay Helfert.
 
jay helfert

jay helfert

Shoot Pool, not people
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sjm said:
Jay Helfert is one of pool's greatest assets and his participation in any event as a producer, commentator or director gives it increased credibility.

I really wonder whether any living American has a more comprehensive understanding of the world of pro pool than Jay, and his energy and enthusiasm for the game are still at peak level after all these years.

There's only one Jay Helfert.
Click to expand...

Okay 0kay, I'll pay you that 20 I owe you! :blush:
 
jay helfert

jay helfert

Shoot Pool, not people
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CJ Wiley said:
I like it more like this ----- "Jay Helfert.....Great Tournament Director, or the Greatest Tournament Director?"

We had some great times in Burbank at the Hilton Hotel didn't we Jay.....

I remember when Bustrmante first came to the United States and was amazing everyone with that unorthodox stroke of his. We played a huge match at the Burbank Hilton (one of Jay's tournaments) and there must have been 500 people there squeezed together watching (I got "lucky";)).....those were really nice events.

We can create that type of excitement again, just need to bring out the "Heart and Soul" of pool again with some changes, adjustments and fine tuning. Pool's the ultimate example of a "diamond in the rough".

black-diamondhead.jpg
Click to expand...

CJ finished second (a strong 64 man field!) in the first L.A. Open in 1993 at the Burbank Hilton. He played Earl in the finals. Earl won 21K and CJ got 11K for second, Johnny was third for 6K, all money paid on the spot! It was televised on ESPN and I have the tapes of the final matches (check my website). Mike Sigel and Barry Tompkins did the commentary.
 
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bigshooter

bigshooter

<--vs Chuck Norris on TAR
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In the streaming matches I enjoy Jay's commentary more than anyone else. Jay makes things interesting with his in depth knowledge of the industry, players, history and stories.
 
CJ Wiley

CJ Wiley

ESPN WORLD OPEN CHAMPION
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Silver Member
I'm curious why I've completely blocked the match out of my mind?

jay helfert said:
CJ finished second (a strong 64 man field!) in the first L.A. Open in 1993 at the Burbank Hilton. He played Earl in the finals. Earl won 21K and CJ got 11K for second, Johnny was third for 6K, all money paid on the spot! It was televised on ESPN and I have the tapes of the final matches (check my website). Mike Sigel and Barry Tompkins did the commentary.
Click to expand...

It's funny, I don't even remember that Finals with Earl, but I do remember the Bustemante match in the quarter finals. I'll check out your web site and order that match when I get a chance. It was even on ESPN ......hmmm, now I'm curious why I've completely blocked the match out of my mind?
 
jay helfert

jay helfert

Shoot Pool, not people
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decent dennis said:
So , how many racks did Earl run in succession? Not counting 9 ball combo's.
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He made a combo (one-nine) to win the 10th rack. He had run the previous five racks that I watched (and racked the balls). I didn't see the first four racks of his run, but I heard he made the nine on the break twice. He ran the 11th rack as well before breaking dry in rack 12.
 
J

JAM

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Man, I read the title of this thread and I thought Jay got a gig for a million bucks as a TD. :D

When is the video coming out? This is good vintage pool. :smile:
 
M

Mikjary

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
jay helfert said:
He made a combo (one-nine) to win the 10th rack. He had run the previous five racks that I watched (and racked the balls). I didn't see the first four racks of his run, but I heard he made the nine on the break twice. He ran the 11th rack as well before breaking dry in rack 12.
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How much pressure was on you racking? :D

Best,
Mike
 
prewarhero

prewarhero

guess my avatar
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I for one am just sick of this self promotion from CJ. Disguising promotion in the threads about Jay and Jimmy as if they are "discussions" is classless. I was excited for this documentary to come out but out Of principal I will not purchase it.
 
jay helfert

jay helfert

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Mikjary said:
How much pressure was on you racking? :D

Best,
Mike
Click to expand...

A little. I was determined not to let him make the nine on my rack, and he didn't! I put them up there super tight! The nine barely moved on all but one rack. :D
 
CJ Wiley

CJ Wiley

ESPN WORLD OPEN CHAMPION
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Silver Member
To see the PCA interview with the Hollywood Park Casino click link below

prewarhero said:
And for the record, jay is the best!
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Jay is the best, we teamed up to produce/promote the PCA Event at the Hollywood Park Casino. The Casino Marketing Director referred to her establishment as "The Pool Player's Casino" (interview is available below).......isn't that a different attitude than what you're used to hearing from major sponsors?

There are still ways to get great publicity doing Pocket Billiard Events, and it takes creating "Good Will" through charity affiliation, public relations and strategic, local marketing (TV, Print, Internet, Radio).

Events like this can be done when "forces" come together for a common goal - to promote pool and produce the best quality entertainment cue sports has to offer.

See the PCA interview with the Hollywood Park Casino click here
 
jay helfert

jay helfert

Shoot Pool, not people
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Silver Member
CJ Wiley said:
Jay is the best, we teamed up to produce/promote the PCA Event at the Hollywood Park Casino. The Casino Marketing Director referred to her establishment as "The Pool Player's Casino" (interview is available below).......isn't that a different attitude than what you're used to hearing from major sponsors?

There are still ways to get great publicity doing Pocket Billiard Events, and it takes creating "Good Will" through charity affiliation, public relations and strategic, local marketing (TV, Print, Internet, Radio).

Events like this can be done when "forces" come together for a common goal - to promote pool and produce the best quality entertainment cue sports has to offer.

See the PCA interview with the Hollywood Park Casino click here
Click to expand...

After that tournament, the casino general manager asked me to open a poolroom on the premises. That is how Jay's Billiards at Hollywood Park came to be. I was there until 2005 when HP was bought out by Churchill Downs and they would not renew my lease/option. Pretty good little room with 18 tables (16 - 9' and 2 bar tables), 15 video games, ping pong, fast food snack bar plus beer and wine. We were busy every night and packed on the weekends. Since HP was open 24 hours we could stay open as late as we wanted. Sometimes 10 to 12 tables might be going until 4 or 5 AM (at $10/hr each).

Best of all I could play poker downstairs and be only two minutes away if they needed me. There was a direct line from my poolroom to the poker room! The games were damn good back then, and many weeks I did better downstairs then upstairs. I was working two jobs in the same location and both were going good. I hated to leave that situation and they had to buy me out of the remaining three years of my lease. That's another story.

The moral of the story is that all good things must come to an end. :rolleyes:
 
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