The membership seems a little high, I understand you can win 200,000. Just to see it in writing 899.99 seems a little high to me.
IPT Million-Dollar Tour: The savior of American pool?
- Thread starter JAM
- Start date
To show you the BS Behind this... Take the poll on the web sites home page (its in the LH Corner). When I clicked it it showed 49% to 51% with 71,769 votes. I voted again 3 seconds later and it said 49% to 51% with 71,920 votes! Man is this site getting some hits or what!!! So I clicked the submit button another 50 times and got the number down to 46 to 54!
I am pretty impressed!!!
JV
I am pretty impressed!!!
JV
Looks like filet mignon to me. Pool players are hungry in the year 2005 with the tournament purses not commensurate with the exorbitant expenditures.Nostroke said:
The U.S. Open could be classified as one of the premier American pool events of the year, with a first-place prize of $30,000. Don't get me wrong, I love the U.S. Open, but just getting there, my household is stuck $2,500 before the first ball is hit.
The average pool tournament these days, a player must come in third place just to break even. It's a joke.
Bring the IPT on, I say, and may the best man/woman win.
I never heard of Kevin Trudeau before, but he must be doing something right to have a $2-billion empire. If anything, this little venture could benefit from his expertise in making things happen. The rumor mill is that he is good friends with Sigel. Sigel has a little wisdom in this game/sport, don't you think? Kevin Trudeau is in good hands.Nostroke said:
Or, put the other way, the so-called "Touring Pros" of the current men's governing body of professional pool may welcome an opportunity to take a shot at winning somewhere in the neighborhood of $200,000 to $300,000. Matter of fact, every single player I know will be standing in the IPT line. Somehow spending $2,500 to take a shot at winning $250,000, as an example, looks mighty inviting to me. The red-white-and-blue patches may soon be replaced with the green-white-and-black patches of the IPT, and who can blame them?Nostroke said:
That's the problem in a nutshell, Nostroke. Pool in the States has one tire in the sand, always has. If it continues along its merry way, with payouts being the EXACT SAME as they were 20 and 30 years ago, it will continue to have a gloom-and-doom existence.Nostroke said:
If anything, this new and innovative approach to market the game/sport may be the best thing that's ever happened in the history of the sport/game. I wouldn't care if they put Miss Piggy up against Mike Sigel if it helps to launch this MILLION-dollar IPT Tour. JMHO, FWIW!
JAM
Last edited:
Jam, this is the kind of positive thinking that we all need to have about this. I mean I know why a great many people in and around the sport have become jaded by professional pool, but as it stands right now the we can't go anywhere but up. Let's give the IPT it's shot.
I'll believe it when i see it.
Kevin Trudeau has made a living off of defrauding the public. Even though he's been slapped on the wrists, i can't help but think that if he's willing to set this up, that it's just going to be another of his scams, with the pool public and players getting ripped off.
A leopard can't change it's spots. I highly doubt that Trudeau can change who he is.
For all we know, this whole thing is a setup, and both Mike and Loree are getting a fee for performing, and it is just a bunch of B.S., to set up and promote future B.S. that he alone will profit from.
When i see a the top 40 pool players all making 6 figure salaries as a result of his efforts, then i'll change my mind.
Till then, he's always gonna be a crook in my book, and everything he touches, a bunch of crap.
Kevin Trudeau has made a living off of defrauding the public. Even though he's been slapped on the wrists, i can't help but think that if he's willing to set this up, that it's just going to be another of his scams, with the pool public and players getting ripped off.
A leopard can't change it's spots. I highly doubt that Trudeau can change who he is.
For all we know, this whole thing is a setup, and both Mike and Loree are getting a fee for performing, and it is just a bunch of B.S., to set up and promote future B.S. that he alone will profit from.
When i see a the top 40 pool players all making 6 figure salaries as a result of his efforts, then i'll change my mind.
Till then, he's always gonna be a crook in my book, and everything he touches, a bunch of crap.
SacTownPlayer
Registered
+1 stay positive
Agreed. Sure appears as though Kevin has good timing. Just offered my support to the effort we'll see how prepared they are to accept it.
StraightPoolIU said:
Agreed. Sure appears as though Kevin has good timing. Just offered my support to the effort we'll see how prepared they are to accept it.
I just had to respond. To JAM, Tom at Hardtimes, and others with a positive attitude, I applaud you. That positive attitude really helps. To those (such as Superstar) that just spew negative thoughts - What are you doing to help get pool going???
So what if Trudeau has "a record"?? Superstroke is just way too harsh and his comments do absolutely nothing for our great sport.
I have had several discussions with Sigel, Trudeau, and some of his staff. Although I am sure mistakes will be made, I think there is a good chance this could happen. There are however, many obstacles that need to be overcome.
If you read his Q & A on their site (www.internationalpooltour.com) you will get some insight into some of his reasons for doing this event. Many people refuse to believe that some people will do things because they CAN, and because it will be fun.
I just went through all this same type of ridicule when I purchased the BCA Pool League. I stated that all the "profits" would be put back into added money or benefits for the players. I have done just what I said. $100,000 the first year and projected $200,000 to $250,000 in just our second year. And then the numbers can really start going up. (Yeah - I know it seems paltry when compared to Truedeau's millions - but it proves the point).
Bottom line to all this rambling. Let's help the guy out - afterall, it is helping pool which in turn helps us all. Let's give him a chance. How many times has someone said "give us a guy with millions to fix pool?" So maybe he is here. Give it a chance!
Mark Griffin
markg@playbca.com
So what if Trudeau has "a record"?? Superstroke is just way too harsh and his comments do absolutely nothing for our great sport.
I have had several discussions with Sigel, Trudeau, and some of his staff. Although I am sure mistakes will be made, I think there is a good chance this could happen. There are however, many obstacles that need to be overcome.
If you read his Q & A on their site (www.internationalpooltour.com) you will get some insight into some of his reasons for doing this event. Many people refuse to believe that some people will do things because they CAN, and because it will be fun.
I just went through all this same type of ridicule when I purchased the BCA Pool League. I stated that all the "profits" would be put back into added money or benefits for the players. I have done just what I said. $100,000 the first year and projected $200,000 to $250,000 in just our second year. And then the numbers can really start going up. (Yeah - I know it seems paltry when compared to Truedeau's millions - but it proves the point).
Bottom line to all this rambling. Let's help the guy out - afterall, it is helping pool which in turn helps us all. Let's give him a chance. How many times has someone said "give us a guy with millions to fix pool?" So maybe he is here. Give it a chance!
Mark Griffin
markg@playbca.com
Last edited:
I'd venture to guess that either Mike or Loree could roll the majority of posters here off the table, they are not multi time World Champions and Hall of Famers for nothing...and as far as 8-Ball, this is what the average american plays when they play pool...I'll take a wait and see attitude, but I wish it all has great success...G-D knows pool needs a serious injection of interest from somewhere.
bgb said:
Jersey said:
Hear, hear. The more I read the variety of opinions from the diversity of respondents to this thread, the better I feel about the IPT.
I understand the skeptism too because, when it comes to pool in the States, history has a way of repeating itself, greed usually being the culprit.
And I agree, definitely 8-ball. Most of us watch too many 9-ball tournaments, in person and on TV, making it our norm, though there have been some great discussions about bringing back 10-ball.
As has been said by many, if you were to venture out to the majority of pool rooms, billiard parlors, and sports lounges, 8-ball is the game that's played today. I actually think the concept of 8-ball is easier to understand for the non-pool-playing public.
Besides, for this kind of dough, it could be the change agent that the game/sport needs. It may entice some of today's players to practice a little harder and as well bring in some new blood.
JAM
JAM said:The average pool tournament these days, a player must come in third place just to break even. It's a joke.
JAM
I've been involved in pool in some way all of my adult life. I have never played for a living. However, I envy those that do in many ways for their skill and heart. I have known several pro players. I have seen many great players that lived in their cars (some even when not doing the road). Pool players deserve a better life. They work hard, travel, market themselves for the most part, live tournament to tournament hoping to make enough along the way to pay for their gas, lodging and next entry.
I would have to say that this fella sees something in pool that many people are now seeing in poker that he feels he can market in a similar fashion. If they admit it or not PEOPLE INNATLY LOVE ACTION even if they are just watching it!!! As of right now I would guess that pool players for the most part are some of the "unwealthiest" people we see on ESPN in a given day.
If this guy is willing to put up the jack and stick to it they may have something. I do wish he would have found different players to start the whole thing off with. I would of liked to have seen "Delicious" play Allison Fisher!!!! Now that be fun!! Nothing personal to Jones & Segal. Both were fine players. Just think that 2 high profile outgoing players from the current era would be more fun and marketable.
Mark Griffin said:
What, you can't applaud some facts, and an opinion that doesn't agree with your own? That's pretty narrow-minded if you ask me. Better to see ALL the possibilities that can happen, instead of just focusing on the good.
That's just setting yourself up for the let down. If you have certain insider information that the general public does not know, that's great, FOR YOU, but for those of us who have seen the pool messiah come and go. I'll wait and see.
I for one would love for the state of pool to change for the better, but i will have to admit, that i'd rather have some philanthropist come along that had no criminal record whatsoever and make a bid to put pool on the map, instead of someone who HAS made a living off of defrauding the public.
That fact that he DOES have some shady dealings, just sets the tone for the past repeating itself.
If people want to be naive and go into this like it's the best thing since sliced bread, i'm not telling them not to.
But i am entitled to my opinion, even if it doesn't suit you to agree with it.
I'm just gonna wait and see, and if i'm wrong, i will be the first to say so, but it will have to be proven to me. Simple as that.
No one is going to accused me of being naive.
Colin Colenso said:
Membership appears to be $899 per person, which is supposed to be a one-off lifetime fee afterwhich you pay $199 per tournament you enter, with non-members paying $1000 to enter the same tournament. It will certainly be interesting to see how many people actually join. I think a lot of people will watching to see how the Sigel vs. Jones match comes off. Presumably as this is being held during the annual APA team championships they are hoping to get some of the top APA players to sign up.
Invitational?
Watch my words and see if the promised events aren't invitationals. If these tournaments do take place, why not open them up, like the poker is? I just pray that this guy doesn't favor a select few and have meetings behind closed doors.
Also important is to not have Lawrence or Wych as commentators.
Watch my words and see if the promised events aren't invitationals. If these tournaments do take place, why not open them up, like the poker is? I just pray that this guy doesn't favor a select few and have meetings behind closed doors.
Also important is to not have Lawrence or Wych as commentators.
I think this has tremendous potential! And I agree that 8-ball is the best choice for this new venture, as it is the game most familiar to mainstream America (as noted above). I'm not particularly fond of 8-ball myself, however -- too many decisions to make! One must decide: Which category (stripes or solids), which ball, which pocket......After a couple of intense games, I'm mentally exhausted. LOL!!!
Anyway, here's hoping Trudeau and the IPT are a smashing success!!!
One must decide: Which category (stripes or solids), which ball, which pocket......After a couple of intense games, I'm mentally exhausted. LOL!!! Anyway, here's hoping Trudeau and the IPT are a smashing success!!!
I almost fell over yesterday while reading the LA Times Sports section. There was a huge ad, maybe 1/8 page, advertising this farce at Mandalay! Given the size of the Mandalay they'll have no problem with getting an audience to watch, but I doubt many will actually pay to see this sort of thing. If the match is anywhere near on the square Loree has no out in the world with Mike at any pool game. World Championship? Hyperbole city. This is 70's Bobby Riggs vs. Billie Jean King schtick.
Martin
Martin
JAM said:Most of us have been reading about the upcoming match on August 20th between Mike Sigel and Loree Jon Jones to take place at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas! There have been a variety of opinions as to the choice of these two Hall of Famers competing for $150,000 in total prize monies. The most recent press release about this event has given me a ray of sunshine in an otherwise gloom-and-doom pool world. I'm throwing this out there for some opinions.
Let me see if I can read between the lines of this latest press release:
The International Pool Tour, a major new pool organization founded by media mogul Kevin Trudeau, will launch on Aug. 20 with a high-profile, made-for-TV battle of the sexes between Hall-of-Famers Mike Sigel and Loree Jon Jones...
It's a "made-for-TV battle of the sexes," and who better than two Hall of Famers for the LAUNCH -- key word here.
Continuing: ...Hoping to stimulate mainstream interest in the event by grafting poolroom conditions to tournament pool, Trudeau has mandated several unusual rules for the matchup. There will be no shot clock, jump cues or breaking from the side rail. Winner will break, and slow-speed cloth will be used...
These are unusual rules, most likely only for TV purposes, and it's very interesting that they'll be using the slow-speed cloth, with the players not afforded a jump cue.
THIS GOT MY ATTENTION: ...Trudeau expects a full-fledged series of televised 8-ball tournaments to follow in the next year under the International Pool Tour banner. Each will have a minimum of $1 million in guaranteed prize money...
I'm leery of the phrase "Trudeau EXPECTS a full-fledged series," but what is fantastic is what follows: "Each will have a minimum of $1 million in guaranteed prize money." EACH? Wow!
In sum: ...IPT founder Trudeau, who launched and owns the Golf TV Channel in the United Kingdom, has built a $2 billion global business empire in television, publishing and marketing. He is best known in the U.S. for his many infomercials hawking self-help and holistic health products.
$2-billion global business empire, Trudeau knows how to make things happen. This could be a godsend to American pool as we know it today.
Any thoughts?
JAM
I just am amazed by all the people who see the glass as half empty instead of half full.It is no sweat off anyones back for this guy to promote this match, and who cares if it is a Riggs Vs King type of thing.If it attracts attention thats all that matters.Nothing else is really happening right now with pool anyway.
I would of liked to Seen Ewa VS. Earl, we would at least have some personality.
Maybe have a real pro announcer emcee it.
I would of liked to Seen Ewa VS. Earl, we would at least have some personality.
Maybe have a real pro announcer emcee it.