The International Pool Tour was a tournament that attracted some of the most renowned players around the world. This tournament was the first television-televised multi-million dollar tournament and aimed at bringing pool into mainstream culture. Kevin Trudeau created it. Kevin Trudeau was an avid player of pool and was already a successful businessman at the time he founded IPT.
It was a professional sport tour that featured bright lights and professional production. The event also included some of the most talented pool players around. This was an important step in the history of pool. It was a sport that was not well organised at the time. Although players could play many race-to-8 sets in a single day, only two players from each group progressed to the next round.
Trudeau wanted to give the game serious consideration. He began the tour with $13million in funding. Even though it was short-lived, it helped bring the sport to the forefront. The tour was worth more than $6 million over its lifetime.
During its initial year, the tour featured four events. One was the King of the Hill Eight-ball Shootout, which had a $200K prize fund. The North American Open featured a $2 million prize pool. Other tournaments included IPT Players 8-Ball Championship which was set for October 22-29. 2007: The tour was cancelled due to problems at the facility.
The first year of the tour featured the most prize money in the history of pool. Reyes won a total of $500K for his victory over Roderick Morris in the World Open Eight-ball Championship. For his victory over Niels Feijen, Reyes was awarded a $163k prize.
Efren Reyes is considered to be a superstar. He is known as Bata and is considered the king among billiards hotshots. His reputation for "running the tables" is what gave him his nickname. He has won fourteen tournaments. He won a bronze medal in eight ball at the 2002 Asian Games.
He was a pool teacher when he grew up. He was surprised when he entered the world of pool. He decided to make it a career as a pro tournament player several years ago. At that point, he became the face of IPT. Currently, he serves as the color commentator on U.S. broadcasts.
Reyes and Francisco Bustamante represented Philippines in the World Cup of Pool. They beat Roderick and Earl Strickland. They also won Dr. Louis Pannullo's Award.
The International Pool Tour included several stars including Mike Sigel. Sigel was an importer and a gambler before he became a professional. He started to play after the word got out about the league. During his tenure, he won two world championships and is a two-time World Professional Pool Champion.
Trudeau, an avid pool fan, thought of the tour after hearing a radio advertisement for a Chicago-area tournament. Initial plans were to host a challenge match in August 2005. It was cancelled after negotiations with the facility.