The International Pool Tour attracted many top players from all around the globe. This tournament was one among the first multimillion-dollar tournaments that were aired live on television. It was designed to introduce pool to the mainstream. Kevin Trudeau started it. Kevin Trudeau was an avid player of pool and was already a successful businessman at the time he founded IPT.
The professional sports tour featured bright lights, professional production and the best pool players in the world. 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 give the game a serious shot. 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. The tour was worth more than $6 million over its lifetime.
During its initial year, the tour featured four events. The King of the Hill Eightball Shootout had a $200K prize pot. The North American Open featured a $2 million prize pool. Other tournaments include the IPT Players 8-Ball Championship. It was scheduled for October 22-29. In 2007, the tour was canceled due to problems with the facility.
The first year of the tour saw the largest pool prize money ever. Reyes won $500K total for his win over Roderick Morse in the World Open Eightball Championship. Reyes also won a $163k First Prize for his victory against Niels Feijen at the Predator World 14.1 Championship.
Efren Reyes is considered to be a superstar. Bata is his nickname. He is the king and hotshot of billiards. His reputation for "running the tables" is what gave him his nickname. He has won 14 tournaments. He was awarded a bronze medal for eight-ball at the 2002 Asian Games.
As a young man, he earned $500 an hour as a teacher of pool. It was a surprise that he found his way into the pool world. He decided to make it a career as a pro tournament player several years ago. He was then the face of IPT. He is currently the color commentaryator on U.S. broadcasts.
Reyes and Francisco Bustamante represented Philippines at the World Cup of Pool. They beat Roderick and Earl Strickland. They won the Dr. Louis Pannullo Prize.
Many other stars participated in the International Pool Tour including Mike Sigel. Sigel worked as a road dealer and importer before he became an international pool tour pro. After hearing of the league, he began competing. He won two world titles and is currently a twotime World Professional Pool Champion.
Trudeau, a long-time player of pool, came up with the idea of the tour when he was exposed to a Chicago tournament. Initial plans were to host a challenge match in August 2005. After negotiations with the facility, it was cancelled.