IPTers are guaranteed $13,000 in 2006!!!!!

[rackmsuckr]

Hey Linda,
I failed spelling in grade school. I have since edited my post thanks to you. That's ok, I assumed it was a typo. I just didn't want other people to try to click on the link and wonder what happened.

As for the $13K payout, I believe the $13K was ONLY directed to the 8 players that qualified per results of the 4 qualifier's, not entire field of 2006 tour card holders.
re: $30K to each Hall of Fame Member, no matter what position they they finished. Not so - the $13k is for all last place finishers totaled together for the 4 events, see below

All I ask is for you to check the payouts shown for the unscheduled events to be held after the qualifiers.

"Have a nice day",
Lamar

This is tournament 1 - N. American:
Prize money breakdown for the 2006 IPT North American 8-Ball Open:

1st- $350,000
2nd - $99,000
3rd - $80,000
4th - $65,000
5th - $50,000
6th - $40,000
7th - 18th - $30,000 each
19th - 36th - $17,000 each
37th - 60th - $10,000 each
61st - 120th - $5,000 each
121st - 200th - $2,000 each

Tournament 2 - Worlds:
Prize money breakdown for the 2006 IPT World 8-Ball Open:

Prize money breakdown for the 2006 IPT World 8-Ball Open:

1st - $500,000
2nd - $150,000
3rd - $92,000
4th - $80,000
5th - $66,000
6th - $50,000
7th - 18th - $36,000 each
19th - 36th - $25,000 each
37th - 60th - $15,000 each
61st - 120th - $7,000 each
121st - 200th - $5,000 each

Tournaments 3 and 4 for members only:

1st - $200,000
2nd - $100,000
3rd - $70,000
4th - $50,000
5th - $40,000
6th - $30,000
7th - 15th - $20,000 each
16th - 30th - $10,000 each
31st - 75th - $5,000 each
76th - 150th - $3000 each

$2K + $5K + $3K + $3K = $13K

What were you seeing?

 

[JAM]

...Then again, these are the economics of desperation.

Though I agree with you about the economics of the current state of affairs as it pertains to pool, I think if you were to ask any one of the 150 players who did not actually compete at the KOTH in Orlando, but did attend, you would hear quite a different take on the IPT.

To date, I am totally impressed with the IPT. The way it was carried out in Orlando was nothing short of incredible. The players actually have something to shoot for, and I think when the dust settles, we will all enjoy a new era. The IPT can't happen overnight, but when it does blossom and is in full force, it will change some people's lives for the better. JMHO, FWIW!

JAM

 

[TheOne]

As a neutral observer I have to say sjm and Steve summed it up pretty well. Here's my take:

+'ves
- Well staged fantastic first event
- Fantastic new level of prize money
- Gauranteed prize money to cover expenses
- Attractice product, 8 ball most played game, women v men etc.
- Run by proffessionals (eg non pool players! )
- Real pool, real rules, real money


-'ves
- Didn't select players based on any kind of ranking lists
- Didn't listen to players opinions about qualifiers
- All qualifiers are US based with little notice
- Dates have changed and many players have already dropped out/had to change cancel pre booked flights for first tournament
- No info on qualifiers for two open events
- No info on end of year qualifiers
- Lack of info/reply to questions
- Limit response to phone/email enquiries

To be fair I think the IPT are the victim of their own success and maybe didn't quite anticipate how successful they would become so quickly. It seems they are struggling to keep their website up to date, plan such a large tour in a short space of time, etc.

One thing is clear though, you can't play the IPT and hold down a full time job! You would need a very flexible employer indeed given the lack of notice/changing dates/time off required etc

Its either the IPT or your career not an easy decission for many but I suspect may become easier as the IPT grows and becomes the tour we all hope it will be, its great for the current full time players, but for the part time / semi pros its just to early to make the jump!

 

[spadevil]

From reading these posts on this website (i'm a new member), all I can see is mostly negativity for the tour and generally these are coming from players who aren't on it.

The players selected to be part of it and who turned up at the KOH event will be in a better light as to whether it's gonna flourish or not.

I for one believe 100% that KT and the IPT will succeed and I have given up my full time job to dedicate myself to the cause of making a living from the game.

I come from the small table 8 ball game in the UK and like others worldwide have been waiting for a chance like this for years where we can make a good living from playing the game we love - pool. A good few of the UK players are buying a Diamond table from the USA to practice on at their homes and I believe all of them with make the top 100 by the end of 2006. Samll table 8 ball is the biggest participant cue ball game in the UK and the players who come from it are the top in the country and thats probably why we have been selected. I personally have played 8 ball for over 20 years and have won many many tournaments. We all just need to adjust to the conditions of the bigger table and balls, hence giving up the game to play full time.

That's why I sigend up for this tour when the registration was $899 as I believed it would go ahead and thought it was great value for money with the prizes on offer. The players who left it too late thinking it was a scam will now have to go through qualifiers to be a member and it's their loss. No point crying over spilt milk.

I know there were many others who claim they never heard about it because they had no internet access but in todays world, that is the best medium to get information about tournaments to players worldwide. If you look at the players on the list, I'm pretty sure they dont all have internet access and they got the info from someone else.

If you care to think about it from a successful business point of view.......would you invest around $3million dollars so far to try and pinch about $0.5million back in qualifer entry fees (if that amount).....I dont think so!

This tour is serious and it will be around for at least 3 years and I like others can't wait to get started on it.

 

[AuntyDan]

Best of luck in the IPT. Will you be travelling to and from Scotland to each tournament, or moving to the USA during the IPT's season? It must be hard for you to make your travel plans at present with no confirmed schedule, how will you be dealing with this?

 

[rackmsuckr]

It just goes to show that people will accept being treated poorly if they think there is some money in it for them.

Then again, these are the economics of desperation.

One thing is clear though, you can't play the IPT and hold down a full time job! You would need a very flexible employer indeed given the lack of notice/changing dates/time off required etc

Its either the IPT or your career...

It's funny that you either have to be a brokester or you don't belong on the tour because of your skill level and you are looked down upon for either condition. I have always held down a fulltime job, sometimes 2 or 3! I had to, as for the last 15 years, I have been pretty much the sole supporter for my kids. I have a high-paying career as a sales manager and I work out of my home. I also go to night school, working on my MBA. Because of these commitments, I don't get to the table as often as others who enjoy hitting balls all day and all night. Even my husband has a fulltime job (in the poolroom). So to those who think people like me shouldn't be on the tour, well, they had to start somewhere, I applied when it was $899 (for my husband), the WPBA wasn't letting the ladies out of their contracts, and I had a winning 8ball background - old school.

I am not quitting my job for the tour, yet I am installing a Diamond Pro (on Saturday, yay!) to enable me to play on my lunch hour, or an hour or two before I go to school, or early mornings. So I am taking this seriously on my own terms. I already make over 6 figures, so this is not an act of desperation and it is not a matter of being treated poorly. We are all being flexible with the IPT and forgiving, as it is going through growing pains right now. I do sympathize with the players who have to go through the qualifying process at great expense and I wish them the best of luck.

My boss is going to be understanding and realizes this is a dream come true for any pool player and is willing to accommodate my absences. For the bulk of the players that make up the IPT, that have put in the hours in the poolroom with no monetary, stable rewards, I tip my hat to them. We are going to witness some fantastic pool and TV/DVD productions in the years to come, and my only claim to fame may be that once I was on the IPT in their inaugural year. But I am going to make the most of it and treasure the memories forever. My enthusiasm for the IPT comes not so much for myself, but for my husband who can now earn a dignified living and hold his head up and be PROUD to be a pool player, finally making decent money at the sport he has played at a top level for so many years.

 

[macguy]

It's funny that you either have to be a brokester or you don't belong on the tour because of your skill level and you are looked down upon for either condition. I have always held down a fulltime job, sometimes 2 or 3! I had to, as for the last 15 years, I have been pretty much the sole supporter for my kids. I have a high-paying career as a sales manager and I work out of my home. I also go to night school, working on my MBA. Because of these commitments, I don't get to the table as often as others who enjoy hitting balls all day and all night. Even my husband has a fulltime job (in the poolroom). So to those who think people like me shouldn't be on the tour, well, they had to start somewhere, I applied when it was $899 (for my husband), the WPBA wasn't letting the ladies out of their contracts, and I had a winning 8ball background - old school.

I am not quitting my job for the tour, yet I am installing a Diamond Pro (on Saturday, yay!) to enable me to play on my lunch hour, or an hour or two before I go to school, or early mornings. So I am taking this seriously on my own terms. I already make over 6 figures, so this is not an act of desperation and it is not a matter of being treated poorly. We are all being flexible with the IPT and forgiving, as it is going through growing pains right now. I do sympathize with the players who have to go through the qualifying process at great expense and I wish them the best of luck.

My boss is going to be understanding and realizes this is a dream come true for any pool player and is willing to accommodate my absences. For the bulk of the players that make up the IPT, that have put in the hours in the poolroom with no monetary, stable rewards, I tip my hat to them. We are going to witness some fantastic pool and TV/DVD productions in the years to come, and my only claim to fame may be that once I was on the IPT in their inaugural year. But I am going to make the most of it and treasure the memories forever. My enthusiasm for the IPT comes not so much for myself, but for my husband who can now earn a dignified living and hold his head up and be PROUD to be a pool player, finally making decent money at the sport he has played at a top level for so many years.

For a top player to maintain their speed is not that hard, a few hours a day and some competition, but for a player to become a top player really requires them to be totally dedicated for at least a period of time being probably several years with little time for anything else, that is just a fact. Weenie Beanie once said "You have to be a bum or already have money there is no in between to play professional pool." I think a lot of players who many would consider very good players who have always had jobs, as good as they seem to play never made that jump to really top player due to the lack of total commitment. They will tell you themselves if the subject comes up. Pool is not that tough a game and there are tons of potentially great players that just have other priorities in their lives.

I used to own a bar and quite a few Miami Dolphins used to come in. They all had one thing in common, they all looked forward to the day they didn't have to play any more and this is a game that at one time in their lives they played just for the fun of it, but once it becomes a business it is no longer fun, it's a job. Playing a professional sport seems like a dream come true but once you have to depend on it for a living it becomes a nightmare, all sports. You can't just look at Tiger Woods and say "What a great life" you have to look at the journeyman player struggling to make ends meet. The player who thinks they are going to make pool their living better be ready to put pretty much everything in their lives on hold for them to have any shot. For someone like you and I think quite a few others on the list, it is little more then a fantasy camp and although you all would like to do good it really doesn't matter. Some of these people though have bought into the idea they are now pro players because they were lucky enough to be picked for what ever reason to play on this tour and they are in for a rude awaking. This may be the toughest and lowest paying job they have ever had.

 

[Colin Colenso]

I don't see why IPT tour members should be upset about delays etc.

Yes, they haven't seen the dates penciled down as yet and may have made big personal investments via dedicating themsleves in preparations, but consider the developments since they applied:

1. Entry to the tour reduced from $899 to $1.00.
2. No guaranteed prizemoney in 2006 to $7k and then $13k.
3. Offer of $100k guaranteed in 2007 for top 100.
4. Saw the Sigel v Jones match go ahead.
5. Saw the KOH event, most professional / expensive event ever held in the sport's history.
6. Promised worldwide tours and worldwide publicity in coming years if membership can be retained.

Now I ask you, if being delayed a few months for implementation to fall into place, when most players would have little else better to do, is a big sacrifice to the possible returns, I'd say right now, myself and most other IPT players are still more excited than ever about our chances or being a part of the IPT.

It's the redest carpet any of us have ever seen, so I am dismayed when someone like Steve Lipsky complains that it isn't trimmed with gold and embroidered in diamonds. He may be on some kind of gravy train himself, but he certainly does not speak on behalf of the average IPT player.

For the many great players who unfortunately have to get through the hard way, it's no bed of roses that's for sure, but what pro tour in any sport ever has been. At least now there is possibly a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

This post is not intended to demonstrate that criticisms against the IPT development are not warranted or even useful. It is intended to offer different perspective.

eg. If 12 months ago news came about that players from around the world could pay US$1 or 2k to enter a tournament with around 50 players, that would give them a chance to win US$1 million plus the following year...and it was credible, then players would have been jumping out of their seats lining up.

All of a sudden, players presumably are being 'undervalued' or 'overcharged' and every IPT development should be primarily directed in satisfying the needs of the myriad of players.

Fact is still, that Joe Blow could be the star of IPT. The Marketable Capital of almost all pro-players is negligeable in the mainstream arena. The IPT intends to create this value for the players who stick by and at it and succeed. And then we'll have a new generation of pool icons who will complain when their complimentary massuer does not have a Ph.D. in physiology or their green room smorgasboard is providing only 3 varieties of caviar.

~The Calculator

 

[Steve Lipsky]

Hi Colin. You make very valid points, as has everyone on this thread.

From a personal standpoint, I can tell you that I am not on a gravy train . I rescinded my name for two major reasons. The first is that I never just wanted to be a professional pool player, and it seemed like this tour would basically make me choose between that and a career. The second - and I haven't mentioned this publicly yet - is because I did not like being blindsided with the reality TV angle. Contrary to what the world probably believes, it is not the dream of every American to be portrayed on a reality TV show.

I guess I just wanted to play in some high-paying pool tournaments, but still keep a relatively low profile and also not have to sacrifice a career. And undoubtedly, I was very naive in this wish. You can't have everything, and when I found out that this tour was not for me, I removed my name.

But as to you and probably some other people being dismayed with what I wrote, you're probably correct. Maybe I was too harsh. I am sure that if the IPT becomes even half of what they are advertising, it's going to make a lot of people very happy. And that's definitely a good thing.

- Steve

 

[Colin Colenso]

Hi Colin. You make very valid points, as has everyone on this thread.

From a personal standpoint, I can tell you that I am not on a gravy train . I rescinded my name for two major reasons. The first is that I never just wanted to be a professional pool player, and it seemed like this tour would basically make me choose between that and a career. The second - and I haven't mentioned this publicly yet - is because I did not like being blindsided with the reality TV angle. Contrary to what the world probably believes, it is not the dream of every American to be portrayed on a reality TV show.

I guess I just wanted to play in some high-paying pool tournaments, but still keep a relatively low profile and also not have to sacrifice a career. And undoubtedly, I was very naive in this wish. You can't have everything, and when I found out that this tour was not for me, I removed my name.

But as to you and probably some other people being dismayed with what I wrote, you're probably correct. Maybe I was too harsh. I am sure that if the IPT becomes even half of what they are advertising, it's going to make a lot of people very happy. And that's definitely a good thing.

- Steve

Hi Steve,
A very balanced and considerate reply!

To different people the same pie does not draw the same desire. So it is reasonable that one such as yourself chooses another course over what the IPT could offer you.

Some will be drawn to the fame (or the flame), the money, to prove themselves, for their love to be able to test themselves or other reasons. Some reasons may be childish, others realistic. Some, like Tiger Woods seemed destined to be sports heroes, and others may be destined as sports promoters or book writers. Each to their own path of learning.

In common we share the enthusiasm that many will find more of what they want, be they players or fans of the sport. We all hope the progress is perfect, but experience tells us hiccups are a normal part of attempting to implement ideas.

 

[hsholes]

Is this real money??

I'm just curious,has anyone that has competed in these ipt tournaments cashed their checks yet?? I mean,is this real money or is this like C.J. Wileys tour where it was just pretend money???!!!

 

[sjm]

Though I agree with you about the economics of the current state of affairs as it pertains to pool, I think if you were to ask any one of the 150 players who did not actually compete at the KOTH in Orlando, but did attend, you would hear quite a different take on the IPT.

To date, I am totally impressed with the IPT. The way it was carried out in Orlando was nothing short of incredible. The players actually have something to shoot for, and I think when the dust settles, we will all enjoy a new era. The IPT can't happen overnight, but when it does blossom and is in full force, it will change some people's lives for the better. JMHO, FWIW!

JAM

I am also impressed, JAM, and realize that as a new venture, it's understandable that the IPT has some administrative ground to make up. I'm optimistic and upbeat like you, but can't help feel sad for those not being given a greater opportunity to plan.

Imagine walking up to your boss at work and saying "there are certain dates I absolutely, positively, need to take off this coming year, but I don't know what any of them they are."

I think you're right, JAM, that when the dust settles the picture may be a very rosy one, but the realities of the moment are unkind for some, and I won't permit my enthusiasm for and optimism about this tour to drown out my empathy for those befronted, at least for the moment, by difficult circumstances.

 

[sjm]

My boss is going to be understanding and realizes this is a dream come true for any pool player and is willing to accommodate my absences.

Linda, your boss is my idol. Presumably, your work situation permits his/her wonderful kindness.

Many pool players, this one included, have job situations where continuity in client coverage is a factor. When this is the case, bosses make sure that few employee vacations overlap with each other, which is good, sound management. Where I work, my department manager has already asked me and my colleagues to submit vacation schedules for 2006. There is no deadline for submitting my vacation schedule, but the longer I wait, the less likely I am to get approval to take off all the days that I request. If I were playing the IPT tour, I'd have to wait and risk not getting the days off that I need. In short, I'd be in a very difficult spot.

TheOne is right, having a full-time job and playing the IPT tour appear to be mutually exclusive endeavors. Unless, of course, one's boss is as accommodating as yours, and, believe me, not many are. You are very fortunate!

 

[wayne]

Playing a professional sport seems like a dream come true but once you have to depend on it for a living it becomes a nightmare, all sports.

This may qualify as the most ridiculous sentence you have ever written.

Wayne

 

[macguy]

This may qualify as the most ridiculous sentence you have ever written.

Wayne

How so? The only ones you see are the stars. The ones that don't make the big bucks but hang on by their finger nails trying to follow the dream don't have much fun and their dream becomes looking for a way out but they may not know how to do anything else. A lot of jobs are like that, they just make enough to keep them from quitting but no real future. Olympians may be the saddest if you study their careers. You have to really have the stuff to play sports and few do. But hay, somebody has to lose they can't all be champions.

 

[rackmsuckr]

Linda, your boss is my idol. Presumably, your work situation permits his/her wonderful kindness.

Many pool players, this one included, have job situations where continuity in client coverage is a factor. When this is the case, bosses make sure that few employee vacations overlap with each other, which is good, sound management. Where I work, my department manager has already asked me and my colleagues to submit vacation schedules for 2006. There is no deadline for submitting my vacation schedule, but the longer I wait, the less likely I am to get approval to take off all the days that I request. If I were playing the IPT tour, I'd have to wait and risk not getting the days off that I need. In short, I'd be in a very difficult spot.

TheOne is right, having a full-time job and playing the IPT tour appear to be mutually exclusive endeavors. Unless, of course, one's boss is as accommodating as yours, and, believe me, not many are. You are very fortunate!

Believe me, I know how fortunate I am!!! I used to work in a regular job and I would need to find someone to cover my shift to play BCA and the WPBA. Working my territory, I am paid by the deals I bring in and that is all they care about. Because I am successful, they allow me the personal time I request. And remember, this year it is only for 4 events. I am not trying to go to any other events except the Bar Table Championships in March and the BCA Nationals for my team (I tried to get out of it, lol) in May.

 

[jjinfla]

Patience is a virtue. The wheels are still turning, ever so slowly right now, but still turning.

A week from tomorrow two more people will join the ranks. In three weeks two more. Next month all 8 will be on board. Then I suspect sometime in March the 1st tournament will be announced. Once that one is held then there will be on big sigh of relief from the 150.

I have the feeling that many people still cannot believe this is happening. That it is too good to be real. It is nothing but a dream.

Two great events have been held, money has been paid out, players have been treated like royalty, and still people have their doubts. I suppose the actions of TDs from the past have really been ingrained into the minds of pool players and tarnished them and made non-believers out of them.

On TV the other day they talked about someone worth over 100 million dollars throwing a party for his daughter that cost $10 million dollars. I can't even imagine that amount of money and how someone can spend that much for one party. I don't mean why spend it I mean what can you possibly spend it on to reach 10 million? Way, way, way, way out of my league.

Oh well, I guess the Democrats have been lying to me all this time telling me how rotten our economy is and how our President is making it worse. Then I keep seeing all the money people really do have out there.

Rose bowl tickets were $1,100? Stub price? Ebay over $5,000. And the place was packed. And our economy is bad? Unemployment has dropped below %5.

All you IPT er's relax and enjoy the future. KT isn't a millionaire. He's a billionaire and I think that he is having the time of his life enjoying himself spending his money. And probably the funny part is that in the end he will probably add to his wealth, fame, respectiblity with this venture.

Jake

 

[rackmsuckr]

I'm just curious,has anyone that has competed in these ipt tournaments cashed their checks yet?? I mean,is this real money or is this like C.J. Wileys tour where it was just pretend money???!!!

Hey, Holly,

I can't speak for everyone, but I am pretty sure the checks cleared or we would have heard about it. lol. This $1M payout from the last tournament was paltry. I heard he had to unload $140M in ONE day sometime last year.

It was kind of nice standing beside Efren and the $200K in bills. <sniff, sniff, aaahhhh>

 

[wayne]

How so? The only ones you see are the stars. The ones that don't make the big bucks but hang on by their finger nails trying to follow the dream don't have much fun and their dream becomes looking for a way out but they may not know how to do anything else. A lot of jobs are like that, they just make enough to keep them from quitting but no real future. Olympians may be the saddest if you study their careers. You have to really have the stuff to play sports and few do. But hay, somebody has to lose they can't all be champions.

Well now that you have changed everything it isn't as ridiculous, now you have the ones hanging on by their fingernails as opposed to those depending on it for a living and now it not having much fun as opposed to a nightmare.

There are many thousands of sportsmen who are not big stars who depend on their income from their sport for their living and love what they do and are not looking for a way out. Those chasing their dream will endure all kinds of hardships and love every minute of it and for most it is the greatest time of their life and for many they could care less about the money. In fact many are happiest when they have the least but are chasing their dream.

Wayne

 

[telkwa]

top 100 players getting 100 grand each? where is he coming up with 10 million?