Is Asia The Future?

[mnorwood]

With the death of the tours in the u.s. (UPA, IPT.) and the action game long since dead and rotting in its grave I think it is safe to say that the United States is not a viable market for professional pool.

Tate, Colin and other posters have testified to the increasing popularity of pool in China and there is no debating the quality of the Taiwanese and Phillipino players.

I say all that to ask this. In the opinion of you curious posters will the popularity of pool in Asian markets create large enough prize purses to attract American pros and allow them to make a living?

*****Random Thought****** Keith Macready prefurring to sit home and play party poker...... That's depressing.

 

[sjm]

Tough question to answer, but let's not overlook that on at least one front, it has already happened. After all, the World Pool Championships, the greatest event in our sport, moved from Europe to Asia three years ago.

 

[Scott Lee]

Tough question to answer, but let's not overlook that on at least one front, it has already happened. After all, the World Pool Championships, the greatest event in our sport, moved from Europe to Asia three years ago.

and...IIRC, the stats showed 19 Asian players (9 Filapinos), left in the final 32!

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

 

[Scottster]

I would have to say the answer is yes. It is booming over there. They have live coverage on their ESPN.

I am afraid that corporate America will always keep their back turned on the Pool world. Which is so frustrating. All it would take is ONE Nextel Cup sponsor to fund the entire tour.

Asia has the tour, has the fans and the interest over there, so I would say that is where players should start looking.

 

[arsenius]

I would have to say the answer is yes. It is booming over there. They have live coverage on their ESPN.

I am afraid that corporate America will always keep their back turned on the Pool world. Which is so frustrating. All it would take is ONE Nextel Cup sponsor to fund the entire tour.

Asia has the tour, has the fans and the interest over there, so I would say that is where players should start looking.

I wish they had live pool in the states. I find recorded pool interesting, but when I watched the finals of the WPC live on the net, it was actually EXCITING!

 

[Shadow]

I wish they had live pool in the states. I find recorded pool interesting, but when I watched the finals of the WPC live on the net, it was actually EXCITING!

Yeah i was wondering why there was no Live pool tournament and i know for sure they could make money in it.

 

[buddha162]

and...IIRC, the stats showed 19 Asian players (9 Filapinos), left in the final 32!

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

I counted 8 Filipinos and 8 Chinese Taipei players in the last 32. Ralph was the only non-Asian in the last 8.

In 2005, 9 Chinese Taipei players were left in the final 32 stage, and of course, the final was between two Taiwanese players, which resulted in the youngest world champion ever (Wu, at 16!)

2005 was also the first year that the WPC was played on shimmed up pockets.

-Roger (so to answer your question, asia has dwarfed us years ago...)

 

[rackmsuckr]

With the death of the tours in the u.s. (UPA, IPT.) and .... I think it is safe to say that the United States is not a viable market for professional pool.
(

Just wanted to comment on one thing here. 2007 is actually UPA's expansion year. They are just getting things ready. How do I know? Because I talked to them .... 602.653.9974. Give them a call and ask what their plans are.