Snooker updates

johnnybev1987

I missed alot of the final, also Saturdays I did see the final 4/5 frames Selby v Murphy, as much as i dislike Smurf fairplay he showed some proper battling qualities, 17-13 down Selby just hit a century and went back to back with his own and nearly got back to 17-16, quality clearance from Selby at the end. Massive respect to both players

I know Selby gets alot of stick, but 4 world titles, he might sometimes be tougher to watch than ROS/Trump/Robbo, although i do think its exaggerated, he is just pure class. I dont think there is any gamesmanship involved, its just how he plays and he finds a way to win whether making tons or through pure grit and tactical play. Should be mentioned along the greats imo, far too much unwarranted stick.

North Lower Neil

I don't think anyone doubts Selby is a fantastic player, but he is definitely hard to watch sometimes.

He is one of the best at solving a problem and seeing an angle and yet he takes 2 mins to decide on a shot that, realistically, he probably thought was the best shot after about 2 seconds.

And there is definitely some gamesmanship involved vs the top quicker players.  Don't blame him necessarily given it helps him win.

Bournemouth Addick

johnnybev1987 said:

I missed alot of the final, also Saturdays I did see the final 4/5 frames Selby v Murphy, as much as i dislike Smurf fairplay he showed some proper battling qualities, 17-13 down Selby just hit a century and went back to back with his own and nearly got back to 17-16, quality clearance from Selby at the end. Massive respect to both players

I know Selby gets alot of stick, but 4 world titles, he might sometimes be tougher to watch than ROS/Trump/Robbo, although i do think its exaggerated, he is just pure class. I dont think there is any gamesmanship involved, its just how he plays and he finds a way to win whether making tons or through pure grit and tactical play. Should be mentioned along the greats imo, far too much unwarranted stick.

I agree. Think it's just become one of those confirmation bias things, where people notice Selby taking his time over a shot, or re-chalking his cue 4 times before playing a simple safety shot, where they don't look for it in others.

He's never going to be the sort of player to take on the sort of shots others might, or make a century in 5 minutes. That's just not his game. But he is a very, very good player. He's a Matty Holland where the crowd are baying for a Claus Jensen.

I do have to chuckle when the MC introduces the Jester From Leicester and out walks one of the most dour looking blokes on the planet though. 

North Lower Neil

Bournemouth Addick said:

johnnybev1987 said:

I missed alot of the final, also Saturdays I did see the final 4/5 frames Selby v Murphy, as much as i dislike Smurf fairplay he showed some proper battling qualities, 17-13 down Selby just hit a century and went back to back with his own and nearly got back to 17-16, quality clearance from Selby at the end. Massive respect to both players

I know Selby gets alot of stick, but 4 world titles, he might sometimes be tougher to watch than ROS/Trump/Robbo, although i do think its exaggerated, he is just pure class. I dont think there is any gamesmanship involved, its just how he plays and he finds a way to win whether making tons or through pure grit and tactical play. Should be mentioned along the greats imo, far too much unwarranted stick.

I agree. Think it's just become one of those confirmation bias things, where people notice Selby taking his time over a shot, or re-chalking his cue 4 times before playing a simple safety shot, where they don't look for it in others.

He's never going to be the sort of player to take on the sort of shots others might, or make a century in 5 minutes. That's just not his game. But he is a very, very good player. He's a Matty Holland where the crowd are baying for a Claus Jensen.

I do have to chuckle when the MC introduces the Jester From Leicester and out walks one of the most dour looking blokes on the planet though. 

I thought that yesterday - I wonder how the conversation went.

"Mark got his snooker nickname yet?"
"Yeah, get this: The Jester from Leicester!"
"You know he's nothing like a jester?  He's less like a jester than a good 99% of the other players on tour?"
"Well, yeah, but... I mean... it rhymes...."

AddicksAddict

Imagine Selby v Thorburn. You wouldn’t have to worry about social distancing in the audience, 

LawrieAbrahams

Bournemouth Addick said:

johnnybev1987 said:

I missed alot of the final, also Saturdays I did see the final 4/5 frames Selby v Murphy, as much as i dislike Smurf fairplay he showed some proper battling qualities, 17-13 down Selby just hit a century and went back to back with his own and nearly got back to 17-16, quality clearance from Selby at the end. Massive respect to both players

I know Selby gets alot of stick, but 4 world titles, he might sometimes be tougher to watch than ROS/Trump/Robbo, although i do think its exaggerated, he is just pure class. I dont think there is any gamesmanship involved, its just how he plays and he finds a way to win whether making tons or through pure grit and tactical play. Should be mentioned along the greats imo, far too much unwarranted stick.

I agree. Think it's just become one of those confirmation bias things, where people notice Selby taking his time over a shot, or re-chalking his cue 4 times before playing a simple safety shot, where they don't look for it in others.

He's never going to be the sort of player to take on the sort of shots others might, or make a century in 5 minutes. That's just not his game. But he is a very, very good player. He's a Matty Holland where the crowd are baying for a Claus Jensen.

I do have to chuckle when the MC introduces the Jester From Leicester and out walks one of the most dour looking blokes on the planet though. 

When he first got to the final v Higgins in 2007 he used to crack a few jokes and had a great rapport with the fans. That's when he got the nickname. When he started winning more tournaments he dropped the jokes and now it's an ill-fitting moniker.

LawrieAbrahams

Also in the first three rounds Selby played quite quickly and was very fluent. He can score heavily as well as being the best tactician.

AddicksAddict

LawrieAbrahams said:

Also in the first three rounds Selby played quite quickly and was very fluent. He can score heavily as well as being the best tactician.

Playing slowly to annoy your opponent isn't tactics, it's gamesmanship, and him being warned for slow play shows the officials know it isn't, too.

johnnybev1987

AddicksAddict said:

LawrieAbrahams said:

Also in the first three rounds Selby played quite quickly and was very fluent. He can score heavily as well as being the best tactician.

Playing slowly to annoy your opponent isn't tactics, it's gamesmanship, and him being warned for slow play shows the officials know it isn't, too.

I dont really agree with this again, For most of the final him and Murphy were actually the same AST (Average shot time), just checked and it finished 4 seconds different. 24.6 for Murphy, 28.2 for Selby. That is probably his slowest of the tournament but when you take into the fact its the final of the biggest event in snooker. Yes i am aware he was warned by the ref at some point, however i do not think its gamesmanship its just how it is. When he is flowing he isn't as hard to watch (subjective), when it gets a bit tricky or he isn't quite on it he will slow down. 

Like he isn't as slow as people think. although seems it as he sometimes does take a while over the odd shot. Regardless he is a winner, so even if he was deemed slow so what  

75/120 on tour for Average shot time, normal is 24.65, Murphys 22.79 so both around a couple seconds more in the final. 

clive

World seniors snooker
Starting on Thursday, 6 May, the tournament gets underway from the last-16 stage and will conclude with the final on Sunday, 9 May.

The last-16 full draw:

Jimmy White v Tony Knowles

Lee Walker v Darren Morgan

Igor Figueiredo v John Parrott

Stephen Hendry v Patsy Fagan

Michael Judge v Patrick Wallace

Barry Pinches v Dennis Taylor

David Lilley v Philip Williams

Ken Doherty v Joe Johnson

Full coverage details:

Thursday, 6 May

12:00-16:00 & 19:00-23:00 - BBC Red Button, BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport website & app

Lincsaddick

johnnybev1987 said:

AddicksAddict said:

LawrieAbrahams said:

Also in the first three rounds Selby played quite quickly and was very fluent. He can score heavily as well as being the best tactician.

Playing slowly to annoy your opponent isn't tactics, it's gamesmanship, and him being warned for slow play shows the officials know it isn't, too.

I dont really agree with this again, For most of the final him and Murphy were actually the same AST (Average shot time), just checked and it finished 4 seconds different. 24.6 for Murphy, 28.2 for Selby. That is probably his slowest of the tournament but when you take into the fact its the final of the biggest event in snooker. Yes i am aware he was warned by the ref at some point, however i do not think its gamesmanship its just how it is. When he is flowing he isn't as hard to watch (subjective), when it gets a bit tricky or he isn't quite on it he will slow down. 

Like he isn't as slow as people think. although seems it as he sometimes does take a while over the odd shot. Regardless he is a winner, so even if he was deemed slow so what  

75/120 on tour for Average shot time, normal is 24.65, Murphys 22.79 so both around a couple seconds more in the final. 

The dislike of Selby is typical English sour grapes reaction to a serial winner. A winner who is gritty and determined, not especially out to please the crowd, isn't a gurning clown despite being misnamed 'the jester' simply 'cos it rhymes with home city Leicester, a skilled and practised pro who just gets on with his job, makes loads of money and wins lots of trophies. What's not to like ? .. probably that he isn't a right good, very 'umble loser.

paulie8290

Im not posting much anymore but have seen about 4/5 people comment about The Jester nickname and need to clear this up to avoid further confusion.


How many of you know him personally?
How many of you see him behind the scenes?

Just because on the table he concentrates on what he needs to do(and that by the way has won him 4 world titles in the last 8 years) and doesn't laugh and joke around the table you think its a stupid nickname.

So many pros and other people around the circuit have said off the table he is one of the funniest people around hence the nickname.

But when he has a match on he knows he needs to be in match mode and is fully focused on what he needs to do

North Lower Neil

Lincsaddick said:

johnnybev1987 said:

AddicksAddict said:

LawrieAbrahams said:

Also in the first three rounds Selby played quite quickly and was very fluent. He can score heavily as well as being the best tactician.

Playing slowly to annoy your opponent isn't tactics, it's gamesmanship, and him being warned for slow play shows the officials know it isn't, too.

I dont really agree with this again, For most of the final him and Murphy were actually the same AST (Average shot time), just checked and it finished 4 seconds different. 24.6 for Murphy, 28.2 for Selby. That is probably his slowest of the tournament but when you take into the fact its the final of the biggest event in snooker. Yes i am aware he was warned by the ref at some point, however i do not think its gamesmanship its just how it is. When he is flowing he isn't as hard to watch (subjective), when it gets a bit tricky or he isn't quite on it he will slow down. 

Like he isn't as slow as people think. although seems it as he sometimes does take a while over the odd shot. Regardless he is a winner, so even if he was deemed slow so what  

75/120 on tour for Average shot time, normal is 24.65, Murphys 22.79 so both around a couple seconds more in the final. 

The dislike of Selby is typical English sour grapes reaction to a serial winner. A winner who is gritty and determined, not especially out to please the crowd, isn't a gurning clown despite being misnamed 'the jester' simply 'cos it rhymes with home city Leicester, a skilled and practised pro who just gets on with his job, makes loads of money and wins lots of trophies. What's not to like ? .. probably that he isn't a right good, very 'umble loser.

I don't think it's many disliking him exactly, just commenting he's a bit boring to watch.

It's the difference between watching a team who play good attacking football and a team who defend and try to nick a 1-0.  Up to them, it gets results, but it's also fine for people to admit they prefer watching the attacking team's games.

North Lower Neil

paulie8290 said:

Im not posting much anymore but have seen about 4/5 people comment about The Jester nickname and need to clear this up to avoid further confusion.


How many of you know him personally?
How many of you see him behind the scenes?

Just because on the table he concentrates on what he needs to do(and that by the way has won him 4 world titles in the last 8 years) and doesn't laugh and joke around the table you think its a stupid nickname.

So many pros and other people around the circuit have said off the table he is one of the funniest people around hence the nickname.

But when he has a match on he knows he needs to be in match mode and is fully focused on what he needs to do

Come off it, it's a stage nickname as it rhymes with Leicester, nothing else.

Same as Neil Robertson bring the Thunder from Down Under.

Gravesend_Addick

paulie8290 said:

Im not posting much anymore but have seen about 4/5 people comment about The Jester nickname and need to clear this up to avoid further confusion.


How many of you know him personally?
How many of you see him behind the scenes?

Just because on the table he concentrates on what he needs to do(and that by the way has won him 4 world titles in the last 8 years) and doesn't laugh and joke around the table you think its a stupid nickname.

So many pros and other people around the circuit have said off the table he is one of the funniest people around hence the nickname.

But when he has a match on he knows he needs to be in match mode and is fully focused on what he needs to do

I think 'Jester' is just a nickname that rhymes with Leicester.  Nothing to do with his bubbly, outgoing personality!! 

johnnybev1987

North Lower Neil said:

paulie8290 said:

Im not posting much anymore but have seen about 4/5 people comment about The Jester nickname and need to clear this up to avoid further confusion.


How many of you know him personally?
How many of you see him behind the scenes?

Just because on the table he concentrates on what he needs to do(and that by the way has won him 4 world titles in the last 8 years) and doesn't laugh and joke around the table you think its a stupid nickname.

So many pros and other people around the circuit have said off the table he is one of the funniest people around hence the nickname.

But when he has a match on he knows he needs to be in match mode and is fully focused on what he needs to do

Come off it, it's a stage nickname as it rhymes with Leicester, nothing else.

Same as Neil Robertson bring the Thunder from Down Under.

Whilst Paulies post seems to have taken it personal, because he is a big fan. His point remains, his nickname originated from his personality and off the table demeanor, yes it rhymes with Leicester but that wasnt the sole reason lol 

Everyone is entitled to their opinion, i think Lincs actually summed it up perfect. There is a similar player in the pool community who has won alot and still young and he gets as much stick as Selby (Liam Dunster) he is slow, methodical and will often play tactical to give himself a better chance. I enjoy seeing different styles combat and if they are winning then thats all that matters, although its supposed to be entertaining (loosely) it doesn't pay the bills if you dont get results, just look how Trump reigned it in and learnt to play more tactical.

LawrieAbrahams

paulie8290 said:

Im not posting much anymore but have seen about 4/5 people comment about The Jester nickname and need to clear this up to avoid further confusion.


How many of you know him personally?
How many of you see him behind the scenes?

Just because on the table he concentrates on what he needs to do(and that by the way has won him 4 world titles in the last 8 years) and doesn't laugh and joke around the table you think its a stupid nickname.

So many pros and other people around the circuit have said off the table he is one of the funniest people around hence the nickname.

But when he has a match on he knows he needs to be in match mode and is fully focused on what he needs to do

More to the point, he used to crack jokes to the crowd and that's how he got the name. Off the table it would seem that he is still the same and I reckon he will make a great commentator when he retires. 

John Virgo was a miserable git on the table and then he started doing his impressions of other players and got the job on the game show with that Charlton fan.

clive

Results
Lee Walker 2-3 Darren Morgan
Stephen Hendry 3-0 Patsy Fagan
Michael Judge 2-3 Patrick Wallace
David Lilley 3-1 Philip Williams

Full coverage details:

Friday, 7 May

12:00-16:00 & 19:00-23:00 - BBC Red Button, BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport website & app

johnnybev1987

clive said:

Results
Lee Walker 2-3 Darren Morgan
Stephen Hendry 3-0 Patsy Fagan
Michael Judge 2-3 Patrick Wallace
David Lilley 3-1 Philip Williams

Full coverage details:

Friday, 7 May

12:00-16:00 & 19:00-23:00 - BBC Red Button, BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport website & app

Did anyone watch this? What was the standard like, in previous years it was bit hard to watch, but Hendry getting some kind of form and Lee Walker who plays a few events. Paulie did post about the highlight for Philip Williams was who he was coached by lol 

Karim_myBagheri

Quick heads up if you haven't noticed it is on but tonight is a start of a three part series on the Gods of Snooker. BBC 2 9pm. 

From what i have read it sounds like it should be really good documentary. 

Covered End

Followed by a repeated documentary about Alex Higgins. 

Lincsaddick

watching the oldies .. the once immaculate Tony Knowles looked like he'd been sleeping rough for a few weeks

hoof_it_up_to_benty

Karim_myBagheri said:

Quick heads up if you haven't noticed it is on but tonight is a start of a three part series on the Gods of Snooker. BBC 2 9pm. 

From what i have read it sounds like it should be really good documentary. 

A fascinating watch - a great record of how the game has changed. You forget what a wreck Higgins was.

AddicksAddict

North Lower Neil said:

paulie8290 said:

Im not posting much anymore but have seen about 4/5 people comment about The Jester nickname and need to clear this up to avoid further confusion.


How many of you know him personally?
How many of you see him behind the scenes?

Just because on the table he concentrates on what he needs to do(and that by the way has won him 4 world titles in the last 8 years) and doesn't laugh and joke around the table you think its a stupid nickname.

So many pros and other people around the circuit have said off the table he is one of the funniest people around hence the nickname.

But when he has a match on he knows he needs to be in match mode and is fully focused on what he needs to do

Come off it, it's a stage nickname as it rhymes with Leicester, nothing else.

Same as Neil Robertson bring the Thunder from Down Under.

You mean it's not a reference to his intestinal problems?

Karim_myBagheri

hoof_it_up_to_benty said:

Karim_myBagheri said:

Quick heads up if you haven't noticed it is on but tonight is a start of a three part series on the Gods of Snooker. BBC 2 9pm. 

From what i have read it sounds like it should be really good documentary. 

A fascinating watch - a great record of how the game has changed. You forget what a wreck Higgins was.

without the bravado and the natural skill he kinda reminds me of me. wish I had the bravado and the natural skill though. 

hoof_it_up_to_benty

Karim_myBagheri said:

hoof_it_up_to_benty said:

Karim_myBagheri said:

Quick heads up if you haven't noticed it is on but tonight is a start of a three part series on the Gods of Snooker. BBC 2 9pm. 

From what i have read it sounds like it should be really good documentary. 

A fascinating watch - a great record of how the game has changed. You forget what a wreck Higgins was.

without the bravado and the natural skill he kinda reminds me of me. wish I had the bravado and the natural skill though. 

One of my favourite sportsmen of all time- loved watching him play but he was always on edge.

Saw him play as a kid in Manchester back in the 70s - never seen anything like it.

Totally self destructive like George Best.

johnnybev1987

Karim_myBagheri said:

Quick heads up if you haven't noticed it is on but tonight is a start of a three part series on the Gods of Snooker. BBC 2 9pm. 

From what i have read it sounds like it should be really good documentary. 

Thank you i might have to catch up if on bbc player. 

hoof_it_up_to_benty

johnnybev1987 said:

Karim_myBagheri said:

Quick heads up if you haven't noticed it is on but tonight is a start of a three part series on the Gods of Snooker. BBC 2 9pm. 

From what i have read it sounds like it should be really good documentary. 

Thank you i might have to catch up if on bbc player. 

I watched the whole series on Iplayer - it's an excellent watch.

paulie8290

The players on tour for next season

The 64 who finished in the top 64 last season 

1-Judd Trump
2-Mark Selby
3-Ronnie O'Sullivan
4-Neil Robertson
5-Shaun Murphy
6-Kyren Wilson
7-John Higgins
8-Ding Junhui
9-Stephen Maguire
10-Yan Bingtao
11-Mark Williams
12-Mark Allen
13-Barry Hawkins
14-Jack Lisowski
15-Stuart Bingham
16-Anthony McGill
17-Zhou Yuelong
18-Graeme Dott
19-Thepchaiya Un-Nooh
20-Joe Perry
21-Kurt Maflin
22-Tom Ford
23-David Gilbert
24-Ali Carter
25-Martin Gould
26-Zhao Xintong
27-Liang Wenbo
28-Ryan Day
29-Xiao Guodong
30-Matthew Selt
31-Michael Holt
32-Ricky Walden
33-Gary Wilson
34-Scott Donaldson
35-Lu Ning
36-Matthew Stevens
37-Robert Milkins
38-Li Hang
39-Luca Brecel
40-Jordan Brown
41-Hossein Vafaei
42-Mark Joyce
43-Liam Highfield
44-Noppon Saengkham
45-Alexander Ursenbacher
46-Ben Woollaston
47-Stuart Carrington
48-Martin O'Donnell
49-Mark Davis
50-Sam Craigie
51-Elliot Slessor
52-Mark King
53-Lyu Haotian
54-Anthony Hamilton
55-Jamie Jones
56-Andrew Higginson
57-Sunny Akani
58-Tian Pengfei
59-David Grace
60-Chris Wakelin
61-Dominic Dale
62-Joe O'Connor
63-Jimmy Robertson
64-Nigel Bond

The 27 players who are on the 2nd year of their 2 year tour card

65-Jak Jones
66-Pang Junxu
67-Jamie Clarke
68-Robbie Williams 
69-Steven Hallworth 
70-Ashley Carty
71-Simon Lichtenberg 
72-Oliver Lines
73-Zhao Jianbo 
74-Ken Doherty 
75-Gao Yang
76-Fergal O'Brien 
77-Rory McLeod 
78-Allan Taylor 
79-Aaron Hill
80-Lukas Kleckers 
81-Ashley Hugill 
82-Peter Devlin
83-Jamie Wilson
84-Ben Hancorn 
85-Lee Walker 
86-Fan Zhengyi
87-Zak Surety 
88-Stephen Hendry 
89-Farakh Ajaib
90-Iulian Boiko 
91-Sean Maddocks 

Next we have the 8 highest players on the 1 year list 

92-Chang Bingyu 
93-Igor Figueiredo 
94-Xu Si
95-Louis Heathcote 
96-Chen Zifan
97-Jamie O'Neil 
98-Andy Hicks
99-Gerard Greene 

Following that we have the 4 players who qualified via the Chinese qualifying events

100-Wu Yize
101-Zhang Jiankang
102-Cao Yupeng
103-Zhang Anda

Following that you have the 4 Invitational cards

2 from the Womans tour
104-Reanne Evans 
105-Ng On-Yee

2 from the Mens tour
106-Jimmy White
107-Marco Fu

Following that is a deferred tour card from last year Following illness

108-Andrew Pagett

Then we have the Q School Winners

Event 1
109-Peter Lines
110-Fraser Patrick
111-Jackson Page
112-Yuan Sijun 

Event 2
113-Barry Pinches 
114-Craig Steadman
115-Micheal Judge
116-Alfie Burden

Event 3
117-Ian Burns
118-Lei Peifan 
119-Dean Young
120-Duane Jones

Q School Top 2 order of Merit
121-Hammad Miah
122-Mitchell Mann

Unfortunately this left world snooker in a tough position the tour normally had 128 players they only had 122 the event that normally filled they other 6 slots couldnt be played due to covid, so to make this up as a one of World Snooker offered the next 6 on the Q School order of merit a 1 year top up card, guaranteeing they will be able to enter every event(baring the home nations events as the empty slots will be filled by the local governing body choosing their own amateur players(which again is brilliant)

So these lucky 6 are.

123-Sanderson Lam
124- Michael Georgiou
125-Si Jiahui 
126-Soheil Vahedi 
127-Micheal White
128-David Lilley

paulie8290

So there we have it the 128 players who will be competing on this years world snooker tour.


A lot has been made of The women but personally i am looking forward to seeing how Cao Yupeng does.

He was always someone i expected to win titles, and he was so close in that Scottish open final against Neil Robertson.

But obviously he was banned for 30 months for match fixing which ended in November and managed to get straight back on tour, will also be interesting to see how fans respond to him.