1st prize for the upcoming IPT tournament in Reno, NV is $500,000 and I never dreamed that pool in the US would ever reach that kind of money for winning an 8 ball tournament.
http://www.internationalpooltour.com/ipt_content/event_schedule/po_06_world_8ball.asp
http://www.internationalpooltour.com/ipt_content/event_schedule/po_06_world_8ball.asp