IPT Qualifiers - is it just me?

[jjinfla]

You mean like how Gerda completely destroyed Earl?

I have to agree with you though. Everyone loves the underdog.

Cannon Fodder? Yep, I know that feeling. LOL.

Jake

 

[Duintje]

I think KT doesn't really care that much of who plays on the IPT as long as they can play at a good level and can handle the media. Like KT said himself: it doesn’t matter if not even a single “name” player plays on the IPT tour. The reason is nobody outside the pool world knows who any of these “name” pool players are.

Cause I have no doubt that KT just sees it as a bussiness, far more than a sport. In the end, he just needs to sell his products.

So the future of the IPT will be in the hands of the public. If they do not want to see pool on TV and KT doesn't sell the IPT will end.

 

[TheOne]

I think KT doesn't really care that much of who plays on the IPT as long as they can play at a good level and can handle the media. Like KT said himself: it doesn’t matter if not even a single “name” player plays on the IPT tour. The reason is nobody outside the pool world knows who any of these “name” pool players are.

Cause I have no doubt that KT just sees it as a bussiness, far more than a sport. In the end, he just needs to sell his products.

So the future of the IPT will be in the hands of the public. If they do not want to see pool on TV and KT doesn't sell the IPT will end.

I would have to agree, but lets not dress this up and say he cares about the players. If that was the case he wouldn't have left some of the greatest players in the world out of the list and then charge them $8000 to go in 4 qualifiers. Nothing rong with that of course and I think its exactly what he's doing, he just wants the most attractive product he can sell and doesn't care which players he uses to acheive that end. I've been calling for 8ball to be used as the TV game as choice for years and I for one think (and hope) he will do well, even with the current 150.

 

[nfty9er]

And I think you should think again.

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.

That is exactly why Ronnie would be "perfect" for K.T's vision of reality.

 

[sjm]

I would have to agree, but lets not dress this up and say he cares about the players. If that was the case he wouldn't have left some of the greatest players in the world out of the list and then charge them $8000 to go in 4 qualifiers.

My good friend, you belabor this point, but it's not quite fair to do so.

Whatever one thinks of the original 150, one must note that the annual ritual of dropping 50 and adding 50 will pretty much ensure that the most deserving players, on merit, will be the ones that get to play this tour.

You're missing the big picture here. The IPT's announced methods for future establishment of its roster force one to conclude that they do want the best, and they will get it in time.

 

[cuetechasaurus]

That is exactly why Ronnie would be "perfect" for K.T's vision of reality.

Actually no, considering he doesn't play as good as he used to and that can be blamed on drinking.

 

[nfty9er]

Actually yes

Actually no, considering he doesn't play as good as he used to and that can be blamed on drinking.

He plays as good as the other HOF picked and I guarantee he would get better ratings which is the whole idea. Love him or hate him he is a personality that draws crowds.

 

[TheOne]

My good friend, you belabor this point, but it's not quite fair to do so.

Whatever one thinks of the original 150, one must note that the annual ritual of dropping 50 and adding 50 will pretty much ensure that the most deserving players, on merit, will be the ones that get to play this tour.

You're missing the big picture here. The IPT's announced methods for future establishment of its roster force one to conclude that they do want the best, and they will get it in time.

Hi Mate,
OK maybe I didn't make that point so well, it is obvious that he doesn't care about the players in the "short term". I think I understand what happened with the original 150, and his selection of the Hall of Famers, women, unknowns etc was probably done a) because he wasn't quite sure whether all the top players would apply or even be allowed to apply given his conversation with Ian Anderson, and b) it probably makes for a better product to sell.

I don't want to labour about the 150 selected, that has been done now but I do think it is an important part of the point I'm trying to make. The IPT recieved fierce critisism for the way it hand picked the original 150 so why did they go out and then charge $8000 (+expenses!) to play in the 4 qualifiers? The IPT reads the forums and they say they listen to players so why didn't they on this occassion? I speak to a lot of players from all around the world and I can tell you that this is the overwhelming feeling. Yes its great they have arranged qualifiers for the players that missed out but saying that a high entry is the only way to limit the field just doesn't wash, past events prove this. Making 100's of thousands off the (in the case of the DCC qualifier world class) players that missed out just doesn't seem right to me.

Yes SJM, the system looks like it will work long term and it is juat a matter of time before we see the 150 greatest players in thw world? My point is, why wait, and why not be a little fairer on the players that where already unfortunate to miss out?

 

[rubbee0825]

..............

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).
.....

APBU doesn't put any bans to their players. As I know, Chia-Ching Wu will try to qualify after Chinese New Year (Qualifier C). Frankly speaking, most asian players are indifferent to the tours outside Asia (because except some taiwanese and japanese, most asian players have no money to travel in USA. However, Taiwan and Japan have their own pro tours and many of their top players can earn much money by winning some great international tours), and unless IPT can hold more tours in Asia, most asian will regard IPT tours as American money games all the time.

 

[Travis Bickle]

Yes SJM, the system looks like it will work long term and it is juat a matter of time before we see the 150 greatest players in thw world? My point is, why wait, and why not be a little fairer on the players that where already unfortunate to miss out?

Steve Lipsky probably answered this question when he said he realized the IPT was at least part-REALITY SHOW. All these oddballs and unknowns were probably chosen because of their life stories and possible TV personal-profile value. Somebody's gotta get voted off the island in the early rounds, right?

Maybe the plan is the tour gets more pool-focused after it builds an audience?

 

[jjinfla]

I just watched the history of OCC on TV. Why did they pick Mikey on the show? He can't even light a torch let alone know how to use one. Because he makes Paul laugh is the answer. When the pilot was filmed and big Paul watched it he called the producer in California and accused him of ruining his rep and making an idiot out of him. Wanted to go there and tear him into little pieces. Then the e-mails started pouring in, followed by the highest rating on Discovery channel, followed by orders for bikes and more shows with advertizers lining up with blank checkbooks. The fan club grew and the show and business is still growing after 4 years. All of a sudden the producer wasn't such a bad, or dumb, guy. He knew what he was doing and it made them all rich.

Same thing could very well happen with the IPT.

Somehow I do not think that KT is a dumb person.

OCC = Orange County Choppers

Jake

 

[macguy]

I just watched the history of OCC on TV. Why did they pick Mikey on the show? He can't even light a torch let alone know how to use one. Because he makes Paul laugh is the answer. When the pilot was filmed and big Paul watched it he called the producer in California and accused him of ruining his rep and making an idiot out of him. Wanted to go there and tear him into little pieces. Then the e-mails started pouring in, followed by the highest rating on Discovery channel, followed by orders for bikes and more shows with advertizers lining up with blank checkbooks. The fan club grew and the show and business is still growing after 4 years. All of a sudden the producer wasn't such a bad, or dumb, guy. He knew what he was doing and it made them all rich.

Same thing could very well happen with the IPT.

Somehow I do not think that KT is a dumb person.

OCC = Orange County Choppers

Jake

Mikey actually was the original contact with the guy who wanted to do the segment and steered him to his family. It originated out of a chance meeting in a bar. They owe the show to Mikey, they better give him a spot on the show.