LOL! That's possible Don, but I'd love to think it's not the real reason. Especially as he's just banked $ 150,000.00 after his win over Loree Jon Jones last month.
BS.
BS.
JAM's Buzz Buster
- Thread starter JAM
- Start date
Well.... Ok then. I don't suppose it's that much. But mind you, I'd much rather win it in one night in a pool game than in 2 years of hard slog at work!!!
Eh?
Hang on... Just listening to Ronnie O'Sullivan on BBC...
back in 2...
Eh?
Hang on... Just listening to Ronnie O'Sullivan on BBC...
back in 2...
Right. Back now.
He's just said that he 'Doesn't want to part of a sinking ship' and that in 2 years time 'there might not be any tournaments'.
Says a lot about the state of Snooker in the world circuit if Ronnie feels that way!
Anyways, back on topic...
Who would you put YOUR money on at the King of the Hill.
Here's the possible contenders (IMHO)...
Johnny Archer v Mike Segal
Niels Feijen v Mike Segal
Thorsten Hohmann v Mike Segal
Jeremy Jones v Mike Segal
Marlon Manalo v Mike Segal
Keith McCready v Mike Segal
Efren Reyes v Mike Segal (I think Efren's gonna get this one!)
Earl Strickland v Mike Segal
Comments/observations/arguments welcome!
BS
He's just said that he 'Doesn't want to part of a sinking ship' and that in 2 years time 'there might not be any tournaments'.
Says a lot about the state of Snooker in the world circuit if Ronnie feels that way!
Anyways, back on topic...
Who would you put YOUR money on at the King of the Hill.
Here's the possible contenders (IMHO)...
Johnny Archer v Mike Segal
Niels Feijen v Mike Segal
Thorsten Hohmann v Mike Segal
Jeremy Jones v Mike Segal
Marlon Manalo v Mike Segal
Keith McCready v Mike Segal
Efren Reyes v Mike Segal (I think Efren's gonna get this one!)
Earl Strickland v Mike Segal
Comments/observations/arguments welcome!
BS
Rude Dog said:
I agree, I kinda like the King of the Hill idea, I agree he is the man, and if this is the case, Someone has to start out as the target, and I give Mike props for having the brass to be the King of Hill. The field wasn't stacked in his favor, and everyone who thinks he's lost his touch might just find out Mike is back in a big way and will prove it.
I find it strange, it almost seems like people who are against this supposed format act like they are putting up the money
I mean I don't think anyone would complain if I said I was the #1 pinball player and offered a 1,000,000 purse and 200,000 first place prize to 43 people, and they didn't have to put up one red cent to challenge me. I think I would have a bunch of really happy people willing to give it a shot!
Aye, but Mike's not putting up the money (or the challenge).
That's my point. Why not make the 'King of the Hill' the guy who wins the event out of ALL the players? And why doesn't Mike take his place in the round robin along with the others?
Mike Segal IS a great player. But so are the rest. He was fortunate to be picked out by the IPT to play in the inaugraul event against Loree Jon Jones (?) which he won, but don't you think that many of the others would also have done as well?
Please don't missunderstand me. I'm hugely in favor of the IPT, but although I don't want to complain about the event, I think it's only fair to question some of the formats.
BS
That's my point. Why not make the 'King of the Hill' the guy who wins the event out of ALL the players? And why doesn't Mike take his place in the round robin along with the others?
Mike Segal IS a great player. But so are the rest. He was fortunate to be picked out by the IPT to play in the inaugraul event against Loree Jon Jones (?) which he won, but don't you think that many of the others would also have done as well?
Please don't missunderstand me. I'm hugely in favor of the IPT, but although I don't want to complain about the event, I think it's only fair to question some of the formats.
BS
Blue_Suede said:
I totally understand people feeling this way about Mike, but you must remember, he may not have put up the money but without Mike NONE of this happens, if he gets a 150,000 bone and maybe a guaranteed 75,000 in this first tournament, then call that a nice present for a guy that deserves the credit for anything even starting. So if say Reyes makes 30,000 this first tournament, that's 30,000 he would have never seen without Mike's involvement and it cost him 0. I'm fine with that.
And I also feel the controversy could create some good hype for the event, something pool has been missing. I am all in favor of changing formats to make the public more aware of the sport and I think we will see things on this tour like players hype, rivalries between players and some heated matches, so what more to create some heat then have a guy to knock off the hill?
Also we are all guessing about the format at this point.
I don't think that anyone has an axe to grind against Mike Segal. If any pool player deserves a credit such as this then he's got to be high on the list for services rendered.
But, and you'll have to keep me right on this one, why would there not be an IPT tournament without him?
This is a question BTW (I don't know the answer). Does Mike have an involvement with the IPT?
BS
But, and you'll have to keep me right on this one, why would there not be an IPT tournament without him?
This is a question BTW (I don't know the answer). Does Mike have an involvement with the IPT?
BS
Blue_Suede said:
Kevin was a pool player long before he had any intentions of creating a tour, he always wanted to have the best teacher give him lessons with pool. Mike offers private lessons and Kevin called to hire him as a private teacher, they became good friends and with Kevins love for the game and mikes knowledge and love for the game the idea was thrown around for a while.
Mike had ideas as I'm sure Kevin did but if you have ever talked to Mike he has always thought pool could be better promoted and more like golf and the whole IPT system is going to be similar to golf in many ways. I feel almost 100% sure that if the meeting between Mike and Kevin never happened, the IPT would not have started.
SlimShafty said:
Good answer Slim.
Didn't know that, but I did have a suspicion that Mike maybe did have something to do with the IPT. I couldn't say anything 'cos I didn't know for sure, but what you've said does seem to clear some things up.
That being the case, all I can say is 'Good Luck' to all (and eat some humble pie on my part) hmmm.... pie......
Siht!!!! Should've known better!
So? Who do you think may become 'King of the Hill'?
BS
Blue_Suede said:
Reyes if he can stay focused and play tough, but to be honest even if Mike has to play from the start, he will be tough to beat, he is the strongest competitor when it comes to the will to win. Mike has a great game when he's in the spotlight and big money, his drive and ambition is second to none!
November gives me some time to persuade my local bookie to investigate the IPT event, and me some time to decide who I fancy, although I feel that Efren's gotta be hard to beat.
Aye right! My local bookie taking bets on a pool match? In my dreams!!!
Ach well, one day maybe. Hopefully one day soon (if a bookie in Scotland starts taking bets on pool games) then we really, really know that we've hit big time!
Aw well. Time for bed cos it's half 3 here - and I'm up in 4 hrs!
Night all.
Aye right! My local bookie taking bets on a pool match? In my dreams!!!
Ach well, one day maybe. Hopefully one day soon (if a bookie in Scotland starts taking bets on pool games) then we really, really know that we've hit big time!
Aw well. Time for bed cos it's half 3 here - and I'm up in 4 hrs!
Night all.
Eieio59 said:JAM...... YOU ROCK!
IPT, regardless of how it is rated 10 years from now, is the CURRENT hope for a lot of players. We, who love the game, want to play the game, and who have supported it for years will get to experience what may possibly be the single biggest revolution that pool has ever undergone. I'm proud to be included, along with Keith and all of the rest of those chosen..... my only regret is that it is limited in any way to certain players. The growing begins and before soon, all players will have an opportunity to participate! In the end, everyone will have this chance.
You know the ole "going out on a limb" idea applies here..... except in the past haven't we (poolplayers) gone out on limb's that weren't even close to being this strong! I'm hoping that most people will see that this could turn out to be just *the thing* that pool needs and agree to give it a chance!
Anyway.... look forward to seeing you guys in Orlando and checking everything out first hand. I'm excited enough to PRACTICE.... and that hasn't happened in a real long time.....
Tammie Wesley-Jones
You summed it all up, Tammy. Will see you there in Orlando!
Linda
O
onepocketchump
Guest
watchez said:
Let's put it this way. The players go where the money is. If the top players on the WPBA want to play in the IPT then the WPBA will make it happen. It's all about media rights. I am sure that if whoever puts on tournaments tht are televised can come to an agreement with the WPBA then there is no problem with the WPBA players playing in those events. With Derby City it came down to media disputes.
John
O
onepocketchump
Guest
Donald A. Purdy said:Last time I checked, $150,000 would keep me in the game of life for about 1.5 years. After taxes maybe 1 year.
Don
And what does this have to do with the price of tea in China? The point is that pool players finally have the chance to earn far more than the national average. I know that I would gladly trade in my job for a decent shot at the same or more money playing pool. I am sure there are some on this board or who lurk here that throw away $150,000 every time they go to Vegas. I know people that don't hesitate to blow 10-20gs on partying. I have been on some of those trips with them.
Maybe 150,000 isn't much money in the grand scheme of things but at least Mike earned it playing pool and got the opportunity because of his pool playing talent and accomplishments. Someone of Mike's caliber should not HAVE to make or import cues to make a "living". The money made off of those endeavors should be a byproduct of his fame. It's about time that players get the shot to be as well known as Mosconi and even perhaps even as well known as "Minnesota Fats."
John
Who is Mike Segal? I've never seen a photo of him. I'm from Australia. So we've heard of Earl, Efren, Corey. I've had an interest in pool for eight years.
Oh, he's the best friend of the guy running the comp so he gets to play in the final. Makes perfect sense(lessness) to me.
Oh, he's the best friend of the guy running the comp so he gets to play in the final. Makes perfect sense(lessness) to me.
You're right ...
John. Players do go where the money is because it is so darn hard for a
Poolplayer to squeak out a living if they can. Players are taking the IPT
serious, and they are going to get ready for it. Gabe Owen is moving to
Florida from Tulsa at the start of November to get ready for the King of
the Hill Challenge. I don't think people move unless they are serious about
an opportunity. Also, look for Gabe on the back cover of the new Mueller
catalog just coming out...
onepocketchump said:
John. Players do go where the money is because it is so darn hard for a
Poolplayer to squeak out a living if they can. Players are taking the IPT
serious, and they are going to get ready for it. Gabe Owen is moving to
Florida from Tulsa at the start of November to get ready for the King of
the Hill Challenge. I don't think people move unless they are serious about
an opportunity. Also, look for Gabe on the back cover of the new Mueller
catalog just coming out...