The International Pool Tour was a tournament that attracted some of the most renowned players around the world. This tournament was the first to be broadcast on TV and was intended to promote pool as a mainstream sport. Kevin Trudeau created it. He was an avid pool player who was already a successful businessman when he conceived of 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 a significant step in pool's history, which was not well-organized. There were eight sets of race-to-8 matches per day. Only two players in each group advanced to next round.
Trudeau was determined and eager to give the game a serious chance. With $13 million of funding, he started the tour. Although it was a short-lived venture it did help bring the sport into the public eye. Over $6 million was awarded in prize money during the tour's existence.
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. A second was the North American Open with a $2million purse. Other tournaments included IPT Players 8-Ball Championship which was set for October 22-29. In 2007, the tour was canceled due to problems with the facility.
The first year of the tour featured the most prize money in the history of pool. Reyes won $500K total for his win over Roderick Morse in the World Open Eightball Championship. He was also awarded the $163k first prize in the Predator World 14.1 Championship for his win over Niels Fiesen.
Efren Reyes is considered to be a superstar. Bata is his nickname. He is the king and hotshot of billiards. His reputation of "running tables" gave him his nickname. He has won fourteen tournaments. He was awarded a bronze medal for eight-ball at the 2002 Asian Games.
He earned $500 an hr as a pool instructor when he was younger. It was a surprise that he found his way into the pool world. A few years ago, he decided to become a tournament pro. He was the face IPT. He is the current color commentator on U.S. broadcasts.
The World Cup of Pool was a tournament where Reyes and Francisco Bustamante represented the Philippines. They defeated Earl Strickland and Roderick Morris. They also won Dr. Louis Pannullo's Award.
Several other stars were included in the International Pool Tour, including Mike Sigel. Sigel, before he was a pro, sold imported goods and gambled on the road. He started to play after the word got out about the league. He was the winner of two world championships, and a two time World Professional Pool Champion.
Trudeau was a long-time pool fan and came up with the idea for the tour after he saw a radio advertisement about a Chicago pool tournament. Initially, the tour planned to have a challenge match in August 2005. It was cancelled by the facility after negotiations failed.