PoolSleuth
Banned
I am asking those who went as Vendors, Spectators, and Players.
Was the last Las Vegas ITP Event a Success, or Failure.
- Thread starter PoolSleuth
- Start date
Depends on who you ask, Poolsleuth! 
If you were to ask those in attendance, I would think the overwhelming majority would say it was a success.
If you were to ask those who have NEVER seen an IPT event, I am sure you will get a variety of responses and blessed opinions.
IMHO, the North American 8-Ball Championship was, without a doubt, a complete success.
JAM
If you were to ask those in attendance, I would think the overwhelming majority would say it was a success.
If you were to ask those who have NEVER seen an IPT event, I am sure you will get a variety of responses and blessed opinions.
IMHO, the North American 8-Ball Championship was, without a doubt, a complete success.
JAM
PoolSleuth
Banned
JAM said:Depends on who you ask, Poolsleuth!
If you were to ask those in attendance, I would think the overwhelming majority would say it was a success.
If you were to ask those who have NEVER seen an IPT event, I am sure you will get a variety of responses and blessed opinions.
IMHO, the North American 8-Ball Championship was, without a doubt, a complete success.
JAM
That is why I said "those who went as Vendors, Spectators, and Players"......
As a spectator, watching the matches was ok. The competition was great, seeing the best pool players in the world compete against each other. I think they should have taken out a row of tables and put in a row of seats so spectators can watch some of the matches in the middle of the room. I had to watch from about 60 feet away which was difficult to see and tedious.
Also there were no cue vendors. Just "natural cure" vendors and "sigel" dvd vendors. So as far as having other attractions, there were none.
So outside of watching some great matches and watching them compete for some real money, there was nothing else but competition that attracted me to the IPT event. Shopping for billiard products, like cues, cases and memoralbila for players to sign or other items to take home made the event bland. I did like the $5 spectator fee, it just goes to show that the IPT wasn't out to make a dollar off the specators. When the players got down to smaller numbers, more spectators came to see the players compete for the bigger prize money. Also, the event was trying to compete with the WSOP, which didn't help much, sometimes timing is everything...
Also there were no cue vendors. Just "natural cure" vendors and "sigel" dvd vendors. So as far as having other attractions, there were none.
So outside of watching some great matches and watching them compete for some real money, there was nothing else but competition that attracted me to the IPT event. Shopping for billiard products, like cues, cases and memoralbila for players to sign or other items to take home made the event bland. I did like the $5 spectator fee, it just goes to show that the IPT wasn't out to make a dollar off the specators. When the players got down to smaller numbers, more spectators came to see the players compete for the bigger prize money. Also, the event was trying to compete with the WSOP, which didn't help much, sometimes timing is everything...
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I really enjoyed it.PoolSleuth said:
As mentioned, the seating during some stages could have been better, but it's hard to have good seats at 60 tables. The seats in the TV arena were fine. The seats around the other tables were OK, and were chairs on risers -- lots of tournaments don't provide risers for the front row and you have to sit at floor level. So, I'd give them an A- for seating.
The venue was much nicer than most pool tournaments I've been to. I'd say that only the Cardiff WPC and some events held in hotel ballrooms (with balconies) are close or equal.
The score boards were updated pretty regularly, but it would have been nice to have on-line monitors. I think the web scores may have been faster and more accurate than the arena scores. The WPC in Cardiff had maybe a dozen monitors throughout the arena with the bracket scores rotating. I think they were updated with partial scores during matches.
It would have been nice to get a coke for less than $4.
JAM said:Depends on who you ask, Poolsleuth!
If you were to ask those in attendance, I would think the overwhelming majority would say it was a success.
If you were to ask those who have NEVER seen an IPT event, I am sure you will get a variety of responses and blessed opinions.
IMHO, the North American 8-Ball Championship was, without a doubt, a complete success.
JAM
HeHe, you was so quick to incite another bun fight then JAM you didnt read the post!
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Success. As a spectator I thought it was the best pool competition I have ever seen. The venue magnificient. The Vegas location perfect. The Venetian Hotel superb. The IPT staff professional. The ticket prices so cheap it was really free. I hope KT will make out financially on the Tour so the IPT will continue and the players had a magnificient pay day.
The seating in the center room should have had a couple rows of seating down the center and they should have had a food concession. Other than that I was totally pleased with the whole event and I will go to additional events.
The seating in the center room should have had a couple rows of seating down the center and they should have had a food concession. Other than that I was totally pleased with the whole event and I will go to additional events.
As a spectator, I thought the event was a success. The players handled themselves very professionally throughout with rare exceptions.
It was a tremendous learning experience to watch the care and precision that the players put into their pre-shot routines and patterns. It was fascinating to watch them get angry and frustrated at themselves after missed shots.
It was also fascinating to watch the quality of play increase on each day. The number of missed shots declined dramatically. By the round of 18, most innings ended on a dry break rather than a missed shot.
My only gripes with the tournament were how difficult it was to find the first time and the drink prices. A single sign saying 'Go to Level 5' would have helped instead of having an IPT sign with an arrow on each floor that sometimes pointed up and sometimes pointed flat.
It was a tremendous learning experience to watch the care and precision that the players put into their pre-shot routines and patterns. It was fascinating to watch them get angry and frustrated at themselves after missed shots.
It was also fascinating to watch the quality of play increase on each day. The number of missed shots declined dramatically. By the round of 18, most innings ended on a dry break rather than a missed shot.
My only gripes with the tournament were how difficult it was to find the first time and the drink prices. A single sign saying 'Go to Level 5' would have helped instead of having an IPT sign with an arrow on each floor that sometimes pointed up and sometimes pointed flat.
TheOne said:HeHe, you was so quick to incite another bun fight then JAM you didnt read the post!
Actually, I did read the post in its entirety and was attempting to provide my thoughts on the subject matter of the thread as a whole.
Inciting bun fights? What is that?
It would be interesting to learn what the percentage is of people who have actually attended an IPT event and then come away from it with a negative opinion. I'd venture to guess the actual number of responders who come away from it with a negative opinion would be very minute, if at all.
Seeing is believing.
JAM
JAM said:Actually, I did read the post in its entirety and was attempting to provide my thoughts on the subject matter of the thread as a whole.
Inciting bun fights? What is that?
It would be interesting to learn what the percentage is of people who have actually attended an IPT event and then come away from it with a negative opinion. I'd venture to guess the actual number of responders who come away from it with a negative opinion would be very minute, if at all.
Seeing is believing.
JAM
It sure looked great to me, but then I got to see it live on Eurosport too and had pretty good feedback from many players on the IPT
The only critisims I can recall off hand so far about the ACTUAL events are about the lack of live updates on the website (which don't really affect the people who are there) and from the players about the refs, schedule, balls and cloth, and dress code violators. But from my point of view it looked fantastic!
What did you mean by your middle line?
jema888
Registered
I attended the event for the first three days, and it was a dream come true for me. It was the first and only pro event I have ever attended so I have nothing to compare it to, but I can find NOTHING to complain about whatsoever! I saw every match I wanted to see up close and personal, within a few feet away, the seating overall was great. As far as complaints of seating being needed in the middle of the room for some of the center tables that could not be seen so well, that really was not a big issue to me because, with playing 4-5 matches in one day, within a short time that any player you wished to see would be on a different table and could be seen later from a closer view. I think they were rotated around very well so you could always be seeing many good matches close up! There were plenty of matches to observe at any time with a great view.
I got a stack of autographs (even Mike Sigel who has been reported to be uncooperative in giving autographs), and I got my picture taken with many players who were gracious enough to pose with me, including Earl, Keith, Cory Deuel, Kelly Fisher, Karen Corr, Jeanette Lee, and many others! I found the scoreboard to be updated quickly. The Venetian was beautiful, the ballroom was fantastic. With such a huge event, I think it was very well run and I can't see any room for nitpicking.
In reading the continuing updates by JAM I can still hear the excitement and enthusiasm pouring out of her words, and I have to agree 100%. I am very excited to have been a part of it.
Jeannie
I got a stack of autographs (even Mike Sigel who has been reported to be uncooperative in giving autographs), and I got my picture taken with many players who were gracious enough to pose with me, including Earl, Keith, Cory Deuel, Kelly Fisher, Karen Corr, Jeanette Lee, and many others! I found the scoreboard to be updated quickly. The Venetian was beautiful, the ballroom was fantastic. With such a huge event, I think it was very well run and I can't see any room for nitpicking.
In reading the continuing updates by JAM I can still hear the excitement and enthusiasm pouring out of her words, and I have to agree 100%. I am very excited to have been a part of it.
Jeannie
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I attended the Vegas event for just one day and thought it was great. The only major problem, already noted, was that some matches in the middle of the room couldn't be viewed well from anywhere.
Still, the largest ever assembly of today's greatest players in the magnificent ballroom at the Venetian was wonderful. The absence of the Taiwanese players (such as Fong Pang Chao, Chin Shun Yang, Po cheng Kuo, Pei Wei Chang and Chia Chang Wu) was a bit disconerting to me, but the greats of all other nations were there taking a shot at pool's largest ever prize, and surely, pool has never had a stronger, deeper, international field.
The tournament producers paid tribute to the game's past in a tasteful way, having maginficent and enormous pictures on the walls of the venue of many of the game's greatest legends. In addition, as you walked into the venue, the promotional poster from the 1966 US Open Straight Pool Championships bearing a picture of the great Joe Balsis sat elegantly on an easel in the entry area. The respect shown for the game's history and heritage really rubbed me the right way!
The competition was electric, and as the pros frequently hung out by the huge scoreboard to size up their chances of advancing to the next round, the fans had frequent access to them. Most of the pros were more than happy to converse with the fans while hanging out by the socreboard.
Finally, I was impressed that the competition stayed on or close to schedule.
Overall, I'd have to give this IPT event high marks.
Still, the largest ever assembly of today's greatest players in the magnificent ballroom at the Venetian was wonderful. The absence of the Taiwanese players (such as Fong Pang Chao, Chin Shun Yang, Po cheng Kuo, Pei Wei Chang and Chia Chang Wu) was a bit disconerting to me, but the greats of all other nations were there taking a shot at pool's largest ever prize, and surely, pool has never had a stronger, deeper, international field.
The tournament producers paid tribute to the game's past in a tasteful way, having maginficent and enormous pictures on the walls of the venue of many of the game's greatest legends. In addition, as you walked into the venue, the promotional poster from the 1966 US Open Straight Pool Championships bearing a picture of the great Joe Balsis sat elegantly on an easel in the entry area. The respect shown for the game's history and heritage really rubbed me the right way!
The competition was electric, and as the pros frequently hung out by the huge scoreboard to size up their chances of advancing to the next round, the fans had frequent access to them. Most of the pros were more than happy to converse with the fans while hanging out by the socreboard.
Finally, I was impressed that the competition stayed on or close to schedule.
Overall, I'd have to give this IPT event high marks.
I enjoyed it to, for all the one hour that I was there. LOL
Nice venue, although hard to find. Nice tribute to old time players and obviously a great field of talent.
And then I was introduced to the local constabulary. Have a nice day Jay.
Nice venue, although hard to find. Nice tribute to old time players and obviously a great field of talent.
And then I was introduced to the local constabulary. Have a nice day Jay.
JAM said:I was curious too, wondering what a "bun fight" is.
JAM
Wikipedia states that a "bun fight" is an obscure form of martial art, originating in Australia, in which each opponent grabs the other with the buttocks, attempting to throw the other to the ground. It is now practiced only by globetrotting IPT naysayers.
Success, no question, for everyone. I agree with all the positive comments others have voiced. I was there, including finals. I think the most interesting part of the organizational structure of the tournament was the scheduling. Each morning, anyone could pick up a schedule and see when every player was going to play and on what table. If I wanted to see particular players matched up, just check the time and table. Almost every match was timely and on the assigned tables. It had to be a relief for all the players who have suffered through scheduling problems, such as DCCC.
I believe the quality of play has also improved since KOH. More players played better, clearly the result of working on their 8 ball game in preparation of this event. Some of the best play I have ever seen and I have seen some.
Perfect final match, hill/hill, great winner and humble to the sport and the people that made it happen. And last but not least, HOT scorecard girls!
I have heard other opinions. Since it is really a TV product, some people thought it could have been better for TV if it was handled a little different. I don't agree, but to each his own. Kevin put together a great product, sure some squeaks such as the seating, but overall, the best yet.
I believe the quality of play has also improved since KOH. More players played better, clearly the result of working on their 8 ball game in preparation of this event. Some of the best play I have ever seen and I have seen some.
Perfect final match, hill/hill, great winner and humble to the sport and the people that made it happen. And last but not least, HOT scorecard girls!
I have heard other opinions. Since it is really a TV product, some people thought it could have been better for TV if it was handled a little different. I don't agree, but to each his own. Kevin put together a great product, sure some squeaks such as the seating, but overall, the best yet.
beetle said:
Hmmm, now I'm curious as to who you are refering too, obviously not me since I'm English and live in England. You also know I'm very pro IPT, I do certainly wish I was a "globetrotter" though like these lucky IPTers but sadly I work.
Down with the naysayers I say, particulary the globetrotting variety, lucky sods! My understanding of a bunfighter (amateur, shortstop or pro bunfighter) is different to yours but down with them too! (especially the Australian variety)
IPT ISayer
It was a resounding success! From the Player's meeting, to the scheduling, to the collateral materials, the player's bags, the Green room and the heavenly massages, MOST of the officiating , the dress code, the coverage - TV, pics and stories and online score updates, the venue, the 4 practice tables, and just the excitement in the room, and most of all, the excitement generated from ALL THE PLAYERS! Everywhere you looked, players were grinning like a kid at Christmas, even the reknowned players were excited to be a part of an historic event.
Things that could be improved on - maybe a row of chairs down the center aisle, more referees, and on the same floor food and drink for spectators. I think there was a bar there? These are minor blips though and things just ran so smoothly. I'll bet Reno will be flawless!
, the dress code, the coverage - TV, pics and stories and online score updates, the venue, the 4 practice tables, and just the excitement in the room, and most of all, the excitement generated from ALL THE PLAYERS! Everywhere you looked, players were grinning like a kid at Christmas, even the reknowned players were excited to be a part of an historic event.Things that could be improved on - maybe a row of chairs down the center aisle, more referees, and on the same floor food and drink for spectators. I think there was a bar there? These are minor blips though and things just ran so smoothly. I'll bet Reno will be flawless!