34 Days of back to back snooker begins today !

Arthur Daley

Well yes there is a place in the game for the Selby style, but I also find him hard work to watch most of the time. And some of the interest in the game back in the 80s and 90s was in routing for whoever Davis and Hendry were playing at the time.

Brian?

Joe_ Public wrote: »

I remember Steve Davis dominating for a decade without seeming to have too many adverse effects on the games popularity. But maybe we're a little less patient with so much available product these days. But i do believe you need the contrasting styles to add drama and storylines. You need rivalries, edges and villains too.

Davis had White and Higgins as the yang to his Ying. Selby had Ronnie and now Judd. Selby being top dog again wouldn’t kill snooker, it would test a few people’s patience though.

Brian?

Arthur Daley wrote: »

Well yes there is a place in the game for the Selby style, but I also find him hard work to watch most of the time. And some of the interest in the game back in the 80s and 90s was in routing for whoever Davis and Hendry were playing at the time.

Ah in fairness, no one was more attacking than Hendry. He was a machine, but he never played a negative game.

mrunsure

The Nal wrote: »

ITV have the UK rights yeah. Eurosport showing it outside the UK.

So Eurosport will be showing it in Ireland?

Joe_ Public

Brian? wrote: »

Davis had White and Higgins as the yang to his Ying. Selby had Ronnie and now Judd. Selby being top dog again wouldn’t kill snooker, it would test a few people’s patience though.

I had visions of selby-ronnie developing into one of the great sporting rivalries following their epic 2014 battle but i don't think it ever truly lifted off for one reason or another. I mean, yeah, there are rivalries now and the more the merrier, but nothing like the davis-higgins face off in the 80s. That was on another level entirely but it was a different time too, snooker occupied a different space in the public consciousness, so i wouldn't overstate the comparison.

Joe_ Public

mrunsure wrote: »

So Eurosport will be showing it in Ireland?

We get british eurosport here so only on itv here too.

cadaliac

Ronnie was beaten before he struck a ball. Who’s fault is/was that?
Ronnie, all Ronnie.

gormdubhgorm

zuutroy wrote: »

Torture to watch. 6 minute shots. Passive aggressive digs at Ronnie and Hendry in the interview. Threw the toys out of the pram after Sheffield. Can't stand him.

Take away the 6 minutes shots, bit. Replace 'watch' with 'listen to'. And replace 'Ronnie' with Selby/AN other, you could be talking about Ronnie at any time during his career as a professional snooker player.

Let's be honest.

gormdubhgorm

Joe_ Public wrote: »

I remember Steve Davis dominating for a decade without seeming to have too many adverse effects on the games popularity. But maybe we're a little less patient with so much available product these days. But i do believe you need the contrasting styles to add drama and storylines. You need rivalries, edges and villains too.

I always like contrasting styles and personalities makes for a better game.

Selby v Ronnie games are always best served when they are in longer matches, it gives a chance to have more changes in the match.

Strumms

In fairness to Selby, what I liked and what I think he did well tonight was his shot selection and risk management he played himself into a situation where he didn’t require risks, and didn’t take risks...

Ronnie on the other hand needed to risk it for a biscuit and a couple of times when he did and didn’t make the pot / shot he left Mark on... savvy game management by Selby....

Might not be a lightening entertainer in the style of the old Ronnie or one or two others but I like watching him, he’s a tremendous potter, good tactician.

cadaliac

gormdubhgorm wrote: »

Take away the 6 minutes shots, bit. Replace 'watch' with 'listen to'. And replace 'Ronnie' with Selby/AN other, you could be talking about Ronnie at any time during his career as a professional snooker player.

Let's be honest.

What now?

gormdubhgorm

cadaliac wrote: »

What now?

I mean the whinging Ronnie has about other pros at different stages in his career.

From complaining about the standard of other pros - the numpties.

https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/other-sports/ronnie-o-sullivan-snooker-s-next-generation-are-so-bad-1.4326082

To famously saying he wanted to send Hendry back to Scotland to his sad little life.

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2002/may/02/snooker.danrookwood

I would say the only fella O'Sullivan has not annoyed or slagged off is Jimmy White. Because the two of them are two wide boy 'Geezers' same background and outlook.

Strumms

Hendry while he had a bit of a safe personality away from the table was an absolutely attacking snooker player, an entertainer, fearless, definitely amongst the top or probably the best long potters the sport has seen, great to watch, if it was on, he needed it, he took it on... he competed with none of the petulance that is now associated with Ronnie... Ronnie is in real danger of crossing the line from a slightly edgy rock n roll type character all be it a great player and entertainer to a bit of bore...a caricature.

Henryq.

Strumms wrote: »

Hendry while he had a bit of a safe personality away from the table was an absolutely attacking snooker player, an entertainer, fearless, definitely amongst the top or probably the best long potters the sport has seen, great to watch, if it was on, he needed it, he took it on... he competed with none of the petulance that is now associated with Ronnie... Ronnie is in real danger of crossing the line from a slightly edgy rock n roll type character all be it a great player and entertainer to a bit of bore...a caricature.

He sure was.
Wasn't it Henry that innovated all the modern breakups of the pack?

On O'sullivan , a lot of these players are very thin skinned being offended by remarks

If you were at a poker table you'd brush it off

The Nal

Strumms wrote: »

Ronnie is in real danger of crossing the line from a slightly edgy rock n roll type character all be it a great player and entertainer to a bit of bore...a caricature.

People have been saying that since the 90s. He keeps talking about retiring, he disrespects the game by not playing all the tournaments, he needs to sort his head out, he turns down maximums, he failed a drugs test, his interviews are offensive etc etc.

Was only 16 short weeks ago he won a great world championship and now has finally got the BBCs sportsperson of the year nod. Go back a year and he was doing interviews in a (bad) Australian accent for reasons unknown. He'll probably be snookers biggest news again for something in the Masters.

Whatever he does, hes box office. Id much rather Ronnie active and acting the bollix than another few years of Selby dominating.

Henryq.

2 things about Ronnie

Don't take anything he says seriously because he doesn't either

He's not going to retire, he craves the limelight

Enjoy the game

gormdubhgorm

Henryq. wrote: »

2 things about Ronnie

Don't take anything he says seriously because he doesn't either

He's not going to retire, he craves the limelight

Enjoy the game

Most people don't at this stage that is the problem. He is making himself a pantomime type character. All the stuff with the tips, the playing on when he needs snookers. 'Paid practice' comments 'Numpties' comments and so on.

I can see why the tabloid readers would lap it up though 'go on Ron' etc. As other posters have said I like Ronnie as a player. But... with all the antics he seems to do all the time (recently) I find myself shouting for the other fella.

Does the game of snooker really need all that type of stuff? Plus you then start to ask yourself does the game of snooker need Ronnie anymore if he is going to keep those antics up? It is really starting to overshadow his talent in my opinion, which shouldn't be the case.

AllForIt

Henryq. wrote: »

He sure was.
Wasn't it Henry that innovated all the modern breakups of the pack?

Kind off yeah. His strategy was to go into the pack at the first opportunity rather than getting bogged down in safety play at the beginning of the frame. The breakup of the pack was always a thing just he was more aggressive about it.

Henryq.

AllForIt wrote: »

Kind off yeah. His strategy was to go into the pack at the first opportunity rather than getting bogged down in safety play at the beginning of the frame. The breakup of the pack was always a thing just he was more aggressive about it.

Yes that was it

gormdubhgorm

AllForIt wrote: »

Kind off yeah. His strategy was to go into the pack at the first opportunity rather than getting bogged down in safety play at the beginning of the frame. The breakup of the pack was always a thing just he was more aggressive about it.

Henryq. wrote: »

Yes that was it

How Hendry changed snooker:

Rothko

Don't think Milkins could have expected to have a better start than this.

Too much left hand side on the cueball cost Milkins there; moreso than that tough red. The cueball should have come straight back down off baulk cushion, but instead it went left after it hit that cushion; clashing into the green.

gormdubhgorm

The milkman delivers and didnt bottle it!

Joe_ Public

Delighted for Rob, one of my favourite of the lower ranked guys. Love to see him go close to a title but just so maddeningly inconsistent.

Joe_ Public

Was a big call for robbo to go for that black. Thought he might not risk it, was very awkward with no guaranteed position after.

Rothko

Very good performance by Milkins. I think most will be surprised to see Robertson go out so early.

Joe_ Public

Dunno how much head to heads count for in this sport but rob had beaten robbo a few times before, including both times they met at the crucible. Doesn't seem to mind playing him anyway if the record means anything.

eric hoone

Joe_ Public wrote: »

Delighted for Rob, one of my favourite of the lower ranked guys. Love to see him go close to a title but just so maddeningly inconsistent.

He could win the shootout he's so quick

What a plant!! WOW!

Deleted User

Deleted User wrote: »

What a plant!! WOW!

:pac: From the sublime to the absurd - snookering himself with respotted blue :pac:

Mervyn Skidmore

[Deleted User] wrote: »

:pac: From the sublime to the absurd - snookering himself with respotted blue :pac:

That's exactly like something I would do.

Mervyn Skidmore

Mervyn Skidmore wrote: »

That's exactly like something I would do.

I'd be happy just to pot the blue myself, as am only an armchair fan :pac:

A lot of big talk up to two or three years ago about all these Chinese players about to come good; but with the exception of maybe Yan, very little really.. Doing alright though this year to be fair - must be Ding's Sheffield academy bringing them on. Off the top of my head, apart from Yan, I don't think many have gone deep in tournaments; well up until very recently that is.... I guess Ronnie's right about something

Joe_ Public

[Deleted User] wrote: »

A lot of big talk up to two or three years ago about all these Chinese players about to come good; but with the exception of maybe Yan, very little really.. Doing alright though this year to be fair - must be Ding's Sheffield academy bringing them on. Off the top of my head, apart from Yan, I don't think many have gone deep in tournaments; well up until very recently that is.... I guess Ronnie's right about something

Think it's difficult for them having to relocate at very young age and earn their way in uk, but would have expected one or two more making it bigger by now. A few bright spots this year, Zhou Yeulong could be a prospect i think. Another 10 years and i'm sure it will have changed considerably - higgins, williams, robbo, selby will be gone and where is the home grown talent to replace them? The chinese will fill the gap i reckon.

gormdubhgorm

Deleted User wrote: »

A lot of big talk up to two or three years ago about all these Chinese players about to come good; but with the exception of maybe Yan, very little really.. Doing alright though this year to be fair - must be Ding's Sheffield academy bringing them on. Off the top of my head, apart from Yan, I don't think many have gone deep in tournaments; well up until very recently that is.... I guess Ronnie's right about something

He has to be right at some stage, with all the mouthing he does.
A stopped clock right twice a day.

gormdubhgorm

Never mind that Selby fella, Higgins still King of matchplay snooker.

gormdubhgorm

Ken still playing with the same bandy 40 year old cue.
Amazed pros do that these days.

http://www.cuesnviews.co.uk/Snooker/cuestories.htm

Henryq.

[Deleted User] wrote: »

A lot of big talk up to two or three years ago about all these Chinese players about to come good; but with the exception of maybe Yan, very little really.. Doing alright though this year to be fair - must be Ding's Sheffield academy bringing them on. Off the top of my head, apart from Yan, I don't think many have gone deep in tournaments; well up until very recently that is.... I guess Ronnie's right about something

At this stage I think we can give up on the Chinese revolution

If it was going to happen it would have happened by now

robinwing

gormdubhgorm wrote: »

Ken still playing with the same bandy 40 year old cue.
Amazed pros do that these days.

http://www.cuesnviews.co.uk/Snooker/cuestories.htm

The guy who runs that is a great pal of Dominic Dale , who is a cue guru or cuehead himself

Muppet Man

gormdubhgorm wrote: »

Ken still playing with the same bandy 40 year old cue.
Amazed pros do that these days.

http://www.cuesnviews.co.uk/Snooker/cuestories.htm

Jaysis... Yellow and green text on a green background. Makes baby jesus cry.

Joe_ Public

gormdubhgorm wrote: »

Ken still playing with the same bandy 40 year old cue.
Amazed pros do that these days.

http://www.cuesnviews.co.uk/Snooker/cuestories.htm

Some great stuff on that site, hadn't visited it for years. That's probably half my day gone now working my way through those links!

The Nal

Muppet Man wrote: »

Jaysis... Yellow and green text on a green background. Makes baby jesus cry.

Looks very GeoCities alright. Old school!

Henryq.

Henryq. wrote: »

At this stage I think we can give up on the Chinese revolution

If it was going to happen it would have happened by now

Don't know about that.. There's about 5 Chinese in the top 32, and a few of them have reached semis this year... No one's expecting them to be up there with Ronnie, Robbo, Judd, and Selby.. but they could well fare as well, or better than Allen, Murphy, Wilson et al..

At this stage you're definitely right; in that none of them have torn up many trees, but I'll wait another 3 years before I admit I'm wrong... The rate of progression is there it seems, and making incremental gains. Whether that stagnates, or improves; I'd be favouring the latter myself.

gormdubhgorm

Deleted User wrote: »

Don't know about that.. There's about 5 Chinese in the top 32, and a few of them have reached semis this year... No one's expecting them to be up there with Ronnie, Robbo, Judd, and Selby.. but they could well fare as well, or better than Allen, Murphy, Wilson et al..

At this stage you're definitely right; in that none of them have torn up many trees, but I'll wait another 3 years before I admit I'm wrong... The rate of progression is there it seems, and making incremental gains. Whether that stagnates, or improves; I'd be favouring the latter myself.

All it will take is one Chinese fella to win a world title and the whole thing will really spark. If the likes of Dott and Bingham can do it, law of averages by population it is going to happen.

Plus easier for Chinese players to settle now than previous generations - a Chinese snooker community is established.

I would say in about 20 years the world championship could be staged in China and John Parrott won't like it - even though most of his wins were outside the UK! (Irony of it always amuses me)

Joe_ Public

There is only one UK player under 25 in the top 64 of the rankings now. Before they disbanded it last year, you had to go back to Sam Craigie in 2010 for the last british winner of the world u/21 championship. There's only one way things can logically go given these trends and just a question of when not if. Snooker is declining here and don't see how that will change anytime soon, sadly.

Saw Trump got unlucky there, and got stuck amongst the reds... Wonder what the rule is in the unlikely, but not completely implausible situation where the white is touching two or more reds, and it's impossible to play away from any of them without pushing another... Never seen it myself..

Holt 1 - 0 up atm, and Judd well ahead in frame 2.. Holt at the table with 2 reds left and needs a snooker to tie..

1 apiece.

snooker.org a good site for following scores on other matches (usually), as it updates every 30 seconds the exact scores.. But, for some reason it's not recognizing any matches starting until 2pm.. Est must be European standard time, but still, there's currently 2 matches in progress so one would expect to see live updates.. I think it's fine most of the the time apart from early morning/afternoon matches..

Li Hang 1-0 up against Ballrun..

Holt not playing well at all..

2 nil to Li Hang just now

Judd cruising here.. 2-1 a formality