Kevin Trudeau

There is no question that Kevin made an impact on the game. But there were more positive than negative points.
I met him in Florida about two years before he launched the IPT and the vision that he had for pool was electrifying. He abandoned things shortly afterwards because he had outstanding legal issues. But he picked up the thread a year later.

I believe that he was sincere in his beliefs that he could make a difference. I was at the King of the Hill tournament in Florida and watched in amazement to his Evangelical Speech. He spoke for over 50 minutes without referring to a note. I was almost expecting a few Hallelujahs.
An hour later everyone couild have had a repeat performance because he burned a cD of his words for all who wanted one.

He subsequently pumped around $12, 000,000 into the Pool Economy. But even then he was chiseled
out of money by pool's hustler mentality. Spot prizes that he offered for various achievements - for banking the 8 to win were set up by conniving players.

He set up a substructure (green room, massage stations, internet access) which was a good starting point. I cannot say that it was perfect -that would be vastly overwhelmed by what happens on a behind the scenes visit to the World Snooker Championship in Sheffield.

His biggest mistake was not hiring me when I was in my prime - then the iPT might still be functioning today..
 
The funny thing to me about the "pros" (which is pretty FN loose terminology, as very few act as, what I would consider PROFESSIONAL, in any way.) They can all spot a hustle or a con from MILES AWAY, yet we have BB, IPT, and ABP running games and none of the "pros" can seem to spot the hustle??? They are pitching out lines with no bait and hoping to come up with dinner. It's not going to happen.

Would any one on this forum throw your hat in the ring to do business with Kevin T.? When you stop working with shady people, you stop ending up in bad situations.

POOL is just fine. The pros suffer because of the choices they make. I refuse to have sympathy for any of them on the matter of getting a payday. They chose the life, and they continually choose to shoot themselves in the foot. I really hope they get something going that works. I love watching them play, but the sob stories just get annoying.

best,

Justin
 
Best post in the thread. What the majority of AzBilliards Discussion Forum knows about the IPT and Kevin Trudeau is comparable to reading the National Enquirer. There are, of course, some folks "in the know," but it's like spitting in the ocean to post anything comprehensive today, sad to say, on AzBilliards Discussion Forum. Too many multiple identities playing games on AzBilliards in recent times.

One similarity between the IPT and BB is that both entities were given bad advice when consulting with their designated subject-matter experts. What a shame! Both entities could have gone far if they were given the correct information at the genesis.

Pool continues to be in a f**ked-up place now, especially with the mass exodus from Vegas, thanks to BB. The IPT members did encounter travel expenses as well as clothing expenses to meet the dress code. I am elated to read that number you put out there: $12 million. Some folks did benefit from the IPT. Bustamante told me that it was the most money he had ever won in a tournament in his life, and that was coming in third place and pocketing $80,000.

With more pro players quitting the pro tournamaent trail today, it doesn't look good for American professional pool.

The only thing I can say is long live Mark Griffin. Without innovative promoters like you, Greg Sullivan, Mike Zuglan, Allen Hopkins, and each regional tour operator, like Shannon and Marge, et cetera, pool would be completely dead in the States.

I hope I am wrong, but BB may have hammered the final nail in the American professional pool coffin, but this doesn't affect the majority of the pool-playing public. The leagues have always been where it's at. They are fun to compete in, and pool should be fun. I think they will continue to flourish with or without professional pool. :cool:

Welcome back JAM!! Glad to see you back. Hope all is well with you. I have missed your insights.:)
 
I watched it. Kevin Trudeau is a very glib, and personable young man.
When he dies he will go to a dark and empty place for a very, very, long time.
 
Best post in the thread. What the majority of AzBilliards Discussion Forum knows about the IPT and Kevin Trudeau is comparable to reading the National Enquirer. There are, of course, some folks "in the know," but it's like spitting in the ocean to post anything comprehensive today, sad to say, on AzBilliards Discussion Forum. Too many multiple identities playing games on AzBilliards in recent times.

One similarity between the IPT and BB is that both entities were given bad advice when consulting with their designated subject-matter experts. What a shame! Both entities could have gone far if they were given the correct information at the genesis.

Pool continues to be in a f**ked-up place now, especially with the mass exodus from Vegas, thanks to BB. The IPT members did encounter travel expenses as well as clothing expenses to meet the dress code. I am elated to read that number you put out there: $12 million. Some folks did benefit from the IPT. Bustamante told me that it was the most money he had ever won in a tournament in his life, and that was coming in third place and pocketing $80,000.

With more pro players quitting the pro tournamaent trail today, it doesn't look good for American professional pool.

The only thing I can say is long live Mark Griffin. Without innovative promoters like you, Greg Sullivan, Mike Zuglan, Allen Hopkins, and each regional tour operator, like Shannon and Marge, et cetera, pool would be completely dead in the States.

I hope I am wrong, but BB may have hammered the final nail in the American professional pool coffin, but this doesn't affect the majority of the pool-playing public. The leagues have always been where it's at. They are fun to compete in, and pool should be fun. I think they will continue to flourish with or without professional pool. :cool:

Mark hit the nail on the head. Chiborak spent investors money, had players play for nothing and got Nathan to be his monkey. He should have his property in Arizona confiscated and his passport revoked. In the end, it really did no damage because there is nothing left to damage! Barry and Shannon will continue to limp along and pool players across the USA are oblivious to the gong show we saw in Vegas! Thanks Mark for the great tournaments you have put together for us amateurs. Looks like Archer jumped into the wrong bed! What a shame!
 
He recruited all the best players and promised money he didn't have to them as prize money...........

Another black eye to the pool community..............

Kim

Anyone who compares the IPT to Bonus Ball is just not understanding what occurred.

Trudeau paid out over $12 million in expenses and prizes. He paid the HOF a lot of money to play in events.

Did he do some things that didn't pan out? Yep
But the pool world did get the longer end of the stick.

I think it did hurt the reputation of pool - but the IPT put on a show that will never be seen again.

BB did nothing right - and told more lies than IPT.

Pool is really in a f**ked up place right now.

Mark Griffin

The worst thing Trudeau did to the pool world was making the players believe that the money was there for 3 years.

Some of them believed it and made plans for that money to be there for three years.

The players that took the IPT as "here is some money and the cash that I have in hand is what I am planning for" did just fine.

Mike

Best post in the thread. What the majority of AzBilliards Discussion Forum knows about the IPT and Kevin Trudeau is comparable to reading the National Enquirer. There are, of course, some folks "in the know," but it's like spitting in the ocean to post anything comprehensive today, sad to say, on AzBilliards Discussion Forum. Too many multiple identities playing games on AzBilliards in recent times.

One similarity between the IPT and BB is that both entities were given bad advice when consulting with their designated subject-matter experts. What a shame! Both entities could have gone far if they were given the correct information at the genesis.

Pool continues to be in a f**ked-up place now, especially with the mass exodus from Vegas, thanks to BB. The IPT members did encounter travel expenses as well as clothing expenses to meet the dress code. I am elated to read that number you put out there: $12 million. Some folks did benefit from the IPT. Bustamante told me that it was the most money he had ever won in a tournament in his life, and that was coming in third place and pocketing $80,000.

With more pro players quitting the pro tournamaent trail today, it doesn't look good for American professional pool.

The only thing I can say is long live Mark Griffin. Without innovative promoters like you, Greg Sullivan, Mike Zuglan, Allen Hopkins, and each regional tour operator, like Shannon and Marge, et cetera, pool would be completely dead in the States.

I hope I am wrong, but BB may have hammered the final nail in the American professional pool coffin, but this doesn't affect the majority of the pool-playing public. The leagues have always been where it's at. They are fun to compete in, and pool should be fun. I think they will continue to flourish with or without professional pool. :cool:

let me tell you why i hold the beliefs i have:

first of all, kt made his [i think] billions promising just ordinary folks all kinds of benefits and cures - and truth be told it was and is all bullsh*t. that is kt as a man. that is his 'mo'. for me, i would rather starve than to take money from "hopeful folks" who pray for some help in answer to life's difficulties like kt did/does. to me, maybe just me, he is a selfish piece of garbage.

as whammo said above - he made promises! i don't know about all of you, but i know that when most of you make a promise you keep it - PERIOD. i don't believe that kt handled himself properly with the IPT; in my view he handled himself the same way he always handled his infomercial business, by taking... for himself. and really without regard for others.

further, i do not believe he paid out 12 million, not even half, but that does not matter anyway [it is not at issue now/here] - but who is to blame [his business plan] for the failure that occurred? nobody? i think not, i think kt was a complete failure and all the while had the money to keep his word to all concerned. that in my mind would have been the right thing to do. not just for all concerned and particularly athe players but for pool too. but as noted by Housepro above what he finally did took years [to pay who was fully paid] 'for his benefit' without true regard for the obligations he ""committed"" himself to. without regard for others. without regard to keep his word; for sure within a timely basis.

and Jam, to me - the National Inquire i hold with more reliance than i ever would for kt.
[also, did you get my gift? do you enjoy having it?]

just my $0.02 rant...

all the best,
smokey
 
It was my understanding that eventually all got paid.HOF players way past their prime were paid $5000 for just showing up.
There are lots of unpaid debts including to players. I've talked to two suppliers who were stiffed.
 
I agree with you about the IPT, Kevin put millions into that project and just "missed the money ball" because of the law that George W. put into effect (on line gambling). If he could have sold the IPT to Stanley Ho it would have been a whole other story. imho

I'm not defending him but that is also my recollection. He invested heavily with online gambling being the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Congress changed the law after he had begun the venture.

There is risk involved in venture backed business startups which is why a high percentage of them fail but at least in this instance I don't believe his intention was to rip people off.
 
REALITY CHECK - some get "Fired"

There are lots of unpaid debts including to players. I've talked to two suppliers who were stiffed.

Donald Trump has bankrupted several casinos along the way and he's an american icon for business. This stuff happens in the real world, the ones that lost are adults and understand there's risk in doing any job or doing business in any venture.

This is just reality, "like it" or "lump it"......it still comes out the same in the wash. :D

donald.jpg
 
...and Jam, to me - the National Inquire i hold with more reliance than i ever would for kt.
[also, did you get my gift? do you enjoy having it?]

just my $0.02 rant...

all the best,
smokey

Howdy, Smokey! Good to read you! :) I sent you a PM.
 
There is no question that Kevin made an impact on the game. But there were more positive than negative points.
I met him in Florida about two years before he launched the IPT and the vision that he had for pool was electrifying. He abandoned things shortly afterwards because he had outstanding legal issues. But he picked up the thread a year later.

I believe that he was sincere in his beliefs that he could make a difference. I was at the King of the Hill tournament in Florida and watched in amazement to his Evangelical Speech. He spoke for over 50 minutes without referring to a note. I was almost expecting a few Hallelujahs.
An hour later everyone couild have had a repeat performance because he burned a cD of his words for all who wanted one.

He subsequently pumped around $12, 000,000 into the Pool Economy. But even then he was chiseled
out of money by pool's hustler mentality. Spot prizes that he offered for various achievements - for banking the 8 to win were set up by conniving players.

He set up a substructure (green room, massage stations, internet access) which was a good starting point. I cannot say that it was perfect -that would be vastly overwhelmed by what happens on a behind the scenes visit to the World Snooker Championship in Sheffield.

His biggest mistake was not hiring me when I was in my prime - then the iPT might still be functioning today..

Ain't that the truth! :)
 
It was my understanding that eventually all got paid.HOF players way past their prime were paid $5000 for just showing up.

Actually, each BCA Hall of Famer was paid $30,000 for showing up at the 2005 IPT King of the Hill tournament in Orlando, Florida. They also received two byes in the tournament.

Efren Reyes was one of the fortunate BCA Hall of Famer to receive two byes and $30,000 in the tournament. Of course, most know he didn't need the buys. He ended up winning $100,000 for first place plus the $30,000. How sweet it is! :grin:

All other IPT members who competed in that event were gifted $6,000 just for showing up in addition to whatever they won.

Here's four IPT members, players of all caliber, who competed in the 2005 IPT King of the Hill tournament. Gold Star goes out to who can name all four. :)
 

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There are lots of unpaid debts including to players. I've talked to two suppliers who were stiffed.

It is true, indeed, that some vendors who provided product and/or services to IPT were not paid in full.
 
Actually, each BCA Hall of Famer was paid $30,000 for showing up at the 2005 IPT King of the Hill tournament in Orlando, Florida. They also received two byes in the tournament.

Efren Reyes was one of the fortunate BCA Hall of Famer to receive two byes and $30,000 in the tournament. Of course, most know he didn't need the buys. He ended up winning $100,000 for first place plus the $30,000. How sweet it is! :grin:

All other IPT members who competed in that event were gifted $6,000 just for showing up in addition to whatever they won.

Here's four IPT members, players of all caliber, who competed in the 2005 IPT King of the Hill tournament. Gold Star goes out to who can name all four. :)

I can only "name" one, but the one to his left I am pretty sure is the crappy player that everyone made fun of on here when the turnaments were going on. For promting himself more than having playing ability.
 
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