How would YOU start a pro tour?

back2good1

back2good1

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
After being a witness to the whole IPT fiasco, what would you do different if you were to start a pro tour? (besides actually paying out winnings)

1) What game? 8ball, 9ball, 10ball, straight pool? Perhaps a different game every tour stop?

2) slow cloth vs fast cloth?

3) Allow jump sticks?

4) Break from box or break from anywhere?

5) Have structured/coordinated qualifiers... or just make players pony up and play?

-Back2good1
 
back2good1 said:
After being a witness to the whole IPT fiasco, what would you do different if you were to start a pro tour? (besides actually paying out winnings)

1) What game? 8ball, 9ball, 10ball, straight pool? Perhaps a different game every tour stop?

2) slow cloth vs fast cloth?

3) Allow jump sticks?

4) Break from box or break from anywhere?

5) Have structured/coordinated qualifiers... or just make players pony up and play?

-Back2good1
Click to expand...


1. Why not have a medly? Yes, it would be a different game each stop.
2. Simonis each and every time
3. No jump cues. Ever.
4. Break from anywhere.
5. $1,000 entry AND qualifiers

After that, I would file for chapter 11, sell all my personal belongings and get a good lawyer.
 
1- I'd stick with 8ball,9ball and 10ball.

2- cloth, 860 simonis

3- jump cue? yes! if not, then use the 2 pushout rule

4- Break Box rule

5- Pony up and play! 1,000$ entry, 512 field limit

6- WINNER BREAK'S ALL THE TIME!! (even on TV)

7- Race to 9 format, and to 13 in the final 16.

8- Show the final 8 matches on TV, True DE format
 
back2good1 said:
After being a witness to the whole IPT fiasco, what would you do different if you were to start a pro tour? (besides actually paying out winnings)

1) What game? 8ball, 9ball, 10ball, straight pool? Perhaps a different game every tour stop?

Rotate the games like tennis rotates playing surface.

2) slow cloth vs fast cloth?
Fast cloth is what the best players prefer. Slow cloth makes for ugly, frustrating play.

3) Allow jump sticks?
Of course. If you don't like you're opponent jumping a ball, dont give him the opportunity to do it. If you have a problem with that, stay home.

4) Break from box or break from anywhere?
Break from anywhere.

5) Have structured/coordinated qualifiers... or just make players pony up and play?
Let anybody play. I think that would be more interesting than keeping some of the best players in the world out of the competition. Let anybody that wants to play show up and enter. The last guy standing is the winner.
-Back2good1
Click to expand...

I would also allow side bets, backers and other forms of entertainment that have been hidden from television over the years. Take the veil off of professional pool and display it for what it really is - ENTERTAINING. For some reason we are scared to show off some of the most intriguing and exciting aspects of our game and our world. Its time to let our hair down and be who we really are - pool players - not some group of introverted, quiet people that have no character.
 
1) 8-Ball and 10-Ball with a possible One-pocket stop or two. All three games would be called shot. No slop on my tour!

2) Fast cloth.

3) Jump sticks for incoming shot only. Learn how to kick if you can't play position!

4) Break from anywhere.

5) No qualifiers. Pay the $500-$1000 entry and play!

6) Winner breaks for 8-Ball and 10-Ball and alternate for One-pocket.

7) Race to 11 for 8-Ball and 10-Ball, race to 5 for One-pocket.

8) Show coverage for all matches like the IPT did and show entire matches for the final eight.
 
Last edited:
I would structure/copy it like the WPBA. Maybe tweek a few things...but not much. They seem to know what their doing. Johnnyt
 
back2good1 said:
After being a witness to the whole IPT fiasco, what would you do different if you were to start a pro tour? (besides actually paying out winnings)
...
Click to expand...
Arrange to get on TV so there is real sponsorship money. The other details are not really important, but I would prefer to see 10 ball to 9 ball.
 
Lots of different games

I would have different formats.

Have several smaller tours. Each one worth a certain number of points.

4 7/16 pockets. Same table on all tours. Who ever the sponsor is.

One pocket tour. 4 dates
Ten Ball tour. 4 dates
Straight Pool Tour. 4 Dates
8 Ball tour. 4 Dates
3-Cushion Tour 4 Dates

No 9 Ball...its time has passed.

Have points awarded for placement in each tour. You can play in as many as you want. But you must play at least ONCE in each division. Top 20 players at the end of the tour enter a Derby City style tournament with EACH game being played. Top winner in OVERALL points guaranteed a million dollars. By having a winner take all million dollar prize; players will enter as many tournaments as they can to accumulate points.

Derby City has a GREAT format that has proved successful. An entire tour set up like this would have a lot of potential I think.
 
For me it would be only if I won the lotery. That way I would be able to make sure the players got paid every time.

I would have 9, 10, 12, 15 ball rotaion games as well as 8 ball and straight pool on the tour. The races would be longer for the rotation games like 13 winner and finals 15. For 8 ball race to 13 as well. Straight pool would be invites only and long races winners only 550 (try to get that record broken=).

Instead of seeding, the top 50 players on the tour would be free entry for the year.

The qualifiers would be monthly through the US. If you want to compete in the US, qualify here first. Those who qualify would get there first entry paid for (out of the qualifier money). Qualifiers would be $1000.

I would limit it to only 200 card holders per year. Tournaments would be $100 - 500 depending on the point value the tournament is worth.

It would be on fast cloth (860) and snugged up pockets depening on the game (straight pool would be with buckets 4.75")

That's a start. So pray I win the lotery big enough to do it:D ...

Pete
 
back2good1 said:
After being a witness to the whole IPT fiasco, what would you do different if you were to start a pro tour? (besides actually paying out winnings)
1) What game? 8ball, 9ball, 10ball, straight pool? Perhaps a different game every tour stop?
2) slow cloth vs fast cloth?
3) Allow jump sticks?
4) Break from box or break from anywhere?
5) Have structured/coordinated qualifiers... or just make players pony up and play?
-Back2good1
Click to expand...

1. Start with 8 and 9 ball - most of your mainstream audience has a vague idea, has probably played these games, or seen TCOM.....build a solid base with something they can follow, and then you can spread out to other games. EX: Poker - now audiences tune in for all types of games other than holdem since the popularity has grown.

2. Fast cloth - it's exciting, requires touch, and slow cloth sucks :D

3. Jump sticks - I don't know about the stick itself, but jumping and offensive play are essential. The standard public loves to see incredible shots, and jump shots or kicks aimed at pocketing balls are exciting to watch.

4. Break behind the line, just like always.

5. Structured fields, qualifiers, and mini-tours set better match-ups and quality of play. EX: The Nationwide Tour in golf - it's a feeder tour that keeps competition tight to be on the PGA, helps upcoming phenoms hone their skills and work to get to the next level.
 
Game: 10-Ball

Table: 9' (align with corporate sponsor)
Cloth: Simonis (align with corporate sponsor)
Balls: Aramith (align with corporate sponsor)
Pockets: 4-1/2" (maximum)
Cues: 2 cues (1-playing cue, 1-break cue) with no jump cues

Break: Open (no break box)
Rules: Standard
Format: Race to 11, double elimination, no concessions for TV outside of a 1-minute shot clock

Qualification: The model has been built...GOLF!
Awards: The model has been built...GOLF!
Sponsorship: The model has been built...GOLF!
Players Association: The model has been built...GOLF!

Enough of the free-for-all that is mens pool. Unite, organize, and promote. Golf was not built in a day, but look at the esteem people hold for those players and that sport. Pool has a long road, but look at the womens tour. They are united, organized, and promoting. If bowling can achieve some sort of popularity, pool can too.

I choose 10-ball as it is more difficult to string racks compared to 9-ball. Its all about organization, sponsorships, and promotion.
 
mosconiac said:
Game: 10-Ball

Table: 9' (align with corporate sponsor)
Cloth: Simonis (align with corporate sponsor)
Balls: Aramith (align with corporate sponsor)
Pockets: 4-1/2" (maximum)
Cues: 2 cues (1-playing cue, 1-break cue) with no jump cues

Break: Open (no break box)
Rules: Standard
Format: Race to 11, double elimination, no concessions for TV outside of a 1-minute shot clock

Qualification: The model has been built...GOLF!
Awards: The model has been built...GOLF!
Sponsorship: The model has been built...GOLF!
Players Association: The model has been built...GOLF!

Enough of the free-for-all that is mens pool. Unite, organize, and promote. Golf was not built in a day, but look at the esteem people hold for those players and that sport. Pool has a long road, but look at the womens tour. They are united, organized, and promoting. If bowling can achieve some sort of popularity, pool can too.

I choose 10-ball as it is more difficult to string racks compared to 9-ball. Its all about organization, sponsorships, and promotion.
Click to expand...

Why is everyone aginst those who can string racks? How often do we get to see someone playing perfect or even excellent pool?
 
I'm certainly not against those that excel, but how can you build a competetive tour around a game that can be run out in two innings by the stronger players out there?

I'm not the only one that sees the problem with 9-ball as a top-level (championship) game. Why do you think the players chose to go to the break box?
 
ironman said:
Why is everyone aginst those who can string racks? How often do we get to see someone playing perfect or even excellent pool?
Click to expand...

Would you like to see a football game where the scoring team RECEIVES every time?

Watching a pool player run rack after rack is great for a) that player and b) the spectators, but it sucks big for c) the other player.

Personally, I'd hate to be the guy who draws two opponents in a double-elim tournament who both win the flip/lag and B&R however many racks to win both matches - all the while, never even getting to chalk my stick, after having paid my fee, travelled however far to get to the tournament, etc etc.
 
ScottW said:
Would you like to see a football game where the scoring team RECEIVES every time?

Watching a pool player run rack after rack is great for a) that player and b) the spectators, but it sucks big for c) the other player.

Personally, I'd hate to be the guy who draws two opponents in a double-elim tournament who both win the flip/lag and B&R however many racks to win both matches - all the while, never even getting to chalk my stick, after having paid my fee, travelled however far to get to the tournament, etc etc.
Click to expand...

I don't know, as I have never seen that happen.

I can't remember the last time I saw anyone run a set out.

It has never happened to me.
 
mosconiac said:
I'm certainly not against those that excel, but how can you build a competetive tour around a game that can be run out in two innings by the stronger players out there?

I'm not the only one that sees the problem with 9-ball as a top-level (championship) game. Why do you think the players chose to go to the break box?
Click to expand...

I wasn't aware that the players chose to go to the break box.
 
Bob Jewett said:
Arrange to get on TV so there is real sponsorship money. The other details are not really important....
Click to expand...

The best reply so far imo. The only way to improve this reply would be to add the word "big" in front of the word "sponsorship".

Dave
 
suprnva said:
1) 8-Ball and 10-Ball with a possible One-pocket stop or two. All three games would be called shot. No slop on my tour!
Click to expand...

Call shot would destroy One Pocket.. It would kill any creativity, and the players would just play nit moves all day until someone made a mistake.

What made Ronnie Allen such a danger is he woulf often precisely lock up the cue ball while blasting the stack with an object ball. Making it call shot would kill his sort of play and make it a really boring game...

Russ
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top