For anyone that can't wait until tomorrow... I figured out how to get the past chat messages and how to copy/paste. Click "Action > Recent Room History". Then hit CTRL+A to select all, and CTRL+C to copy. I'm heading out, but I'll paste what has been said so far...
Mon Aug 14 18:37:01 PDT 2006
thehitman: Ralf deserve to be in the HALL OF FAME, in my opinion. He has been and still is today one of my great heroes and I admire his professionalism. I am glad to call him a friend and I will support him as much as he supports me. He is also having a great year and I am happy for him as I would have won his titles... Hi STU -wink-
Mon Aug 14 18:38:39 PDT 2006
AzHousePro: It is true that you might not play in the World Pool Championship this year? That would be a big loss to the game.
Mon Aug 14 18:38:39 PDT 2006
thehitman: Well, everybody knows...I love the Philippines. And there would be nothing greater to win the 9-Ball title again this year...but as I know..the dates are not conflicting...if so, I would give Kevin Trudeau personally a call...hehehe
Mon Aug 14 18:41:09 PDT 2006
Richard: Thorsten, with you success in the IPT, do you see the continuing professionalization of pool and its athletes? And if so, who will most take advantage of this, the Europeans, the Asians, or the Americans?
Mon Aug 14 18:41:09 PDT 2006
thehitman: We have all been waiting for someone to come and support pool..and here we go...Players already have been starting to take the game more professional...even when I talk to kids they get inspired and they want to become a tour members...the asians have always been very dangerous....will see when the great taiwanese players start playing on the tour....
Mon Aug 14 18:42:57 PDT 2006
AzHousePro: Thorsten, can you explain what role the military has played in your pool playing career?
Mon Aug 14 18:42:57 PDT 2006
thehitman: The sport support unit is a great help for the German athletes. most of the titles and gold medals won by german athlete were won by members of the sport support unit of the army... i was able to practice like a pro, the army was paying my salary and health insurance...perfect...wish I could still be on... -lol-
Mon Aug 14 18:44:53 PDT 2006
rodfoley: You are my favorite player to watch play, you stay so mentally focused. What tricks of the trade could you pass along that helps you to keep focused?
Mon Aug 14 18:44:53 PDT 2006
thehitman: well,think its my natural to be calm and quiet and focus. what works for me, might not work for others...everybody is different....think, its experience....i dont do voodoo stuff...oh my god..i wish i could write faster...
Mon Aug 14 18:47:36 PDT 2006
AzHousePro: I understand you have a little celebration planned this week. Can you tell us about it?
Mon Aug 14 18:47:36 PDT 2006
thehitman: HAHA...everybody is invited...if you can make it in time...I am going to throwing a party in JAX tomorrow and a lot of friends are coming...we will have bar-b-q, games(surprise-even my friends dont know), music, dance, plus the IPT will send a camera team down to cover the event...so everybody tune in in september for the show on OLN...
Mon Aug 14 18:49:33 PDT 2006
Bazooka: What is in your pool bag? Or that you would like to share, care to share cue specs or anything like that?
Mon Aug 14 18:49:33 PDT 2006
thehitman: I play with a LUCASI CUE in combination with the UNIVERSAL SMARTSHAFT, 19 1/2 ounze, moori hard tip....UNIVERSAL break cue (brand new...just got it before IPT)....dont really use to many tools....the Sandman, tip tool...
Mon Aug 14 18:50:50 PDT 2006
therooko: What do you feel is your best game? 1 hole, nine ball, 8 ball or straight pool?
Mon Aug 14 18:50:50 PDT 2006
thehitman: Well, i grew up playing all the games, but my focus was always on straight pool....the most tournaments I won as a junior was 8-Ball, but my break through was winning the world 9-ball title...
Mon Aug 14 18:53:11 PDT 2006
AzHousePro: We are nearing the end of our scheduled hour, but Thorsten says he is willing to stay as late as he needs to in order to answer everyone's questions. So get your questions in now if you want them answered.
Mon Aug 14 18:54:01 PDT 2006
therooko: Who was your biggest influence growing up?
Mon Aug 14 18:54:01 PDT 2006
thehitman: i feel blessed...my parents have always been supporting me...good or bad times...my coach Michael Wahl in germany...the first person I met when I started playing pool...still my coach today and the BEST !!! All the friends and players I met along the way....Charlie Williams for example who brought me to the states and helped me like no other growing as a person....I could name so many people...
Mon Aug 14 18:56:27 PDT 2006
kyle: what are your thoughts playing on the slow cloth?
Mon Aug 14 18:56:27 PDT 2006
thehitman: I dont mind playing A slow cloth, but I am NOT a fan of the nap cloth...I think the last half an inch is unpredictable...the ball might roll to the left, or the right...and our sport requires precision....but if thats the cloth we have to play on....i just close my mouth, stop complaining and practice on it...
Mon Aug 14 18:57:42 PDT 2006
da9ball: Was just wondering how many hours a day do you practice?
Mon Aug 14 18:57:42 PDT 2006
thehitman: well, if i would not be so busy....i like to practice with my coach michael 4-5 hours every day...doing drills and exercises....every morning we go to the gym or the stadium or the swimming pool for a couple hours...
Mon Aug 14 18:58:21 PDT 2006
f210: hello Thorsten, which team do you think will win the upcoming World Cup of Pool?
Mon Aug 14 18:58:21 PDT 2006
thehitman: GERMANY !!! YEAH ! maybe USA, Taiwan, England, Philippines, etc....hehehe
Mon Aug 14 19:00:41 PDT 2006
supergreenman: What kind of support did you get for pool in your youth, were there leagues for young kids to compete and how much did your parents have to do with encouraging you?
Mon Aug 14 19:00:41 PDT 2006
thehitman: everything is very well organized and structured in europe...kids learn to play competitively at a young age, playing in leagues, tournaments etc...my parents played the biggest factor for me becoming a good player...my father even brought my lunch and dinner to the club, so I didnt have to stop practicing...my school was supporting me too...they still have a pool table there...
Mon Aug 14 19:02:26 PDT 2006
Bazooka: Who are your sponsors? Is pool bigger in Germany as far as being mainstream than it is here in America? Do you see there being more money and bigger sponsors involved in the future? As great of a game as pool is, it is very hard to believe it has anywhere to go but up....
Mon Aug 14 19:02:26 PDT 2006
thehitman: The industry is here in America....and I am proud to be with Lucasi..they were the first to believe in me and supporting me.... I hope the IPT will change some things and pool will become mainstream....i will do the best i can to promote the sport....
Mon Aug 14 19:05:16 PDT 2006
Rubyron: Have you ever gambled on pool and how do you feel about it?
Mon Aug 14 19:05:16 PDT 2006
thehitman: I have NEVER gambled...its my attitude...some players are forced, because the need the money...some need the pressure playing for money...I just love the game....its the environment...kids know that their heroes gamble...its normal...so they start doing it... i believe u can become a great champ, without playing for money and be sure to play because ofthe beauty and purity oft the game.....sorry for the mistakes...trying to think and type fast...hehehe
Mon Aug 14 19:07:00 PDT 2006
NYC: thorsten, how much time do you spend everyday doing your hair, and it's been said that you are the best dresseds player in pool history, is that important to you?
Mon Aug 14 19:07:00 PDT 2006
thehitman: HAHAHA....I wish I would have Ralf's style...would delete some problems...but with every tournament I lose more hair anyways....or at least get more grey ones....best dressed player ? wait for my next IPT appearance...hehehe
Mon Aug 14 19:08:22 PDT 2006
JAM: What lady player do you think has the STRONGEST game?
Mon Aug 14 19:08:22 PDT 2006
thehitman: Jasmin Oushan - she has the drive to become the greatest player ever, breaks like a monster, looks like a hollywood star and practices and takes the game as serious as I do...watch out for her....men and women...
Mon Aug 14 19:08:54 PDT 2006
AzHousePro:
Mon Aug 14 19:11:40 PDT 2006
da9ball: Throsten do you have any pets, if yes what kind and do they have names?
Mon Aug 14 19:11:40 PDT 2006
thehitman: Well, there is Eight Ball, the cutest chihuahua puppy in THE WORLD....he is black with white markings and weights a pound and a half....the love of my life -Sandy, she is 4years old and tips the scale at a whopping 2 1/2 pound....and some cool fish....watch IPT in september !
Mon Aug 14 19:14:57 PDT 2006
rodfoley: What practice drills and routines would you suggest for overall improvement?
Mon Aug 14 19:14:57 PDT 2006
thehitman: Well,my coach has 1million drills and exercises for me and they are all great....as long as you do them...thats the important part - DO drills...i personally would recommend the new PAT System invented by one of my coaches Ralph Eckert
www.pat-billiard.com
Mon Aug 14 19:16:18 PDT 2006
rackmsuckr: I want to know about the shoes you wore in the IPT finals...were they boots? Were they comfortable??
Mon Aug 14 19:16:18 PDT 2006
thehitman: Haha, I know...people are making fun of me...thats ok, at least they are talking about me....no, they werent booths, just cool looking dress shoes...go to fulda, germany...railwaystation...totos boothstore...
Mon Aug 14 19:18:11 PDT 2006
AzHousePro: Thorsten now has enough questions and will stay with us long enough to answer those.
Mon Aug 14 19:18:33 PDT 2006
kyle: do you play one pocket?
Mon Aug 14 19:18:33 PDT 2006
thehitman: I only played in one tournament...the derby city 2005 and didnt do too bad...I want to look more into the game...cause i think it would improve my overall game...but one rack of one-pocket can take more energy of me than playing one full ipt tournament...
Mon Aug 14 19:23:02 PDT 2006
Bazooka: What is it like being a professional pool player? The way I pitcure it in my mind, The way I picture it in my mind as being similar to a professional poker player, but more tight knit....I just picture all of you guys roomed up in hotels while on tour and going out for a night on the town as fraternity brothers lol....Do you primarily hang out with other pros and practice with them, goto their baby showers....ect?
Mon Aug 14 19:23:02 PDT 2006
thehitman: I love my life ! I love being a professional pool player....yes, there are sacrifices to make...I dont see my family as often, to name one...but I meet new great people every day...yes, sometimes you only see the airport, the hotel and the venue...but sometimes I have the time to visit the cities, the towns, places...and I get arround...I have friends on every continent...I ve been friends with most of the players on tour...one day I will write a book about all the stories I have been trough...and there are a lot...
Mon Aug 14 19:25:03 PDT 2006
rodfoley: For those of us not in the know, what's with Toastie?
Mon Aug 14 19:25:03 PDT 2006
thehitman: HAHA, a classmate when I was 16 years gave me this nickname...since then my closest friends call me so...its cute, isnt it ? Wouldnt it sound good on tv ? Bad ass toasti ?
Mon Aug 14 19:27:03 PDT 2006
JAM: The first time you spoke to your mom and dad, what did they say to you, after learning you had won the biggest prize ever in the history of pool?
Mon Aug 14 19:27:03 PDT 2006
thehitman: Well, they were watching the game live on tv with a bunch of my friends in Germany...they both play pool too, so they know....and of course they are the proudest parents in the world and I cant wait to see them....How is Keith ?
