Ga Young Kim vs. Gerda Hofstatter
Monica Webb vs. Naomi Williams

Kim Shaw vs. Helena Thornfeldt
Xiaoting Pan vs. Line Kjorsvik

Karen Corr vs. Liz Ford
Kyoko Sone vs. Kelly Fisher

Allison Fisher vs. Tamara Rademakers
Jasmin Ouschan vs. Ewa Laurance

(The matchups with Line and Ewa could be flipped, since the brackets are jacked up).

I’m not sure what it is, but I’m finding myself really not caring. As you all know, I’m rooting for Liz, especially since she was nice enough to give me some snappy answers to my stupid questions a while back. Anyway, I’ll be sure to mention something once the matches are over on Sunday. Meh.

——

Dear IPT Players & Entrants of the 2007 Tour Card Qualifiers,

The IPT 2007 Season has still not been determined. We are still in the process of revamping our business model based on the unforeseen legislation outlawing on-line gaming in the United States. Without our major online casino sponsor, the IPT must undergo a substantial change to its business model. I would like to see the IPT make a strong comeback from this dramatic setback that we have had to deal with. The most important updates are as follows:

• Players from the 2006 World Open will continue to be paid monthly until you are paid in full. Payments will be made on the first of each month. No payment will be made February 1st. The next payment will be March 1st, 2007. The amount of each payment will be determined each month and may vary from time to time. It is our full intention to get everyone paid in full within the next six months.

• As I mentioned previously, for all those who entered 2007 Tour Card qualification tournaments, if we are not capable of fulfilling our commitments relating to the 2007 Tour, you will be refunded your enrollment fee. We plan on making an announcement on April 15, outlining the 2007 & 2008 seasons.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we deal with these challenging and unavoidable market-condition situations.

I do have a request for everyone receiving this email. I love the game of pool and I am very much committed to continuing to invest my own money and time to making the IPT a successful reality for many years to come. I need to know if you, the players, want the IPT to flourish. I need to know if I have your support. If you, the players, could care less if the IPT continues operating, and if you, the players do not support me in this endeavor, then it would be foolish of me to continue pursuing this tour. Therefore, I request that you respond to this email letting me know if you want this tour to exist and if you support me personally.

I hope that together we can build a successful tour. Thank you again for all of your encouragement, support, and patience up until this point.

Very truly yours,

Kevin Trudeau
Founder, IPT

——

Why anyone listens to this snake-oil salesman is beyond me. It is clear (and has been clear for sometime) that the IPT is going to fold and leave players with empty wallets. All Trudeau has to do is have the IPT file for bankruptcy, protecting himself and the company from being forced to pay out the absurd prize money he promised.

Overview:

Box of 20 5″ x 9″ pre-treated wipes. These wipes are used for cleaning your shaft and ferrule, which as you know, get really filthy quite quickly from chalk. The manufacturer suggests that this is used to “deep clean” your shaft and ferrule and will leave your cue feeling smooth and new.

Pros:

They’re handy. The dispenser is easy to use. The cleaner itself isn’t messy like some other cleaners are.

Cons:

Unfortunately, there are many. The towels seem to dry out very quickly. I’ve tested a number of containers and every time, the towels are pretty dry on the outset. As a result, the actual cleaning is superficial. It does get some of the grime off of the shaft and ferrule, but it doesn’t come anywhere close to giving a “deep clean”. In addition, at 10 bucks for 20 wipes, you’re looking at $.50 per wipe which isn’t exactly cheap. These are great for cleaning in-between games, but for a deep clean, you’re best bet is to look elsewhere.

Where to Buy

www.PoolDawg.com

McDermott MG02 – Genesis Series – Titanium Color

Overview: This is your standard base model McDermott. No frills, and I really mean no frills with this cue. You’ve got a black stained maple cue with an Irish Linen wrap. No inalys, no points, no designs. Just a plain jane black cue. The cue has the standard McDermott features: Triangle tip, Impact Control Ring, Ivorine ferrule, etc.

The Specs:

Tip: 13mm Medium-hard Triangle Tip
Ferrule: Glued and screwed, Ivorine III
Shaft: 29″ hardrock maple, 10-12″ pro taper, French cue wax coating
Collar: Impact Control Ring made from a proprietary Polymer Matrix Composite
Joint: Composite
Pin: 3/8 x 10 Stainless Steel
Forearm: Black stained maple
Rings: None
Wrap: Irish Linen Wrap
Sleeve: Black stained maple
Plate: Black with McDermott emblem
Bumper: Black rubber

The Pros:

The price is right. If you’re looking for a McDermott under $200, the Genesis series is the way to go. The tip is an upgrade from the standard Le Pro tip that most cues use. The biggest positive with the cue however is the warranty. McDermott has a lifetime warranty on al their cues for defects and warping. Assuming you like how it plays, you’re looking at a cue that’s going to last a long time.

The Cons:

In a word, boring. I’m not one who has the need to carry around a really fancy stick but a plain black stick is a bit too bland for me. Other than the design, there’s not much bad to say about this cue. McDermott makes a good cue stick.

The Bottom Line:

With the MG02, you’ve got yourself a very solid pool stick. From a feel standpoint, it has a composite collar, so its not quite as fluid as a wood to wood, but there’s more feel than with a steel joint. If you’re ok with having a really boring looking cue and you’re on a budget, this is going to be a good choice.

Where to Buy:

www.PoolDawg.com

Action ACT60 – Adventure Series – Black and White Stacked Skulls Pool Cue

Overview: What you find with the ACT60 is a standard sub-$100 pool cue. Its a graphic cue, which means that it has overlays instead of inlays. In this case, the overlay is a white background with black and white stacked skulls running down the forearm and the butt. Materials are very standard and what you’d expect from a sub-$100 pool cue.

The Specs:

Tip: 13mm LePro Tip
Ferrule: 1″ Fiber ferrule
Shaft: 29″ hardrock maple, 10 – 12″ pro taper
Collar: Black
Joint: Composite
Pin: 5/16 x 18 stainless steel
Forearm: White stained Birdseye Maple, stack of skulls overlay
Rings: Single stainless ring
Wrap: Irish Linen Wrap
Sleeve: White stained Birdseye Maple, stack of skulls overlay
Plate: Black composite with Action emblem
Bumper: Black rubber

Pros:

The price is right. For a pool cue under $100, you’re getting a good looking stick with decent components. The artwork is top notch as well. The cue plays with a solid, compact hit. The feel is closer to a wood to wood than I expected it to be.

Cons:

The components are nothing special. The tip is a standard Le Pro, the wrap is standard Irish Linen. The artwork is an overlay, so at some point it will likely fade and/or peel. The skull design isn’t for everyone. The cue is made overseas and doesn’t have the same touches that a limited production cue has.

The Bottom Line:

As with most Action cues, this is a pretty solid stick. Great for beginners and good for casual league players. Perfect stick for a teenager getting into the game of pool.

Where to Buy:

http://www.pooldawg.com