Proof that the UPA/BCA/WPA SUCK

[MexPoolPlyr]

UPDATE: on Players List

Max may not go. Last time I talked to him, he was figureing the expenses may be too much for the payouts at the tourney. 200/night hotel is the CHEAPEST!!! for 8 or 9 days thats a pretty penny. The CPB representative Gustavo Espinoza is not going, instead Morro Paez and my dad (Ernesto) are going. Jam, the event starts the 8th through the 14th. Morro and my dad are splitting so it wont be so bad on expenses, the airplane alone costs around 900. After all that money, theres a 23 hour flight to endure , BTW, they left this morning!!! Go my Mexican horses, GO!!!

 

[frankncali]

!!! Go my Mexican horses, GO!!!

Caballos ..Caballos..... !!!!!
I learned that from betting on the ponies with my buddy ( elias v. ).
Hope Morro and your dad do well .... Keep us updated

 

[onepocketchump]

First of all, that statement is 100% complete and total BS. Before you tell me I'm wrong, I'll let my experience stand off to the side and I will address the issue that leads you to believe that statement is correct. These are the facts.

The UPA does not owe anybody money. Brady Behrman does. Get that through your head. A lot of work was done to have all parties cooperate to reach a solution on how that money would be paid back. Who got that ball rolling? Was it you? Did you do anything to help any of those players? I doubt it. Like everybody else you sat back and criticized, laughed, pointed fingers, cracked jokes instead of finding a way to help out in the situation. Truth be known, Brady didn't have the money to pay. Did you know that? Did you know why? Are you familiar with the legal stance the UPA took in that issue? If you don't know, keep quiet. Did any of you "UPA bashers" extend a hand to at least help out? No. You sat back and called Brady a crook and said that the UPA was ineffective. None of that was true. Did you call any of these players on the phone and offer assistance? Did you have to deal with Mika and his attitude towards this situation? No you didnt. Let me also make it clear that I am not a "paid" or "unpaid" representative of the UPA. I am not a player representative. I'm just a another professional player who gave a crap enough to get up off my butt and try to help that situation. In doing so, I came away with a lot of respect for all of the people that were involved - Mainly Frank Alvarez - who never sidestepped any of my questions and always responded honestly and did whatever he could with limited resources. At one point I sat back at my desk and wondered why nobody could come with the money that was owed. I offered to pay it out of my pocket in hopes that people like yourself would shut up. In that situation I was not on anybody's side - I was on pool's side. The UPA did everything that they possibly could. When Brady sent the money to the UPA - they had no choice but to divide that money 4 ways - 4 players were owed. The same player I was trying to help was conveniently left off the precious IPT 150 list. Was that the UPA's fault? Think about that and get back with me.

You know nothing about the UPA. You know nothing about the inside workings and politics within the game of pool, but you come on here shooting off at the mouth and talking trash about two players that do a heck of a lot to assist their fellow players. They are the representatives that we are sending to represent our country. Support them or shut up. It amazes me that out of other side of your mouth you say you love the game of pool. I question that.

You can be as excited as you want about the IPT. If you had the bb's to call me on the phone I would have told you why it wont work. Pool has failed miserably up to this point because of people like you. If you want to know why pool has less exposure than Celebrity Poker, go look in the mirror. At every turn people like yourself refuse to work and cooperate or add anything of value into the equation. Its easier to sit back and point fingers and Monday morning quarterback other people's decisions, but what have you ever done to make it better? This is an open forum go ahead and type away. My advice is to get off your butt and off the internet and do something positive like sponsoring a professional player (something our industry is miserable about doing) or infiltrate the UPA/BCA/WPA/IPT board and make a difference. Try networking and getting people together to support ALL of the tours, not just the IPT. Until you do something like that - I will view you as part of the problem - whether or not anybody else notices that.

Have a very nice weekend

What are you talking about? I wasn't referring to Brady Behrman or anyone outside the UPA. And, for the record, we have sponsored several proffesional players and continue to do so. And we sponsor several leagues and tournaments as well.

Since you have the inside track, why don't you tell us how these two players and only these two, ended up representing the United States at the WORLD POOL ASSOCIATION'S WORLD EIGHT BALL CHAMPIONSHIPS. And while you are at it maybe you could explain why the WORLD EIGHT BALL CHAMPIONSHIPS is not being held here in the USA instead of a place which is dangerous to westerners at best, expensive and hard to get to?

Inquiring minds want to know?

John

 

[onepocketchump]

I do not have die hard loyalty to anybody except the game of pool. Show in me in my post where I have die hard loyalty. I was merely addressing somebody who has no facts and a big mouth.



The UPA's lack of success accurately mirrors the support they have received. Think about that. The same people that are "praising" KT, are the same people that won't shell out a dime or a positive word to support anything that will advance the sport. If it advances their bankroll,, they are all for it. There are people celebrating because now KT is footing the bill for everything from now on. The truth is, the cheap bas***** wouldn't stick their hand in their own pockets if a gun was pointed to their head. Eydie... you know how hard it is to get added money for tournaments. Come on here and explain the looks these people give when they are asked to support ANY event - including the UPA events. The billiard industry does not want to support the players. So get off the UPA's butt. The UPA is failing the players because the industry is failing the tours. The IPT wont change that. All the IPT money will do is enable for that to continue.

I am not in contact with, nor have I spoken with anyone from the UPA since I started speaking out about this. There is this rumor that I am part of the UPA good ole boys club. That is not true. I'm not in contact with anybody, to include Frank and Tony whom I consider close friends - and IPT players!!!! I have spoken with many people within the UPA as well as other organizations and I have high opinions of those individuals. That is because I went out to meet them on my own time and on my own dime. I believe that I have a very clear understanding about the inside workings of the game of pool. I'm also a person of action. I do not expect anybody on this forum to understand what goes on behind closed doors. I've been there for over 15 years in 4 different tours. I think I might know what I am talking about. Listen clearly - THERE IS NO LOYALTY. There is none at the top - none at the bottom - none in between. The IPT will be no different. Same people - different surroundings, same problems. Until those problems are addressed, they will experience similar problems that the UPA had. The UPA is far from perfect and they understand that. They don't "Suck". They are a non-profit entity and for that reason they should not be compared to the IPT which is obviously a well financed marketing venture for Kevin Trudeau.

You are so full of crap it's getting really smelly. I have tolerated your bullshit for quite a while now. Please David, tell us how much MONEY you have spent or raised to sponsor pool players, tournaments and leagues during the last 15 years. Please, let me know a dollar amount and if you can prove it I'll shut up.

I never heard of you when I was growing up. David Sapolis, "Blackjack", who the hell are you? Who you are is a construct of your own imagination, with your "hustler redeemed" schtick. The truth is you couldn't beat Helen Keller if she spotted you the orange crush.

Who am I then to question you and the groups you are associated with? No one but a diehard pool fan and someone who happened to get lucky with a cue case company. Who I am is someone who has gone from absolute neophyte in this business to having been lucky enough to see it from the inside over the last fifteen years. Who I am is someone that has played pool in German leagues, been to international tournaments, been on the podium with Allison Fisher and Johnny Archer at the World Championships as a sponsor and someone who has played in the BCA, VNEA and APA leagues.

I am not against YOU. Not yet. But if you want to make this personal then we can go that way. The words I wrote above can get a lot harsher. If you want to have a reasonable discussion then we can have one. If you want to call me names and spout off drivel about the lack of support I have poured into this sport then be prepared to get barbecued.

My issue is ANGER over what I consider to be the idiotic state of the WPA's 8-BALL WORLD CHAMPOINSHIPS and the United State's representatives for it. If you have something that actually enlightens us to this particular issue then please share it. Otherwise, just go away.

John Barton

 

[onepocketchump]

Quite right! What were they thinking?! They should have chosen Mike Sigel and Loree Jon Jones. After all, Mike Sigel is the reigning World 8 Ball Champion and Jones was the runner-up!

Mike Sigel is the current IPT world champion. I guess it's very confusing to you but I'll try and break it down for you. These are the acronyms which have national and international champioinships, WPA, EPBF, JBA, APBU, BCA, VNEA, APA, APPA, CBA, DBU, IPT and so on. Who determines the validity of these champions? Why the goroups that put on these tournaments and bestow these titles of course.

Care to bet that the 2006 IPT World Champion will have bested the best in the world and be a lot richer than the WPA's World 8 Ball Champion? Unless they happen to be one in the same, i.e. Efren Reyes.

You can bark about the "legitimacy" of the IPT's first event if you want to but Kevin has already said POINT BLANK that it was a made-for-tv event. If the WPA/UPA/BCA and all the other acronyms were doing their job then perhaps Kevin would have been forced to choose another title for the event. And THAT is the point of this thread.

John

 

[onepocketchump]

Mr. Blackjack, I must agree with you on this statement. I'm sure you know that I smiled through the mask when I read your posting to John Barton addressing his egomaniac mumblings regarding the UPA. It's amusing to me that he had the audacity to make that sort of an ill-informed statement but it seems rather obvious that's just how the egomaniac windbag big-mouth half-cocked mentality works.

Max Eberle & Frank Alvarez have been selected to represent the United States; they should be congratulated on the honor instead of being bashed, insulted or otherwise cut to ribbons. Hopefully they will do well in the upcoming event.

With regards to the IPT, I've made my feelings known about that in the "Blackjack's Buzzkill" thread. My opinions have not changed one iota.

It is interesting & amusing to me that some folks on this forum still choose to misquote Mr. Blackjack stating that he called Kevin Trudeau a "criminal". I don't recall seeing where he posted that statement. However, I have made the statement in the past that I feel he is a con-man & a hustler. Why? Because that's what he is: a scamming criminal con-man & a hustler.

The links below were posted on this forum previously. I have re-posted them as I found them to be interesting reads:

http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/0826051trudeau1.html

http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2004/09/trudeaucoral.htm

It is saddening & disheartening that so many people blindly trust this guy & think he is the savior of professional pool even to this day. It's obvious that's what greed does to folks in that it blinds them to the truth about a guy like Kevin Trudeau & excusing him & other criminals from their past behavior.

Mr. Blackjack has made known his e-mail address on this forum. He has also made his phone number available. I would suggest giving him a call so that you can speak to him about a situation like this one regarding the UPA & IPT before you lash out at him.

First of all it's not "Mr. Blackjack", it's Mr. Sapolis if you want to continue to be a sickening, ass-kissing, brown noser. You and "Mr Blackjack" have turned this into another bash the IPT thread. I was expressing my OUTRAGE that only two players are going to represent the USA in the WPA's WORLD EIGHT BALL CHAMPOINSHIPS and that one of them is surpemely unqualified for that distinction IN MY OPINION.

Why don't you try and shed some light ON THAT subject, Mr. Vader? And one more time since you didn't get it the first time you INGNORED what I wrote, I condsider Max Eberle well qualified to represent the USA in any pool event anywhere in the world. I just question how he and Frank were chosen.

And now it seems, sadly, that Max is considering NOT GOING becaue he has to pay the expenses out of his pocket. Gee, I would have thought that for a tournament as important as the WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS, that the chosen (qualified) representatives would have all their expenses covered. Why isn't this the case for this important event?

Can you get your head out of Mr. Blackjack's ass long enough to address these questions?

John

 

[bruin70]

I t
I remember Buddy Hall saying one time that seeing a pool player in a tuxedo is like a hot dog topped with whipped cream.

JAM

that's because he likes to wear unflattering nylon jogging outfits that drop below the crack of his *ss!! i, unfortunately, witnessed this very woebegotten circumstance at the first VF event i went to.

 

[pillage6]

I wonder how in other countries their representatives get picked, maybe we can adopt some of those practices. That would eliminate any political interference and any player that attains that status would fully deserve based on merit, not on affiliation.

And leave it to Buddy Hall to use a food metaphor to describe a person and the clothing they are in. I guess we now know what type of food is his favorite, maybe he's pregnant?

 

[Rude Dog]

First of all it's not "Mr. Blackjack", it's Mr. Sapolis if you want to continue to be a sickening, ass-kissing, brown noser. You and "Mr Blackjack" have turned this into another bash the IPT thread. I was expressing my OUTRAGE that only two players are going to represent the USA in the WPA's WORLD EIGHT BALL CHAMPOINSHIPS and that one of them is surpemely unqualified for that distinction IN MY OPINION.

Why don't you try and shed some light ON THAT subject, Mr. Vader? And one more time since you didn't get it the first time you INGNORED what I wrote, I condsider Max Eberle well qualified to represent the USA in any pool event anywhere in the world. I just question how he and Frank were chosen.

And now it seems, sadly, that Max is considering NOT GOING becaue he has to pay the expenses out of his pocket. Gee, I would have thought that for a tournament as important as the WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS, that the chosen (qualified) representatives would have all their expenses covered. Why isn't this the case for this important event?

Can you get your head out of Mr. Blackjack's ass long enough to address these questions?

John

He can't address these questions until he gets his lips off the nuts. He's been swingin' on 'em for 2 months now checking out the buoyancy.

 

[Williebetmore]

I remember Buddy Hall saying one time that seeing a pool player in a tuxedo is like a hot dog topped with whipped cream.

JAM

JAM,
I also remember this quote (though I think I read it in Minnesota Fats biography - a common pool joke).

Perhaps we will see the day when the top flight, elegant pool of Greenleaf and Mosconi will return. Then if you see one of the players wearing casual clothes, people will say, "Playing in those ghetto clothes is like putting catsup on a filet mignon." Just hoping.

 

[senor]

Maybe they're the only one's willing to go to Fujairah, which looks to me to be a hellhole, hot and dusty. Not to mention that to be an American in a Arab country isn't the best of moves at this particular point in history.

Yes, Fox news reported that recent intelligence revealed terrorists have been plotting large scale attacks at pool tournaments.

 

[Celtic]

Thanks
Its a view from the frontlines, not the sidelines.

Its the view of a man who has been a WPA and UPA fanboy ever since they took the hard stance against the IPT and who has done nothing but whine and cry about the IPT and how terrible it is for pool for no other reason then the person who runs the organization is seen by you as an outsider and somehow does not have the "right" to actually do anything in this sport and must bow down to the powers that be that you are willing to defend at every turn despite the fact they have been useless and done nothing to further this sport.

You defend a organization that threatens to ban players from all WPA events for an entire year if they play in a single IPT event? If that is done in business this is seen as an attempt at a monopoly and frowned upon, and you Blackjack sit there with your pom poms cheering them all the same.

Then they go and do this, send their golden boy to play in the World Chamiponships, a person with no credentials to be sent other then who he knows.

And all the while the WPA and UPA do this kind of crap and give ZERO feedback as to why they do what they do. TOTALLY unlike KT who at least responds to the fans and players and justifies his actions.

Your faith in the WPA and UPA makes NO sense Blackjack, it is totally unfounded and that makes it seem clear you are seeing this whole situation with blinders on. I dont know, maybe you think you will get to play in the World 8-ball Championships next year? Keep posting like you are and I am sure you have a good chance.

 

[Timberly]

For the record...

Let me first start off by saying that I have met John, Dave, & Frank. All three have always been very nice to me & I thank them very much for their kindness.

I haven't been here on the main forum in awhile so I didn't know of this thread until Frank Alvarez called me this afternoon. He said that this thread had gotten back to him & that he know's that I'm friendly with most people on here & asked if I would come on here & post the truth. He does not have a sign on and cannot do it himself.

Frank Alvarez is not and never was going to this event. He did not get an invite. John, it appears that you got the info from a press release or a website... According to Frank, it's wrong.

 

[Celtic]

He said that this thread had gotten back to him & that he know's that I'm friendly with most people on here & asked if I would come on here & post the truth. He does not have a sign on and cannot do it himself.

It took me 30 seconds or so to register for this forum I think, I cannot quite remember but I do think back to it being a pretty simple process. This is just a perfect example of a lame excuse the kind of which the UPA head honchos and the WPA head honchos use as an excuse to not actually account for their actions and decisions.

Nevertheless, if Frank is not in fact going and was never invited it would be interesting to see how that rumor got started.

 

[Snapshot9]

Because

Frank Alvarez and Max Eberle are listed on the
player's list on the world 8 ball championship website
as representing the USA.... that's how.

I doubt they would list someone if they were not told
to list them, would they?

 

[Timberly]

Frank Alvarez and Max Eberle are listed on the
player's list on the world 8 ball championship website
as representing the USA.... that's how.

I doubt they would list someone if they were not told
to list them, would they?

Scott, have you ever heard of a mistake? A typo, anything of that nature?

It took me 30 seconds or so to register for this forum I think, I cannot quite remember but I do think back to it being a pretty simple process.

Registration is quite simple.... providing one even cares to register. Some have no desire to be on a message forum. FWIW, one must wait a few days before they can post. You can't just sign up & start posting.

Ya'll do as you will with the info. I've passed it along and I'm going back to my cubby hole. Peace.

 

[bruin70]

It cry about the IPT and how terrible it is for pool for no other reason then the person who runs the organization is seen by you as an outsider and somehow does not have the "right" to actually do anything in this spor.

if that is blackjack's opinion of KT, then i beg to disagree with him. the problem with THE BUSINESS of pool, is that it has relied on pool players too much. and quite frankly, the LAST person i want handling the business end of things is a pool player. what the game needs is a business mind who sees pool as a money making venture, because if he sees pool that way, then he would have a better idea of how to get there.

 

[koreandragon]

Alvarez not playing

Max Eberly (USA)
Frank Alvarez (USA

These are the two players who are going to represent the United States in the World 8-Ball championships.

Any idea how this came about? I don't know, no one else wanted to go??? No one cares about playing for a trophy in another country? No one plays 8-ball?

Regardless, Frank Alvarez has NO BETTER qualification to represent the United States as a pool player in any discipline than I do. Wait, I take it back, he is a "pro" player. Kevin was right, you can take any player and dress him up in a "pro" costume and the public will buy it. Ilike Frank, I like his enthusiasm for pool, but he is no more talented for it than I am.

Max Eberle - funny that they can't even spell his name right, is certainly qualified when it comes to pool ability. I wonder how he was chosen though? Was there some qualifier somewhere? Some national tournament to determine who the best 8 player in America is?

The WPA is a joke, the UPA and the BCA are also bad jokes.

Remember, these organizations are supposed to be making sure that the very best players make it to the world stage. But, in the end, it's disorganization ad good 'ole boy politics which decide.

John

Just FYI for everyone

Frank is NOT going to play in this event and never intended on playing.
He doesn't know why his name is on the list .
I know that many players from USA UPA were asked to go play and invited but turned down invitations including myself, archer, schmidt, morris and probably many more

Just thought i'd clear that up for everyone.

CW

 

[Snapshot9]

Then I guess ..

that someone should notify the BCA since
they are on the player's list by the BCA for
North America.

go to: World 8 ball website

 

[jsp]

I know that many players from USA UPA were asked to go play and invited but turned down invitations including myself, archer, schmidt, morris and probably many more...

Hi Charlie...just curious, but why would you guys turn down this tournament? I'm sure many of the fans of the players you mentioned above would like to know why they would not want to represent America in this prestigious event. Thanks.