Pool Cue News and Review

There was an interesting update on the Allen Hopkins $1,000,000 9 Ball Shootout a few weeks back that said the following:

“ We know people are talking, wondering about the field size and expected turnout. This event was planned based on 200 entrants, in order to achieve the $1,000,000 prize pool. Of course we realize that this may not happen the first year, but we are trying. However, no matter how many people enter and play, we will have this event. If we only get 10 players, then we will have a tournament with 10 players playing for the $50,000 prize pool. If we get 64 players, then they will play for a $320,000 prize pool. Get the point? Either way, players will be playing for big money.”

Seems a bit silly to call this thing the million dollar shootout when they’re clearly not going to be playing for a million dollar prize pool, dont’cha think?  Its nice and all that Allen Hopkins is trying to put together a big money tournament, but according to his latest update, not only is he already planning for the event to not be worth a million bucks, but it seems that the only people who have actually paid are himself and Francisco Bustamante.  He’s got a list of 152 players on his site, but in the “paid” column, there are only two players that have actually ponied up (one being the promoter).

Maybe its just me, but it sure sounds like a lot of bark with no bite.  Keep in mind that he announced this thing over a year ago and with just over a month before the tournament (scheduled August 6-10), it seems that no one’s willing to pony up the entry fee.  We’ll see what happens next month, but I seriously doubt this event is going to be worth $100,000 let alone a million bucks.