World Pool Championships - 2007

jay helfert

jay helfert

Shoot Pool, not people
Gold Member
Silver Member
The dates this year are Nov. 3-11, and once again it is being played in Manila. I know for most of you, it is not posssible to attend this event. What I would like to see happen this year, is for you to be able to see it on television, either live or delayed. They do such a good job over there of televising pool, where it is treated as a major sport. It is shown LIVE for eight days, seven to eight hours a day. Similar coverage to our Masters Golf tournament or Wimbleton Tennis. To call it a revelation is an understatement.

I am requesting that any and all of you petition ESPN, FOX or any other network you can contact to "buy" this feed and air it for the American audience. My sense is that if a show like this ever airs over here, it will lead to more and bigger pro tournaments on American television. If enough people make such a request, one of the networks may decide to buy it. It is definitely available to be bought.

To me, It's a damn shame that the best television coverage of Pool every year is blacked out in this market. I'm the lucky one who gets to go over there, sweat the matches, talk about it and get paid for doing it. I'd like all of you to see the same show I'm seeing every day. I know you'd like it. Go ahead, ask for it. Miracles do happen.
 
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E mails sent. Wider coverage would be great.

By the way Jay, just as an aside, The Masters is possibly a bad example as for many years I think it's been the only golf Major for which live television broadcast is strictly limited to a set maximum number of hours per day (about 4, I think) on the specific insistence of the Augusta Club's Tournament Committee........weird bunch and a law unto themselves:)
 
Thanks guys. I wish we had a thousand more like you. They might take notice. But every little bit helps. One day, Pool may be a "major" sport in America, as well it should.
 
How about providing a email address to send to and seeing if we can keep a running total on AZB for the emails we sent? If we send a copy of all the emails to a special email address then we can resend them later to all the networks. feel free to use this one - wewantrealpool@jbideas.com

I'd like to see this thread get a thousand - or ten thousand replies.
 
I just found out that there will be a PPV Internet site available from the WPC. When I know more I will let you know. As far as live TV, nothing yet.
 
John Barton said:
How about providing a email address to send to and seeing if we can keep a running total on AZB for the emails we sent? If we send a copy of all the emails to a special email address then we can resend them later to all the networks. feel free to use this one - wewantrealpool@jbideas.com

I'd like to see this thread get a thousand - or ten thousand replies.
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Sounds like a good idea to me. Thanks John.
 
Jay, I am looking forward to hearing your commentary if I can get the PPV.

Also, please get a digital camera and take some pictures. Not only will they be great keepsakes, but if you could share a few on this forum, it would be really cool for readers like me! :p

It would be interesting to see pool in the Philippines, Jay-style! :D

JAM
 
In Europe SkySports broadcast it live, but I prefer to watch it live in Manila, so I'm going there!

Guess there will be long nights watching all the action at One Side every night too... :)
 
John Barton said:
I will be there too!
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My, oh, my, you do get around, Mr. Barton! :)

Is this your first trip to Philippines? I know you must be excited. Apparently, this is the only country in the world that celebrates pool as a sport. I look forward to reading your insights! Have a safe journey.

JAM
 
Perhaps if this thread was made a sticky thread, then it would help to get more people's attention :)

Hey Jerry, how's it goin buddy? :)

Willie
 
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Jerry Forsyth said:
Jay,

Will you be in Manila again this year? I just made my flight arrangements this week.

Jerry
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Yeah, George e-mailed me this week. I will be on the "B" team. You are on the "A" team. What a guy!

Hey, I think you owe me a drink. Can't remember why, but I'm sure you do.
 
JAM said:
Jay, I am looking forward to hearing your commentary if I can get the PPV.

Also, please get a digital camera and take some pictures. Not only will they be great keepsakes, but if you could share a few on this forum, it would be really cool for readers like me! :p

It would be interesting to see pool in the Philippines, Jay-style! :D

JAM
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I'll do "Your Man In Manila" thread again this year if you guys want it. Can't promise about taking photos but I'll try. I will take my camera.
 
Roy Steffensen said:
In Europe SkySports broadcast it live, but I prefer to watch it live in Manila, so I'm going there!

Guess there will be long nights watching all the action at One Side every night too... :)
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Knowing you Roy, you will be right in the middle of it. Will you try to qualify this year for the main event?
 
TheWizard said:
Perhaps if this thread was made a sticky thread, then it would help to get more people's attention :)

Hey Jerry, how's it goin buddy? :)

Willie
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Wiz, I don't know how to do that. Can you help?
 
JAM said:
My, oh, my, you do get around, Mr. Barton! :)

Is this your first trip to Philippines? I know you must be excited. Apparently, this is the only country in the world that celebrates pool as a sport. I look forward to reading your insights! Have a safe journey.

JAM
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Jam,

If you ever brought Keith there, he will think he died and went to heaven. Scrungy little poolrooms on every corner, with funky tables, bad rails and cloth, the whole deal. He would be right at home. They might erect a statue to Keith within one year. He would be running for Mayor!

Gobs of big poolrooms too, with good equipment. Keith would not run out of places to play in this lifetime. And get this, every poolroom he walked into, a half dozen kids would rush up and ask him to play. KIDS! And they all gamble too. Not many big games, but action nonetheless. Once you're there, it wouldn't be hard to pay for the nut each day.

Do your man a favor and take him there once in his life. You will both have a blast. THEY WOULD LOVE KEITH OVER THERE. I MEAN LOVE HIM!!! He's their kind of guy. Get up and play and gab with the crowd. Keith would be in his second childhood.

P.S. It ain't expensive once your there. A nice hotel room can be had for $40-50. And food is cheap too. Our money stretches over there.
 
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jay helfert said:
Jam,

If you ever brought Keith there, he will think he died and went to heaven. Scrungy little poolrooms on every corner, with funky tables, bad rails and cloth, the whole deal. He would be right at home. They might erect a statue to Keith within one year. He would be running for Mayor!

Gobs of big poolrooms too, with good equipment. Keith would not run out of places to play in this lifetime. And get this, every poolroom he walked into, a half dozen kids would rush up and ask him to play. KIDS!

Do your man a favor and take him there once in his life. You will both have a blast. THEY WOULD LOVE KEITH OVER THERE. I MEAN LOVE HIM!!!
He's their kind of guy. Get up and play and gab with the crowd. Keith would be in his second childhood.

P.S. It ain't expensive once your there. A nice hotel room can be had for $40-50. And food is cheap too. Our money stretches over there.
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Sounds so dreamy! It would be nice to be in a country that celebrates pool. I have read so many wonderful things about the Philippines, and I have never met a Filipino player that I didn't like. Every Filipino player I know has a great personality, very polite, a keen sense of humor, and they let their cue sticks do the talking when it comes to being macho. :D

If I had to pick a favorite Filipino player that I know, it would be a tough call. Alex is such a cutie pie. I admire Jose's pride. Santos has so much gamble. I respect Efren a great deal, especially his humility. Ronnie has a ton of heart. But my favorite Filipino player may just be Francisco Bustamante. He's got style, loves to laugh, and has a whole lot of game. There's just something about him that always puts a smile on my face every time we run into him. :)

Looking forward to reading all about it, Jay. I hereby designate you as our beloved AzBilliards Roving Reporter. You are 'da man! :p

JAM
 

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