IPT Million-Dollar Tour: The savior of American pool?
- Thread starter JAM
- Start date
Hi Jeff,
I don't have any inside info on sponsors for the tour but it's a good question.
The major sponsor of course will be Kevin's Nutritional products company but surely he'll be looking to bring in equipment sponsors and probably online betting sponsors such as those like Stan James that have sponsored the Matchroom events. That may depend on if the tour events are broadcast live or packaged for later distribution.
Anyway, will be interesting to see how that aspect develops.
I don't have any inside info on sponsors for the tour but it's a good question.
The major sponsor of course will be Kevin's Nutritional products company but surely he'll be looking to bring in equipment sponsors and probably online betting sponsors such as those like Stan James that have sponsored the Matchroom events. That may depend on if the tour events are broadcast live or packaged for later distribution.
Anyway, will be interesting to see how that aspect develops.
SlumpMaster
New member
Sorry to bring this thread up again, but I was watching the Daily Show and guess who they did a piece on? Yes, your friend and mine, Kevin Trudeau. I forget what the piece was itself, but I'm sure it wasn't congratulatory. But I saw his face, and it was the face of the huckster I've been watching on infomercials for years. I can't believe it's the same guy behind IPT.
Anyway, I'd like to add a couple of things. One, as of 5/20/05, Trudeau was not on the Forbes billionaire list -- not two billion or even one billion. I'm sure he's still quite wealthy, but he's still a liar.
The sad part is that Kevin Trudeau might actually be serious about starting a pool venture. But he only knows one way to do business, and that's to exaggerate and obfuscate. It's either that, or he's absolutely trying to steal your money, no in-between.
If you want to be optimistic, please do so. The worst that could happen is disappointment. But please, please, PLEASE do not give this man $899.
Anyway, I'd like to add a couple of things. One, as of 5/20/05, Trudeau was not on the Forbes billionaire list -- not two billion or even one billion. I'm sure he's still quite wealthy, but he's still a liar.
The sad part is that Kevin Trudeau might actually be serious about starting a pool venture. But he only knows one way to do business, and that's to exaggerate and obfuscate. It's either that, or he's absolutely trying to steal your money, no in-between.
If you want to be optimistic, please do so. The worst that could happen is disappointment. But please, please, PLEASE do not give this man $899.
Come on guys!
I'm Greek...we invented the Trojan Horse. Think it through. The IPT site claims 222,800 votes. I would be impressed with 10,000 hits. Considering that at least 75% of players are men do you really think the voting would be 53 to 47%? 5 million in first year. Suuuuuuuuuuuuuuurrre. Bend over this won't hurt a bit.
If I'm wrong I will personally beam an apology to every known pool site. Unfortunately I trust this won't be necessary.
Nick
I'm Greek...we invented the Trojan Horse. Think it through. The IPT site claims 222,800 votes. I would be impressed with 10,000 hits. Considering that at least 75% of players are men do you really think the voting would be 53 to 47%? 5 million in first year. Suuuuuuuuuuuuuuurrre. Bend over this won't hurt a bit.
If I'm wrong I will personally beam an apology to every known pool site. Unfortunately I trust this won't be necessary.
Nick
Nick B said:The IPT site claims 222,800 votes.
Nick
Their counter is rigged to add some random number of votes from about 60 to 90 for each vote. So the real figure is closer to 3,000 votes.
Also, you can add votes one after another very quickly which means their are many repeaters...such as myself who tested it out.
This attitude toward deception is troubling. I hope it doesn't permeate every feature of the IPT. I'd really like to see it work.
SlumpMaster said:
Even Trump says he has way more then he really does
big deal, If I had a nickel for every person that exaggerates what they make or have I would have my own pool tourSlumpMaster said:
The main point your missing is this guy LOVES the game of pool. What do people think he's going to do? I fail to see the big opportunity to scam anyone with the new IPT tour. You say don't give him the $899.00 because he what, might take off with the money? Lets see $899 * 150 players which is what $135,000 dollars??? come on this guy has a best selling book that made more than that in one week! he has sold almost 2 million books, he could finance the tour on book sales alone, why on earth would this guy look to the pro pool community to take a few hundred thousand? that's just silly.
I guess Loree Jon Jones and Mike Sigel have been duped, and I guess the ex head from FOX Sports, a guy who continues to produces some of the top programming on TV today and he's been duped too, right?
We all know the majority of business have skeletons in the closet and some of our top CEO's have had checkered past, heck Martha Stewart went to jail and is more famous now then ever and has a new show on NBC.
All this past talk about Kevin is just that PAST, He will hold this event and there will be million dollar tournaments for the next year or two, I have all the faith in the world that will happen, after that, who knows.
Sorry but I totally fail to see any scam in any part of this venture, I only see a guy who likes to be around pro pool players and has a vision of what he thinks pool can be. He wants fun, excitement and just maybe the possibility to change pool as we know it, he already makes $$ in other areas.
Some rich guys buy Yachts and multiple mansions, he's buying a pool tour
If I could do it I would too.
SlimShafty said:Even Trump says he has way more then he really does
The main point your missing is this guy LOVES the game of pool. What do people think he's going to do? I fail to see the big opportunity to scam anyone with the new IPT tour. You say don't give him the $899.00 because he what, might take off with the money? Lets see $899 * 150 players which is what $135,000 dollars??? come on this guy has a best selling book that made more than that in one week! he has sold almost 2 million books, he could finance the tour on book sales alone, why on earth would this guy look to the pro pool community to take a few hundred thousand? that's just silly.
I guess Loree Jon Jones and Mike Sigel have been duped, and I guess the ex head from FOX Sports, a guy who continues to produces some of the top programming on TV today and he's been duped too, right?
We all know the majority of business have skeletons in the closet and some of our top CEO's have had checkered past, heck Martha Stewart went to jail and is more famous now then ever and has a new show on NBC.
All this past talk about Kevin is just that PAST, He will hold this event and there will be million dollar tournaments for the next year or two, I have all the faith in the world that will happen, after that, who knows.
Sorry but I totally fail to see any scam in any part of this venture, I only see a guy who likes to be around pro pool players and has a vision of what he thinks pool can be. He wants fun, excitement and just maybe the possibility to change pool as we know it, he already makes $$ in other areas.
Some rich guys buy Yachts and multiple mansions, he's buying a pool tour
I think he is serious about this too.
I just hope it doesn't drift into a list of exagerations or worse yet broken promises that will do more to damage the brand of professional pool and lessen the chance of success for the IPT.
Media is likely to be right on this guy's back, so at the slightest controversy, the tv networks could pull his shows. Who knows? I just hope they are up-front and as honest as possible with their claims.
Barbara said:
I grabbed this from the web - it was what someone else had to say about Trudeau's new book...
Working in legal affairs for pharmaceutical and natural health product manufacturers, I have seen many scams but none quite so blatant as this man's antics. Kevin Trudeau has been banned from appearing in, producing, or disseminating future infomercials that advertise any type of product, service, or program to the public, except for truthful infomercials for informational publications. In addition, Trudeau cannot make disease or health benefits claims for any type of product, service, or program in any advertising, including print, radio, Internet, television, and direct mail solicitations, regardless of the format and duration. Trudeau agreed to these prohibitions and to pay the FTC $2 million to settle charges that he falsely claimed that a coral calcium product can cure cancer and other serious diseases and that a purported analgesic called Biotape can permanently cure or relieve severe pain.
Based on other reviews his new book, which is about 'natural cures', provides some decent information but consistently refers people to his website where futher information is supposedly provided. Interestingly enough, viewing that information requires a monthly membership fee, though they do provide a handy lifetime membership offer. Reviews are available at www.amazon.com - draw your own conclusions...
This Is The Very First Review On Amazon For Those People That Are Lazy
Natural cures I won't tell you about., November 14, 2004
Reviewer: Will Vincent (CA, Woodland Hills) - See all my reviews
Natural cures I won't tell you about, unless you spend more money. That should be the title of this book.
This is not a book on natural cures it's an advertisement and the title is very misleading. Do you really want to pay $30 dollars for an ad?
In my opinion you're not really going to learn anything new in this book, unless you live under a rock.
You are not going to learn about any natural cures in this book and his reasoning is because of the FDA and FTC. You can buy other books and information from his website that has this information, sorry but that doesn't seem right to me. I agree that FDA and FTC and other organizations mentioned in this book are not on the up and up, but neither is this book based on it's advertisement. In fact as I read this book the more the phrase "thats the pot calling the kettle black" entered my mind.
It's all about the money.
If you like wasting money and reading the same statements over and over then this book is for you.
I can give you the same info for free and it would take a paragraph. I don't think I'm permitted to write that particular information in my review so I won't. That statement probably upset you a little, but at least you didn't spend 30 dollars to find that out. Your money would be better spent taking yoga, and you would actually be learing valuable information about stress reduction,food, water, state of mind and excersies that you can use.
I'm not anti-Kevin by the way, I own some of Kevins programs and they have helped me, but the way this book is advertised is wrong.
I rate this book minus 5 stars!!! Kevin I'd like my money back.
Natural cures I won't tell you about., November 14, 2004
Reviewer: Will Vincent (CA, Woodland Hills) - See all my reviews
Natural cures I won't tell you about, unless you spend more money. That should be the title of this book.
This is not a book on natural cures it's an advertisement and the title is very misleading. Do you really want to pay $30 dollars for an ad?
In my opinion you're not really going to learn anything new in this book, unless you live under a rock.
You are not going to learn about any natural cures in this book and his reasoning is because of the FDA and FTC. You can buy other books and information from his website that has this information, sorry but that doesn't seem right to me. I agree that FDA and FTC and other organizations mentioned in this book are not on the up and up, but neither is this book based on it's advertisement. In fact as I read this book the more the phrase "thats the pot calling the kettle black" entered my mind.
It's all about the money.
If you like wasting money and reading the same statements over and over then this book is for you.
I can give you the same info for free and it would take a paragraph. I don't think I'm permitted to write that particular information in my review so I won't. That statement probably upset you a little, but at least you didn't spend 30 dollars to find that out. Your money would be better spent taking yoga, and you would actually be learing valuable information about stress reduction,food, water, state of mind and excersies that you can use.
I'm not anti-Kevin by the way, I own some of Kevins programs and they have helped me, but the way this book is advertised is wrong.
I rate this book minus 5 stars!!! Kevin I'd like my money back.
Who gives a sh*t what this guy has done in his past or how he got his money. He likes pool, and is going to spend his money on pool. It doesn't matter how he got it to begin with.
Would you guys gamble with a "pharmacutical dealer"? Some here won't, but I bet the majority would. Those dealers make their money in one of the worst ways possible, but you would still gladly take it in a pool match.
What about the leaders of our country. I'm not talking about politics, but the leaders of the Fortune 500 companies, which really control the country. They are probably a lot more unethical than Kevin is, but we buy their products and trust them. They have thousands of lobbyists that make the politicians go their way. They screw us more than any petty scam by polluting our air, sending our jobs out of the country, etc.
Do you guys think Bill Gates is a saint. He has probably screwed more people and companies than anyone. Yet we all still buy his Microshit products that he rips us off on.
The drug companies are one of the most powerful entities in the world. They control doctors, insurance policies, hospitals, nearly everything. I didn't read any of the claims that Kevin's healthcare products make, but you can be sure that drug companies would put them down even if they DID work. Any natural cure product would take away one of their sales. And the drug companies can control the politicians and the governemnt with all their lobbyists, making guys like Kevin to look like "QUACKS". I'm not saying that is what happended in Kevin's case, but it DID happen in the past with all of the Chinese natural medicine and acupuncture. Insuracce companies didnt' cover these treatments and made thier believers to look like quack doctors. That is changing now though, but it took half a century.
My point is that we as a people blindly trust others who have REALLY screwed us, without knowing that they screw us. What is the difference with Kevin? Maybe he screwed others (assuming he did) so that he could spend his money on us. If we are his "pet project" that he can spend his "unethically earned money" on, SO BE IT!
Would you guys gamble with a "pharmacutical dealer"? Some here won't, but I bet the majority would. Those dealers make their money in one of the worst ways possible, but you would still gladly take it in a pool match.
What about the leaders of our country. I'm not talking about politics, but the leaders of the Fortune 500 companies, which really control the country. They are probably a lot more unethical than Kevin is, but we buy their products and trust them. They have thousands of lobbyists that make the politicians go their way. They screw us more than any petty scam by polluting our air, sending our jobs out of the country, etc.
Do you guys think Bill Gates is a saint. He has probably screwed more people and companies than anyone. Yet we all still buy his Microshit products that he rips us off on.
The drug companies are one of the most powerful entities in the world. They control doctors, insurance policies, hospitals, nearly everything. I didn't read any of the claims that Kevin's healthcare products make, but you can be sure that drug companies would put them down even if they DID work. Any natural cure product would take away one of their sales. And the drug companies can control the politicians and the governemnt with all their lobbyists, making guys like Kevin to look like "QUACKS". I'm not saying that is what happended in Kevin's case, but it DID happen in the past with all of the Chinese natural medicine and acupuncture. Insuracce companies didnt' cover these treatments and made thier believers to look like quack doctors. That is changing now though, but it took half a century.
My point is that we as a people blindly trust others who have REALLY screwed us, without knowing that they screw us. What is the difference with Kevin? Maybe he screwed others (assuming he did) so that he could spend his money on us. If we are his "pet project" that he can spend his "unethically earned money" on, SO BE IT!
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 think the tour will not make it. Too much hype. Ridiculous and unrealistic proposed payouts. $899 membership fee, etc. Something doesn't sound right.
juegabillar said:
So you want him to commit money before anyone else will? He has the most to lose. There is a lot more money than paying prize money to getting this thing off the ground. If he sees the commitment from the players, I believe he will go all out. Just very good business on his part.
put your money where your mouth is
I have already emailed the IPT to find out where to send my $899, 2weeks ago! Although I have not heard back yet you can be assured that I will be one of the first in line to pay my money! I have double that amount of money in my pool cues and case and have lost more than that gambling, and I bet alot of you out there have also. I am not a rich man but this is too good a shot to pass up, I look at it this way I could bet this money on one hand of blackjack at the casino and loose but this way has a chance to win alot more. A friend of mine once made fun of me for how much money I spent on my pool cues ($2500), but he got really quiet when I asked him what he spent on his fishing boat ($10,000+).
Yes there are things that make me nervous about this, I am worried that pro's will recieve preferential treatment over average guys because it will make for better TV . That is not what makes poker so exciting people tune in to see if a average joe can win it all, and this is what the barroom 8 baller will tune in for.
As my Dad used to say get on the wagon or get run over!
I have already emailed the IPT to find out where to send my $899, 2weeks ago! Although I have not heard back yet you can be assured that I will be one of the first in line to pay my money! I have double that amount of money in my pool cues and case and have lost more than that gambling, and I bet alot of you out there have also. I am not a rich man but this is too good a shot to pass up, I look at it this way I could bet this money on one hand of blackjack at the casino and loose but this way has a chance to win alot more. A friend of mine once made fun of me for how much money I spent on my pool cues ($2500), but he got really quiet when I asked him what he spent on his fishing boat ($10,000+).
Yes there are things that make me nervous about this, I am worried that pro's will recieve preferential treatment over average guys because it will make for better TV . That is not what makes poker so exciting people tune in to see if a average joe can win it all, and this is what the barroom 8 baller will tune in for.
As my Dad used to say get on the wagon or get run over!
what he said today
On his on-line chat forum today (or night) he mentioned that he is not accepting money right now...he is only asking for applications, which is free....He says he's expecting maybe 5000 applications, and out of that, he will select only 150 members to be part of the IPT tour....then he will expect those he selects to send the money ....
Big Bad Bern said:
On his on-line chat forum today (or night) he mentioned that he is not accepting money right now...he is only asking for applications, which is free....He says he's expecting maybe 5000 applications, and out of that, he will select only 150 members to be part of the IPT tour....then he will expect those he selects to send the money ....
Big Bad Bern makes some excellent points about risk and gambling. Many of us here have bet it up when the "statistical" chances of winning are 50/50. Knowing or not knowing how to make a game can severely change those odds, in either direction. Hell, I'm barely a B player and I've bet $1000 sets before. Every A and above player that I know has bet at least that much in a session. I can't see how any good players can afford to NOT sign up for this tour. You are losing too much by NOT taking a risk. PLUS, the risk is PEANUTS. What is $899 to the players who would be of the caliber to play in this tour? PEANUTS!
Big Bad Bern said:
I hope they're not really expecting to see that, some regular Joe beating the champs.
Because it seems to me that, whether or not the games will be presented in such a way as to hold non-pool junkies' interest, the setup is absolutely designed to ensure that there'll be almost NO FLUKE WINNERS. Race to 9 eight ball will take forever anyway, and throw in tight pockets and slow nap, and I think you're going to see the same top guys week in and week out, the absolute straightest shooters ... which I believe is how they want it.
Like Connors and Borg and McEnroe in the 70s and 80s ... or the Steel Curtain ... dynasties, dominance and personality are what they seem to be after.
And that might actually work, if the personalities can be made appealing enough, and rich enough. Who's going to be the Arnold Palmer of pool, or Nicklaus or Tiger?
FWIW, the Golf Channel in the UK sucks! Its merely 98% infomercials, and 2% outdated footage. It does not take a lot of capital to start a satellite channel in the UK, only a couple of thousand, there are just as many junk channels as this.
My .02 worth ...
It is the best idea in the Pool world for a long time ..
Sure KT has an angle or two... Wouldn't you if you were
putting up the money?
Sigel is still pissed about not making more money when
he was winning all the time, and some financial problems
since then (BD interview). He will get back in stroke,
and will compete in the tour stops.
Most pros interest has been tweaked, and why wouldn't
it be for $300,000 first place prize? They pay $500 to
enter the U.S. Open, why would they balk at $1,000
for a chance to win many times more than the Open?
Most pros have or are, as I am typing, hustling the
membership and entry fee, and waiting until the 2nd
or 3rd week of September to pay it. The first 3 or 4
known pros will dribble in, and then a small landslide
will occur after that.
The winners on the tour will get more recognition,
become more popular, and be presented with more
sponsors and business opportunities. Plus, they
might be able to open their own rooms.
Amateurs that play pro speed will step up for that
kind of money (all the ones that would love to
quit their day job), and if they do well would consider
going pro. New blood, better competition.
Everyone that loves Pool across the country would
be glued to any information about the tour, or TV
matches, etc..
OUtside the industry corporate sponsors would step
up for sponsorship.
The tour would show other Pool organizations how
to break out of the 'never going anywhere' mold.
I am a half full glass type of guy We need more
'Can do' type of people in Pool.
It is the best idea in the Pool world for a long time ..
Sure KT has an angle or two... Wouldn't you if you were
putting up the money?
Sigel is still pissed about not making more money when
he was winning all the time, and some financial problems
since then (BD interview). He will get back in stroke,
and will compete in the tour stops.
Most pros interest has been tweaked, and why wouldn't
it be for $300,000 first place prize? They pay $500 to
enter the U.S. Open, why would they balk at $1,000
for a chance to win many times more than the Open?
Most pros have or are, as I am typing, hustling the
membership and entry fee, and waiting until the 2nd
or 3rd week of September to pay it. The first 3 or 4
known pros will dribble in, and then a small landslide
will occur after that.
The winners on the tour will get more recognition,
become more popular, and be presented with more
sponsors and business opportunities. Plus, they
might be able to open their own rooms.
Amateurs that play pro speed will step up for that
kind of money (all the ones that would love to
quit their day job), and if they do well would consider
going pro. New blood, better competition.
Everyone that loves Pool across the country would
be glued to any information about the tour, or TV
matches, etc..
OUtside the industry corporate sponsors would step
up for sponsorship.
The tour would show other Pool organizations how
to break out of the 'never going anywhere' mold.
I am a half full glass type of guy We need more
'Can do' type of people in Pool.
I'd deal in cash with this guy, I would not be suprised see paper hanging everywhere. And for sure don't let him get hold of your credit card number! From his chat on CCB it looks like he is pulling the old "get on board quick or you won't get rich" scam.JAM said:....I wouldn't care if it was Kevin Trudeau or Attila the Hun. If there is a tournament offering $200,000 to $300,000 as a first-place prize, I will be the first in line to pay the $899 membership fee for my horse. .....
If this venture takes off, I am in like Flynn! Bring it on, I say!
JAM
powderburner said:
He's paying in cash on Saturday, and if you think he's pulling the old get rich scam, please enlighten us on where the money for this get rich scam is coming from? only 150 members are going to be selected at 899.00 wow that's a big 135,000
I'm sure kevin has plans to market DVD's, PPV, sell ads to major advertisers, make reality shows, sell all kinds of pool supplies, make books about heaven knows what else, he will hype this thing like it's the best thing since the wheel, big deal...that's what any smart business person does, and what we need.And most people forget he has a major love for the game, he got Sigel to be his personal private teacher and they have been friends for 15 years.
The guy loves to be around the action, loves to be around the players and has the money to make his own little Disney land of pool for his own kicks. If I had the dough, I would something similar, this is the same thing guys do that buy sports teams, they love the game and want to be involved. BIG DEAL, he is not trying to steal Pro pool players money.....he is certainly going to try to make money from the general public to support this, no different than 5 dollar beers at the ball park
Why do people who love pool want to toss water on anything that could have the slightest chance of being good for the game? you afraid a flood of strange new people that might want to play pool at the local hall? I mean pool players certainly take risk's all the time, and sometimes with very shady people.... what's the difference??