IPT Qualifiers - is it just me?

[juegabillar]

When the IPT tour started 150 players where selected based on how good you are, how early you applied, and probably who you knew.

Wrong. The 150 players were selected on how early they applied.

The IPT had been announced in the internet for quite a while. Nobody was paying attention, or were simply dismissing the tour because of uncertainty, credibility, the upfront money that had to be paid, or for whatever other reason. All the ones that did not believe at first, paid the price for their mistake.

When the anouncement of the match between Sigel and Jones was made, the money announced, the venue, details, etc., then and only then, people began to believe in the tour. By this time, hundreds of the first true believers had completed their application.

Those who did not believe the tour at first, then were trying to squabble their way into the tour, and started making, or trying to make contacts with the IPT people to get in.... but it was already too late.

The Pros had enough time to get their names in. They did not respond, therefore, the IPT had no choice but to treat the first believers with preference. The IPT did not know that they would be receiving possibly thousands of applications near the end of their deadline. If they had known about the overwhelming response, they would have probably selected the best 150 players. Therefore, the IPT just couldn't scratch-off the true believers and the first faithful ones to respond.

The IPT did the best they could under the circumstances. I do not blame them. The players will simply have to live with this and prove themselves to get in.

For the record, I was a non-believer. Now, I'm neutral to all this. I will be convinced when the tour kicks-in full swing, and we start seeing a rotation of the first 150 players.

In the meantime, I DO support the efforts of any player that wants to get in. I DO NOT believe and I am TOTALLY AGAINST ANY BAN to players from any World Organization (APBU and CPB). The proposed pay-outs are better than any other world tournament or circuit we know of, and the people in charge of these tournaments and organizations, will have to do a better job and/or restructure their policies for the benefit of all the World-Class Players out there.

Have a nice weekend, everyone.....


Harold Acosta - President
Puerto Rican Billiard Federation

 

[Jimmy M.]

If he did fill out an online application in a timely fashion, and the IPT denies having received it, let him produce his printout of that application, which I'm sure would have a time stamp on it. Or let him produce his E-mail confirmation that his application was received. Or let him produce a post on this forum in which he claims, before the application deadline, to have applied. Or let him produce an E-mail to the IPT in which he inquires about the status of his application prior to the deadline.

I have been hearing that the 150 players were already selected before the deadline was up. So, if that is true, those players who got their applications in toward the end of the deadline, but still on time, were never even considered. This is just something I've heard through the grapevine, but I've heard it from enough people who are out there in the trenches that I believe there may be some truth to it. If it is true, I could certainly see how a number of players would feel extremely frustrated by this. By filling out the application, the assumption was that you would at least be considered, whether accepted or not.

The rest of this post isn't in response to sjm's post, but I can't stand the way the discussions on this board concerning the IPT have divided into two absolute camps - the "for the IPT" and the "against the IPT". People who have concerns, or feel frustration over some things, shouldn't automatically be placed in the "against the IPT" camp and become targets for all of the members of the "for the IPT" camp. People have valid concerns. JAM, who has become the biggest proponent of the IPT on the board, had started a thread where she was beginning to get frustrated and have her doubts because of lack of communication from the IPT. Of course, the moment Keith was selected, that all changed (and the thread was subsequently deleted). However, there are people who still feel the way she did before Keith was selected. It's the biggest thing to happen in pool. EVERYONE who can play wants to play on that tour. Some people have posted on here and vented their frustrations with wanting to play. Can anyone blame them? Every discussion on this forum doesn't have to turn into a flame war. People have different opinions. F***ing deal with it, people.

 

[sjm]

I have been hearing that the 150 players were already selected before the deadline was up.....The rest of this post isn't in response to sjm's post, but I can't stand the way the discussions on this board concerning the IPT have divided into two absolute camps - the "for the IPT" and the "against the IPT"....People have valid concerns... People have different opinions....deal with it...

Well, if the names were really selected before the deadline, I was not aware of it.

I think the more important part of your post is the latter. It does seem that those who express well-reasoned but unpopular concerns and doubts about the IPT are scorned by some on our forum, and this is not as it should be. Some have gone as far as suggesting that if this tour does not succeed, those who have expressed doubts and concerns, through their negativity, will be part of the reason, setting the stage for even further abuse of such posters if this tour doesn't make it. This is truly regrettable, and patently unfair.

The IPT is a reality, and all of us on the forum have high hopes that it will succeed and energize the sport we love so deeply, raising its profile and attractiveness. We all want to see the IPT, its player consituency, the game's fans, and all proprietors in the billiards industry benefit from this unique and exciting business venture.

Still, as a group, we on the forum see many reasons the IPT will succeed and many reasons why it may not. The truth, of course, is that nobody really knows how it will alll turn out, but what we do know is that we have some unprecedented scenarios before us. Qualification for a pool tour by written application? Never seen that one before! Players paying $2,000 to try to qualify for events not yet having dates. Forgive those of us who find that just a bit odd. A minimum income guarantee? Never heard of one on any pool tour of the past.

One of my favorite sayings is "don't kill the messenger." What it means is that one should not hold the deliverer of bad or potentially bad news accountable for the news or its possible implications. Sadly, that principle is, at times, being overlooked on our forum, and that must change. We must remain committed to respecting each other and not just tolerating, but encouraging each other to share views and opinions on all subjects, including the IPT.

I respect and admire those who choose to conduct an IPT pep rally through the forum, for these are potentially very exciting times for our sport, and I'm delighted to share in the genuine excitement of those who are a part of the IPT. Still, I extend equal respect to those that feel that this very dramatic transformation of pro pool is a bit scary, and that certain issues, policies, and implications are worthy of both discussion and critique on our forum.

While we pull together for the IPT to serve our sport well, let's not forget that we all delight in sharing knowledge and opinions with others on this forum. Why should the IPT subject be any different?

 

[Gabber]

Jimmy wrote,

The rest of this post isn't in response to sjm's post, but I can't stand the way the discussions on this board concerning the IPT have divided into two absolute camps - the "for the IPT" and the "against the IPT". People who have concerns, or feel frustration over some things, shouldn't automatically be placed in the "against the IPT" camp and become targets for all of the members of the "for the IPT" camp. People have valid concerns.

I,m all FOR a REAL tour with REAL money for the top players. IMO, for pool to progress and become an established sport, its essential that young players today can commit to playing full-time , with the prospect of earning a decent living in the future. I,m totally with KT on this point.
It makes sense to me NOT to pick the best 150 for the first year. Its because there are weaker players in the 150 that 46 have entered the first QT! Now is the time to make your move. In 2-3 years, the 150 should be the best in the world and getting in will become much more difficult because the bottom 50 [ of the best] will try and re-qualify. ie play the QTs.

Internet pool forums [ like KT said] are pool halls without tables. A bunch of people sitting at a virtual bar chewing the fat. Sometimes you have an interesting conversation, sometimes a laugh, sometimes an argument etc, etc.
Its the different personalities and different points of view that makes AZ a fun place to go. If we all agreed on everything it would be pretty boring and the forum would be dead!
Even when we have different views or opimions, we eventually come to a point where we 'agree to disagree'.
Thats all changed.
If you now disagree or have a concern about the way the IPT operates, you are now a loser. Or as Rackmsuckr put it, that title only applies to the " naysayers".
I dont blame the IPT members for being positive about the tour, after all , they are on it and despite what KT says, anything said here WILL get back to him.
As far as I can see, this board [ and others] and the subsequent word of mouth around pool halls, is the IPTs main source of advertising. If you exclude this board and the web, how would anyone know that there were 8 spots free, where the tourneys are being held, etc?
The biggest problem about the IPT is KT and Natural Cures. Would you want your company to be linked to KT & NC?
Can you imagine a Ford commercial and then on comes KT to tell you that there is a cure for cancer but he cant tell you about it, that he's being persecuted by the Govt and the food industry is deliberatly poisoning the everyone!

Gabber

 

[pillage6]

Here is a strange thought: He did it on purpose.

Imagine of he DID pick the Top 150 players in the world, how many people do you think would plop down $2k to try and get on tour? I wouldn't think very many. But since he picked some players of quesionable skill level, more people are going to try and qualify therefore creating more excitement, buzz and money.

What do you guys/girls think of this crazy guess?

 

[Jimmy M.]

Here is a strange thought: He did it on purpose.

Imagine of he DID pick the Top 150 players in the world, how many people do you think would plop down $2k to try and get on tour? I wouldn't think very many. But since he picked some players of quesionable skill level, more people are going to try and qualify therefore creating more excitement, buzz and money.

What do you guys/girls think of this crazy guess?

That would be pretty creative. He'd have to have known that there would be some open spots though. I honestly don't think that he's doing it for the money since, like many have said, the money he collects off of these qualifiers isn't likely to come close to the money he's already put up in just two tournaments. However, I am one of those "bad guys" who thinks that he should have just selected 8 players from the 3000+ applications that he received on time.

 

[pillage6]

Controversy attracts attention, he thrives off of being controversial, why should he change now? I agree with you, they should have filled the 8 spots from the previous applications.

Deno said it best while describing the foul/referee situation in the Manalo/ Bustamante match: "Man, this is going to make for some great TV!"

 

[JAM]

I have been hearing that the 150 players were already selected before the deadline was up. So, if that is true, those players who got their applications in toward the end of the deadline, but still on time, were never even considered. This is just something I've heard through the grapevine, but I've heard it from enough people who are out there in the trenches that I believe there may be some truth to it....

If memory serves me right, Jimmy M., the deadline for the IPT applications was the end of September. When we attended the 2005 U.S. Open during the middle of September, I too heard a great deal of talk about IPT. Some players were stating that they already got selected, and then there was a whole slew of others who were trying to find out MORE, anything and everything, about the IPT because, in essence, nobody knew squat.

I remember speaking with Johnny Archer at the U.S. Open about the IPT, and he was very positive about it. I have always viewed Johnny as a player with integrity, a Christian man with strong family values who continues to support the sport in any way he can, often uncompensated I might add. So I listened to him intently when he spoke about what he knew about the IPT, and as it turned out, he was 100-percent correct and right on the money [pun intended].

MANY players were sending in their IPT application at the U.S. Open, hoping to make it in before the deadline. I think the IPT was overwhelmed when they received thousands upon thousands of applications. I do not know the criteria for the selection, but I was told personally by Kevin Trudeau's secretary when this whole IPT came to the fore that it would be Kevin Trudeau's decision alone who got on the tour, not Mike Sigel, not Deno Andrews, or any other consultant-type person in the know. I believe this to be true. For sure, the 150 players selected represent players from around the world, not just here in the States, and since he had to narrow down the field to 150 from 3,000-plus, some worthy players may have gotten left out, not to mention the ones who never even bothered to send in an application, like Texas' C.J. Wiley, Mississippi's Finest Reed Pierce, Champion Danny Harriman, Detroit's Own Ronnie Wiseman, North Carolinian Roadster Sparky Ferrell, and others.

...JAM, who has become the biggest proponent of the IPT on the board, had started a thread where she was beginning to get frustrated and have her doubts because of lack of communication from the IPT. Of course, the moment Keith was selected, that all changed (and the thread was subsequently deleted)...Every discussion on this forum doesn't have to turn into a flame war. People have different opinions. F***ing deal with it, people.

After my first experience of posting on a pool-related Internet site a few years ago, I'm pretty flame-resistant today.

I would like to respond, Jimmy M., though, to the statement about the thread being "subsequently deleted." I never deleted any thread, and I am not sure which one you are referring to.

And you are right. Keith e-mailed his application to the IPT three times before we received a response, and I was taken aback at the time due to the lack of response. I wanted IMMEDIATE GRATIFICATION. I had not known the IPT received 3,000-plus applications, but I think this may have had something to do with not getting a prompt reply at that time. A person would have to be sending out e-mails 24/7 to keep up with it. Even me with my 150-WPM fingers wouldn't have been able to reply to every single one of the 3,000-plus applications on an immediate-turnaround basis, and I think I am the fastest fingers in the East, maybe the FASTEST in the country. JAM is the "Efren Reyes" of keyboarding, my claim to fame. Fortunately, it pays the bills a whole lot better than pool (LOL).

I was elated, of course, when Keith got selected to be one of the 150 members. As the IPT buzz grew into a fever pitch, my excitement grew as well. I may have not been around this pool world as long as you, Jimmy M., being that I took a 20-year hiatus from it, but when I saw the excitement the IPT generated with the pool players in my circle, it definitely helped to form my opinion about this tour.

If Keith had not been selected, like some of his peers who have traveled across the country and attended hundreds upon hundreds of pool competitive events in their lifetime, people like Ronnie Allen as an example, I would have been very disappointed, to say the least. Ronnie Allen is an American pool legend. There are some players on the list of 150 who I think are less deserving than Ronnie Allen, but that is my personal opinion. He is a senior citizen today, like some players who were selected for the 150, and his omission is glaring in my mind, much more so than the above-referenced names I mentioned, C.J. Wiley, Reed Pierce, Danny Harriman, Ronnie Wiseman, and Sparky Ferrell.

As it turns out, Keith was selected, and he was also fortunate to have been invited to the KOTH in Orlando. When I hear him talk to his player friends on the phone and in person about the IPT, his eyes light up with enthusiasm, and I stand by my man.

The IPT is the best thing to happen to pool. It is not a closed society. The qualifiers are out there, 20-plus qualifiers for the North American Open, as an example. So, yes, Jimmy M., seeing is believing, and I'm a believer at this juncture!

JAM

 

[watchez]

Danny Harriman told me that he did apply, on time, and was rejected. Maybe sometime KT can post a list of names of all the 3000 applications he received.


I was told by another top player that KT hand picked a guy that is simply a chiropractor and at best a 5 in an APA league. This chiropractor met KT somewhere and gushed to him how much he loved his book, how it changed his life, etc etc. He also mentioned he liked what he heard about what KT was going to do for pool. KT told him to submit his application & he was in.

How come Ronnie Allen didn't try to qualify at the DCC? I saw him there. JAM you should have sent him the $2000 entry fee so he could have his chance to prove his worthiness.

p.s. Dave Matlock is another CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS that applied on time & did not get picked.

 

[JAM]

Danny Harriman told me that he did apply, on time, and was rejected. Maybe sometime KT can post a list of names of all the 3000 applications he received.

If this is indeed a fact, then the posts I read on this forum which stated the opposite were false. I am not going to do a search on AzBilliards Discussion Forum, but it was posted that, in fact, Danny Harriman never did apply for the IPT before the original deadline of September 30th. If this is not true, then I stand corrected.

Personally, I really like Danny Harriman and think he's a champion, one of the BEST 9-ball break mechanics in the business. If it were possible to post a list of all 3,000 names, it would even be more interesting to see the applications in their entirety. There were segments of the application which required the applicant to detail their pool portfolio, so to speak. It may be that some applicants provided better detail than others, resulting in them getting picked.

I was told by another top player that KT hand picked a guy that is simply a chiropractor and at best a 5 in an APA league. This chiropractor met KT somewhere and gushed to him how much he loved his book, how it changed his life, etc etc. He also mentioned he liked what he heard about what KT was going to do for pool. KT told him to submit his application & he was in.

LOL. Next IPT event, I will try to find that chiropractor. Because of my profession, I always feel like I have an ax planted between my shoulder blades.

When Keith initially saw the list of players selected for the IPT, like you, Watchez, he was puzzled, some of the names being unknown entities to him. He thought it was a Yankee conspiracy, seeing so many players selected from up North, but then again, he believes the two-shot/push-out rules were changed in 9-ball during the '80s because the East Coast players couldn't beat the West Coast players, so they changed the rules. The world according to Keith.

How come Ronnie Allen didn't try to qualify at the DCC? I saw him there. JAM you should have sent him the $2000 entry fee so he could have his chance to prove his worthiness.

Well, Watchez, I didn't go to the DCC for a variety of reasons, one being my workload here in D.C. in the month of January. With the expenses we would have inccurred resulting in $2,500-plus for the week-long extravaganza in Louisville, it would have resulted in a $5,000-plus swing for me. At this time, pool does not pay my bills, and I am unable to quit my day job. I kind of like having a roof over my head, too.

You and I have posted previously about Ronnie Allen, and I am aware of your opinions. So I believe your response to me is in the form of sarcasm stating I could post up Ronnie's qualifier entry fee.

p.s. Dave Matlock is another CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS that applied on time & did not get picked.

David Matlock indeed is a champion of champions, like Ronnie Allen, and unfortunately he was not picked. I noticed he did compete in the qualifier at the DCC. David is very capable today and can still play topnotch pool. I think he will win one of those qualifiers and get in. Ronnie Allen, who has played pool his entire lifetime, traveled cross-country numerous times, won many a championship title in the one-pocket arena, can only sit on the sidelines and watch his peers from the past compete on the IPT tournament trail. Ronnie is not so fortunate. I still regard Ronnie Allen as one of pool's all-time GREATEST players.

JAM

 

[Jimmy M.]

As it turns out, Keith was selected, and he was also fortunate to have been invited to the KOTH in Orlando.

Deservedly so. My point was that even the strongest supporters of the IPT are entitled to have questions and concerns without being being a target of the "Pro IPT Camp".

 

[Colin Colenso]

Deservedly so. My point was that even the strongest supporters of the IPT are entitled to have questions and concerns without being being a target of the "Pro IPT Camp".

Hi Jimmy,
I can't speak on behalf of all the 'Pro IPT Camp', but my feeling is that most of us have a similar perspective regarding criticisms, concerns about the IPT.

That is, in my opinion, it is fair sport to raise questions, and many good good ones have been raised here. A couple of posters were extremely negative about the whole thing, but gradually more and more are seeing things more positively.

I've raised a couple of concerns, suggestions, but obviously as an insider it is more appropriate for me to make such suggestions through formal channels.

Insights from experienced players like yourself, and other intelligent comments from pool fans are often appreciated, sometimes disagreed with, as people disagree on something or other sooner or later.

But that which binds most of us, more than seperates us is an enthusiasm to see, hear about the IPT events and a shared hope for its success.

I certainly hope the apparent divide is much smaller than you have suggested.

 

[jjinfla]

Watchez,

Go to the ask a pro section under Danny Harriman and look at the IPT thread.

On August 23rd I asked Danny if he applied. On August 29th he replied and said no. I purposely asked him because I wanted to see him on the tour. I watched him play on the Florida Tour and liked him. Seemed like a nice person.

Now Danny had all of September to apply. Did he? Only he knows. But then you have to admit that he has some bad baggage. He was openly putting down other tour directors and he walked out of a match against Corey. So perhaps KT just said he doesn't need, or want, that type on his tour. Anyway, that is all in the past and it is a waste of time dwelling on it.

Pillage6 & Gabber,

I agree. The selection process was intentional and brilliant and KT is a genious. And there is at least a three year plan involved. And probably took over a year to formulate. Over many games of golf, and pool lessons with Sigel, Varner, etc. Most people here who are criticizing the selection process can't even plan three days ahead.

I personally envision the selection process as being done entirely by KT. Of course he had conversations with Sigel, Varner, Archer, Van Den Berg and a few others over the months prior to the selection as he was formulating the plans. And he considered their input when he selected the players.

All the HOF'ers were preselected. That is a given. KT wanted HOF'ers and he wanted to reward them. Which he did with $30,000. So that left 137 more to be selected. He wanted top women from the WPBA and picked 7 there. Only 130 left. He wanted over 20 Countries represented. That's another 60 or so leaving 70. He wanted a few controverial, name players, that would be right for TV. I figure a half dozen leaving 64. He needed a good solid core of really top players to be the keystone of the Tour, just like a shopping mall needs a keystone building. So he picked 50 or so really top USA players. Now we are down to 14. Those he filled based on how well they wrote in their application, or maybe how they appealed to him, knowing full well that they will be gone at the end of 2006. But those are the ones the new applicants are looking at and saying hell I sure can beat them and they pluck down their $2,000 to qualify. And $1,000 to enter the opens later.

I am sure that Strickland was selected for his controversy, in addition to his skill, and KT will use it in the TV shows. As he will use Kim Davenport showing how he overcame adversity.

As for why I am pro IPT it is mainly because I was in Orlando for 4 days and watched the operation that KT produced. Everything was first class and no expense was spared. In every facet of the operation he has very knowledgeable people. A sportswriter, a photographer, people paid to operate the scoring table, computers set up to update their website, a top notch website, a Director of events, a first class advertising agency. it just goes on and on. Everywhere I looked there was stuff that boggled the imagination. Plasma screens all over. More cameras then there will be at the Superbowl. And the players sure did appreciate it.

I heard it cost KT 4 million to run the Orlando event. Could be way off but we do know that he paid out 1.1 Million to the players and the Convention Center and all those people he hired do not come cheap. That means he has to sell an awful lot of his books.

So far the tour has been a blast and has generated a lot of interest in pool.

I, for one, am going to enjoy the ride. As a spectator.

Jake

 

[Scottster]

If this is indeed a fact, then the posts I read on this forum which stated the opposite were false. I am not going to do a search on AzBilliards Discussion Forum, but it was posted that, in fact, Danny Harriman never did apply for the IPT before the original deadline of September 30th. If this is not true, then I stand corrected.






JAM

Danny tried applying online, in Sep. 3 times and never received any correspondence. He was never "rejected".

I talked to him last night, he said he is more than likely gonna goto Georgia and fire at the pre-quals, looking for that 2 bag of sand entry.
If he doesn't make it that way he will be at the open events hoping to place well enough to get his earnings high enough to receive his 07 card.

 

[JAM]

Danny tried applying online, in Sep. 3 times and never received any correspondence. He was never "rejected".

I talked to him last night, he said he is more than likely gonna goto Georgia and fire at the pre-quals, looking for that 2 bag of sand entry.
If he doesn't make it that way he will be at the open events hoping to place well enough to get his earnings high enough to receive his 07 card.

That is GREAT news, Scottster!

The "2 bag of sand" entry comment tickles my funny bone! I credit Tony Crosby for coming up with that pool jargon!

We've got a couple of friends going to Georgia to play in it as well. Watch out for Danny Green. He's been practicing, gearing up for Atlanta. He's a man on a mission and wants very much to get on board the IPT train.

Being given the chance to earn $100,000 a year has given pool players hope and a desire to be all that they can be on a field of green.

All aboard, I say, and may the best man/woman win!

JAM

 

[watchez]

You and I have posted previously about Ronnie Allen, and I am aware of your opinions. So I believe your response to me is in the form of sarcasm stating I could post up Ronnie's qualifier entry fee.
JAM

Yes I have my opinion of Ronnie Allen but I honestly wasn't being sarcastic about that. I was being sarcastic about how a player of Ronnie's current caliber will NEVER be on the IPT because of the $2000 entry fee. Of course you wouldn't stake him because he really has no chance to win. It would be throwing money away. Hell, I would have to think long and hard about staking a player of Harriman's caliber in a 48 player field that showed up at the DCC. I was also probably thinking sarcastically that if Keith is all but guaranteed $100k (you do believe that right?) a few years from now which is more than Keith has probably earned in at least the past 5 years playing in tournaments, surely he would help his best friend out.

And to the poster that stated the IPT tourney in Orlando had more cameras than the Super Bowl.........???? Give me a break.


BTW, Washington choked. I had to throw that in.

Cya

 

[JAM]

Yes I have my opinion of Ronnie Allen but I honestly wasn't being sarcastic about that. I was being sarcastic about how a player of Ronnie's current caliber will NEVER be on the IPT because of the $2000 entry fee. Of course you wouldn't stake him because he really has no chance to win. It would be throwing money away. Hell, I would have to think long and hard about staking a player of Harriman's caliber in a 48 player field that showed up at the DCC. I was also probably thinking sarcastically that if Keith is all but guaranteed $100k (you do believe that right?) a few years from now which is more than Keith has probably earned in at least the past 5 years playing in tournaments, surely he would help his best friend out.

You do not know me or Keith or any of our friends, and your tailored responses directed at me is nothing more than an attempt on your part to flame.

And to the poster that stated the IPT tourney in Orlando had more cameras than the Super Bowl.........???? Give me a break.

Then prove it otherwise, but then again, Watchez, you weren't even there in Orlando, were you?

BTW, Washington choked. I had to throw that in.

Yes, they did, but I still enjoyed the battle as a Redskins fan. However, I do choose my words carefully when posting on a forum which sometimes brings the worst out in folks. Why, I have no idea unless it is that they have nothing better to do than create flames for personal pleasure. Have a nice day, Pal!

JAM

 

[jjinfla]

And to the poster that stated the IPT tourney in Orlando had more cameras than the Super Bowl.........???? Give me a break.
Cya

There were 15 tables. Each one had a fixed camera mounted directly above the table. And each table had at least one camera man assigned to it. And then there was that giant, almost portable boom with a camera attached to it. That comes to at least 31 cameras. And that's only the video cameras. There were also digital cameras. I sure would hate to have to pay that bill.

Jake

 

[pillage6]

Not to mention that was only in the big arena, in the "finals" arena there were plenty more cameras and that boom camera which actually hit someone in the head during the finals.

 

[cuetechasaurus]

I don't think Ronnie Allen would be very good for TV, considering his reputation and demeanor.

And yeah there are a bunch of players that really don't deserve to be in the 150 because of playing ability, but they will get drilled so badly the first season they will be weeded out. Soon enough, all of the very good players that are not in already will make it. I think for the first season KT just wanted alot of cannon fodder. You know how in wrestling where they have a big name guy wrestle some no name who gets absoloutely destroyed. Every once in a while one of the lesser players will beat a good player, and it will be good for the fans, and create alot of excitement and buzz.