The International Pool Tour attracted the best players from all over 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. It was founded by Kevin Trudeau. Kevin Trudeau was an avid player of pool and was already a successful businessman at the time he founded IPT.
This was a professional sporting tour featuring bright lights, professional production, pool pros, and top players. This was a major step forward for pool, which at that time 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. He started the tour with $13 million in funding. Even though it was short-lived, it helped bring the sport to the forefront. Over $6 million was awarded in prize money during the tour's existence.
In its first year, there were four events. One of the events was the King of the Hill Eightball Shootout with a prize fund of $200K. The North American Open had a purse of $2 million. Other tournaments included the IPT Players 8-Ball Championship, which was scheduled for October 22-29. In 2007, the tour was canceled due to problems with the facility.
The first year of this tour had the highest prize money in pool history. Reyes received $500K in total for his victory against Roderick Moss 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 Ries is considered a legend. Known as Bata, he is the king of the billiards hotshots. His reputation of "running tables" gave him his nickname. He has won fourteen tournaments. For the 2002 Asian Games, he won a bronze medal in eight-ball.
He earned $500 an hr as a pool instructor when he was younger. His emergence into the world of pool was unexpected. He decided to turn pro at tournaments a few years back. He was the face IPT. He is the current color commentator on U.S. broadcasts.
Reyes and Francisco Bustamante represented Philippines at the World Cup of Pool. They beat Roderick Morris and Earl Strickland. 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 won two world championships during his tenure and was 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. After negotiations with the facility, it was cancelled.