Jay Helfert resigned as Tourney Director at the US Open
- Thread starter bfdlad
- Start date
Your father is the captain of his own ship, of course.
That said, I hope this thread illustrates why the majority of professional players prefer not to contribute and participate on this forum.
Though this forum does have some well-meaning members who respect legendary players, Hall of Famers, industry members, promoters, and tournameant directors, there will be insults written by those who have no respect. These insults will continue to come forth, no matter what you write. There will be semantics of picking your words apart, sometimes to the point where the interpretation is an untruth or an embellishment.
Keith was sorry to have missed Allen Sr.'s call the other night and will try calling him again after the Open.
I believe someone close to you is very good friends with Jay Helfert. I do understand loyalty to friendship, and I admire that. :smile:
To criticize someone for putting on an event like the Super Billiards Expo, a very successful event, I might add, by lacing it with mean-spirited words is not necessary. Of course, they are supposed to make a profit. Otherwise, why do it? Should pool industry members work for free? I guess I do not understand all the negativity towards Allen. Does there have to be sides in this?
Every large tournament I have ever been to has been problematic. Nothing runs smoothly, and there's always something that slips through the cracks. As I know you know, you cannot please everybody when it comes to a pool event.
This incident is an unfortunate circumstance. If a promoter told Keith his name was on the tournament roster, we would have no reason to double-check. We'd pack up our belongins and drive to the event. This is absurd to think that Allen should checked and double-checked before leaving New Jersey to travel to Virginia if he was promised a spot.
Allen has as much integrity in the pool industry as Jay Helfert does. There's no reason to pick sides and barbecue somebody because you don't like the fact that they make a profit in poool. Heck, if I could figure out a way to make a living in pool, I sure as heck wouldn't be up at 3 a.m. to begin my boring workday.
Take care. I hope you interpret my post in the spirit that it is meant. Enjoy the finals today. Should be a good one.
No sides. I've never liked em for praying on the weak pool community.
They are suppose to make money, but not like 200k for 3 days.
Sorry, that's just a little absurd, no one else makes that, that only runs pool events alone.
It's just the Good Old Boy way to herd cats'....it goes on in every species of animal, warm and cold blooded.:thumbup:
I can only assume you missed his direct reply, you can find it on page 25, post#367. My reply is somewhere before that, I'm sure you can find it if you really cared to.
In that reply, he also provided his direct cell phone number for anyone, such as your self, who was further interested in discussing it with him. Seeing how inquisitive and concerned you are, I would venture to guess you should find this to be quite a delightful opportunity.
Current controversy aside, it sounds a little as if your hatin. Think its fair to say way more than 3 days is put in to pull off an event like that. Its not as if he just shows up and the event magically happens then he collects his money and leaves. I have a feeling anyone that feels as you do and they were the ones making the money would feel a lot differently. I know the argument will come up about the payout vs take. Well at this point isn't that well known and the folks still CHOOSE to participate? Isn't that the American way?
I understand your thoughts, but I don't see anything wrong with a pool promoter turning as much profit as they can. The Super Billiards Expo is HUGE. How much profit do the owner of the leagues in the United States make? If you add up all the membership fees, et cetera, it's an astronomical amount. But there's a lot of work in a national league, just like there is in the Super Billiards Expo.
Me personally, I kind of feel the same way about what tournament directors are paid. I think it is a little absurd that they make more money than the majority of the competitors in the tournament, but, hey, that's pool in America. We are in a fractured industry, unfortunately. :frown:
I'm glad the moderators brought it back....seeing as this situation happens every year.....eerily similar to the past 40 years of pro play. This situation needs to end, and letting this thread ''speak out'' can in no way hurt the samo/samo situation of the Barry syndrome. It's been toooooooooooooooooooooooo long for us NOT to speak out....not to hurt Barry, but to help the game, the players and in turn, maybe help Barry if that's possible. We all need help at times that's for sure. In the past you NEVER, repeat NEVER heard a promoter ever talk bad about someone putting on an event, why? Because they would NEVER get another job with the other alley cats. Personally I thought Jay should of done this years ago, but he too was normalized into the samo/samo pro syndrome that it took this long. It's time..........waaaaaaaaaay past time to not let this situation come to head.
Moderators....thx for letting this back into play. It's needs to fully play out. Same as raising children.
Personally I don't see a problem changing the bracket after it is posted. But this is not up for a collective right or wrong,,,, it is just an opinion that varies from person to person.
However, after reading 35 pages I believe the most pertinent question has come out:
I think this is a good question, but really it is none of anybody's business.
However, after reading 35 pages I believe the most pertinent question has come out:
I think this is a good question, but really it is none of anybody's business.
Does anyone know what went on with the Steelman deal?
Was he given a choice of either giving up his spot on the board to Allen and take what Barry offered him, or was he told that his spot was given to Allen and his entry fee would be refunded and just deal with it?
Accepting a buyout from Barry was probably thought to be the best route for all concerned.
If Steelman had been told that you will get your entry fee back and that's all it could have caused quite a stir.
Also, it would be interesting to know if other players were also confronted by who ever made the deal with Steelman and given the same choices.
Thanks Mr. Hopkins for posting. I'm a big fan. I contend that once the bracket is drawn it's final, no exceptions! I realize your position is that you are a player in the event and that it's up to the Promoter and TD to work these issues out. But can you speak a little about how you feel about this topic? How important is the draw and why should it be ok to change brackets after the draw? How should the player feel that thought he was playing one guy and now he's playing you? Is maintaining the integrity of the draw an important element to insure fairness and equality?
Question?
Was there a reason why Barry didn't put Allen in the spot that was not filled by Jeremy Jones?
Was there a reason why Barry didn't put Allen in the spot that was not filled by Jeremy Jones?
I have no knowledge in regards to this so just a guess that hopefully someone will tell us the actual situation at some point. Maybe it was financially beneficial for BB. As in being able to collect on $1000 cash from someone on the waiting list - that's a $2k swing in itself. Also it was mentioned Steelman was " taken very good care of " - if true we don't know if Allen is the one who took care of him or someone other than Allen or BB altogether which would also benifit BB financially. Many unanswered questions but I'm sure it will all come out. At that point we will not need to speculate and then and only then can we make informed opinions on everything.
I don't think it was known that he wasn't attending. His match was slated to be on the stream. And after he didn't show, the Hopkins match was streamed instead. So my assumption that since they had it scheduled to be on the stream, "they" were not aware he wasn't/wouldn't be there.
Has the AZ community ever pondered the expense of putting on a show like the SBE? Before one person walks through the gate, before 1 vendor signs a contract, the cash put up front is immense.
I'm proud to be apart of the SBE team every year. I think it's the best overall show in the industry. From pros to average Joe's thousands of people attend year after year so Allen must be doing something right.
And let's be honest if it wasn't Allen someone would have eventually come along with the same concept making the same amount of money or more.
Allen.. So what you appear to be saying is the Barry wanted you to play and not Mr. Steelman. You should have declined the offer and let Mr. Steelman play.
1."I been at the pool room playing pool and getting in stroke".
I'll bet Mr. Steelman was doing the same.
2. Not checking to see if you're signed up for the event is you're fault.
3. A person with class would have said 'thanks, but no thanks' to Barry and let Mr. Steelman play in the Open.
Don