Sunday, October 29, 2006
Still No Money
One month ago I posted that the players were still awaiting their cheques from the Reno tournament and sadly this is still the case.
It now also appears that the upcoming Chicago tournament has been cancelled (IPT rumoured to be saying 'postponed') and any but the most blind optimist must surely now think that the final curtain is down on the IPT.
I really cannot see any way this is going to continue. The players are valiantly trying to keep an optimistic slant on things in the main, but surely in private their views must be very very different. How can players make travel plans for future tournaments when they have no clue what is going on?
The Ho acquisition is strangely quiet with various factors blamed for the hold-up, but I must say that I cannot see any reason for the delay in payment even considering ongoing contractual issues between Kevin Trudeau and Mr. Ho's representatives. No comment has yet been issued by anyone from Ho's side and many in the pool world are sceptical as to just how concrete this deal is.
Will there be a tornament in Chicago? My guess is not. Will they manage to pull around in time for the King of the Hill in late December? My guess is not. Will there even be a 2007 season? My guess is not. Is the IPT finished? My guess is yes. Prove me wrong........please!
The sad sad thing is that even this weekend the qualifier turnout was quite good and that is at $2000 a pop. The IPT can generate big funds through qualifiers and if we have learned anything from the IPT so far it is that pool could be organized globally and with big payouts and that is defnitely within the grasp if anyone can take up the challenge. The format of the IPT was wonderful, but maybe the payouts initially were a tad optimistic. Can someone take up the mantle? Barry Hearn are you reading this?
It now also appears that the upcoming Chicago tournament has been cancelled (IPT rumoured to be saying 'postponed') and any but the most blind optimist must surely now think that the final curtain is down on the IPT.
I really cannot see any way this is going to continue. The players are valiantly trying to keep an optimistic slant on things in the main, but surely in private their views must be very very different. How can players make travel plans for future tournaments when they have no clue what is going on?
The Ho acquisition is strangely quiet with various factors blamed for the hold-up, but I must say that I cannot see any reason for the delay in payment even considering ongoing contractual issues between Kevin Trudeau and Mr. Ho's representatives. No comment has yet been issued by anyone from Ho's side and many in the pool world are sceptical as to just how concrete this deal is.
Will there be a tornament in Chicago? My guess is not. Will they manage to pull around in time for the King of the Hill in late December? My guess is not. Will there even be a 2007 season? My guess is not. Is the IPT finished? My guess is yes. Prove me wrong........please!
The sad sad thing is that even this weekend the qualifier turnout was quite good and that is at $2000 a pop. The IPT can generate big funds through qualifiers and if we have learned anything from the IPT so far it is that pool could be organized globally and with big payouts and that is defnitely within the grasp if anyone can take up the challenge. The format of the IPT was wonderful, but maybe the payouts initially were a tad optimistic. Can someone take up the mantle? Barry Hearn are you reading this?
Thursday, September 28, 2006
Real Money?
I am very sad to report that as far as I have been made aware, no player has yet received their tournament winnings from the recent World Open in Reno.
Kevin Trudeau said on numerous occasions that people would be paid out at the tournaments and expressed his assurances that his tour would not leave players waiting for cheques that may/may not materialise.
Something has gone wrong. If there is a mere clerical problem (explanations I've heard so far have alluded to this) then they had better sort it out and do so fast! The fact is that few people will reach for $2000 to enter a qualifier to a tour that might be on the ropes - people cannot risk that amount of money when they are so unsure of the future. Of course, this has a knock-on effect and means that the IPT is simply not making enough money from the current crop of qualifiers (last week's turnouts were embarrassingly small).
I think the combination of the fee being too high at $2000, coupled with the doubt over the future of the IPT has contributed to this situation.
I desperately want this to succeed and I desperately want the players to receive their cheques and very very soon please. I've no idea if anyone from the IPT reads this, but if they do then please can we have some clarification on what has been going on?
The 'sale' of the IPT to Stanley Ho also seems very strange when set in this mix; only time will see things unveiled. I hav a very bad feeling about all of this - I hope I'm wrong...
Kevin Trudeau said on numerous occasions that people would be paid out at the tournaments and expressed his assurances that his tour would not leave players waiting for cheques that may/may not materialise.
Something has gone wrong. If there is a mere clerical problem (explanations I've heard so far have alluded to this) then they had better sort it out and do so fast! The fact is that few people will reach for $2000 to enter a qualifier to a tour that might be on the ropes - people cannot risk that amount of money when they are so unsure of the future. Of course, this has a knock-on effect and means that the IPT is simply not making enough money from the current crop of qualifiers (last week's turnouts were embarrassingly small).
I think the combination of the fee being too high at $2000, coupled with the doubt over the future of the IPT has contributed to this situation.
I desperately want this to succeed and I desperately want the players to receive their cheques and very very soon please. I've no idea if anyone from the IPT reads this, but if they do then please can we have some clarification on what has been going on?
The 'sale' of the IPT to Stanley Ho also seems very strange when set in this mix; only time will see things unveiled. I hav a very bad feeling about all of this - I hope I'm wrong...
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
Efren Reyes wins IPT World Open
Efren Reyes stamped his class on the IPT event in Reno, NV on Sunday by overcoming American star, Rodney Morris 8-6 in an exciting final.
As predicted here before the event (no idea how I got this right!) Reyes rose above all and sundry in the biggest ever tournament of 8-ball pool. Rodney Morris was my pick of Americans before the event and I am kicking myself that I did not place a small wager on this being the final! I did have a pound or two on said Mr.Reyes though.
The tournament seems to have lived up to the hype, with most players preferring this venue to the previous one in Vegas. Although Eurosport could not cover this one live as it clashed with US Open Tennis (zzzzzzzzzzzz), the online streaming video content ($5.95 a month) was very well done indeed - especially the commentary proving much better than Eurosport's.
There was a subtle balance to the final 6 this time. Two Filipinos (Reyes and Orcollo), two Europeans (Immonen and Ortmann) and two Americans (Deuel and Morris). This made for the ideal combination to my mind. I would love to have seen a Brit make it, but Karl Boyes and Mick Hill fell just short here in spite of incredible early tournament form.
Were there surprises? You bet! The biggest perhaps being the first round shock exit of Thorsten Hohmann as well as the second round exit of fellow North American Open finalist, Marlon Manalo.
Surprises on the positive side were Dimitri Jungo, the Swiss qualifier who made the final 18 and Spain's David Alcaide who followed suit.
It was an amazing tournament and let's hope the roadshow continues rolling on, although news came in that the players were not paid at the event and many observers have raised an eyebrow at this. However, the IPT put it down to a simple delivery problem and promised a speedy issue of the monies this week to all concerned. The history of pool players having been 'burned' once too often in the past will have some on tenterhoooks I am sure. I'd like to believe that the IPT's reasons for not paying at the tournament are 100% genuine and that the matter can be brought to a swift and efficient conclusion.
As predicted here before the event (no idea how I got this right!) Reyes rose above all and sundry in the biggest ever tournament of 8-ball pool. Rodney Morris was my pick of Americans before the event and I am kicking myself that I did not place a small wager on this being the final! I did have a pound or two on said Mr.Reyes though.
The tournament seems to have lived up to the hype, with most players preferring this venue to the previous one in Vegas. Although Eurosport could not cover this one live as it clashed with US Open Tennis (zzzzzzzzzzzz), the online streaming video content ($5.95 a month) was very well done indeed - especially the commentary proving much better than Eurosport's.
There was a subtle balance to the final 6 this time. Two Filipinos (Reyes and Orcollo), two Europeans (Immonen and Ortmann) and two Americans (Deuel and Morris). This made for the ideal combination to my mind. I would love to have seen a Brit make it, but Karl Boyes and Mick Hill fell just short here in spite of incredible early tournament form.
Were there surprises? You bet! The biggest perhaps being the first round shock exit of Thorsten Hohmann as well as the second round exit of fellow North American Open finalist, Marlon Manalo.
Surprises on the positive side were Dimitri Jungo, the Swiss qualifier who made the final 18 and Spain's David Alcaide who followed suit.
It was an amazing tournament and let's hope the roadshow continues rolling on, although news came in that the players were not paid at the event and many observers have raised an eyebrow at this. However, the IPT put it down to a simple delivery problem and promised a speedy issue of the monies this week to all concerned. The history of pool players having been 'burned' once too often in the past will have some on tenterhoooks I am sure. I'd like to believe that the IPT's reasons for not paying at the tournament are 100% genuine and that the matter can be brought to a swift and efficient conclusion.
Saturday, September 02, 2006
IPT World Open 8-Ball Championship Preview
The bandwagon moves on. This time the bright lights and razzmattazz of Las Vegas are left behind and replaced by..............more bright lights (on a smaller scale), more IPT generated razzmattazz and a short hop north in Nevada to Reno and the Grand Sierra Resort & Casino.
The prize money on offer here is truly stupendous. $3,000,000 total prize fund with the winner pocketing (if he/she can fit that amount into their pockets) a massive $500,000. For all the doubt and naysayers who greeted the IPT and cast doubt on Kevin Trudeau's brainchild, the cheques were issued at Las Vegas last month and Thorsten Hohmann was the significant beneficiary.
Currently we have only two withrawals in Jim Rempe and Buddy Hall. Sure, they only have to turn up to collect $5000, but if their health isn't up to it then why take that chance? It may also be a matter of professional pride. If these guys are not at 100% (or pretty close) would they truly just go through the motions to collect $5000? There is a professional duty to do oneself justice at the pool table as far as these big names go and let's hope they feel up to competing in future tournaments.
The field is awesome once more. This time the young prodigy, Chia-Ching Wu will be among the runners. I don't expect the young man to win this event, but I do expect him to make a pretty decent showing and issue a warning to some who underrate him as to his future ability to win on this tour. He really ought to have an IPT card and hopefully he will do well enough in Reno to ensure that is the case in 2007.
The groups have now been announced and look as formidable as ever. Group 32 is my pick of tough groups with Santos Sambajon, Takenaka, Leil Gay, UK pro Ben Davies and Brady Gollan of Canada. That one will be close with a couple of good players going out.
In group 18, Ronnie O'Sullivan will meet Quinten Hann for a snooker showdown on the IPT and this one looks a real eyecatcher, as does Jasmin Ouschan v Earl Strickland in group 26- I truly believe Jasmin has a chance of defeating Earl. Yes, I do make Earl favourite here, but not by as much as people might imagine.
In other exciting news, the IPT have announced that for $5.95 a month you can join their 'club' which will in future allow streaming of matches and give discounts on qualifiers and merchandise. Sounds like a bargain to me - what can you get for $5.95??? Good news although I'm sure the negative people who seem to inhabit the pool world will try to bring it all down.
No preview could be complete without my ones to watch. This week I have to say that I strongly expect a Filipino to win this time around. Hardly a startling revelation I know, but their strong showing last time makes them impossible to discount. I'm going to pick Efren Reyes as my pick here, but I also expect a much stronger showing from the American players. I think pride may well have been hurt in the first tournament and beware a wounded animal! Rodney Morris is my pick of the Americans to make it furthest in Reno and I would not be surprised to see Johnny Archer improve here too.
Aside from that I also expect that Mick Hill will be the Brit to watch and let's not forget Chris Melling is here too and should do okay. Darren Appleton will be increasingly dangerous and Daryl Peach seems to be in fine form. Either of those is good enough to make the final group.
It's delightful to see Tony Drago here. He will not win, but he will entertain, that's for sure.
The prize money on offer here is truly stupendous. $3,000,000 total prize fund with the winner pocketing (if he/she can fit that amount into their pockets) a massive $500,000. For all the doubt and naysayers who greeted the IPT and cast doubt on Kevin Trudeau's brainchild, the cheques were issued at Las Vegas last month and Thorsten Hohmann was the significant beneficiary.
Currently we have only two withrawals in Jim Rempe and Buddy Hall. Sure, they only have to turn up to collect $5000, but if their health isn't up to it then why take that chance? It may also be a matter of professional pride. If these guys are not at 100% (or pretty close) would they truly just go through the motions to collect $5000? There is a professional duty to do oneself justice at the pool table as far as these big names go and let's hope they feel up to competing in future tournaments.
The field is awesome once more. This time the young prodigy, Chia-Ching Wu will be among the runners. I don't expect the young man to win this event, but I do expect him to make a pretty decent showing and issue a warning to some who underrate him as to his future ability to win on this tour. He really ought to have an IPT card and hopefully he will do well enough in Reno to ensure that is the case in 2007.
The groups have now been announced and look as formidable as ever. Group 32 is my pick of tough groups with Santos Sambajon, Takenaka, Leil Gay, UK pro Ben Davies and Brady Gollan of Canada. That one will be close with a couple of good players going out.
In group 18, Ronnie O'Sullivan will meet Quinten Hann for a snooker showdown on the IPT and this one looks a real eyecatcher, as does Jasmin Ouschan v Earl Strickland in group 26- I truly believe Jasmin has a chance of defeating Earl. Yes, I do make Earl favourite here, but not by as much as people might imagine.
In other exciting news, the IPT have announced that for $5.95 a month you can join their 'club' which will in future allow streaming of matches and give discounts on qualifiers and merchandise. Sounds like a bargain to me - what can you get for $5.95??? Good news although I'm sure the negative people who seem to inhabit the pool world will try to bring it all down.
No preview could be complete without my ones to watch. This week I have to say that I strongly expect a Filipino to win this time around. Hardly a startling revelation I know, but their strong showing last time makes them impossible to discount. I'm going to pick Efren Reyes as my pick here, but I also expect a much stronger showing from the American players. I think pride may well have been hurt in the first tournament and beware a wounded animal! Rodney Morris is my pick of the Americans to make it furthest in Reno and I would not be surprised to see Johnny Archer improve here too.
Aside from that I also expect that Mick Hill will be the Brit to watch and let's not forget Chris Melling is here too and should do okay. Darren Appleton will be increasingly dangerous and Daryl Peach seems to be in fine form. Either of those is good enough to make the final group.
It's delightful to see Tony Drago here. He will not win, but he will entertain, that's for sure.
Friday, August 11, 2006
Read An IPT Player's Tournament Report
IPT player Colin Colenso has posted a very interesting report of his tournament in the last main event in Las Vegas.
Colin certainly reflects on his game whilst there with great honesty and the piece he has written is a real insight into how things felt for the guys experiencing the game itself rather than the 'spectacle' - though that was something too!
I've read quite a few players' comments on the tournament so far and all have spoken with such enthusiasm for the whole thing (possible exception Earl) that there can be no doubt of its impact among the top players.
Colin certainly reflects on his game whilst there with great honesty and the piece he has written is a real insight into how things felt for the guys experiencing the game itself rather than the 'spectacle' - though that was something too!
I've read quite a few players' comments on the tournament so far and all have spoken with such enthusiasm for the whole thing (possible exception Earl) that there can be no doubt of its impact among the top players.
Qualifier News
WO-11: Tokyo, Japan: 10 players showed up in Tokyo to contest the 2 valuable IPT World Open slots available. Teenage sensation, Hayato Hijikata was among the contenders, as was seasoned pro and 2000 Japanese Open Champion, Satoshi Kawabata.
Amongst other notables are Takeshi Nokumura, who placed 3rd in the 9-ball World Pool Championship in Wales in 2002 and Masaaki Tanaka who recently took Efren Reyes out on the San Miguel Asian 9-Ball Tour In Kaohsiung.
WO-12: Weert, Netherlands: A slightly disappointing field of 8 made their way to Weert for what has turned out to be a real opportunity to advance to Reno.
Dutch Snooker Pro, Stefan Mazrocis participated as well as English Snooker Pro (and former World 8-ball Champion at small ball pool), Chris Melling was early favourite to make it.
WO-13: Pratteln, Switzerland: Questions might be asked about the wisdom of holding a qualifier in Switzerland. Only 7 hardy players found their way there, including 4 Swiss natives. Rico Diks, Ramon Hybler and Sandor Tot must be clear favourites here and Diks' decision to travel to this qualifier may well pay dividends - I believe Rico lives in London.
WO-14: Roma, Italy: A more respectable field of 11 gathered in Rome this weekend to bring some Italian flavour to proceedings. Perhaps the biggest surprise was that American, Steve Moore had travelled here to take part.
Of the remaining 10 players, only Andreas Koukiadakis of Greece appears a real threat - though the local players may be something of an unkonwn quantity and possibly a surprise winner could be on the cards.
WO-15: Bayside, NY: New York held its first qualifier and this was the only American based qualifier to take place this weekend. 17 players made their way to the North East to battle it out in a very tough field.
Santos Sambajon and Antonio Lining offer the Filipino threat and Tony Crosby and Richie Broumpton show the British have a presence here ( I believe both now live in the US) and with players like Goran Mladenovic, Robb Saez, Jeff Beckley and Marco Marquez around, this place looks like it's going to be one tough school this weekend. Not for the faint-hearted I'd say.
Amongst other notables are Takeshi Nokumura, who placed 3rd in the 9-ball World Pool Championship in Wales in 2002 and Masaaki Tanaka who recently took Efren Reyes out on the San Miguel Asian 9-Ball Tour In Kaohsiung.
WO-12: Weert, Netherlands: A slightly disappointing field of 8 made their way to Weert for what has turned out to be a real opportunity to advance to Reno.
Dutch Snooker Pro, Stefan Mazrocis participated as well as English Snooker Pro (and former World 8-ball Champion at small ball pool), Chris Melling was early favourite to make it.
WO-13: Pratteln, Switzerland: Questions might be asked about the wisdom of holding a qualifier in Switzerland. Only 7 hardy players found their way there, including 4 Swiss natives. Rico Diks, Ramon Hybler and Sandor Tot must be clear favourites here and Diks' decision to travel to this qualifier may well pay dividends - I believe Rico lives in London.
WO-14: Roma, Italy: A more respectable field of 11 gathered in Rome this weekend to bring some Italian flavour to proceedings. Perhaps the biggest surprise was that American, Steve Moore had travelled here to take part.
Of the remaining 10 players, only Andreas Koukiadakis of Greece appears a real threat - though the local players may be something of an unkonwn quantity and possibly a surprise winner could be on the cards.
WO-15: Bayside, NY: New York held its first qualifier and this was the only American based qualifier to take place this weekend. 17 players made their way to the North East to battle it out in a very tough field.
Santos Sambajon and Antonio Lining offer the Filipino threat and Tony Crosby and Richie Broumpton show the British have a presence here ( I believe both now live in the US) and with players like Goran Mladenovic, Robb Saez, Jeff Beckley and Marco Marquez around, this place looks like it's going to be one tough school this weekend. Not for the faint-hearted I'd say.
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
Sunday, August 06, 2006
Qualifier Results
WO-06: Corpus Christi, TX, USA - Two qualifiers here were James Walden and Rafael Martinez who both participated in the North American Open and prove their consistency at this level. Both of these guys will now be confident of securing a 2007 IPT card. The unfortunate David Matlock lost in both the winners and losers side finals - at least he has other events in which to chance his arm.
WS-07: Lampertheim, Germany - Two qualifiers here were Joern Kaplan and Thomas Engert who are both Germans. Top female Jasmin Ouschan was beaten in both winners and losers side finals, but she proved she has every chance to make it in future I feel.
WS-08: Shanghai, China - Two qualifiers were Kazuo Furuta of Japan and Hung Ming Chu of China. A disappointing field of only 5 players showed up for this event.
WS-09: London, England - Two qualifiers here were Tony Drago and Imran Majid. Majid qualified for the second consecutive IPT tournament and will hope to improve on his recent showing in the North American open where he won $5000. Both of these players call the club where this event was staged, 'home. Riley's in Victoria is part of the largest group of pool/snooker halls in the UK and is pretty much the only organization seeking to push the American game through the UK market, where it has much potential. Sadly there is no club anywhere near my home!
WS-07: Lampertheim, Germany - Two qualifiers here were Joern Kaplan and Thomas Engert who are both Germans. Top female Jasmin Ouschan was beaten in both winners and losers side finals, but she proved she has every chance to make it in future I feel.
WS-08: Shanghai, China - Two qualifiers were Kazuo Furuta of Japan and Hung Ming Chu of China. A disappointing field of only 5 players showed up for this event.
WS-09: London, England - Two qualifiers here were Tony Drago and Imran Majid. Majid qualified for the second consecutive IPT tournament and will hope to improve on his recent showing in the North American open where he won $5000. Both of these players call the club where this event was staged, 'home. Riley's in Victoria is part of the largest group of pool/snooker halls in the UK and is pretty much the only organization seeking to push the American game through the UK market, where it has much potential. Sadly there is no club anywhere near my home!
