Now forum members look into your soul and tell us...isn't the WPC x10's better than the IPT! As I see it the WPC is:
- Much better TV viewing
- Better game for TV
Debateable. For us hard core fans yes, for the majority of casual viewers - who knows? Although I enjoyed the IPT matches as well when there were tricky outs and safety battles. When the breaks all end up with road map outs the game looks terribly simple to the unitiated and is terribly boring to advanced players.
Nick: I would prefer 10 Ball, which would fix this..but still better than 8 ball. If you go for a runout (playing 8-ball and you get to last ball befor missing...I generally have all week to pick my spot).
- knowledgeable commentators without the KT hyped up dribble
For the most part yes. However the IPT webcasts with knowledgeable commentators was just as entertaining.
Nick:KT would kill the best of announcer
- Real crowds (cell phones, home country biases and all)
- International competition (mix of competitors)
I'd say the IPT was pretty well stocked with international competitors, especially considering the nationalities of the players who finished highest in the tournaments. Equally well I'd say.
- NO SOFT MATCHES (NO APA 7's masquerading as pros)
Can you say Crown Prince of Brunei. 
There are definitely soft matches in the WPC. There are players who get in based on their national associations berth who have no real business there based on their skill. After round one at the IPT as well as after the round robin stage at the WPC there are no soft matches.
Nick: At least they are of the best from their nation. Bernie is not the champ of his block. The Price won a match remember.
- Refs who know the game
The refs at the IPT know the game. They just had to contend with ever changing "Real Rules". Or do you mean know the game as in know how to play the game? That I can't speak to as I don't know if the WPC refs play or not, a lot of the IPT refs are decent players though.
- Though I wish the money was better it's still a good pay day and the guys WILL GET PAID
Getting paid is 100% better than getting stiffed. But from the fan's enjoyment based on watching the tournament braodcasts playing for $500,000 perks up the attention a bit more than playing for $100,000. After all there is no mention of the IPT and it's payment woes so far on the WPC broadcast that I have heard so if the two finals were broadcast side by side I'd say that it would be a toss up as to which would be more entertaining. Probably the WPC for me since it does have a REAL CROWD and a local is playing for the world championship on his home court. The WPC doesn't have the same amount of "staged" or hyped action flavor that the IPT does, which appeals to me as being more REAL.
- No silly rules
I think the biggest thing about this comment is that the WPC hasn't bothered to throw the RULES in people's face every two minutes like the IPT does. By the using the phrase Real Rules the IPT is insinuating that everyone else's is not. So, I'll give up props for No Silly Condenscencion About Rules.
Nick: They didn't accept World Standardised Rules which have been honed over years of trial and error. Getting up on table is stupid.
- No silly cloth
Agreed.
- No cheap balls
The IPT balls were Aramiths as well I believe so that point may be moot. Perhaps the better way to put it is that the WPC uses tested and true balls that everyone is used to.
Nick:If they played like Super Pros or Centenials then guys would not buy them to practise
Just think how good it could be. 8 Feeder championships c/o:
- US Open, British Open, Phillipean Open, Japanese Open, Chinese Open, German Open, Swedish Open and Canadian Open.
- 100K to each winner, trickle down from there ($1000.00 entry)
- Top 10 from each + 48 Invited (past winners/local qualifiers etc) go to WPC
- WPC 250K, 150K, 75K, 40K....
Well, let's hope that Barry Hearn picks the most successful parts of the IPT and runs with it. If hundreds of folks around the world will pony up $2000 a pop to play in qualifiers then perhaps there are thousands who will pony up $500 or tens of thousands who don't mind parting with $100 for a shot. I'd fire ten bullets that way along with associated ammunition costs.
Now, you forgot the number one reason the WPC is better for the fans than the IPT!
FREE WEBCASTS OF LIVE MATCHES!!!! at least for me. )
