Just got back, and what a trip.
A quick recount for anyone interested. Feel free to ignore, or ask questions.
On Friday I made the decision that I was going to trek from Los Angeles to Vegas on Saturday. I dragged a friend and off we went!
We got to the Mandalay Bay and find out where the IPT match is. The thing had been sold out for a while, and I didn't want to pay $35 for the tickets.... so I convinced my friend to sneak in with me. I kept a pretty low profile without looking too out of place, and managed to get into the tournament room... right into the rear stage where all the cameras were. Not only were we only 20 feet from the table, we could also see the video feeds from all the cameras around the table. How awesome!
So Sigel takes the first set 9-3, without giving LJJ much of a chance during the latter half of the set. There's a 10 minute break inbetween sets and we head out of the area to get some food. I notice a security guard at the door I entered to get in the crew area, and thinking ahead that I'll need to get back in I start up a quick BS conversation with him so he'll recognize me and let me in without checking ID when I needed to get back in after the break. I walk up to him: "Hey, do you have the time? I don't have my watch on me." Anyway, it works and we chat before I wish him well and scamper off for some grub.
I start to look around and notice quite a number of celebrities. I'm not sure if Trudeau brought them in to hype things up or if they came in on their own, but they were doing interviews on camera so it can only serve to broaden the fan base.
I noticed a guy had been mulling around in a suit, and I start chatting him up. I had noticed him in the crew area behind the stage, but he clearly wasn't a prt of the crew but was important. I say I'm from LA and get on his good side, enough that he gives my friend and I two passes (free!) to get seats in the room. Perfect! No need to stand with the crew anymore. I guess my talking with the security guard was for nothing, but at this point I don't care since I have seats and an elevated view.
The second set i get to watch from the bleachers. The venue was great -- very trendy, yet professional and tasteful. The flashy lights inbetween sets was a bit much, but during the games themselves it was quiet, the set was dark, the table was well lit, and everything was pulled off without a hitch. Oh, and the referree was the same one who did the famous Mosconi / Minnesota Fats ones back in the day.
Mike was being himself, mouthing and muttering. They were both wearing microphones, so the audience could hear it all. LJJ was busy sitting in her chair, and dogging a lot of shots when she got to the table. Poor girl -- the crowd was REALLY on her side, and that got a little embarrassing. WHenever she'd make a shot regardless of how easy it was she would get applause. That's fine if it's a difficult shot, but a 2-foot stop shot shouldn't get any applause.... if anything it may have thrown her off.
I figured Mike might throw a set or a few games, but he didn't seem to let up at all. It certainly wasn't a scripted result, because Mike had some very nice outs and table runs. I kept thinking, "OK this is a tough shot. He'll dog it so LJJ can run a few to keep it close." It never happened. Especially in the second set, Mike was playing about as perfect as it gets. Break-outs with position, strong breaks, excellent shot-making and positional skills.
LJJ and Mike were both emotional at the end. Sigel was actually crying! We all thought he was hamming it up, but it was sincere. In fact, when he sank the game winning 8-ball, the first thing he did was run up to his wife (I'm assuming) and embrace. It was sort of touching actually, even coming from Mike Sigel. I guess he does have a heart!
LJJ was clearly nervous through the whole thing, and during the post game interview she said it was the most nervous that she had been in any tournament. Between all the hype / money and it being against Sigel, I'm not surprised. But regardless, she still won $75K for being a loser. Not bad, eh?
Anyhow, that's it. For now.
A quick recount for anyone interested. Feel free to ignore, or ask questions.
On Friday I made the decision that I was going to trek from Los Angeles to Vegas on Saturday. I dragged a friend and off we went!
We got to the Mandalay Bay and find out where the IPT match is. The thing had been sold out for a while, and I didn't want to pay $35 for the tickets.... so I convinced my friend to sneak in with me. I kept a pretty low profile without looking too out of place, and managed to get into the tournament room... right into the rear stage where all the cameras were. Not only were we only 20 feet from the table, we could also see the video feeds from all the cameras around the table. How awesome!
So Sigel takes the first set 9-3, without giving LJJ much of a chance during the latter half of the set. There's a 10 minute break inbetween sets and we head out of the area to get some food. I notice a security guard at the door I entered to get in the crew area, and thinking ahead that I'll need to get back in I start up a quick BS conversation with him so he'll recognize me and let me in without checking ID when I needed to get back in after the break. I walk up to him: "Hey, do you have the time? I don't have my watch on me." Anyway, it works and we chat before I wish him well and scamper off for some grub.
I start to look around and notice quite a number of celebrities. I'm not sure if Trudeau brought them in to hype things up or if they came in on their own, but they were doing interviews on camera so it can only serve to broaden the fan base.
I noticed a guy had been mulling around in a suit, and I start chatting him up. I had noticed him in the crew area behind the stage, but he clearly wasn't a prt of the crew but was important. I say I'm from LA and get on his good side, enough that he gives my friend and I two passes (free!) to get seats in the room. Perfect! No need to stand with the crew anymore. I guess my talking with the security guard was for nothing, but at this point I don't care since I have seats and an elevated view.
The second set i get to watch from the bleachers. The venue was great -- very trendy, yet professional and tasteful. The flashy lights inbetween sets was a bit much, but during the games themselves it was quiet, the set was dark, the table was well lit, and everything was pulled off without a hitch. Oh, and the referree was the same one who did the famous Mosconi / Minnesota Fats ones back in the day.
Mike was being himself, mouthing and muttering. They were both wearing microphones, so the audience could hear it all. LJJ was busy sitting in her chair, and dogging a lot of shots when she got to the table. Poor girl -- the crowd was REALLY on her side, and that got a little embarrassing. WHenever she'd make a shot regardless of how easy it was she would get applause. That's fine if it's a difficult shot, but a 2-foot stop shot shouldn't get any applause.... if anything it may have thrown her off.
I figured Mike might throw a set or a few games, but he didn't seem to let up at all. It certainly wasn't a scripted result, because Mike had some very nice outs and table runs. I kept thinking, "OK this is a tough shot. He'll dog it so LJJ can run a few to keep it close." It never happened. Especially in the second set, Mike was playing about as perfect as it gets. Break-outs with position, strong breaks, excellent shot-making and positional skills.
LJJ and Mike were both emotional at the end. Sigel was actually crying! We all thought he was hamming it up, but it was sincere. In fact, when he sank the game winning 8-ball, the first thing he did was run up to his wife (I'm assuming) and embrace. It was sort of touching actually, even coming from Mike Sigel. I guess he does have a heart!
LJJ was clearly nervous through the whole thing, and during the post game interview she said it was the most nervous that she had been in any tournament. Between all the hype / money and it being against Sigel, I'm not surprised. But regardless, she still won $75K for being a loser. Not bad, eh?
Anyhow, that's it. For now.
