I am for the IPT and hoping that there is long term success. Getting to see a solid website that has stats, photos, and even qualifier information is awesome. With some proposed VIP type memberships for actual match videos, as a fan it has some good potential.
After the WO, I wonder if the number of qualifier participants will drop? Since at that point, there wont be as large of a chance to earn a card. Also, there seems to be quite alot of traveling for some players trying to win their cards, hoping to get a decent field/draw. Just from this weekend, Gary Abood is in London, and Jamie Baraks in California. Not just the long distance travel, there are quite a few that have attempted to qualify in almost every event they could, yet they will not get in.
How much longer will players continue to toss out the entry fees and the large overlay of expenses to get on the IPT? I imagine before the end of this year is out, we will have a story come out (from either the player directly, or a friend) about the large amounts of money spent on just getting a chance to play in 1 tourney on the IPT.
One thing I dont like is that there are a quarenteed 2 spots from each event regardless of the number of players. Look at the fields this weekend: Illinois 28 players, California 13 players, Florida 17 players, Japan 13 players, London 27 players. Sure seems like they would take an extra player from the larger fields, and only 1 from the smallest. Or have it based on the # of players at every event.
Good luck to all the players this weekend. I think the Illinois bracket is the strongest, and there will be alot of players that miss there that are more than capable playing in the IPT.
After the WO, I wonder if the number of qualifier participants will drop? Since at that point, there wont be as large of a chance to earn a card. Also, there seems to be quite alot of traveling for some players trying to win their cards, hoping to get a decent field/draw. Just from this weekend, Gary Abood is in London, and Jamie Baraks in California. Not just the long distance travel, there are quite a few that have attempted to qualify in almost every event they could, yet they will not get in.
How much longer will players continue to toss out the entry fees and the large overlay of expenses to get on the IPT? I imagine before the end of this year is out, we will have a story come out (from either the player directly, or a friend) about the large amounts of money spent on just getting a chance to play in 1 tourney on the IPT.
One thing I dont like is that there are a quarenteed 2 spots from each event regardless of the number of players. Look at the fields this weekend: Illinois 28 players, California 13 players, Florida 17 players, Japan 13 players, London 27 players. Sure seems like they would take an extra player from the larger fields, and only 1 from the smallest. Or have it based on the # of players at every event.
Good luck to all the players this weekend. I think the Illinois bracket is the strongest, and there will be alot of players that miss there that are more than capable playing in the IPT.
