Earl Vs. Shane Action Challenge Poll

[jay helfert]

You have your opinion and you are entitled to it.

I can not speak for Chad and the rest of the people at the Action Report but you have lost all of the respect I used to have for you. Your behind the scenes machinations to sabotage this match have not gone unnoticed and will not be forgotten by me.

What part of commitment do you not understand ? Shane agreed to this match during the first Action Challenege and he is honoring it. I spoke with him on Sunday night after he returned from the Open and asked him if he wanted to stay in Asia. He said no.

Shane understands commitment. Asia isn't going anywhere and by all accounts he is the favorite to win $10,000 in November. I also am curious as what the hell gives you the right to mess with my livelyhood and business, or Shane's for that matter. I have heard the things you are saying about Chad and I to people at the Open and elsewhere, you of all people should know how small a world it is. I really do not undertand what you hope to gain. Actually I think I do. You want to be the guy who brings Shane to Asia.

You really dissapointed me Jay.

I've never said anything on here that I didn't say to you or Chad. I have nothing against either of you. There is no "behind the scenes machinations" going on except in your head. I have been advising Shane for a long time now on a variety of things, one of them being his challenge matches. I advised him against playing this match when it was first presented for several reasons. Reasons I have shared with you and Chad. Or did you somehow forget our conversations and e-mails.

My reasons were as follows. Earl and his temperment might prove problematical during the match. He is not the most reliable person right now as well. I also have nothing against Earl, but I am a realist and if I am going to give Shane advice, it will be based on harsh realities, not wishful thinking. I also told Shane that there are a myriad of opportunities waiting for him in Asia and it would be rude to come and play and then abruptly leave. Frankly, Asia is a big market for Pool right now, much bigger than the USA. The match with Earl could have waited a couple of weeks until the Mosconi Cup when both players will be in Las Vegas. We spoke about this as well.

In the end I left it up to Shane to use his own judgement as to whether to play this match. I told him if he decided to play, I would support his decision. You are welcome to ask him about our conversations. I have nothing to hide from you or anyone. By the way, I gave you and Chad all the same reasons in our converations and e-mails when this match was first proposed. I assumed that by speaking to Chad, he shares that with you as well, and vice versa. You and I both know that I spoke directly to you guys about my reservations up front, so please don't make any accusations about my hidden agenda. That boat don't float.

I believe that this match was conceived to buoy support for the Qlympics which is floundering anyway. I have also spoken directly with Mark about this situation. He said it was your decision to have this match at this time, not his. I am not one to go behind anyone's back. It just ain't my style. One last point. It will be hard to get sterling performances out of two players suffering from jet lag. The turn around time is too close to the WPC, plain and simple.

Justin, I like you and I have supported your efforts all along if the truth were told. You and I had many conversations prior to Shane's match with Corey. You and Chad made a choice to stage a match that I don't think is in Shane's best interests right now, and I said so from the get go. But if Shane wants to play, then I wish him the best. As for Earl, nothing would make me happier than to see him play his "A" game again. But like I said, I'm a realist.

 

[TWOFORPOOL]

Earl Vs Shane

This "Mismatch" is a race to 100 not 11. I sincerely believe that Jay thinks that Earl wouldn't win one match out of a hundred played in a race to 100.

 

[jay helfert]

What do you know about my business and about Earl to predict this future match up. You have no idea what you are talking about. When you refer to my business you need to have a clue what is going on. You are always knocking Earl, why is that? I think everybody that plays pool respects Earl. You do not and again I ask why? Have you ever played pool to make a living? Do you know what it is like to stare at a shot that is not makable and your rent is due. Do you know what it is like to not have health insurance because you spent your entire life to be a professional pool player. Earl will be there, he will play, I will be there, I will have the money. Now would you like to bet on that.

Mike, I would refer you to your own thread on here asking for support in backing Earl. Did you not ask for the same support last week at the Open?
I am not "knocking" Earl. I am telling the truth as I see it and I always will. Earl has mental problems and you know this too unless you are blind. Until he gets the proper treatment for his problems, he will have no chance in professional competition.

If you really want to help Earl out and be a true friend, find him the help he needs. I'm not sure what your motives are in putting Earl in this match now, so I will not speculate. I have always respected Earl's abilities as a player, but the fact is Earl is not that same champion now. He has problems that need to be resolved before he ever will be again. As his friend (yes, I said that), I would say to Earl take some time off and get well buddy.

No one else wants to tell Earl the truth. He doesn't need another person telling him how great he once was. He needs a real friend now, not just a backer. I'm sorry if you don't like my candidness Mike. That's how I see it, nothing against you. I know you're a good guy trying to help Earl. I just wish you could. Another pool match doesn't seem to me to be the way to help him right now.

 

[jay helfert]

Everybody thinks Earl has no chance at all. He once was the best in the world. That takes a special person to accomplish this and I think Earl can find it within himself to regain his form and yes I believe Earl can plan up to 95% of his best speed from over 20 years ago. At that speed he has a chance (although very small) to win.

If Jay Helfert gives me 100 to 1 odds I will put up 100.00 and bet on Earl and if Earl wins I get 10,000.00. If I win I will give Earl 5,000.00 of it. THIS IS A SPECIAL ONE TIME DEAL FOR JAY HELFERT ONLY. Jay has been around the pool world forever and his word is as good as gold.

I'm willing to throw away 100.00 for just the fun of it to sweat this match. People that know me know that my word is everything.

Two conditions: The match must take place. If Earl quits Jay wins by default.

Sincerely,

Bob Olson
TWOFORPOOL

Only 100 to 1. Such a deal! I'm afraid I will have to pass on this wonderful opportunity.

 

[TWOFORPOOL]

Earl Vs Shane

Alight Jay I will wake up now! I see on another thread that somebody is wanting to bet 200.00 with you even up! Better hurry up and get it before this person changes their mind.

 

[Icon of Sin]

lol, If someone gives me 100 to 1 odds then I will escrow $5000 agaisnt their $500,000. I think that Shane has pretty much a lock, but come on 100 to 1? I'm serious about the bet by the way. If anyone wants to escrow an amount and give me 100 to 1 then I will take Earl.

LOL, and contact Shane and tell him he has 250,000 if he dumps? LOL.

Regardless, if the Matchup, rules, date, and venue were already agreed upon by Shane and Earl, why would you (Jay) tell him to not do it due to oppurtunities elsewhere? No offense but this doesn't really have anything to do with you. I don't think you should be suggesting Shane skip out on a match that will take 2 days and he could fly to Asia after the match. Especially after the matchup as already been announced and advertised.

I'm glad Shane made the right choice for the easy $10,000.

 

[jay helfert]

LOL, and contact Shane and tell him he has 250,000 if he dumps? LOL.

Regardless, if the Matchup, rules, date, and venue were already agreed upon by Shane and Earl, why would you (Jay) tell him to not do it due to oppurtunities elsewhere? No offense but this doesn't really have anything to do with you. I don't think you should be suggesting Shane skip out on a match that will take 2 days and he could fly to Asia after the match. Especially after the matchup as already been announced and advertised.

I'm glad Shane made the right choice for the easy $10,000.

I told him this (and Chad and Justin) when the match was first proposed, before it was ever announced. No offense, but Shane is a friend of mine and he called me and asked me about it. Okay?

 

[scttybee]

shane/earl

im sorry,i know someone was taking action..pm me i would love to know odds and when this was taking place

 

[Icon of Sin]

I told him this (and Chad and Justin) when the match was first proposed, before it was ever announced. No offense, but Shane is a friend of mine and he called me and asked me about it. Okay?

That's great he is a friend of yours. I just don't see how you can justly attempt to motivate him into not shooting in the match, especially after you admit to believe Shane will beat Earl.

What is so bad about shooting this match and then going wherever to seek opportunities?

 

[jay helfert]

That's great he is a friend of yours. I just don't see how you can justly attempt to motivate him into not shooting in the match, especially after you admit to believe Shane will beat Earl.

What is so bad about shooting this match and then going wherever to seek opportunities?

Please reread my posts #61 and 63. It's a long, long way to Manila. And a long way back!

 

[shortman]

This poll is ridiculous. No one actually believes Earl will win. Those people who voted for him did so out of false loyalty or an affection for a childhood hero. Earl doesn't have a chance. It is quite obvious. Even his backer knows it as he is now looking for partners so he doesn't loose as much.

I don't mean to be hateful, but this is not an action challenge. This is like watching a deer caught in the headlights. If anyone here thinks I'm wrong, put your money up and partner with Mike to put Earl in it ... or better yet, take Earl even and I'll bet on Shane.

Mate-----------
what you are saying is absolutely true. However, I want to believe so hard that I do believe that Earl has a chance to win this thing, and I dern sure want to watch it, should be be hours of great pool.

cheers-----------BW

 

[cajunbarboxplyr]

Earl has my back.............

As I said many time I'll repeat it now. It will be a tough match for him........But I BELEIVE in him........He has a chance just as much as the next ball banger........

DO I want Earl to win. YES...... Do I think he will win? We will see....

 

[rayjay]

Seems like nobody is posting a line on this match...

 

[TATE]

Seems like nobody is posting a line on this match...

I'm thinking it's going to have to be games on the wire. If it were 25, for example, who would you take?

Bear in mind this is 10 ball, race to 100, tight table.

Chris

 

[derekdisco]

I might take Earl if I got 2-1 on the games. I would be willilng to give up odds on the money, maybe 3-1.

 

[rayjay]

I'm thinking it's going to have to be games on the wire. If it were 25, for example, who would you take?

Bear in mind this is 10 ball, race to 100, tight table.

Chris

I'd take Earl, but I'd rather have 35!

 

[JCIN]

Jay makes a great effort at being the all knowing, benevolent saint of AZ.

Jay does not know everything he pretends to. He likes to be the center of attention so he speaks as if he always has "inside" information. This is not the case when it comes to The Action Report and how we do business.

Jay was not consulted or asked for his vaunted opinion before we made the Earl match because Jay has no skin in the game and therefore his opinion means little to us.

Why does Jay feel that he has any say in when our matches are or who plays in them. This is the thing that gets me. Who the hell asked you for your opinion? Why would it carry any more weight than anyone else's? Why would we announce a match and then a week later say "Oh..sorry...nevermind, Jay doesn't like it. Check back next week."
I think your sense of importance is a little inflated.

It was the timing of this match that you objected to Jay, not the match it self. Why is that? You say you have no agenda. I do not believe you. You say you are just loking out for Shane and that this is a total mismatch. Well what is better for Shane ? Beating a Legend on tape and DVD streammed live over the internet for $10,000 or spending a week in Asia with you gambling with the best players in the world on their home turf for peanuts. But wait, I know, I know, with your guidance Shane will be a star in Asia.

You have achieved cult status here Jay. No matter what I say it will end bad for me, so I will only say this.

I am done with you.

 

[Fatboy]

you cant miss me...i am the ugly fellow with the hot girl...just lucky I guess.

lucky, rich or both. enjoy the match. I hope your girl does too, My girl is hott but isnt into pool, but she dosent give me a hard time about it at all, I'm super lucky to have the girl I do-I looked good when I met her, she stuck around because I made some $$$, I dont look like I did.

best

fatboy...gained 5 pounds and is now 244, i measured my height I am tallet than I thought 6' 1.75" but i cant stand straight so l look shorter.

 

[bomber]

just lucky...remember...i am a school teacher...i have little cash!!!! LOL Maybe it is my charm and wit!

 

[Fast Lenny]

So anyone know the odds?,im not talking about what they think it will be but what they are giving action wise. Im guessing from the poll it will be 3 to 1 odds,or perhaps even bet with Earl getting 25 on the wire.I really hope Earl wins this to shut alot of you guys up,if Earl just won the US Open most of you would be jumping on the bandwagon.