Winging It...

I would like to welcome myself onto this rustically delicious prediction blog, my name is Mr. Know it All. Some of you might know me from WSOP. I am taking over this week for a wise scholar named PREDS R US. First off, I would like to congratulate IPA for bringing in a suitable replacement for ICA who has recently crumbled. Please take a moment to welcome PDZ. I have no clue what that stands for but it could end up being known shortly, yes I am choosing to be ignorant IPA, I care not.

News of the week, Nigel gets a shout-out for a great job captaining 8BC to their first victory after a very tumultuous first few weeks, notably when Sean withdrew his post as captain ( I can not say I'm surprised by this being he has done it with various other leagues in the not so distant past). BNR also did well this week sweeping MIB and yet again showing that they are a formidable opponent. SP slide by DS, squeezing out a 4-2 win in the narrowest of margins. LPL showed with a full roster this week in IPA and reaffirmed their dominance over a very strong SS team. I cant help but favor LPL anytime they can show with a full squad. Not only do they show with a full squad in IPA, they show with an EPIC lineup. That win against a playoff bound SS proves they are the powerhouse of IPA.

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Dead Strokes vs Brit Pool

DS have a solid team, but nothing that will blow anyone away. Look to see this run close with key players like Drew and James out this week and who knows when Pommy shows. This match will come right down to the wire. Brandi knows how to captain so I am not too concerned with the lack of stars. Ben will do well and this match will end close.
Outcome: 4-2 BP

8Ball Crushers vs Money in the Bank

This should be a good match both teams are known for under-performing. 8BC hasn't blown anyone away as of late and I don't expect that to stop. MIB recently enjoyed a short playoff birth in WSOP and have kept their boat from rocking out of control thus far in IPA. 1-1-1 isn't too shabby, look to see them squeak out a win here against an 8BC team that is acting like a deer in the headlights.
Outcome: 4-2 MIB

Sexy Poolerz vs Freedom

Petey has been turning around FR for quite some time now. Petey had quite a few strong guys on his team during the week but the weekends are another story. SP seem to bring their best on the weekend which clearly shows in their stats. Ketan and company are 2-0-1 trailing only one team, LPL. I cant wait to see how this match plays out, I suspect Petey will bring a mundane roster and fall short.
Outcome: 4-2 SP

Break and Run vs Latino Pool Legends

BNR have been playing pretty good in IPA. They are sitting in 3rd with a solid 2-1-0 record. Sadly they are playing a VERY strong LPL team. LPL have added key names to make a run for the championship. This crew is something unnatural, they shouldn't be allowed to have all the players they have. The only question is, when will they stop showing? I suspect it's only a matter of time. Unfortunately for BNR it most likely wont be this week, ha.
Outcome: 4-2 LPL

Pool Dragonz vs Straight Shots

This should be a shellacking. SS are a supreme team. They tend to start off slow and finish strong into the playoffs. This week is when they show that they are playoff contenders. PDZ sadly get to join IPA during a week that they have no chance winning. PDZ cant beat the likes of SS and it will show why they don't play inters all too much.
Outcome: 6-0 SS

IPA Season 5 Week 3 Predictions

BRITPOOL VS 8 BALL CRUSHERS

BP lead by DJ and Brandi found themselves facing a bit of a challenge vs. SP last week as they went down 0-3, only to rally back games 4 and 5 to where we saw SP run out of players, now if this is a sign of things to come (2 weeks down, both weeks opponents have only shown with 5) if BP could start putting wins on the board earlier in the match up we could see them picking up a lot of wins, BP has added a fair amount of depth to their IPA roster this season, and are hoping for the best and have the ability to make the playoffs and even push for that top spot. 8BC are lead by whom? While in week 1 they were captained by Sean he has since withdrew and that left Nigel captaining in week 2 but when I look at player stat pages I don’t see a captain or a co-captain listed and this is very unusual to this type of poor organization in a league having its interlgs run by Nigel, being that Nigel has just taken over for 8BC I have a feeling things will vastly change for the better for this new 8BC side but until it does I’m just not convinced they have what it takes to compete here in IPA.
4-2 BP

DEADSTROKES VS SEXY POOLERZ

DS fresh of a 6-0 vs. ICA (Bye) in which SP was the beneficiary the week before has helped these teams to see a better record than they may be sitting with otherwise, DS showed 6 strong in week 1 vs. LPL where they lost 4-2, SP showed last week vs. BP with only 5 players, based on this if DS can get an early jump on SP, DS can easily win this match with the likes of Chuck, John and Alex if they are on their game.
4-2 DS

BREAK AND RUN VS MONEY IN THE BANK

BNR looked to rebound last week after their tough loss to BP in the season opener, I said BNR would should with 6 last week looking to avenge their loss and they did just that as they edged out a victory over 8BC which with a little luck could of gone the other way but experience played a factor for BNR, this week they face and MIB team who is once again off to a decent start to the season but will they be able to keep it up, a 5-1 win over freedom and a 3-3 draw vs. a strong SS side last week. This week they will face a much tougher challenge in a BNR side that have returned to IPA and look toward repeat performances from IPA 2 and 3 where they went to finals of the playoffs both seasons, look for BNR to put MIB on that downhill interlg spiral we have seen so often.
5-1 BNR

STRAIGHT SHOTS VS LATINO POOL LEGENDS

The last time we saw these two teams face off was in UIC finals where LPL defeated SS 2 straight bo3 matches to win the UIC DD playoffs, SS have had a good start to the season with a 5-1 win over 8BC in week 1 and a 3-3 draw vs. MIB last week, this week will be their toughest challenge yet as they come up against what has been a brick wall for them in LPL, LPL lead by Steve for how long who knows, have brought a solid 6 to the table each week and will continue to do so on their quest to the top of IPA all season long, with the likes of Tino, Daru and Steve I think we may see LPL stay atop the IPA leader boards all season long.
4-2 LPL

FREEDOM VS BYE

Well unless IPA gets a team to replace ICA before Saturday, Pete has a nice easy week to help him and FR rebound after a very rough start to the season with a 2-10 record the 6-0 here is sure to help out, now if IPA gets a replacement and I have time to write up a prediction for it I will, otherwise enjoy the week off Pete and see you in week 4.

GOOD LUCK TO ALL TEAMS AND MOST IMPORTANTLY HAVE FUN

IPA Season 5 Week 2 Predictions

Sexy Poolerz vs. Britpool

Well in the opening week of IPA we didn’t get a chance to really see what SP will bring to the table as ICA no showed giving SP a nice easy 6-0 putting them atop the standings as we may get use to seeing them if GIT proves to be the way things are going for SP as they took both the regular season and playoffs. For BP it’s a much different case as they had a decent battle with BNR in which we saw BP win 4-2 as BNR for the 1st time I’ve ever seen haven’t had a full team so it could of easily gone 3-3 I really don’t need to recap this here though… SP captained by Adam and Pete will show 6 strong here who they will bring I’m really not sure as I see a player they gave a credit to in week 1 has gone over to FR. BP captained by DJ and Brandi will no doubt show 6 strong even if it is relaying on Drew to pick up a win with the likes of their UIC team here in IPA I expect them to do well, the last time we saw these two teams face off was in GIT where SP were just rolling over everyone so not really knowing how to call this I’m glad this is IPA and I can call it a cool
3-3 draw

Break and Run vs. 8 Ball Crushers

So last week BNR lost to BP 4-2 in a match where BNR didn’t have a full team and I highly doubt we will see that happen again this season, 8BC didn’t start off to well either losing 5-1 vs. SS in what was I guess you could call an entertaining match if your into constant arguments all over some coaching but who cares as we won’t have to deal with that anymore as IPA has chosen to get rid of coaching.. BNR I feel is the much stronger team here even with the pickups 8BC has made since Nigel and Bev have appeared, BNR will be looking to show what they can do here and wanting to avenge that tough loss from last week and come out firing.
4-2 BNR

International Cue Addiction vs. Deadstrokes

ICA has pretty much pulled out at this point and it doesn’t look like IPA admins have a replacement yet, DS enjoy what I’m calling a week off for you with a nice 6-0 win to help you out

Money in the Bank vs. Straight Shots

MIB handed it to FR last week 5-1 in which we saw FR show with only 5, Straight Shots also won their match last week 5-1 but this week they won’t be able to use any coaching to their advantage although I doubt their opponent this week in MIB would complain about it the way their opponent from last week was, SS are clearly the better team on paper but in ypool that doesn’t mean anything and although I do think SS should win this match with ease look for MIB to surprise us all and take it to them as they did FR last week
3-3 draw

Latino Pool Legends vs. Freedom

LPL started the season off last week with an easy 4-2 win over DS, FR were short handed and down from the get go and things don’t look to get any better for them this week as they face a strong LPL side who have just been on fire everywhere you see them as of late and I expect it to continue here this week as they face a FR side who we really can’t expect too much from after their poor performance last week so I look for LPL to walk all over them this week.
5-1 LPL as this season just gets worse for FR

IPA Season 5 Week 1 Recap

Ok I will start this off by saying I will NOT and I repeat will NOT being doing a recap every week but seeing as how this is the 1st week and it has prompted some changes here it goes.

Britpool vs. Break And Run - Result 4-2 BP

It seems as though I called this match dead on as I predicted a 4-2 result in favor of BP, game 1 of this match up Ross started off for BNR and got thing rolling as Ross defeated Ben to put BNR up 1-0, game 2 we saw BP's UIC MVP s.lacka playing IPA for BNR steamroll his top contender for that UIC MVP trophy in James putting BNR up 2-0 over what looked to be a faltering BP side from the get go as we’ve come to expect from them in recent weeks, game 3 pitted BP's new found captain in DJ against someone I thought had retired in Rick (lager_drinking_freak) is what he use to go by don't know if he still does or not but DJ picked up a win over Rick giving BP a chance with some momentum on their side, from there we saw Joe beat Dina in a game that really could have gone either way but edging BP back to even with a score of 2-2, now yes we all know IPA is a 6v6 but game 5 here happened to be the decider when Drew somehow defeated Jase (from PL) Drew must of been due for a win, bringing it to 3-2 BP and BNR sadly not having a 6th this week gave it to BP 4-2 in what was a great match to kick off the season.

Sexy Poolerz vs. International Cue Addiction Result 6-0 SP

When I predicted this match 3-3 I was under the impression ICA would show... well guess what they didn't 6-0 SP after 12 minutes of timers, nothing else to say other then I hope to see ICA get their act together

Straight Shots vs. 8 Ball Crushers Result 5-1 SS

In a match that had more drama then a season of Days of our Lives we saw SS use the coaching rule to their advantage and some would say coaching was taken to a whole new level in this match up, in fact from what I heard and what I personally saw it was rather sad to watch this match, as pathetic as it was to watch SS take such advantage of a new rule IPA had put in place it was just as pathetic to watch the way 8BC choose to deal with it, something tells me this match had a great deal of influence on IPA going back to its NO Coaching Policy, SS I hope your proud of your win at all costs methods and the disrespect and shame you have earned yourselves by many, 8BC I hope your players grow up and remember that this is just a game, if you can't take some of the aspects of the game then GTFO and don't play, I do hope that everyone watching has learned how not to act from this match and that the season plays out much better.

Deadstrokes vs. Latino Pool Legends Result 2-4 LPL

I expect LPL to win it all this season and with a 4-2 start to the season in which 6 players showed to the table LPL will be looking to make it a long season for everyone else, I don't really have much to say about this match as everything was peaceful and went as expected with no drama and problems, congrats to both these teams on not adding to admins hellish lives.

Freedom vs. Money in the Bank Result 1-5 MIB

So another peaceful match up here between the two predicted cellar dwellers as MIB steamrolled a shorthanded FR side, we saw the likes of some players we haven't seen around in awhile, we saw the return of Tom (west_coast_guy420) a stoner from the west coast we can presume and we saw ash make a long awaited return but we also saw the rust in their games prevail as they both lost games they easily could of won, MIB put on a good showing this week but with MIB will the trend they have set in the past pan out once again where they start off good and end up failing hard and fast? Only time will tell so let’s enjoy the next 17 weeks of season 5 and see how things go.

Week 2 Predictions will be up later in the week

Pre-season & Round 1

Welcome to season 5 of IPA everyone! With a dazzling new site designed by Aqua with the help of Nigel on the image front, season 5 is looking to be the best yet! With the same admin core, Drew has shown us IPA is stable, and with new additions in DJ & Chris, it really doesn't look like IPA will be going anywhere, any time soon!

IPA it seems has thought the one division, two meeting system will be the best fit for this season, which will give us some heated battles down the stretch!

1st - Latino Pool Legends
» Captain: Steve| YIM ID: xlsiccstevelx | Pool ID: mvp_n00b
» Co-Captain: Daru | YIM ID:velvet_acid_vynama | Pool ID: noobish_styles
With Steve & Daru leading the show, you know LPL will have a core of 4-5 players that will show every single week. While 4-5 players isn't 6, and LPL will struggle to have that 6th more often then not. Those players who show every week will all be in the MVP talk from week 1 to week 18. It's gutsy placing a short handed team at the top, but if Steve is able to grab a full team week in and week out, there wont be much question.

2nd - Straight Shots
» Captain: Chris | YIM ID: ss_tonz | Pool ID: Seanmannn
» Co-Captain: Shelle | YIM ID: shelle4461 | Pool ID: xxxBLONDIExxx
Straight Shots are just a dominating force, they may not be #1 wherever they go, but it's tough to find an SS squad in recent years that hasn't been near or at the top of the standings page. With a recent back to back victory spree over first place BP in UIC, it's clear SS know whats going on when it comes to 5v5/6v6 matches. They elected to not play this season in WSOP, but after winning the season last season in IPA, there shouldn't be much issue in here. An experienced tandem at the helm for SS will make them that much tougher. SS are known for having old time players come back to get their game back, and while Chris will be able to ride those guys, as well as the likes of Pita, Daz, Ben and even Jon who loves IPA, SS are known for a slip up or two so expect them to be in a close race for first for all 18 weeks.

3rd - Brit Pool
» Captain: DJ | YIM ID: lxl_fool_lxl | Pool ID: _2Hardcore_
» Co-Captain: Brandi | YIM ID: geeky.goddess | Pool ID: shiny.bitch
Remember about half a year when BP was "born again" and everyone rode their coat tails? Well after coming up a touch short of those expectations, BP should be able to replicate a UIC season here. With players in Ben, James and Pommy sticking around for IPA, DJ gets that much more to play with. BP struggled to get 6 to the table every match last season, barely doing so, but with a recent injection of talent, BP should fair quite well and pending on DJ's captaining abilities, they could do some damage in the playoffs.

4th - International Cue Addiction
» Captain: Shan | YIM ID: nullified | Pool ID: nullified
» Co-Captain: Trey | YIM ID:UN_NATURAL | Pool ID: UN_NATURAL
Shan & Trey have had drama going on in their league for the past 2-3 weeks, but to write ICA off is bold, a little too bold even. While 4th may be a "wtf who is this clown" moment for ICA, losing interleague corner stones in Nish, Nigel and Bev hurts. Three players who are some of the best at organizing and getting teams together, but this isn't about them, this is about Shan, Trey and whoever they can gather up. They have oodles of talent, but apart from Craig, how many times will the likes of Mike show up? Picking up Andy was a great move, and while ICA will be capable of beating anyone in this league 6-0, they, like SS, are susceptible to dropping easy matches every now and then.

5th - Break and Run
» Captain: Josh | YIM ID: mwxzk | Pool ID: runmatic
» Co-Captain: Ross | YIM ID:you_win_before_game_even_starts | Pool ID: xlx_complete_xlx
It says Josh, but Dina & Ross will have a different outlook on this season then seasons past. In the past they've been dominant while being able to field 2-3 eligible teams come playoff time. While BnR have lost talent up top, players like Jase & Jordy (should they play IPA) have helped BnR tremendously. Also it helps to network, and with Dina being that sweet gal for years past, players who have no team to play for, pick BnR hands down so depth wont be an issue. Captaining skills will be tested here though..

6th - Sexy Poolerz
» Captain: Adam | YIM ID: mvp.cubs | Pool ID: sp_CND_095
» Co-Captain: Pete | YIM ID: king.2068 | Pool ID: king.2068
Placing the GIT champions in the final play off spot? Harsh. But SP struggled last season in IPA and with key players becoming less and less likely to show every week, SP will need to dig deep but should have enough in the tank to make it to the post-season.

7th - 8 Ball Crushers
» Captain: Sean | YIM ID: bigboxclever1 | Pool ID: Seanmannn
» Co-Captain: TBA | YIM ID:TBA | Pool ID: TBA
Welcome back 8bc! Mikeys old league has made a return and with Sean at the helm they'll be looking forward to a return to interleagues. With Nigel coming to Bev's side, 8bc have more then enough experience at the top to do big things, but who is going to play for them? Mikey had a superb season for them last time around, and with Jan signed up, 8bc will once again have a TC influenced roster for Sean to work with.

8th - Dead Strokes
» Captain: Sandy| YIM ID: ds.b1tch | Pool ID: ds.psycho
» Co-Captain: Chuck | YIM ID: xlx_bdf_xlx | Pool ID: xlx_bdf_xlx
Sandy is pumped to get another interleague season going, and while DS have only gotten stronger of late with additions like Corey, the fact DS havn't been doing that well in interleagues like WSOP, worries me. IPA has more or less the same WSOP roster with additions in SS and SP, so competition will be that much fiercer. DS are capable of big wins, and players like John, Chuck and Ashton will need to step up to keep big wins coming or it could lead to a long season.

9th - Money in the Bank
» Captain: Rich | YIM ID: maddeviluk78 | Pool ID: Richard951
» Co-Captain: Kris | YIM ID: firefightinho | Pool ID: KrisBabes2
This past season MIB avoided the basement due to the inactivity of TCC, and while in WSOP they're struggling for that final playoff spot against SPS, another long season is in the books for MIB. Rich is a great guy, and a great captain who always gives it his all and while eddie being banned is a big loss, MIB still have oddles of potential, especially if Emmitt signs up to give them a hand. MIB could challenge for a playoff spot, especially if IPA2 MVP Dawn regains her form, but another season full of 2-4 losses seems to be the outlook for this team.

10th - Freedom
» Captain: Petey | YIM ID: ll_eskimo_ownage_ll | Pool ID: ll_eskimo_ownage_ll
» Co-Captain: TBA | YIM ID:TBA | Pool ID: TBA
While 2 seasons ago Freedom reigned supreme over IPA with the regular season title, MVP and captain awards, it seems it's all been lost. Key players from those teams in Craig, Adam and Ash are either gone, or just wont play enough to make a difference. Looking at who is even signed up for Freedom makes me wonder if they'll even be able to have a team. Players like Hope, msfitzz, TJ and _xAUSTIN316x_ don't even play pool anymore, and if they do its under another ID else where. Not sure why natural.legacy is still there since he was banned in other interleagues, but if Petey looks to make anything out of this season, he'll need to show up to these matches sober unlike last seasons adventures, which were personally pretty hilarious, actually, show up drunk so this season is a lot less painful for you..

*Remember, these predictions are made to be proven WRONG, prove them right and I'm just a lucky guesser*

Week 1

Brit Pool vs Break and Run
Big match-up here for both sides as both captains get to see what their seasons will be like and what adjustments they'll need to make. DJ will get used to having the same core players show week in and week out, while Dina gets to show us who she'll have. Based on my pre-season rankings, Brit Pool is the team I'd have to go with here but it'll probably come right down to the wire.

Prediction - 4-2 BP

Sexy Poolerz vs International Cue Addiction
Is this a week SP come to compete or just show and have fun? If SP look to get this season started on the right foot they'll need to come to compete, and hard. ICA will look to power their way to the top, starting against a team they've had much success against. Like BnR, we'll get to see who ICA will be able to bring at this time and see if they'll be able to compete like a top team week in and week out.

Prediction - 3-3

Straight Shots vs 8ball Crushers
It was just over a year ago, that a young captain in Nigel (lol ok so old) captained his SS squad to a loss over the unsuspecting PDZ squad. Foreshadowing? Doubtful. SS are a powerhouse to say the least and one wonders if 8BC will be ready for this week. While this may be a tough week to start off a season with, Sean will be able to see what kind of team he'll be dealing with and what he'll need to do in the future to make this season a successful one.

Prediction - 5-1 SS

Dead Strokes vs Latino Pool Legends
Just like the SS-8BC match, this may be a better indicator week then one they should take to heart. DS have a whirl of solid players who can pick up wins against the best, but LPL are just too solid to break through. The likes of Gus, Daru, Steve and even Tino will be in good enough form to lead the MVP race for the next 18 weeks, but it will be interesting who else Steve has to field 6 players.

Prediction - 5-1 LPL

Freedom vs Money in the Bank
The two predicted cellar dwellers get to face off in what they both hope is the start of a great season, while the loser may quickly toss in the towel and agree with me, for my sake, I hope you don't. If I knew what I was talking about I'd be a doctor, or something else prestigious making enough money to swim in. We all know MIB will show with a full team of solid players, we all know Petey will show, but who will he bring this season? If he can get Ash out of retirement, or get Adam to be as reliable as before Freedom have a shot at going deep, but until I see that, it may just be a one-man show, sometimes literally..

Prediction - 5-1 MIB