UK Championship 2021 - 23/11 to 05/12. Eurosport and BBC

Another one bites the dust

Just watched a 5 minute interview with Astley by Rob Walker. No mention of robbos comments yesterday, not a single question about the hottest topic of the last two days. Great stuff.

That brown Astley potted to clinch the match, just remembered that was after robbo put him in again after a foul. Didn't see Astley potting it, but did think at the time it was a really poor decision by robbo. Doubt many, or any, other players would have done the same in that position. Wasn't a difficult safety shot.

Ken getting a proper spanking from Sam Craigie but Mick Judge holding his own against Mark Allen. Have that on in the background and Allen looks very ropey, may be a chance for another shock there.

Yeah, I only belatedly copped that bit like an eejit.

Yeah Allen picked it up, Mick made a few mistakes and unfolded very quickly. Ken still just about alive v Craigie, not a great day for us all told.

Not a fan of that new bbc intro. Old one was perfectly fine.

I see Ronnie weighed in on the Amateur debate. No doubt the BBC will debate it plenty today.

I see Shaun is explaining himself there now

Just caught Hendry half thinking to himself mmmm... as he was answering that 'there is no such thing as bad publicity'

For two days snooker was all over the airwaves, not just the sports channels, but Radio 4, GMB etc. And that for a match that wasn't even broadcast! You really can't buy that kind of publicity, albeit of negative kind! But seems only way snooker gets into the news agenda.

Have been to York but not for snooker, stunning town and countryside.

Monster kick for Ronnie there and he didn't get white cleaned. Maybe something in what John Higgins was saying about the Triangle chaulk.

He had a laugh about it basically. Because he, Ronnie, doesn't take snooker too seriously anymore, he doesn't get bothered by this stuff, but it's different for the likes of Shaun and Ronnie reckons it'll only get worse. So basically, suck it up and just get on with it. To be honest, I'm not sure there's much love lost there so I've a feeling he's trolling Shaun a bit.

Yeah looks like he actually didn’t say anything about it at all. Get on with the game and stop worrying about things you can’t influence is decent advice for anybody.

Interesting discussion on Kyrens rather unorthodox cue action. One thing I've noticed that they didn't mention was when Kyren brings back his cue arm, he releases it very gradually, for around an inch or so, before pushing it through the cue ball. Don't think I've ever seen any other player do this and I've even tried myself and it feels horrible. Guess he feels it works for him, so that's what matters.

Peters definitely been a massive factor for him and I imagine doesn't come cheap. Benefit of being a top player is you can invest in good support system, its so much harder for lower ranked guys who really need the guidance but haven't the money to pay for it. Bit of a vicious circle really.

I think Kyrens action is probably to do with making sure not to decelerate through impact, so probably good logic to it. I've seen Judd as a junior when he had a much more orthodox cue action so always curious to know when and why he evolved the way he did. Obviously he's hitting straight through the cue ball but it does look really odd. I remember him poking fun at Kyrens cue action when they were both trading blows a few years ago.

The whole thing was blown way out of proportion by the media and social media. I doubt the subject of amateurs competing in professional tournaments even crossed most people’s minds before Murphy spoke up.

Another point around Shaun's rant is that as a first round loser he would have travelled to York and received no prize money. I know he's hung around and has his BBC work so he's doing alright.

But it highlights to himself and Robertson what it is like to spend a few days getting to an event and not even getting the price of a cup of coffee for it.

I heard a suggestion on Dave Hendon's podcast that losing first rounders could receive a ton per frame. I think this is a great idea, if you lose 5-6 you get 500 notes. Lose 0-6 and you get nothing. The remaining prize money would need to be adjusted but I think it's a fair day's pay for a fair day's work.

Bazza won't wear it, I know. Hard taskmaster that he is. He's not likely to turn socialist in his old age.

In the overall budget of £1m for the UK they could find the room no doubt.

Match been played on wakelins terms but Judd still just keeping head in front.

Poor Ding walloped 6-3 by Sam Craigie, down to 25 in the rankings now, his lowest since 2007 and masters spot looking highly unlikely.

Hossein looks like he's in practice mode for the shoot out here. Sprinting around the table. Good start.

Focus and determination so good from Vafaei tonight, Selby well and truly punished for sloppy error. Just can't fathom why vafaei should be hovering down the 60s, way much better than that.