It's almost over but the shouting...

[gopi-1]

With less than 18 hours to go, it's safe to say that it will be Efren "Bata" Reyes versus the "Kid", Austin Murphy for the 2008 IPT's Ultimate 9-Ball Challenge Match. Efren Reyes is leading Murphy by almost 2%, while Foldes is trailing Austin Murphy by almost 5%. Viloms Foldes needs a minor miracle to topple either guy, specially with the way Efren and Austin Murphy's fans are voting like there's no tomorrow.

Although I rather see an Efren vs. SVB match, I would love to see how the kid will respond to adversity and a seemingly unbeatable legend in front of him. I know Murphy is not lacking in confidence but he's up against one of the greatest of all time. Will he wilt under pressure? Or will he step up his game a couple of notches?

The present vs. future...

 

[JAM]

Efren versus Austin will be fun for mainstream viewers, those not in the pool culture.

Efren versus Voldes would be attractive to pool-oriented folks. Seeing Voldes up front and close a few times, he is capable of knocking over everyone's favorite player, The Magician.

There will be a cost involved to fly in Efren or Voldes to compete in Chicago.

I hope Austin's brother gets to go with him to Chicago if he does get selected. He's probably Austin's number-one fan, aside from his father. His brother plays pool, too!

JAM

 

[cubc]

What an easy match for efren.

 

[gopi-1]

Efren versus Austin will be fun for mainstream viewers, those not in the pool culture.

Efren versus Voldes would be attractive to pool-oriented folks. Seeing Voldes up front and close a few times, he is capable of knocking over everyone's favorite player, The Magician.

There will be a cost involved to fly in Efren or Voldes to compete in Chicago.

I hope Austin's brother gets to go with him to Chicago if he does get selected. He's probably Austin's number-one fan, aside from his father. His brother plays pool, too!

JAM

It wouldn't be that much Jenny coz I heard or read somewhere that Efren is already here in the US, playing one pocket with Frost.

I think you're right on this one JAM, the kid vs. Efren will probably pick up new and casual fans along the way, while Foldes vs. Efren, and with a little weight for Vilmos Foldes will be a gambler's delight!

 

[gopi-1]

What an easy match for efren.

Can't do anything about it, the people has spoken. What would be the odds on a race to 15? Plus 8 or 9 on the wire perhaps?

 

[JAM]

It wouldn't be that much Jenny coz I heard or read somewhere that Efren is already here in the US, playing one pocket with Frost.

I think you're right on this one JAM, the kid vs. Efren will probably pick up new and casual fans along the way, while Foldes vs. Efren, and with a little weight for Vilmos Foldes will be a gambler's delight!

Actually -- and I know I may be wrong -- but I don't think Vilmos needs any weight. I have heard of him barbecuing quite a few EXCELLENT players, Johnny Archer being one at the WPC many years ago. Vilmos also slaughtered some players at the U.S. Open, and I think at the time he was only 21 or so.

Efren don't have to like this game EVEN STEVEN with the Hungarian.

BTW, does the Hungarian have a nickname?

JAM

 

[gopi-1]

Actually -- and I know I may be wrong -- but I don't think Vilmos needs any weight. I have heard of him barbecuing quite a few EXCELLENT players, Johnny Archer being one at the WPC many years ago. Vilmos also slaughtered some players at the U.S. Open, and I think at the time he was only 21 or so.

Efren don't have to like this game EVEN STEVEN with the Hungarian.

BTW, does the Hungarian have a nickname?

JAM

If and when this 8-ball match-up should happen Jen, and it's EVEN, don't forget to give me a call, I'll take my chances and take "My back is killing me and my Arthritis is acting up again!" and about to retire Effie on this one!

 

[JAM]

If and when this 8-ball match-up should happen Jen, and it's EVEN, don't forget to give me a call, I'll take my chances and pick Effie on this one!

I don't bet on the Internet, unfortunately.

However, you can say you heard it here first. Effie Baby doesn't have to like it against The Hungarian. That's my story, and I'm sticking with it.

In fact, out of all the other people high on the IPT ranking for this match right now -- Gerda, Austin, Earl, et al. -- Foldes could be Efren's worst nightmare!

Remember that Efren Reyes is not the same Efren Reyes of 10-plus years ago, and the young Hungarian is limber with good eyes. Old age sucks, but it is inevitable, unfortunately, even for Effie Baby.

JAM

 

[cubc]

Can't do anything about it, the people has spoken.

The people... like myspace or facebook? Sorry this is just a joke in my opinion.

Hell I wouldnt be surprised if efren just put on a show like he did with that kid in the phillipines where he 2 railed the last shot. That would probably be more fun to watch imo than some kid getting tore up on the table.

 

[gopi-1]

I don't bet on the Internet, unfortunately.

However, you can say you heard it here first. Effie Baby doesn't have to like it against The Hungarian. That's my story, and I'm sticking with it.

In fact, out of all the other people high on the IPT ranking for this match right now -- Gerda, Austin, Earl, et al. -- Foldes could be Efren's worst nightmare!

Remember that Efren Reyes is not the same Efren Reyes of 10-plus years ago, and the young Hungarian is limber with good eyes. Old age sucks, but it is inevitable, unfortunately, even for Effie Baby.

JAM

I think Karl Boyes of England is tougher match-up for Efren. I wouldn't even dare touch that match-up with a ten foot pole. I'm not knocking on Foldes or anything, but I still like Efren on this one, and NO, I'm not dangling a bet with you, I just want you to remind me in case this happens, I got early signs of Dementia, Parkinson's, and Alzeimher's all over me!

 

[gopi-1]

The people... like myspace or facebook? Sorry this is just a joke in my opinion.

Hell I wouldnt be surprised if efren just put on a show like he did with that kid in the phillipines where he 2 railed the last shot. That would probably be more fun to watch imo than some kid getting tore up on the table.

Since we can't do anything about it, we just have to make do and make it a little bit interesting. I'll ask you again, what would be the weight for this match-up?

 

[cubc]

I cant give weight on matches.. that's corvettes and iba's role

 

[gopi-1]

I cant give weight on matches.. that's corvettes and iba's role

I'd say, 8 games on the wire is just about right, but I would
love to hear Corvette's and Iba's take in this one too!

 

[worriedbeef]

foldes is well capable of beating Efren although efren would still be the favourite.

although it's kind of a dissapointing two winners assuming it does turn out to be efren vs austin.

i've seen enough efren and i'm not sure austin has the game yet to stand a chance against him. i hope i'm wrong however, just have to wait and see.

but i would much have preferred to see gerda vs earl, or better still Jasmin vs Earl. why oh why did Jasmin pull out?

 

[MikeM]

I hav to agree with cubc...

The people... like myspace or facebook? Sorry this is just a joke in my opinion.

Hell I wouldnt be surprised if efren just put on a show like he did with that kid in the phillipines where he 2 railed the last shot. That would probably be more fun to watch imo than some kid getting tore up on the table.

...this is really a shame. Whether you love or hate the IPT they are the most visible entity out there for men's pool right now. This is a traveshamockery to have a 14 year old go in against Efren. Total joke.

I'm sure the kid and his family are nice, but don't tell me that the people have spoken. If everyone was on the internet pimping for votes it might be a different story.

Just imagine the hit to his legacy if Efren is beaten by this kid. Just imagine the yawnfest if Efren buries him. I just don't see the upside here.

MM...depressed

 

[gopi-1]

...this is really a shame. Whether you love or hate the IPT they are the most visible entity out there for men's pool right now. This is a traveshamockery to have a 14 year old go in against Efren. Total joke.

I'm sure the kid and his family are nice, but don't tell me that the people have spoken. If everyone was on the internet pimping for votes it might be a different story.

Just imagine the hit to his legacy if Efren is beaten by this kid. Just imagine the yawnfest if Efren buries him. I just don't see the upside here.

MM...depressed

Let me rephrased it again, "The people who's eager and willing to vote has
spoken". I've been voting for the past few weeks for Efren and for
somebody who's more competitive like SVB or Carl Boyes or even Vilmos
Foldes, but unfortunately, the avalanche of votes for this youngster didn't
waver. So what are we suppose to do? Go in a corner and cry and whine
all day? Let's give the kid a chance for Chrissake and give him a least 8
games on the wire to make it a little bit interesting, that's the only thing
we can do since we didn't campaigned hard enough for the other guys...

 

[MikeM]

I, for one, am not crying or whining, just expressing an opinion.

The IPT tried a marketing gimmick and it looks like it's blowing up in their face. I won't be watching and certainly wouldn't put any money on this. You can't handicap this. As stated in the other thread, if Efren gives it his all it won't be close, if he doesn't what is really the point?

Again, I don't really fault the "campaign" to put Austin in the match. They saw an opportunity and jumped on it.

This is just another depressing example of the sad state of pool in America.

And now I have to go to work - even more depressing . I think I'll go shoot pool at lunch - that's better .

MM

 

[td873]

The IPT tried a marketing gimmick and it looks like it's blowing up in their face. I won't be watching and certainly wouldn't put any money on this. You can't handicap this. As stated in the other thread, if Efren gives it his all it won't be close, if he doesn't what is really the point?

Again, I don't really fault the "campaign" to put Austin in the match. They saw an opportunity and jumped on it.

This is just another depressing example of the sad state of pool in America.

Pool has been in a sad state for quite some time. In the last few decades, it has had a few great up-swings: 1 after the hustler, and one after the color of money. (As you should recognize, pool hall junkies did not further pool's reputation).

Pool - like any other sport or hobby - is at the mercy of the mainstream public. When the "average Joe" wants pool, corporate America gives pool. When pool players want pool, we get ESPN trick shot magic and Accu-stats. See the pattern? There's not enough money being generated by the public for the Fortune 500 to give a hoot. Think about how Nascar's fan base has exploded over the last few years - and almost NONE of the fans actually race cars. It's not about the players wanting things - it's about getting the lowest common denominator (i.e. the American public) to want it.

As has been stated numerous times, the only way pool will ever succeed is to have the mainstream public embrace it. The old paradigm of "top pro" playing "top pro" hasn't appealed to the general masses since Mosconi. [When did ABC stop covering pool...]

At this point, there is nothing wrong with marketing "legend vs young gun." Let's get some favorable publicity - of any kind.

Lastly, it seems a little short sighted for the die-hard pool players to look at this one match in a vaccuum and think it is bad for the sport as a whole. Having another finals match is great for the 10,000 players that want to see it. But to force the system to recognize pool, we need 10,000,000 viewers. In fact, I would guess that IPT couldn't even get 10,000 people to pay for a feed at $5.00 for the whole match - no matter who is playing. This fact (that pool doesn't have a large audience base) is what is bad for pool - not Austin playing Efren.

-td

 

[Snapshot9]

Lol

Mainstream public WILL NEVER embrace it because:

1) To them, it is just 2 guys playing a game of Pool.
2) They can see this in any bar on any given night.
3) Pool doesn't interest them that much to begin with.
4) The only reason they would watch is to pick up a trick or two to beat their buddy with when they double date on the weekend.

Until Billiards is taken seriously as a SPORT, it will not garner the public's interest. And to do that, it would have to:
1) Be available as a sport in 9th-12th grades for competition.
2) Have many more Junior leagues and competition in nice environments.
3) Be admitted to the Olympics as a competitive sport.

It all starts with the 'Kids' and recognition of achievment at different levels. After which, would probably draw some non-billiards sponsors.
I can see the Annual McDonalds Junior 9 ball event. The Nike Junior 8 ball challenge, etc. (Maybe then, we would get our Pool shoes we want ... LOL).

 

[hang-the-9]

If this was for ESPN, it would draw a ton of viewers if marketed right. The Kid vs. the Legend, I can see the smoke and laser show now...

Since it's for a small core of pool fans, it's not as good of a match, but should be interesing to see the nerves of the youngster and the attitude of Efren towards the match. Would he play the same game he would against Archer?