Ok, I will do my own but what about Hopkins

[Russ Chewning]

I used to live in Hong Kong, when it was still a British colony. I had lots of friends from the UK, and have tasted their cooking both at their houses, and in some UK resturants. It is a misconception that they only serve meet loaf and pies in the UK. They do have different preference on food, but the same goes for individuals in the same country. One of my UK friends likes his steak totally well done, and I like mine blue rare.

The Bristish have excellent table manners--it was a real delight to enjoy wonderful dinning experience with them. Good food is nothing without good atomsphere, good wine, and a good company, for that , my UK friends have given my many cherishable memories.

I have been doing a bit of travelling in the US in recent years, and as I said before, I have been very intrigued by the varieties and diversity from states to states. I have tried lots of food that I have never tried before, and it has been a great experience for me. I love travelling in the US, largely because I like to try new food, admire a different culture, and meet new people.

I remember the first time I went to Memphis I had trouble understanding the accent (and they also could not understand mine ), but I was so impressed by their hospitality and friendliness. The food is also very hearty and interesting, and I enjoyed it. When I finished dinner, the server said, "thanks y'all, hope you will come back again..."--very friendly and heart warming service.

I have also lived in Japan, and in Taiwan for a brief of time. I really like to eat and I can eat anything. Japan had many kinds of "western food" but they were a bit different. I like sushi, and I cannot think of a fish that I cannot eat raw. I also ate a lot off the vendors on the streets of Taipei--a lot of people from outside of Taiwan I know could not even stand looking at some of the items served on the street, but I was loving it!

I now live in Vancouver, BC, which is known to serve one of the best food on the West coast. We have a few top notch French/Italian fine dinners, many top notch Asian restaurants, and many Northwestern fine dinners, which serves a "fushion" style (East meets West) cusine.

Food has been my weakness. I love eating, and hanging out with those who enjoy the same. I enjoy fine dinning, I also have lots of fun eating burgers, and even sitting on the side of the street at 4am in Taipei eating with my hands.

When I and Ralf Souquet were in Japan, he ordered a "Calpris" drink, and ate Korean BBQ with me. He also ate sushi. I was really impressed. He did not insist on having German food, or make fun of food from another culture; on the contrary, he displayed a great amount of interest and respect. He also asked about the names of dishes and such.

Nowadays, because of the global influence of various cultures, food has experieced a great deal of fushion and evolution. A lot of chef would creat their own concotions, by introducing foreign elements into their menus. So, it is hard to clearly know what to expect in a fine dinner before actually tasting the food. I never look at a food item as being British, America, French, Italian, Greek, Japanese or Chinese anymore, more often than not, it is a little mixture.

Whether you like British food or not is entirely a personal matter, the above is just my own opinion. I have to chime in, because I really like food.

Having been in about 14 different countries between my time in the Army and more recently as a contractor, it never even crossed my mind to make fun of non-American cuisine, because frankly, probably half my meals have been some type of foreign dish. Even in the chow halls.

What percentage of Americans you think know what "yakisoba" is?

Russ

 

[smokeandapancak]

Having been in about 14 different countries between my time in the Army and more recently as a contractor, it never even crossed my mind to make fun of non-American cuisine, because frankly, probably half my meals have been some type of foreign dish. Even in the chow halls.

What percentage of Americans you think know what "yakisoba" is?

Russ

HA HA HA HA.....

dont know what % of America's civvies know that...butI Garrruunnntteeee that every single "Joe" knows.....

I always thought it was just spaghetti with out the sauce!!

 

[SpiderWebComm]

Grady - Hopkins never visits AZBilliards. You should call him and ask him questions instead of going-off on here (since you're only going-off to yourself, he'll NEVER read it).

I thought it was a $5k entrance fee, not $2k.

I think the venue is the Valley Forge Convention Center - same as the Super Billiards Expo. August/Sept of 2008.

Even if he doesn't get 200 players to put up $5k worldwide... it'll still be a huge prize fund, even if it isn't quite $1M. Still a good one to watch! There are few people in the sport w/ the integrity of Allen. I'll bet the farm (and all the chickens) he pays and pays on the spot.

Grady, sounds like you're pretty miffed. Are you mad because of the 14.1 invite? Personally, I think you should be pissed. I was there last year and there were a number of players there who I know you would beat in straight pool, and many more who don't HAVE to beat you. Don't take it out on Allen's tourney though -- it's def a good thing for pool, during a time when pool definitely needs a leg-up.

 

[Bob Jewett]

... I thought it was a $5k entrance fee, not $2k.

I think the venue is the Valley Forge Convention Center - same as the Super Billiards Expo. August/Sept of 2008....

There is an article in the May issue of Billiards Digest with details. Here is the official website with more info:

http://www.milliondollar9ball.com/

The amount is $5k as you say, and the dates are August 6-10, 2008. Hopkins plans to have qualifiers with a $200 entry fee for 32 players.

 

[PoolSharkAllen]

Here are the planned payouts:
Final cash payouts will be determined based on the total number of participants. We are aiming for a minimum $1,000,000 prize pool, which would make 1st place $150,000. Keep in mind, all places are paid. Everyone who plays in the main event will get paid, even if you never win a game.

Although final cash payouts will be determined based on the total number of participants, the chart below illustrates the payout structure based on 200 entrants and a $1,000,000 prize pool. We are aiming to have more than 200 players using our simple and convenient qualifier system, making 1st place possibly worth much more!

Inaugural Million Dollar 9-Ball Shootout Champion $150,000 and Championship Bracelet
2nd $74,000
3rd/4th $50,000 each
5-8th $25,000 each
9-16th $15,000 each
17-32nd $10,000 each
33-96 $3000 each
97-200 $1000 each

 

[branpureza]

Done for the players? Hopkins? You people must be nuts.

true indeed...

 

[X Breaker]

I like Allen Hopkin's taste in cues. I don't know much about him other than that.

$5000 entry, 1 million in the pot, 200 players, last place pays $1000, is that right?

Could anyone please tell me what the problem is? I am not sure I follow.

Thank you.
Richard

 

[sjm]

Grady, you have a great track record as a player and as a promoter. Everything you do and have done for pool is recognized and appreciated by most of us here on the AZB forum.

Nonetheless, and I'm sure I'm not alone in this view, I am horrified every time you choose to belittle the efforts and make attracks on the integrity of other promoters of pro pool. I, for one, tire of hearing the suggestion that only you know how to run an event with organization and integrity.

Our sport is filled with many who care for its future just as you do, and who take financial risks or even fund events to help advance our sport. They are in the same boat as you, and yet, unlike most who care deeply for our sport, you show them only marginal respect.

I find your merciless attacks on those who help to promote our sport to the best of their abilities, such as your truly ridiculous suggestion of a few days ago that Mitch Laurance has somehow held our sport back, inappropriate.

Indeed, the only pool promoter for whom you have shown unswerving support on the AZB forum is Kevin Trudeau, yet you routinely bash those taking a higher road to try to advance our sport.

To sum, thanks for everything you do and have done for pool, but, if I might offer some constructive advice, try to show a little more respect and appreciation for others who selflessly and conscientiously try to advance pool.

 

[ShootingArts]

well not really a problem, more like hype

Not the first or the last to hype a big purse that is BS but to me giving a thousand back to last place means that the projected purse is $800,000 since the thousand added to the entry fee and returned is just so much BS.

Allen has a better chance than most to pull this off but I think the need to match IPT scale purses is hurting here. I would much rather see a more do-able half million dollar purse with half the entry fee and the bottom quarter or half of the field getting zero back. Sure people have to end up in those places and I have myself. However nobody is putting up their entry fee planning to suck hind teat so these kickbacks don't mean a thing to most competitors.

Hu

I like Allen Hopkin's taste in cues. I don't know much about him other than that.

$5000 entry, 1 million in the pot, 200 players, last place pays $1000, is that right?

Could anyone please tell me what the problem is? I am not sure I follow.

Thank you.
Richard

 

[Barbara]

Tap!! Tap!! Tap!!

Thanks sjm!!

Barbara

Grady, you have a great track record as a player and as a promoter. Everything you do and have done for pool is recognized and appreciated by most of us here nt he AZB forum.

Nonetheless, and I'm sure I'm not alone in this view, I am horrified every time you choose to belittle the efforts and make attracks on the integrity of other promoters of pro pool. I, for one, tire of hearing the suggestion that only you know how to run an event with organization and integrity.

Our sport is filled with many who care for its future just as you do, and who take financial risks or even fund events to help advance our sport. They are in the same boat as you, and yet, unlike most who care deeply for our sport, you show them only marginal respect.

I find your merciless attacks on those who help to promote our sport to the best of their abilities, such as your truly ridiculous suggestion of a few days ago that Mitch Laurance has somehow held our sport back, inappropriate.

Indeed, the only pool prmoter form whom you have shown unswerving support on the AZB forum is Kevin Trudeau, yet you routinely bash those taking a higher road to try to advance our sport.

To sum, thanks for everything you do and have done for pool, but, if I might offer some constructive advice, try to show a little more respect and appreciation for others who selflessly and conscientiously try to advance pool.

 

[Fatboy]

I just put this in another thread and realized it would be a good idea to put it here, its NOT a knock on Alan, i'm not picking sides etc, just my observations being a businessman, i'm not even looking at this from a profit stand point, just an origational nightmare that will cost alot of $$$ and time. And some other problems so here is the cut and paste:

Alan Hopkins who I believe to be trustworthy-I dont knoww him. has a good idea with the qualifyer events, but nobody but a handful of guys are going to post up 2K or 5K of their own $$ to be in the tournment(i dont know the math on his idea, 2 or 5K). Sure there are a few stake horses will help but I dont believe there are 500 real stake horses in america(what do you think? less than 500?), so to build his field there will have to be a zillion qualifyers-a long slow process and an accounting nightmare, collecting the money and making sure the guy who won gets credited-it will require a strong database, then staying in-touch with the qualifyers and all the haedaches associated with that, it works in poker but I think it might be harder in pool because it will take so long, I run a similar business a shopping club with lots of customers(similar in the sence we have to track each account or in Alans case players who won) and while it sounds easy it isnt-to make it error free and that will be costly. There just isnt enough interest in most parts of the country to make it work, i hate to say it but it sounds like a dream to me, the more i think of it, i hope i'm wrong. this isnt a knock and I hope it comes off, but what a undertaking, sponsers is the answere, but with the low ratings pool gets selling ads is a tough gig. best of luck to all involved.

 

[Fatboy]

I like Allen Hopkin's taste in cues. I don't know much about him other than that.

$5000 entry, 1 million in the pot, 200 players, last place pays $1000, is that right?

Could anyone please tell me what the problem is? I am not sure I follow.

Thank you.
Richard

its easy math you finish high and lose 4 dimes, no problem how much are the re-buys?

 

[tom haney]

LMAO, Americans taking the high road on food lol, now thats some seriously funny shit right their, that like super size funny!

I know u dont get out much JAM but just for you...

TOP 50 RESTUARANTS IN THE WORLD
"Of the top 50, 14 of the restaurants are in Britain. According to Restaurant Magazine, “There will be some who feel this year’s list is too London-centric, with 26 percent of the list given over to restaurants in and around the English capital.

And with the United States-based Gourmet Magazine recently declaring London “The best place to eat on the planet,” maybe its days of bangers and baked beans are over."

You got that passport yet? there's a whole world out their JAM just waiting for you to stick your toe in!

LOL! I will say the best CHINESE restaurant I ever ate at was in
London.

 

[tom haney]

Steve was a bit out of line with his remarks... but the jest of his post holds some water...

Hopkins is trying to make something happen.. something big... there is no reason for him to feel "ashamed" about that..... regardless of who's mouth those words come out of....legendary status does not exempt you from good judgement......

" the JEST of the matter"? I thought he was serious. I assume you
mean "gist."
Sorry, Smoke, couldn't resist that one.

 

[Grady]

Ok, fair is fair. Let's have Allen list his past prize money. He can't because it's been so bad that it's embarrassing to list. 7 Ball and trick shots, wow!!!
And Mitch Lawrence? C'mon, if I were doing commentary with a brain surgeon, I'd look and sound awful. He's not qualified and never will be.Trudeau, I haven't said much of anything. I wish I could have given him advice. He'd have been hailed as a savior instead of what seems to be going on.
What our sport needs is excellent commentary and proper presentation that showcases the talents of the pros, not invitationals and certainly not
"All-in" type formats that only pays a few individuals.
I will never apologize for pointing out the mistakes of Hopkins and Charlie Williams types. They are just terrible for our sport and I'm saddened and worried that more people can't see this.

 

[DoomCue]

Ok, fair is fair. Let's have Allen list his past prize money. He can't because it's been so bad that it's embarrassing to list. 7 Ball and trick shots, wow!!!
And Mitch Lawrence? C'mon, if I were doing commentary with a brain surgeon, I'd look and sound awful. He's not qualified and never will be.Trudeau, I haven't said much of anything. I wish I could have given him advice. He'd have been hailed as a savior instead of what seems to be going on.
What our sport needs is excellent commentary and proper presentation that showcases the talents of the pros, not invitationals and certainly not
"All-in" type formats that only pays a few individuals.
I will never apologize for pointing out the mistakes of Hopkins and Charlie Williams types. They are just terrible for our sport and I'm saddened and worried that more people can't see this.

I'd rather have the "mistakes of Hopkins and Charlie Williams" than no pro events at all. Who does more for men's pool than those two guys? Do you?

I have to agree totally with sjm on this one. Why do you feel it so necessary to be disparaging toward CW and AH? If you want to prove so badly that you're better than they are, HOLD BETTER EVENTS THAN THEY DO. In other words, put up or shut up.

-djb

 

[Grady]

Listen, man, I have always backed my ideas with work and money. This is just another year where I get no invite to the straight pool and I won't get a chance to do commentary. I deserve both of these things.
But you and Jam are right about this. It didn't do me any good last year and I'm positive it won't this year either. So I give up.
I will try to do my own events and I most certainly won't allow UPA players to compete in those. Thank you guys for the timely advice.

 

[1pocket]

I'd rather have the "mistakes of Hopkins and Charlie Williams" than no pro events at all. Who does more for men's pool than those two guys? Do you?

I have to agree totally with sjm on this one. Why do you feel it so necessary to be disparaging toward CW and AH? If you want to prove so badly that you're better than they are, HOLD BETTER EVENTS THAN THEY DO. In other words, put up or shut up.

-djb

I think many of you guys that haven't really followed pool for very long miss the point on Grady. The guy has "put up" way more than nearly everyone in our era. In fact, I'm curious, if anyone disparaging Grady can name all the people that have "put up" more than Grady as a player (gambling and tournaments), and as a promoter over his long career -- not to mention instruction. Start naming guys -- I'm real curious who you come up with anyone??

Also, anyone who has followed pool for the last thirty or thirty-five years already knows that Grady likes to speak his mind and challenge the status quo. And guess what, we have all benefited from that dialogue in the long run.

I'm also curious, of you guys that are enjoying piling on in criticizing Grady, what have ANY OF YOU ever done of significance as a player, promoter or teacher on the national scene in pool, yet you certainly feel like you have complete licence to knock away with impunity...

 

[Russ Chewning]

Listen, man, I have always backed my ideas with work and money. This is just another year where I get no invite to the straight pool and I won't get a chance to do commentary. I deserve both of these things.
But you and Jam are right about this. It didn't do me any good last year and I'm positive it won't this year either. So I give up.
I will try to do my own events and I most certainly won't allow UPA players to compete in those. Thank you guys for the timely advice.

Grady,

I agree that you have done a tremendous amount for the game, but I don't know if banning UPA players is the way to go. That just brings politics into play, and who knows? The UPA might have a monster One Pocket player that we never get to see, and banning all the UPA players robs us of the opportunity to see that player.

I say just turn the other cheek, Grady. If some of his players play in your tournaments, it's not really helping Charlie, so why make a big deal about it? If you ban his players, it's not going to hurt him, either. It can only hurt you and the pool fans, Grady.

Russ

 

[Russ Chewning]

I just put this in another thread and realized it would be a good idea to put it here, its NOT a knock on Alan, i'm not picking sides etc, just my observations being a businessman, i'm not even looking at this from a profit stand point, just an origational nightmare that will cost alot of $$$ and time. And some other problems so here is the cut and paste:

Alan Hopkins who I believe to be trustworthy-I dont knoww him. has a good idea with the qualifyer events, but nobody but a handful of guys are going to post up 2K or 5K of their own $$ to be in the tournment(i dont know the math on his idea, 2 or 5K). Sure there are a few stake horses will help but I dont believe there are 500 real stake horses in america(what do you think? less than 500?), so to build his field there will have to be a zillion qualifyers-a long slow process and an accounting nightmare, collecting the money and making sure the guy who won gets credited-it will require a strong database, then staying in-touch with the qualifyers and all the haedaches associated with that, it works in poker but I think it might be harder in pool because it will take so long, I run a similar business a shopping club with lots of customers(similar in the sence we have to track each account or in Alans case players who won) and while it sounds easy it isnt-to make it error free and that will be costly. There just isnt enough interest in most parts of the country to make it work, i hate to say it but it sounds like a dream to me, the more i think of it, i hope i'm wrong. this isnt a knock and I hope it comes off, but what a undertaking, sponsers is the answere, but with the low ratings pool gets selling ads is a tough gig. best of luck to all involved.

Actually Fatboy, even as much of a slimeball as he was, Trudeau PROVED that players will participate in this sort of system.. Heck, lesser players will DONATE $50.00 in a monthly tournament for the chance to play a champion.. Even if it doesn't add up to a million dollars, I guaran-freaking-tee you that if it goes off, somebody gonna get paaaaaaaaaaaaaiiiid for first place.

I think Allen has a history of running successful events. They might have generally been cornball events, but eh... whatever.. Even if Allen succeeds only in getting some pro paid $25,000 for first, with 1/4 of the field getting paid, that's still a heck of a tournament, no two ways around it.

Let's cross our fingers..

Russ