How was it? Better than last year?
Tunica Turnout
- Thread starter Fast Lenny
- Start date
How's your turnout been, Lenny?
Lotta seats filled up? Giving away a lot of that popcorn?
Lou Figueroa
I didn't go this year but from looking at the results it looks considerably down from last year regarding player entries.
Banks: looks like low 120s
One-Pocket: looks like low 120s
9 Ball: Looks like low 80s
Last year I think the entries were all bouncing around the 150s I think.
It would be nice to be able to see the payouts for the events. Everyone at the poolroom keeps asking me for results which are easy to get online but I have nothing to share when they ask about payouts for even the first few let alone how deep. It would also be nice to see a results list posted so you can see where friends or favorites are doing or did.
Banks: looks like low 120s
One-Pocket: looks like low 120s
9 Ball: Looks like low 80s
Last year I think the entries were all bouncing around the 150s I think.
It would be nice to be able to see the payouts for the events. Everyone at the poolroom keeps asking me for results which are easy to get online but I have nothing to share when they ask about payouts for even the first few let alone how deep. It would also be nice to see a results list posted so you can see where friends or favorites are doing or did.
I was not trying to be a jerk by starting this thread or asking those questions so I am not sure why your snide reply. I was just asking because of all the speculation that Bonus Ball would harm it and player attendance might be low. Apparently the player participation from pros was good but I was not there and do not know the numbers nor the spectator or amateur participation.
Unlike others I want to see all events succeed besides the US Open 9 Ball which I could care less about and will never support. As for Bonus Ball, the arena had about 40-50 of the 100 seats filled and free popcorn is always a plus too. :thumbup:
Thanks for the reply and info. I am curious how the pro player attendance was for the events. I am sure this event will grow to be the size of Derby, it just takes time.
Rereading my post, and yours, there was nothing more snide about mine ;-)
They were just questions, right?
I was just asking because of all the speculation about Bonus Ball and how being in competition with The Strip would harm it and spectator attendance might be low.I am not there and do not know the numbers.
Unlike others I want to see all events succeed.
Oh, and Nathan, thanks for the red and accompanying comment : "Quit being an ass. Lennys has nothing but positive intentions." Good to see you continue your fabulous PR work on behalf of BB.
Lou Figueroa
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I have read a few trip reports written by folks who attended this year and last year, and the general consensus is that the attendance was down this year. Some folks canceling at the last minute that were going to come originally may have factored into it. Kind of a compound fracture thanks to the haphazard scheduling at the last minute by amateurs in the pool industry with no experience whatsoever in this regard..
No question that the Southern Classic was adversely impacted by the unfortunate scheduling conflict created by Bonus Ball. I had to scale back the Bigfoot Challenge to 16 players from the planned 32, due to all the withdrawals. It was still a very successful event with some great competition. Congratulations to Karl Boyes for his victory over Shane in the finals. The sixteen grand made his decision to stay after the Ultimate Ten Ball a good one. The other Southern Classic events were similarly affected by all the defections after the Ultimate Ten Ball ended.
I did speak with many of the players (including Darren) while they were here for the Ultimate Ten Ball and fully understand their decision to play BB. I'm hopeful for their sake that all the promised monies will be paid, including the season ending bonuses.
On a brighter note, the level of play in the final matches has been spectacular. Alex played a super Bank Pool match, narrowly defeating 20 year old Skyler Woodward in the finals. And 25 year old Justin Bergman also played great in the One Pocket finals, taking down none other than Francisco Bustamante. Stellar play by both men! It's still very exciting for me to see great pool being played at games that I understand and enjoy watching. I love Bank Pool and One Pocket and appreciate the skill required to play these games well.
I'm seriously considering creating funding to send players like Skyler and Justin to worldwide tournaments. Justin can compete with anyone right now, he's that good. And Skyler is not far behind.
I did speak with many of the players (including Darren) while they were here for the Ultimate Ten Ball and fully understand their decision to play BB. I'm hopeful for their sake that all the promised monies will be paid, including the season ending bonuses.
On a brighter note, the level of play in the final matches has been spectacular. Alex played a super Bank Pool match, narrowly defeating 20 year old Skyler Woodward in the finals. And 25 year old Justin Bergman also played great in the One Pocket finals, taking down none other than Francisco Bustamante. Stellar play by both men! It's still very exciting for me to see great pool being played at games that I understand and enjoy watching. I love Bank Pool and One Pocket and appreciate the skill required to play these games well.
I'm seriously considering creating funding to send players like Skyler and Justin to worldwide tournaments. Justin can compete with anyone right now, he's that good. And Skyler is not far behind.
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I read that Melissa Little went to the double-hill with Bustie, which must have been exciting. Francisco won, but Melissa must have been playing strong to get that close. If I was there, I would have been cheerleading for Melissa to win. :grin:
Ivica Putnik is a man. :wink:
Vivian Villarreal stayed and played in all events, event though she was a little under the weather. If all the top women had stayed on after the Ultimate Ten Ball, it would have been very interesting to see how they fared in the open events.
Oops, my bad. Apologies to Ivica Putnik. Honest mistake on my part. No offense intended.
Jay...I bought the PPV for the semi-finals and finals for the Bigfoot challenge and I have to say it was some of the most enjoyable pool I've watched all year. Some would say that the Shane Burford match was uh less than stellar from an execution perspective, but I enjoyed watching top players have an exceptionally off night and trying to grind out a win. Also, the spectacular play in the finals from Shane and Karl more than made up for it. Thanks for helping put on the event. I would definitely like to see more of these 10 foot 10 ball tournaments.
I heard around 20 something Bonus Ball players attended the Ultimate Ten Ball so I am unsure how Bonus Ball really affected the pro turnout. Were there more or less pro player entries besides the Big Foot Challenge? Is it possible the venue was the problem, Billy Incardona posted recently he did not return this year because he got bit up by bugs and some other things were going on too. I think the event being in its only second year is the biggest factor along with many choosing to do DCC instead of Tunica if they have to pick one for the year.
I did also hear that some players did not attend because of the cost from last year and were not going back and even some who went this year talked about how costly it is and tough to make any money. This was what Corey Deuel posted on Facebook. "Been in tunica for 10 days...need to win one pocket to get even for trip...looking forward to vegas and back to bonus ball! Watch miami cruise on the 29th we are due !!!"
Well, that's pretty tame compared to what Frost is writing on Facebook.
I know you feel like you are the right side of things but you have a former pro pool player living with you who knows what the players have went through. If all these players are voicing out like Scott Frost, Corey Deuel, Darren Appleton, Rodney Morris and many others then what does that tell you about the current events and state of professional pool?
Regardless whether Bonus Ball works or fails, IMO at least something new was tried which the tournaments of today have proven to be failures at being able to support the pro players and give them a living. If people want to know how the players feel then just listen to them period if you get a chance to talk with them instead of misinformation on the forums by people connected to those events. I think some events are very good for some players but the majority are losing propositions for most players.
Whatever you think Lou but instead of answering my question in a decent manner you chose to bring up Bonus Ball and questions. You could have started a thread about it as someone else did.
I used to want to see all events succeed too but my opinion has changed after speaking with most of the players and there are some like the US Open 9 Ball that I could care less if they ever happen again. We need to put aside our sentimental things to do with some events because we have enjoyed watching the top players play in them and realize they are not all gravy for the players whose talent we admire.