Thank you Jennie
This thread reserved for JAM's IPT updates
- Thread starter shanesinnott
- Start date
Sounds like they were smoking hookah. It's usually flavored tabacco smoked out of a pipe like you described. It's kind of trendy especially with college students.
I'm standing here on the fifth floor of the Venetian where the action is. Every single one of the 64 tables is busy with players practicing, laughing, and having a good time.
The players meeting lasted 1-1/2 hours, and only players were allowed inside the room. However, after the doors opened, there were a feast of food provided to all attendees.
Wow, this place is unreal. It's like a Who's Who here. I'm chatting with Eva Laurence, my birthday soul mate, and next minute, I'm getting a hug from Francisco Bustamante. Efern Reyes was all smiles as he traverses the hallways. He's getting his picture snapped left and right, as are all the players.
I got the chance to meet John Chachuro (sp) from Iowa. He is here after winning a qualifier, and Keith said he plays strong. I told him how much I loved Iowa en route to Vegas, and he shared a little bit of his background with me. He said in reality, he's nothing but a country boy. After taking a hiatus of 5 years from playing pool, the IPT has put him back in the saddle again.
Robin Bell Dodson said she's happy to be here and is going to enjoy her time here in Vegas. She told me that she is very proud of her son who is making his mark in music. Don't be surprised if you see her son's name in the headlines. He's very much in demand, and Robin is proud as can be.
Right now, even though the players are practicing, they're on cloud nine, listening to James Brown, retro music, and a variety of hip-hip tunes. Even though every single one of them is dead serious about their game, the mood here tonight seems to be very festive.
I'm typing this post on one of the six computers which is in the venue itself, called "Cyber Cafe," free to any and all comers. This place is the absolute nuts! I can't wait for tomorrow. Keith plays at 10:00 a.m. against Mike Zimmerman his first round. Folks are dancing in the aisles here. What a party!
JAM
The players meeting lasted 1-1/2 hours, and only players were allowed inside the room. However, after the doors opened, there were a feast of food provided to all attendees.
Wow, this place is unreal. It's like a Who's Who here. I'm chatting with Eva Laurence, my birthday soul mate, and next minute, I'm getting a hug from Francisco Bustamante. Efern Reyes was all smiles as he traverses the hallways. He's getting his picture snapped left and right, as are all the players.
I got the chance to meet John Chachuro (sp) from Iowa. He is here after winning a qualifier, and Keith said he plays strong. I told him how much I loved Iowa en route to Vegas, and he shared a little bit of his background with me. He said in reality, he's nothing but a country boy. After taking a hiatus of 5 years from playing pool, the IPT has put him back in the saddle again.
Robin Bell Dodson said she's happy to be here and is going to enjoy her time here in Vegas. She told me that she is very proud of her son who is making his mark in music. Don't be surprised if you see her son's name in the headlines. He's very much in demand, and Robin is proud as can be.
Right now, even though the players are practicing, they're on cloud nine, listening to James Brown, retro music, and a variety of hip-hip tunes. Even though every single one of them is dead serious about their game, the mood here tonight seems to be very festive.
I'm typing this post on one of the six computers which is in the venue itself, called "Cyber Cafe," free to any and all comers. This place is the absolute nuts! I can't wait for tomorrow. Keith plays at 10:00 a.m. against Mike Zimmerman his first round. Folks are dancing in the aisles here. What a party!
JAM
Jon Kucharo is a very good player who's been MIA for a few years.
But at his best I put him in the top 50 players in the world.
He finished 9th in the World 9 ball championships in 2000, and 4th in the BCA 9 ball in 2001.
He seems to be playing well again and I wouldn't bet against him finishing in the top 16 in this tournament.
But at his best I put him in the top 50 players in the world.
He finished 9th in the World 9 ball championships in 2000, and 4th in the BCA 9 ball in 2001.
He seems to be playing well again and I wouldn't bet against him finishing in the top 16 in this tournament.
Jennie,
I believe Jon Kucharo won the collegiate championship in the late 90's, folloeing in the footsteps of Nick Varner and Max Eberle.
He was an acquaintance of the late Chris Cass from the CCB (God rest his soul). Apparently Jon quit the pro circuit to open a pool hall somewhere in the middle of a cornfield. It is great to hear he is playing in the big leagues again.
I believe Jon Kucharo won the collegiate championship in the late 90's, folloeing in the footsteps of Nick Varner and Max Eberle.
He was an acquaintance of the late Chris Cass from the CCB (God rest his soul). Apparently Jon quit the pro circuit to open a pool hall somewhere in the middle of a cornfield. It is great to hear he is playing in the big leagues again.
Wally in Cincy said:
He's a real nice fellow. I enjoyed his company today. He told me that his dad taught him how to play pool as a young'n, when he first introduced John to pool. He grew up with a table in his basement. Keith said he's a tough contender and will do well at this IPT event.
I was sweating a few sessions, and all eyes were on Eva as she was playing Danny DiLiberto. Mike Sigel was standing by, joking around with Eva. She was getting ready to break when Sigel quipped, "Eva, what do the girls say when they break the balls bad?," and she was quick to reply, "They say they hit 'em like Mike Sigel." What a gal!
Linda Carter plays Mike Sigel the very first round tomorrow morning at 10:00 a.m. She and Santos have been practicing together for about 3 hours now, and she's looking good on a field of green.
Here's some feature matches at 10:00 a.m.: George Breedlove vs. Ralf Souquet, Scotty Townsend vs. Nick Van Den Berg, John Schmidt vs. Daryl Peach, Dennis Hatch vs. Ronnie O'Sullivan, Evgeny Stalev vs. Tony Robles, Rodney Morris vs. Rafael Martinez, Kim Davenport vs. Jason Miller, Max Eberle vs. Fabio Petroni, and this is only the first round.
JAM
JAM said:
Wow! there will be no shortage of feature matches this tournament. Even the matches where I don't recognize one of the names will be interesting just to watch for the surprises.
Thanks for the great updates JAM. I almost feel like I'm there while I'm reading them.
JAM said:
Hey JAM,
It was great seeing you and Keith. I tried sharking Keith in practice and he is unsharkable!
I don't play Mike S. until Monday, so I get to sweat Mike Z. who plays Keith tomorrow at 10 am. We ought to sit together to sweat our men! Except I have to sit 5 miles away from Mike when he plays.
Mike plays 2 matches, gets a break and then plays 2 more.Colin plays tomorrow as well. We are roomies this trip. He gets the 10:00 round off, but then plays 4 straight matches. He is going to be bone tired.
I will play 3 in a row without a break.
I didn't play the whole 3 hours with Santos. After I beat Loree Jon, he came up and challenged me. I was tied 5-5 with him, then he won the last game.
Ok, it's beddy-bye time for all the athletes in the condo. More tomorrow!
Linda
PS - I videotaped the whole player's meeting and took great footage of the players and afterwards practicing too. Also took a few pics and got some good (read Filippino) autographs.
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The doors opened at 8:00 a.m., Vegas time, and Keith and I were the first ones to walk in. Keith is playing Mike Zimmerman on one of the eight "recorded" tables at 10:00 a.m. There are two in the Starship arena, and six tables alongside. The other tables are on the right-hand side of the room.
Next to Keith's table will be a very interesting match between one of New York's finest, Dennis Hatch, and the Super Star, Ronnie O'Sullivan. Ronnie showed up at the players meeting in shorts and a T-shirt, as did only a handful of players. Kevin Trudeau made an announcement that this one time, there would be an exception for the so-called "newbies," but here on in, it's suit and tie for all IPT happenings.
There will be no cornermen allowed until the third matches today. Keith's cornerman will be Jimmy Mataya. There's music playing now in the tournament room, but the only players here at Keith and Ralf Souquet.
That's it for now. More later, so stay tuned!
JAM
Next to Keith's table will be a very interesting match between one of New York's finest, Dennis Hatch, and the Super Star, Ronnie O'Sullivan. Ronnie showed up at the players meeting in shorts and a T-shirt, as did only a handful of players. Kevin Trudeau made an announcement that this one time, there would be an exception for the so-called "newbies," but here on in, it's suit and tie for all IPT happenings.
There will be no cornermen allowed until the third matches today. Keith's cornerman will be Jimmy Mataya. There's music playing now in the tournament room, but the only players here at Keith and Ralf Souquet.
That's it for now. More later, so stay tuned!
JAM
Will they be recording all of the matches or only on the certain tables?
Thanks and tell Keith to tear them up.
Thanks and tell Keith to tear them up.
Jam, Let me also say thanks very much for the constant updates.......Good luck, Ghost
Five minutes to post, and Ronnie O'Sullivan ain't even step foot in the joint. Dennis Hatch is practicing alongside Keith at this time.
I got a chance to talk to some of the staff here, and there are at least 30-plus, if not more. There are different levels of staff, but there are some men who walk around dressed in black suits. I'm calling them the "Men in Black." They're kind of like the casino pit bosses of the tournament, making sure every player is comfortable and has everything they need.
There's a green room here with a full buffet, beverages, comfortable lounge chairs that is available to all IPT players between matches. The players are being treated very special by every single member of the IPT staff, and you can see a little pride in their eyes as they walk in dressed in their suits.
Well, that's it for now in the Cyber Cafe, as the show is about to begin!
JAM
I got a chance to talk to some of the staff here, and there are at least 30-plus, if not more. There are different levels of staff, but there are some men who walk around dressed in black suits. I'm calling them the "Men in Black." They're kind of like the casino pit bosses of the tournament, making sure every player is comfortable and has everything they need.
There's a green room here with a full buffet, beverages, comfortable lounge chairs that is available to all IPT players between matches. The players are being treated very special by every single member of the IPT staff, and you can see a little pride in their eyes as they walk in dressed in their suits.
Well, that's it for now in the Cyber Cafe, as the show is about to begin!
JAM
thanks JAM, anyone know the link the live scoring, I can't seem to find it!
Wouldnt be suprised if ROnnie slept in or went home sulking because he didnt have a suit lol - but thats Ronnie. Hope he turns up though as I've heard Mr Hatch isn't afraid of a little controversy himself
Wouldnt be suprised if ROnnie slept in or went home sulking because he didnt have a suit lol - but thats Ronnie. Hope he turns up though as I've heard Mr Hatch isn't afraid of a little controversy himself