I think I'm minority here as far as I can see but not involved in much snooker talks online, aside my father and bandmate. Any fans?
Anyone got any WC predictions? I can see Trump or Ronnie doing it but still early days. Robertson in top form too.
I miss Alan McManus smoking fags whilst not at the table at the Irish masters. Lad.
I love snooker but was always shit at it.
Looking forward to the worlds but ut's a pain in the arse that the BBC have most of their evening coverage on the red button, which isn't available in Sky. Eurosport's commentary/punditry is shite.
Trump would be my call for it, too.
On current form you'd have to say Trump is the favourite going into the WC. Winning 5 ranking events in one season just proves how consistent he's become.
Still two ranking tournaments to go before the WC so perhaps someone will hit a bit of form at the right time.
Ronnie, of course, is capable of winning it again but his cause won't be helped by slipping down the rankings. At the moment he's in line for a tougher draw compared to the top seeds.
His apparent apathy towards the game as a whole is his biggest obstacle. I suppose he's done it all, made plenty of cash in the process and maybe just doesn't feel he has anything to prove. Picking and choosing his tournaments is costing him though, not getting enough table time and all that.
Yep, Trump is looking good for it at the moment, though Robertson is coming back to form and looks strong too. Sad to see Selby has really slipped down the rankings these days, he used to be fantastic to watch.
And lads, what the fuck is going on with the back of Gary Wilson's head
What about John Higgins, can't rule him out, love snooker myself
Quote from: Carnage on March 09, 2020, 08:31:24 PM
His apparent apathy towards the game as a whole is his biggest obstacle. I suppose he's done it all, made plenty of cash in the process and maybe just doesn't feel he has anything to prove. Picking and choosing his tournaments is costing him though, not getting enough table time and all that.
He seems to be just as happy/happier going to the tournaments and doing the tv work. He's been on Eurosport regularly in recent times doing comms and talking in the studio. The will to win and compete certainly seems to have faded somewhat.
Quote from: Scáthach on March 09, 2020, 08:44:33 PM
Yep, Trump is looking good for it at the moment, though Robertson is coming back to form and looks strong too. Sad to see Selby has really slipped down the rankings these days, he used to be fantastic to watch.
And lads, what the fuck is going on with the back of Gary Wilson's head
Don't write Selby off yet. He won the English Open and the Scottish Open this season. It's true he's not playing to the standard he was a while ago but he'll be there or thereabouts come the WC.
Gary Wilson's head is a sight to behold.
Part blowfish? :laugh:
Don't know if Higgins has another final in him, probably looking at a semi-final in the worlds though. Ronnie depends on the weather but you can never rule him out. Would like to see Judd and Robertson though that would be a cracker.
Have a soft spot for Ding and David Gilbert though, be nice to see them turn up. Lisowski and Un-Nooh I like watching but not near final level (yet).
And yes, Eurosport has the worst coverage. Don't mind Jimmy but commentary is ridiculous. "He'll want to win this frame" is a frequent line, Michael Owen level of shite.
Quote from: CorkonianHunger on March 09, 2020, 11:52:57 PM
Don't know if Higgins has another final in him, probably looking at a semi-final in the worlds though. Ronnie depends on the weather but you can never rule him out. Would like to see Judd and Robertson though that would be a cracker.
Have a soft spot for Ding and David Gilbert though, be nice to see them turn up. Lisowski and Un-Nooh I like watching but not near final level (yet).
And yes, Eurosport has the worst coverage. Don't mind Jimmy but commentary is ridiculous. "He'll want to win this frame" is a frequent line, Michael Owen level of shite.
Higgins is some dogged player in fairness I'm gonna stick a few quid on him, he's never beaten in fairness to him
Quote from: Doctor Crippen on March 10, 2020, 07:20:39 PM
Higgins is some dogged player in fairness I'm gonna stick a few quid on him, he's never beaten in fairness to him
Yep, only really beaten when the other player is playing their best. Can understand when he loses to top 10 players, he still plays well.
Higgins is currently around 20/1 to win it so it's definitely worth a couple of quid especially considering he has made the last 3 finals. I think the longer format matches really suit him.
I like Selby. Would hate to see Higgins win but those odds!
Great odds for him
So the Gibraltar Open (ranking event) is going ahead today albeit with quite a few withdrawals which is understandable given the current situation. Higgins, Robbo, Mark Allen, Dave Gilbert, Stephen Maguire, Ali Carter and Graeme Dott have all pulled out.
However, Bingham, Trump, Selby, Kyren Wilson, Mark Williams, Yan Bingtao, Joe Perry, Jack Lisowski and Barry Hawkins, amongst others, are still playing so hopefully it will turn out to be a decent tournament.
Will watch it, would have thought Williams wouldn't bother with his health issues last year.
This final is shaping up nicely, two frames in and two centuries hit. Both players in good form.
It's strange without any fans or atmosphere. They restricted the audience to 100 on Friday then restricted it completely from Saturday. Understandable though.
Trump unstoppable at the moment, not sure how the WC will pan out at the moment though.
Ronnie's been in the news today for humming and hawing about his decision to appear in the World Championship. The prerequisite news story that means the World Championship is very much on, of course. I was quite excited to realise it's starting at the end of the month. I'm still working from home so it's the most frames of the tournament that I will conceivably be able to watch since a bunch of us lived together on the dole, where the BBC coverage would be the permanent backdrop to soapbar smog and cheap cider as a sort of baize endurance marathon.
I wonder will they actually show it in the evenings instead of fucking off to the iPlayer/red button? It's just not the same on Eurosport, very much bargain bin commentary/punditry.
Either way, good to see that it's going ahead. Been missing the tradition of this and the likes of Wimbledon.
RTE used to show Wimbledon, Roland Garros, and the Irish Masters back when I was a chap. Whenever I go home, the sports coverage outside of GAA is absolute shite. Granted, you needed BBC for the snooker worlds, but unless it's hurling, I wouldn't be arsed with anything they put on. Trying to charge a fiver to watch League if Ireland matches now aswell the brass necked fuckers.
BBC coverage is king. I cannot stand Eurosport or Quest or ITV. The house I'm with has Free to air box, so there's actually a red button channel.
Working (college thesis) at home is a blessing and a curse, once I get sucked into good snooker it's hard to get out. Here's hoping we get good quality.
I'm away to Eurosport every time I hear Dennis Taylor, same as always, can't have is simpering.
Always back four (one from each quarter) to win it, this year I've gone for
Bingham 30/1
Higgins 18/1
Wilson 16/1
Murphy 16/1
Wish I had a fortnight off work.
Looks like a run to the finish line for Trump here, unfortunately.
At least bargain bin Eurosport are showing it in the evening (and a match on each channel, to boot), pricktease BBC just give you an hour to warm up and then fuck off.
Sad to see that the audience, limited though it was in numbers, will be gone from tomorrow. At least there was some kind of atmosphere for a few hours.
Well, I've gotten use to it in the football so for a quiet game like snooker it shouldn't be overly offputting. Also there'll be none off the 'c'mon Ronnie' brigade.
I will miss the rather stately, posh looking old bird who has been sitting in the crowd for every match at every finals as long as I can remember though!
Not to mention the ubiquitous Nicko McBrain appearance.
Wadn't there a bit of a kerfuffle a couple of years ago over the guy who wears a football top every year, they banned them or something?
Yeah they made him stop wearing the, even Barry Hearne was moaning about him. Also missing from the crowd will be the snooker goths :abbath:
I echo the shame on the audience being gone. Dwindled though it was, I'll accept any kind of spectator ambience at this stage.
I'm on the Eurosport because I don't have the beeb on TV and have an inherent mistrust of all these VPN yokes. There's no comparison obviously. The amount of video packages etc that they do for this tournament is half the fun, and turns it into not just a tournament but a sort of global convention/celebration of snooker.
Might have to sort something out to get iPlayer. Using the old man's Sky details to get a Sky Go login but it doesn't carry BBC.
I'm delighted to be able to see snooker on BBC again. It's not just the awful commentators on ITV (captain bloody obvious Neal Foulds), but the table view is gack. They foreshorten the angle by quite a bit, to get the sponsor logo in view and it makes it hard to tell if something is on or how much space is between balls.
It was on BBC4 for a couple of hours tonight, hopefully it'll be a regular thing.
I liked it when Alex "Whirlwind" Higgins was playing. MAN that guy could drink and still play a great game ;)
He was a complete cunt, though.
Who's that commentating in the Higgins-Stevens match with McManus, Ebdon? He's atrocious, whoever it is.
I think it's Joe Perry.
Cheers. He's more annoying than Thorne, if that were possible.
Quote from: Carnage on August 02, 2020, 04:58:41 PM
He was a complete cunt, though.
Who's that commentating in the Higgins-Stevens match with McManus, Ebdon? He's atrocious, whoever it is.
How?
Well known fact. Look it up. Read his biography. Great player, wonderful personality, but without a doubt a total fucking prick.
That's a shame.
Quote from: livingabortion on August 02, 2020, 05:36:35 PM
Quote from: Carnage on August 02, 2020, 04:58:41 PM
He was a complete cunt, though.
Who's that commentating in the Higgins-Stevens match with McManus, Ebdon? He's atrocious, whoever it is.
How?
(Assuming you're talking about Higgins), he treated everyone like shit, his family, friends, business partners. Drank and gambled his life away.
A friend of my uncle's went out with him in the '60s or '70s, said he was a right prick. Complete bigot, too.
A great Snooker player but a shit human being it seems. Sad that.
Kurt Maflin tonight running out of position on a 147 attempt and giving the cue ball the finger was hilarious. Got a warning for it too. :laugh:
Saw that, nice to see some genuine emotion from a player though, they're usually so restrained.
Turns out O'Sullivan likes playing with no crowd, after all. Battered Un-Nooh 10-1, taking less than half an hour for the two final frames this morning. Looks like everyone else is fucked.
He was quite critical, before he got to the tournament, about the decision to have a restriced audience in attendance, saying that the organisers were "using the players as lab rats" or words to that effect (Trump had a go at him, saying he should have pulled out along with Hamilton - who must be rightly sickened now). In his post-match interview he said he preferred it this way so it clearly suits him.
Right stinker of a session that from Murphy
No harm. Arrogant twat, I can't abide him.
Selby got away with murder in his last frame
Yep, some fluke to win it. He'll have to up his game but at least he scraped through unlike Murphy.
He's a great player but terminally boring to watch. A shame Brown didn't go through (as parochial as it is, it's always nice to see up and coming Irish players doing well) but he played well.
Word. Honestly, Selby frames drag on like sex scenes with your ma and da in the room.
Hope Mark Allen gets dumped out.
Looking that way. Not a fan either, he's such a dour fucker.
Worst afternoon of the Championships so far, a visit to the dentist would be more pleasurable than sitting through Selby's pondering .
Fucking torturous, and when I got in both the BBC and Eurosport were showing the same match (I presume the other one finished early), dreadful. I just stuck on DS9 instead. At least this evening we have O'Sullivan v Ding to look forward to.
3 frames of it took as long as Ronnie's entire opening match apparently. I love the safety side of the game but it really was a challenge to sit through. Funny to put the missus through it though.
Hmmm, ding dong indeed, This is like a different sport from earlier.
Selbyball aside, this has been a fantastic tournament with a really high level of play so far. Snooker players are - on the whole - dour fuckers who come from gaming for cash in pubs and clubs. It's no surprise the vast majority of them are cool as ice without a crowd and don't need that famed emotional pull from them.
Great to see Maflin and Williams through in great matches.
You'd miss the atmosphere an audience brings with it (as a viewer), but the players seem to be thriving on it alright. No John Virgo (stranded in Spain) or Hazel Irvine (a sickness in the family) this year either, it's an odd one. Great standard alright though, best it's been for years.
Jaysus, Ronnie on fire there. Had the match won over 7 frames while the other match was still in its third (of the session). I can't see him being beaten if he holds this form.
Well, Williams certainly stopped him in his tracks today. But, ya just never know with the 3 session matches how many twists and turns it can take.
Didn't see any of that match today. This one between Trump and Wilson isn't exactly a thriller but I'd take it over Selby and Robertson any day of the week.
Quote from: Thorn on August 07, 2020, 06:06:47 PM
Worst afternoon of the Championships so far, a visit to the dentist would be more pleasurable than sitting through Selby's pondering .
https://twitter.com/Livesnooker/status/1293600719250087938
QuoteRonnie O'Sullivan made a 147 break faster than it took Mark Selby to play a single shot last year.
Yeah, I'm really hoping he beats Selby. Anything is better than another Selby final, I doubt I'd bother watching if he goes through
Ronnie's become seriously arrogant lately, hasn't he? He's always been confident and cocky but the stuff he's come out with the last few days has been on another level. Disrespectful TBH.
Quote from: Mower Liberation Front on August 12, 2020, 10:36:17 PM
Quote from: Thorn on August 07, 2020, 06:06:47 PM
Worst afternoon of the Championships so far, a visit to the dentist would be more pleasurable than sitting through Selby's pondering .
https://twitter.com/Livesnooker/status/1293600719250087938
QuoteRonnie O'Sullivan made a 147 break faster than it took Mark Selby to play a single shot last year.
:laugh: just after seeing this
Feck off carrot top >:(
This is unreal stuff, absolute classic whoever wins
That was some frame, bit of a slog but it all happened there. Poor oul' Wilson is in bits in his interview.
Quote from: Thorn on August 14, 2020, 04:55:15 PM
Feck off carrot top >:(
Did something specific happen? I was out all day, didn't see anything but the last half hour of the match.
Nah, just when Mc Gill went 16-15 I thought my few quid on Wilson was gone. Just an astonishing last frame, so glad I got to see that live.
Ronnie's having a laugh here, playing like he's down the club on a Friday night, shocking temperament, well not really I suppose for him
He's throwing it deliberately, he's not that reckless. Just can't see why.
Reckon Selby is playing even slower to wind him up and its working a treat
From the ridiculous to the.sublime. He couldnt.... could he?
As soon as I say that he gets a 138 break in 7 and a bit minutes. 😂
What a player :laugh:
Fucksake like. He's not well.
Best day's snooker I've ever seen. Just, fucking, WOW
Well thank fuck for that. At least now the final will be watchable, I couldn't sit through 4 sessions of Selby on the table. Should be a good one.
Anyone see any cue action going spare? :laugh: What a fucking day of snooker that was. Mcgill V Wilson final frame was nuts. I was on the edge of my seat just watching that.
On another note, Ronnie is being excessively cuntish this week. I enjoy watching him play of course, but I'll be cheering for Wilson. Simply because it would be great to see him beat by a younger player after saying all the youngsters are shite.
Quote from: Scáthach on August 14, 2020, 11:55:39 PM
Anyone see any cue action going spare? :laugh: What a fucking day of snooker that was. Mcgill V Wilson final frame was nuts. I was on the edge of my seat just watching that.
On another note, Ronnie is being excessively cuntish this week. I enjoy watching him play of course, but I'll be cheering for Wilson. Simply because it would be great to see him beat by a younger player after saying all the youngsters are shite.
Agree with all of this, serious tension in the Wilson McGill match, what I saw of it anyway. Ronnie really being an arrogant prick in interviews alright. Still glad it's those two in the final, the other two were completely dull and I probably wouldn't have bothered if either had made it through. Definitely not if they both did.
I love Ronnie O'Sullivan. I do. And I can also totally appreciate how if you're mad into snooker and don't like him, having such a singular personality dominating your interest must grate. Anyone who doesn't think he's living the gimmick at this point is fucking lost, though. Selby calling him out in that post match for showing disrespect by lashing into the pack - thereby interrupting Selbyball at all costs - was similarly lost.
That being said I wouldn't mind at all if he gets thumped in the final, just to draw narrative from that interview he gave a few nights back.
Sadly my prediction / hope is going down the shitter. We could be looking at a one frame final session tonight. Don't get me wrong, I'm not anti Rocket, in form, he is amazing to watch. Maybe even the best ever, I just would have liked to see him eat some humble pie.
Unfortunately, Kyren just can't keep up with him. It looks like both his cue ball control and snooker brain aren't up to the job. He seems to keep losing position by small degrees on every shot, which eventually leaves him compromised and under pressure. It's a shame really, I was hoping for at least a closer run final, but it feels a little like an anticlimax. Last day of semi finals was proper fucking thrilling though. They can't all be zingers.
Was that it? Ah feck. Fair play to him I suppose, but I'd have preferred to see someone new win it, especially after Ronnie's comments during the week. Still, the best is the best.
He has lost finals playing a lot better. I did not like his comments towards the younger players, but I am glad he won so he could go equal with Reardon and Davis. With his talent he should be out on his
own with World Championship titles. I hope he get to 7 titles alongside Hendry, but i don't think he'll have a final as easy that again.
Quote from: Cailleach on August 19, 2020, 07:47:13 PM
He has lost finals playing a lot better. I did not like his comments towards the younger players, but I am glad he won so he could go equal with Reardon and Davis. With his talent he should be out on his
own with World Championship titles. I hope he get to 7 titles alongside Hendry, but i don't think he'll have a final as easy that again.
Yeah Id like to see him tie Hendry's record who was a brilliant player his day.
By the way how come Joe Davis's championship records are not taken into account and Hendrys are,didnt he have 10 world championships or something like that ?
They frequently refer to 'the modern game' or 'the modern era', so I can only assume that there was a significant change to the rules along the way. Probably to accomodate the televising of tournaments.
What annoys me more is the constant reference to Doherty as 'the first overseas player' to win it. After Thorburn, Higgins, Taylor and some Australian chap who won it in the fifties, he's the fifth.
Quote from: Carnage on August 19, 2020, 08:57:05 PM
They frequently refer to 'the modern game' or 'the modern era', so I can only assume that there was a significant change to the rules along the way. Probably to accomodate the televising of tournaments.
What annoys me more is the constant reference to Doherty as 'the first overseas player' to win it. After Thorburn, Higgins, Taylor and some Australian chap who won it in the fifties, he's the fifth.
I see.
If your referring to Robertson I think KD won it before him.
Horace Lindrum, won it in 1952.
For those interested in a bit of a nostalgia trip Jimmy White takes on Ken Doherty in the final of the World Seniors tonight. It's live on the BBC Sport website from 7pm.
Ah i missed it. Good to see he beat Hendry on his way to retaining the Senior's title.
It was an entertaining match. Ken lead 4-0 then Jimmy won 5 frames in a row to take the title.
It means he's now qualified for the Champion of Champions tournament later in the year. Not that I'm expecting him to do much damage in that but still good to see him at the table.
There is the 1991 junior worlds match between John Higgins and Mark Williams on YouTube, Higgins then cheeky laddie fae glesga and Williams the quiet, shy boy in the interviews, the opposite of what you'd have expected.
Quote from: G-Force on August 24, 2020, 12:09:41 AM
It was an entertaining match. Ken lead 4-0 then Jimmy won 5 frames in a row to take the title.
It means he's now qualified for the Champion of Champions tournament later in the year. Not that I'm expecting him to do much damage in that but still good to see him at the table.
Yes. It's good to see him back enjoying his snooker. As you say due to his age we only see glimpses of his former ability, so it's unlikely he'll win that tournament.
Missed that seniors tournement, I'd like to have caught that.
Wasn't online during the WC. As usual like the football, the semis were better. Overall would have liked to have seen Ronnie play a Ding or Robertson in the final, but Kyren probably deserved it. Ronnie should really match Hendry's record at this rate but we all know he will botch it on purpose.
I've liked Ding ever since he bashed his head off the table in frustration after a miscue, unlike those other pansies who just 'punch me the thing,
Hendry coming out of retirement.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/snooker/2020/09/01/seven-time-world-champion-stephen-hendry-comes-retirement-return/
Quote from: Blizzard Beast on September 02, 2020, 10:48:58 AM
Hendry coming out of retirement.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/snooker/2020/09/01/seven-time-world-champion-stephen-hendry-comes-retirement-return/
Good to see him back at the table but I can't see him going deep in any tournament. I watched him during the Seniors event recently and his long potting was really good at times but his overall game was nowhere near where it used to be. Totally understandable given how long it's been since he's played competitively. Just can't see him doing anything of note but I hope he proves me wrong.
It'd be nice to see hims doing well but 8 years is a long time out of competition. I wonder if the taxman has been to see him, or did Willie Thorne's situation shake him up a bit? I can't imagine him needing the money but I'm sure Thorne thought the same at one point.
I think I remember hearing that his muscle / tendon problems in his arm are largely under control so fair play to him. But yeah, the schedule is a lot more gruelling these days, so it will be interesting to see how he fares.
Be great to see him back at the Crucible next year with the prospect of meeting Ronnie somewhere with his record on the line.
Quote from: Scáthach on September 02, 2020, 04:59:24 PM
I think I remember hearing that his muscle / tendon problems in his arm are largely under control so fair play to him. But yeah, the schedule is a lot more gruelling these days, so it will be interesting to see how he fares.
He can pick and choose what tournaments he plays in. I doubt he is coming back due to financial problems. I really can't see him going too far in tournaments. For a guy who was used to winning, he is going to find it hard being defeated by people he'd have hammered in his prime.
The Rocket didn't last long at the European Masters. Well done Ireland's Aaron Hill.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/54289849
Quote from: G-Force on September 25, 2020, 12:16:05 AM
The Rocket didn't last long at the European Masters. Well done Ireland's Aaron Hill.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/54289849
He practices in the hall I go to, nice to have an Irish player come up, especially from the real capital.
Quote from: CorkonianHunger on October 23, 2020, 11:00:08 AM
Quote from: G-Force on September 25, 2020, 12:16:05 AM
The Rocket didn't last long at the European Masters. Well done Ireland's Aaron Hill.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/54289849
He practices in the hall I go to, nice to have an Irish player come up, especially from the real capital.
:laugh: Nice one.
I take it you are practicing at a decent standard then? I love snooker but I'm useless at it.
Quote from: G-Force on October 23, 2020, 03:23:42 PM
He practices in the hall I go to, nice to have an Irish player come up, especially from the real capital.
:laugh: Nice one.
I take it you are practicing at a decent standard then? I love snooker but I'm useless at it.
[/quote]
Good enough to beat my mates ha, anyone near amateur level would wipe the floor with me. Still there might be magic in the Lee waters to beat Ronnie.
Cracking snooker the last few days, Selby V Robertson was fantastic last night. Very one way match tonight with Allen v Trump. Shaping up to be a tasty final on Sunday.
Yep looking to be a good final. The snooker is perfect for the lockdown.
Fair play to Yan Bingtao on the win, 20 years old. Higgins made some awful shots second session though. Great for Yan all the same, some bottle.
I haven't watched a snooker competition for 15-20 years but I managed to catch the semi finals and final of this one and I have to say I really enjoyed it with none of the stress associated with watching a football game (fooking Liverpool!!). I had other stuff planned to do on the Sunday but that went out the window. I must try to catch a few more competitions going forward...
Quote from: The Heretic on January 22, 2021, 12:10:20 PM
I must try to catch a few more competitions going forward...
It's a shame you tuned in when there was no crowd, the masters is usually rowdy. Then again the level of snooker was unbelievably high.
Quote from: CorkonianHunger on January 22, 2021, 12:28:42 PM
Quote from: The Heretic on January 22, 2021, 12:10:20 PM
I must try to catch a few more competitions going forward...
It's a shame you tuned in when there was no crowd, the masters is usually rowdy. Then again the level of snooker was unbelievably high.
Funny I didn't miss the crowd noise at all....as snooker is "quiet" most of the time. Not to derail the thread but I missed the crowd noise in the darts a hell of a lot more, although I do wish the darts crowd would keep the noise down a bit when the players are throwing, same as the Lakeside was back in the day...
Quote from: The Heretic on January 22, 2021, 12:53:16 PM
I missed the crowd noise in the darts.
Agreed, it works for the darts, especially with the music cues. But yeah it can be out of hand when they are throwing. In snooker, it's actually the silence of everyone in the room when there is a moment of tension, more so than the noise, I prefer.
Anyone watching this year? Gotta fancy Stuart Bingham to go all the way if he can knock off Selby today. He's always flown under the radar slightly as a player, but in all his interviews etc this week he really comes across as a great guy with a deep love for the game. Your people's champion of the year in absence of Ronnie or Williams. Hope he can do it.
I can't see him beating Selby unfortunately, or Wilson beating Murphy. I'd imagine it'll be another Selby win. Can't stand Selby or Murphy, 2 smug arrogant pricks, I don't care how good they are.
At least O'Sullivan went out early, might shut him up about how poor the younger players are.
Some shots by Trump last night in his comeback but Murphy did well to win in the end.
Murphy I've warmed to a little. He seems to be having a good time and there's a certain character to his look and naff Disco Inferno entrance music. But yeah, Selby's turgid. I know he's a high calibre professional who'll do anything to win - and there's probably a lot of traditional snooker fans who'll vaunt that above all else - but a Selby final is to the detriment of television viewers everywhere. You get the sense he's not well liked on the circuit either. He doesn't get any of the "He's such a great guy" circlejerk when Ronnie, Jimmy White etc are doing their punditry.
No Ronnie no party. Wanted him to beat Hendry's record. Still good snooker all round.
Also, how did Lisowski swing the pundit job. Like him as a player, haven't watched much of him speaking, but much prefer the usual lads.
Joe Perry is the worst commentator I've ever heard, and that's including Willie Thorne. Never fucking shuts up, and his high-pitched Essex boy voice cuts through me.
Quote from: Carnage on April 29, 2021, 01:46:20 PM
Joe Perry is the worst commentator I've ever heard, and that's including Willie Thorne. Never fucking shuts up, and his high-pitched Essex boy voice cuts through me.
Bits the fella on Eurosport/ITV.
I'm Team Eurosport now. Lost the plot fiddling around with BBC VPNs. I'm sure there's methods, the whole thing just stresses me out so I'm not arsed. Eurosport have gotten quite good at doing that access-all-areas, rolling coverage that BBC used to do.
The HD picture still looks lower resolution than BBC's broadcast though which is utterly bizarre given they're using the same feed.
I agree though that love him or hate him, these tournaments do lose something as soon as Ronnie's out. I'd say broadcasters shit it when he leaves. Viewership must go down by a noticeable percentage. He's such a needle mover. In a totally different dimension to anyone else in the sport. Even though realistically he's had no 'moments' over the last few years, save having a moan every now and then, which in the snooker world is portrayed like Stone Cold Steve Austin storming out kicking the heads off people.
Williams and Higgins are the draws for me. Neither one's a particularly dramatic or overly exciting player, but each is a pleasure to watch. Williams is good for a laugh on occasion, too.
Quote from: Carnage on April 29, 2021, 05:11:56 PM
Williams and Higgins are the draws for me. Neither one's a particularly dramatic or overly exciting player, but each is a pleasure to watch. Williams is good for a laugh on occasion, too.
Williams just went on the piss with his missus for a year last time he won the world title from out of nowhere. That's how it's done.
I like Murphy nice fella all round, living out Dundrum direction too.
Selby seems like zero craic
Murphy was grand until he bacame world champion, his ego seemed to really inflate from then on. I find him insufferable.
Quote from: Doctor Crippen on April 29, 2021, 07:47:09 PM
Selby seems like zero craic
Is he not often said to be the funny one by the other players. Maybe I'm mixing it up, but isn't that why he is the "Jester from Leicester"?
It was the same with Ebdon, he is a big 'joker' under it all.
I've grown to like watching Selby over the years, a scrapy safety frame gets me interested these days. It's extremely impressive what he can do.
But I did love Ronnie beating him the way he did in the semi last year, that was some match.
Quote from: pete on April 29, 2021, 08:10:48 PM
Quote from: Doctor Crippen on April 29, 2021, 07:47:09 PM
Selby seems like zero craic
Is he not often said to be the funny one by the other players. Maybe I'm mixing it up, but isn't that why he is the "Jester from Leicester"?
It was the same with Ebdon, he is a big 'joker' under it all.
I've grown to like watching Selby over the years, a scrapy safety frame gets me interested these days. It's extremely impressive what he can do.
But I did love Ronnie beating him the way he did in the semi last year, that was some match.
You may be right and with a nickname like that it would make sense, its just when he is interviewed he comes across a bit dry, williams, higgins, ronnie they have a bit of banter with the interviewer
Quote from: pete on April 29, 2021, 08:10:48 PM
Is he not often said to be the funny one by the other players. Maybe I'm mixing it up, but isn't that why he is the "Jester from Leicester"?
Ten years ago he was a bit more of a joker, more subtle things like smirks and all that. Seems to have gone sour over the years. As a player he's great, but not great to watch at times.
I don't mind Murphy too much.
Wilson did well, no messing around there, he seems to raise his game for this competition
Yep, Wilson was immense there last year. Although he has bottle, he never seems that have that extra edge to be a World Champion, yet anyways.
He's the John Parrott of the 2010/20s.
Well, at least I get the next two days off. No way I could watch a final with those two pricks in the final.
I had a 60/1 forecast going of Selby to beat Wilson in the final , gutted, can't understand what happened Kyren 's game today ,talk about running out of petrol. Sorry newbies, that's like "gas", yeah?
Missus has a few quid on Selby because of his hot buns , guess I now want Murphy to make a match of it because he eats all the buns.
Quote from: Thorn on May 01, 2021, 10:48:43 PM
I had a 60/1 forecast going of Selby to beat Wilson in the final , gutted, can't understand what happened Kyren 's game today ,talk about running out of petrol. Sorry newbies, that's like "gas", yeah?
Missus has a few quid on Selby because of his hot buns , guess I now want Murphy to make a match of it because he eats all the buns.
Felt bad for wilson, so close in the last few years, bingham had a dig at selby about gamesmanship and time taken over shots, goes to show there isnt a lot of love between a lot of snooker players
Wilson said something similar about Murphy and his fist pumping carry on. Proven correct when Murphy rubbished it in the post match interview, instead of apologising.
I think Williams calling O'Sullivan on his bullshit last season might have opened it up for them to actually say what they're thinking, instead of the usual platitudes.
Yeah snooker could definitely do with a bit of that edgy side, Alex higgins certainly knew how to do it, a bingham murphy final would have been interesting with two players who like to open up the pack, lets see how tomorrow goes though
I wouldn't have a problem with the fist pumping, fuck sake it's emotions, they're not robots, good luck to ' em. When you're as far behind as Murphy was you'd have to be a reptile not to blow off some steam. Much as I was supporting Kyren through the tournament I don't think it does look silly given the circumstances. If anything,it affirmed a turning point in the match from which Kyren never recovered. Maybe something he can learn from.
Great win for Selby, delighted for him and Murphy made a game of it too. Since having kids I really haven't got to sit down and watch a final in years.
Used to spend 2 days in the pub in the 90s watching Hendry beat White.
God bless a yellow warning excuse to stay home
I don't know what everyone is on about, praising the crowd for being great at the Masters. Shouting while players are on a shot, banging and thumping in the background, moving about and phones going off. Worst behaviour I've ever seen at a big tournament, more like the crowd at the darts a couple of weeks ago.
Quote from: Carnage on January 16, 2022, 07:07:38 PM
I don't know what everyone is on about, praising the crowd for being great at the Masters. Shouting while players are on a shot, banging and thumping in the background, moving about and phones going off. Worst behaviour I've ever seen at a big tournament, more like the crowd at the darts a couple of weeks ago.
Agreed, don't mind a bit of noise after big shots but stupid carry on elsewhere.
Didn't see much of the Masters
Heading to Sheffield in April for the World Championship
First time there
Really looking forward to it
We have tickets for an evening sessions & a morning session
Both 1st Round
It sells out fast
Anyone been there?
Watching the end of Ding and Kyren Wilson, great game.
What are we thinking this year? I've a feeling Robertson has the biggest chance.
God I hope not, he's so boring to watch - though not as bad as Selby, the dullest man ever to pick up a cue. I'd like to see Williams win, I can watch him all day but if I was rooting for someone new I'd like to see Wilson do well.
Quote from: Carnage on April 20, 2022, 10:46:21 PM
God I hope not, he's so boring to watch - though not as bad as Selby, the dullest man ever to pick up a cue. I'd like to see Williams win, I can watch him all day but if I was rooting for someone new I'd like to see Wilson do well.
Nah I think Robertson has some great shots in him. But yeah Selby is a yawnfest. Ding unlucky in his match today.
My money is on Wilson or Higgins this year. Basically I've always backed Higgins and a few years back I decided to do the same with Wilson as I think he definitely has a World Championship in him. Unlucky to get Ding in the first round but having come through that it should stand him in good stead. Williams looks good early doors, wouldn't mind seeing him go all the way again at all.
Quote from: Thorn on April 21, 2022, 07:06:23 PM
My money is on Wilson or Higgins this year. Basically I've always backed Higgins and a few years back I decided to do the same with Wilson as I think he definitely has a World Championship in him. Unlucky to get Ding in the first round but having come through that it should stand him in good stead. Williams looks good early doors, wouldn't mind seeing him go all the way again at all.
Wilson has the willpower to reach a final but the in form talents always beat him with raw talent and just magic shots.
Speaking of magic shots ,young Zhao is on fire tonight. Nice visuals while soaking up the new Undeath.
Quote from: Thorn on April 21, 2022, 08:54:01 PM
Speaking of magic shots ,young Zhao is on fire tonight. Nice visuals while soaking up the new Undeath.
He's definitely playing well yeah
I'm starting to wonder if Yan's the man this year
He's playing very well alright. I hope it's him or one of the two others that wins it for the first time, always nice to see someone new win it.
Yeah I'm a big fan. He seems to not let any pressure get to him.
Lisowski v Robertson was a great game the other night, Jack was haunted.
He's impressed me this year, up to now he's been a perennial nearly man.
I've just got home and saw Williams won, wasn't expecting that the way Yan was going, the curse of being mentioned MW strikes again it seems.
Yep, and after me praising Lisowski, he just lost by the one frame to Higgins. Shame I really thought he'd make the semis, top player. Reminds me of Jimmy White.
Money is on O'Sullivan but anything can happen.
Great to see the 'class of '92' all in the semis but I'd have preferred a coupla newbies to make it interesting.
Quote from: Carnage on April 28, 2022, 01:47:43 AM
Great to see the 'class of '92' all in the semis but I'd have preferred a coupla newbies to make it interesting.
I'd have enjoyed Lisowski v Ronnie considering the play style. I can see Williams edging the final but it's either Riggins or Ronnie to win. There's usually one underdog but Trump can hardly be called one considering all 4 have won it before.
Outrageous snooker from Williams.
Aye, if anyone's earned a place in the final it's him.
Used to enjoy watching snooker as a young lad, it's the first match I've watched in a long time. Engrossing stuff. Mark Williams looks like he's just come back from a week long bender with Kurt Cocaine and Agstfyl, yet it's tantamount to genius how he plays the game.
Yep, it's one of the best matches I've seen, more tension than most finals. Full credit to Trump too, he's playing a blinder.
Hard to argue with that result, he deserved it.
Both semis were great stuff, ultimately Ronnie deserved it, but good to see Trump on his tracks all day. Can see Trump winning it again easily but not before O'Sullivan retires with 8 WCs
Anyone tuned into the Crucible?
Quote from: CorkonianHunger on April 19, 2023, 11:16:35 AMAnyone tuned into the Crucible?
Ya watching it alright. Well when gobshytes aren't protesting that is.
Yep. Been a fairly lacklustre tournament so far IMO, but it's early days yet.
Yeah, even booked my hols to coincide with it. Great 147 from Wilson this morning, sooner or later he's going to win the thing ,it's just a question of how many bets it costs me before he repays, hopefully this is the year.
Goddamn that wee blonde ref is smokin' .
Elsewhere, why the fuck is Murphy commentating on matches when you'd think he'd be concentrating on his own tournament. He certainly has his hands full with this young buck.
Slow start but always is. Trump playing shite. Robertson looks good but you never know with him. Wouldn't mind Ronnie winning to wind up Hendry though.
Quote from: Thorn on April 19, 2023, 11:21:16 PMElsewhere, why the fuck is Murphy commentating on matches when you'd think he'd be concentrating on his own tournament. He certainly has his hands full with this young buck.
Yeah he want to stop that carry on.
Plus the fact that he's such a smug, insufferable know-it-all, in the same vein as Willie Thorne. Not the worst commentator on the go at the moment (Joe Perry by a mile), but he's definitely in second place.
Speaking of Perry, some comeback from Milkins here.
Back to the commentary box Shaun
Trump, Williams, now Robertson. A few big hitters gone already. Vafaei shouldn't have rattled O'Sullivan's cage, he was battered.
Battered yeah but decent show at the end to call it quits. Robertson disappointing me again but yer man was very good. McGill scoring well too. Fair play to Mark Allen as well looks healthier.
He does, but still walks like a penguin. Long body, short legs. Funny little fucker.
I was arguing with the missus that Allen looked far better with the bit of weight and he looks a sight now . He's playing better than I ever seen him though.
Can't be giving him support though, not since I saw an interview with him way back where he was asked what kind of music he liked and he said 'anything except Heavy Metal' .That's him blacklisted so.
Quote from: Thorn on April 22, 2023, 07:53:39 PMI was arguing with the missus that Allen looked far better with the bit of weight and he looks a sight now . He's playing better than I ever seen him though.
Can't be giving him support though, not since I saw an interview with him way back where he was asked what kind of music he liked and he said 'anything except Heavy Metal' .That's him blacklisted so.
Ha, come to think of it he is a bit of an Orangeman
Fuckin' hell, Saturday night with Selby :-\
Yeah, he's a total Tan. He played an exhibition in our local snooker club a few years ago, insisted on being paid in sterling and refused a hotel room - drove (was driven, let's face it) home that night in case he'd spend money in the free state. He's a cunt, the way he treats his ex and plays the kid for sympathy is disgusting.
Never knew any of that, well, he's double blacklisted now , it's great when you find other reasons to dislike someone you only had initial misgivings of :abbath:
There's reason to not like him but there's always a good few frames of snooker that are a good watch. The one last night with the pink stuck in the corner was a good watch tbf. But I'd rather see him beat.
Riggins is absolutely demolishing Kyren Wilson here.
Has to be down to some issue with the cue, how else can you explain this from Wilson?
Not like him at all. At least he's got one on the board now but the match is over.
Yeah, they should show the other match, this is like watching a puppy being kicked around a garden
Selby was irresistible yesterday. He must be odds on to take it now.
Christ I hope not, he's unwatchably slow and boring, if he's the final it'll go into Tuesday. I'd like Brecel or Si to win it, anyone but Selby anyway.
Yeah,it would be great to see Brecel or Si win it now, should be a cracking shootout between them.
So, I mentioned earlier I had a few quid on Wilson, well I also had to stick a tenner on Selby too for the missus, like every other year. Except this year I didn't bother and just said to myself I'll give her the 70 odd quid if she wins.
Oh dear, oh fucking dear.
Honestly wouldn't be a bad thing for Mark Allen to win it, seems like he deserves it tbh. Used to feel bad for him when his luck was out in matches years back.
Don't mind Selby as the villain but hope he doesn't bag it. Brecel v Si is a great show atm. Either one to win would be great.
I'm strangely warming to him myself
Quote from: Thorn on April 27, 2023, 09:45:50 PMI'm strangely warming to him myself
I don't hate him, I do enjoy a good match when it's even, like the Higgins one before and this looks good so far with Allen standing his ground. When he's met his match it's good stuff. He was very bad in the past though, especially against the likes of Ronnie.
I'd rather Allen went through than Selby but whichever goes through, I'll be rooting for whoever wins the other semi. Two decent matches so far, Selby seems to have sped up a bit overall.
Quote from: Carnage on April 28, 2023, 12:21:24 AMI'd rather Allen went through than Selby but whichever goes through, I'll be rooting for whoever wins the other semi. Two decent matches so far, Selby seems to have sped up a bit overall.
Yeah I'm sick of hearing "Mark Selby.. One."
Well that was an absolute joy to watch tonight.
Let's just have these two play again in the final and let Selby and Allen play away til xmas
Savage session of snooker. Looking forward to tomorrow's conclusion!
Yep, some unreal stuff from the pair of them.
Aye. Unreal tekkers. Si was on fucking fire for a while there.
I'd really like for Si to win playing Ronnie esque snooker. I think Selby will tie him up in knots though.
Back to Selby one this morning. Looking like a re rack at 11.30am.
God this is slow.
Quote from: Hellyeah on April 29, 2023, 11:19:35 AMBack to Selby one this morning. Looking like a re rack at 11.30am.
God this is slow.
And he fuckin loves it.
That was an unreal match, some comeback from Brecel. Hope he beats Selby in the final.
Aye, the biggest comeback in the history of the Crucible, apparently. He deserved it after that, 11 frames in a row. I'm just hoping Allen takes Selby now.
Cracking match, yeah hope he goes on to win it. Some great snooker being played.
Desperate stuff between Selby and Allen.
I'm throwing on the hurling, fuck this.
:laugh: Yeah this could go on all night if Allen comes back at him, meanwhile Brecel has his feet up
Allen's head is gone here, Selby should wrap this up fairly quickly. Well, quickly for Selby...
Yep, Allen is looking drained alright but I've got a feeling he has the balls to make a night of this
Well...what do I know about other men's balls
Don't want to jinx him but Allen has found a bit of rhythm. Bit past my bed time but sure we'll plough on til the end.
Yep, balls, he does have 'em
Very impressed with Allen tonight, fair play, he gave that a right shot at the end but Selby, as usual, is a cliff face. Very interesting to see if Brecel can shoot him out of it.
Another unwatchable Selby final. Fuck that.
The snooker fucking kills me these days and by god did I fucking love it over the years
No character
Wait now and see how Brecel does today. I can see him shooting a few frames but it'll come down Selby in the final frames dragging everyone through nails.
This is shaping up to be a hell of a final, Brecel is magic.....so far
Yep, he's playing like Jimmy White at times. Love his fearless shots.
Can't begrudge Selby the 147, great to see.
Great session. Advantage Selby imo. And an excellent 147.
Great final.
What a session. Brecel is playing great snooker too, but Selby really showed some serious experience and talent there. He's not my favourite style by any means, but you have to respect how he forces his opponent to play out of their skin. That 147 was great to watch live.
Aye a fantastic session of snooker. Teed up nicely for tomorrow.
Bloody outrageous what Brecel is doing here again today
Serious skill on show. If he holds it together in the final session it'll be his to lose.
He seems to be cracking.
Or is he...
Fair play to him, brilliant :)
Brilliant indeed. Absolute breath of fresh air. Well done Luca.
I'll venture now though, this is his one moment, he's been in the zone so completely, a moment in time but I don't see him challenging the multiple champions. But, again, it's been an absolute pleasure to watch a player so totally in that zone.
Great final and tournament overall. Some high quality stuff from Selby with his usual game but Brecel was totally as ye said in the zone.
Interested to see how he continues. I wonder will he blow out the next season and struggle to regain the buzz or will he (hopefully) crack on and be a contender for the next while. Either or some great highlight reels and a deserved winner.
A fitting final to a brilliant tournament. :abbath:
Fantastic final, the best for a long time. To Selby's credit, he didn't drag it out as much as he has in the past, he played (for him) a very aggressive game. Unavoidable when he was on the backfoot throughout, I suppose but it was a joy to watch. Brecel was unstoppable, you'd have to call it total snooker. Well deserved win.
We were discussing his future afterward, would he be a one hit wonder or has he got what it takes to stay at a high level. Hard to know, he's clearly got a volatile temperament but he's held it together for this tournament so hopefully he won't let this go to his head.
Fair play to him.
Great 147 from Allen there. Wouldn't be a fan of either him or Selby but I'd prefer him to go through than that other walking corpse.
Thats the second 147 I've missed now. Gutted.
Missed Ding's myself, just caught the last black.
Went out for a game of snooker the other night for the first time in years. Got a top score of 8. Couldn't pot shit.
It was a cracking 147 by Allen. Potted some really tough shots.
The Ding 147 was unreal too. He tends to do it when the shots are awkward. Fair play to him, he just happened to be paying Ronnie.
Again, shows the standard and margin for error of the current game.
Carter fuck sake. Can't stand him. Hopefully Ronnie whitewashes him.
Always the bridesmaid, tomorrow will be no different. He's dull as dishwater with a small man complex. Can't stand O'Sullivan either but I'd rather he took it than Carter.
Strange thing, I never bother with the Masters but, like every other year, I have the last ten days of the WC booked off. I take it Ronnie is going to be hard to beat at it? How are Wilson and Higgins looking, anyone see them in the Masters? Any one else catching your eyes as potential Champions come May?
Quote from: Thorn on January 14, 2024, 04:10:22 AMStrange thing, I never bother with the Masters but, like every other year, I have the last ten days of the WC booked off. I take it Ronnie is going to be hard to beat at it? How are Wilson and Higgins looking, anyone see them in the Masters? Any one else catching your eyes as potential Champions come May?
Mark Allen has potential for something and a bigger session would suit him. Didn't catch Wilson or Higgins. Personally would like to see Robertson in the mix.
The standard this year hasn' been the best, matches lost rather than won if that makes sense. Allen was also the standout for me.
Fair enough to Carter for some of the snooker, but ultimately wasn't enough. Ronnie himself wasn't up to scratch I thought. Lots of odd misses. Carter gutted himself with the last red.
Any icy post match interview too haha
He's an unpleasant little man. Wouldn't put the medal on either. I can't say I'd be that miserable going home with £100,000 for a week's work.
Thanks for the info lads, will have to have a think of who to put my few quid on this year. Can't be Allen though, not since I saw an interview with him years ago where he said he liked all types of music....except Heavy Metal.
I mentioned that before sure it's a grudge worth keeping
Some of ye might get a kick out of this.
https://youtu.be/_Ey8IgaWLmw?feature=shared
:laugh: very good, watching Ronnie rubbing and pulling at his face all the time during interviews is a right teethgrinder
Quote from: CorkonianHunger on January 20, 2024, 01:22:22 PMSome of ye might get a kick out of this.
https://youtu.be/_Ey8IgaWLmw?feature=shared
"That's 3 whole ancient kingdoms toppled now"
"yeah, I'm not really bothered about numbers"
:laugh:
Am I alone is wondering what this new golden ball hopes to achieve? It is the snooker equivalent of this amp goes to 11?
Was that not just for that Saudi tournament, or is it across the board? Stupid fucking idea, the Hearns need to be slapped.
It does seem to be tied to the Saudi Tournament, but even at that it just seems silly, next thing 8 pockets?
Fortycoats and me 50 pockets.
Snooker loopy nuts are we, him and her and them and me, we'll show you what we can do with a bunch of balls and a snooker cue.
Quote from: Don Gately on April 18, 2024, 01:40:04 PMFortycoats and me 50 pockets.
Snooker loopy nuts are we, him and her and them and me, we'll show you what we can do with a bunch of balls and a snooker cue.
That song was stuck in my head during the last Crucible. I was truly snooker loopy at the time. Can't happen again.
Was stuck in my head a couple of weeks ago, I thought I'd banished it. Thanks for that. 😫
The chorus is how I learned the order of the colours when I was a kid.
Something like
Pot the red and screw back for the yellow , green, brown , blue, pink and black and gold?
Quote from: Don Gately on April 18, 2024, 03:27:27 PMSomething like
Pot the red and screw back for the yellow , green, brown , blue, pink and black and gold?
;D
Is it a 'Ronnie for the record' tip across the board lads or is anyone going out on a limb with anyone else? Maybe Williams, Allen or Judd?
Quote from: Thorn on April 19, 2024, 08:10:06 PMIs it a 'Ronnie for the record' tip across the board lads or is anyone going out on a limb with anyone else? Maybe Williams, Allen or Judd?
Ronnie for the record, want to hear how Hendry will react.
Good snooker will do me.
As long as it's competitive, not a Ronnie procession. Personally I hope he implodes. I'm all about the underdogs. Another Brecel coming out of the woodwork would do nicely. Gary Wilson maybe. I've given up on Kyren.
Going to make a call that Brecel will bow out first round or get whitewashed in the second.
Lisowki for me is always the preffered underdog.
What a call!
In fairness, Brecel didn't do too bad, but he bottled the lead.
Once it's not Carter!
Didn't watch it all but David Gilbert's long potting is atrocious
How did he qualify??!
Besides Ronnie, I think Judd, MarkW can give it a go
Would like to see JackL or Brecel go far
JohnH is one of my favourites, so hopefully he'll get through a few rounds
Quote from: Jward on April 21, 2024, 08:31:22 AMHow did he qualify??!
Because Yan is banned :laugh:
Carter and Selby out, thankfully. Now just O'Sullivan and Murphy to go and I don't give a fuck who wins after that.
A load in the front row for the Milkins/Pang match wearing a Cardiacs T-shirt. You don't see that often.
I'm always on the lookout for the Metal tees, saw a few down the years. Jaysus that Milkins match was hilariously bad tonight, but all the more entertaining for it. Car crash syndrome I suppose.
Nicko McBrain pops up at the final most years, Maiden's tours always have a break so he can attend.
Barry Hawkins playing well atm
Anyone spot a Kerry jersey in the crowd yet? :laugh:
Just spotted a Mayo jersey in the crowd for the Allen-Higgins match, close enough.
Probably the buck that got put out
I didn't see that, what happened?
Ah some buck kept shouting out when Allen went down on a shot and he was put out, he must have refused to go though as it took a wee while to sort out. As usual with these things they didn't show it
Ah right. Gobshite.
Just seen our Mayo man, all present and correct
Quote from: Thorn on April 28, 2024, 08:42:31 PMJust seen our Mayo man, all present and correct
Always one :abbath:
There was a lad dressed up as Dennis Taylor the other day. Gargools and all.
Outrageous stuff from Higgins tonight. Wow.
That last mini session is one of the best I've seen. Great stuff from both.
Yeah it was a bit special alright, I haven't seen Allen play as well as that before, I was thinking he had the look of a world champion then next thing he's gone.
Pure granite from Higgins. Great match.
As mentioned, that final session was one of the best I've ever seen. Allen looked a cut above, and yet Higgins still goes through because that's what he does. Hard not to root for him to win the whole thing after that. Has his work cut out for him with Wilson, but he came back strong in that first session there at the end.
Quote from: Mooncat on April 30, 2024, 08:29:26 PMAs mentioned, that final session was one of the best I've ever seen. Allen looked a cut above, and yet Higgins still goes through because that's what he does. Hard not to root for him to win the whole thing after that. Has his work cut out for him with Wilson, but he came back strong in that first session there at the end.
Wilson hasn't as much bottle but we'll see. I actually enjoyed Binghams game.
I like how Trump plays, but I'll be hoping for number 8 for Ronnie.
Anyone but him for me, preferably someone new though I'd be happy enough for Higgins to win it again.
Trump will earn his pay with this lad eh, absolute slog of a match but fair play to Jones
I like an underdog but Jones seems odd to me, seems a bit hotheaded for some reason. Ali Carter vibe off him. Could be way off but don't enjoy watching him playing.
Agreed, I haven't taken to him much myself, just a pure base level instinct,
Well Ronnie's out. He wasn't playing his best at all. Bingham looks really good.
Would like him to win, not sure about the rest of em though but sometimes the best snooker comes out in the SFs.
My favourite to win lost in every single match in that round :laugh: I guess I'd probably root for Bingham from here. He looked like an amateur at parts near the start of that O'Sullivan match but clearly is excellent when he's playing well. Don't mind Wilson so much, though I'm struggling to get past that knacker hair dye job. He'll be off to Turkey with his winnings next to get his teeth done.
Great to see so many qualifiers in the semis, despite what Murphy asserted this afternoon it has happened before (1977 I think? Thorburn was one) so odds are it'll be a new name on the trophy. No harm at all.
I'm warming to young Jones...Maybe it's because he looks like a barman. Then again, it'd be some hip and trendy spot .. Yeah ,come to think of it I'd rather be in Bingham's bar.
Lovin' the semi final line-up all round and they're all in great form.
Jones looks like he should be on tour with Elbow. He doesn't have much of a personality, but then I haven't seen much of him off the table I suppose. Bingham just seems happy to be back at this level.
Had to look up Elbow but yeah :laugh:
An oul 'tallica shirt on show tonight
A Satanic Warmaster longsleeve down the front row..
Well, maybe not, it's been a slog tonight. Kyren is well rested...
Kyren has likely been asleep since those two shook hands.
Not sold on Jones, Wilson probably deserves it.
Looks like Wilson will likely run away with it tonight and deservedly so. A far cry from the last 3 finals though.
I backed an 18-10 or 18-11 scoreline yesterday so hopefully Kyren can mosy on home now
Well that's that. A fairly straightforward final, looked like Jones was making a comeback but just missed too many crucial shots. Can't take it away from Wilson, he was on fire for most of it.
I don't know which is weirder: Jimmy White playing again, the state of his wig or seeing Michaela Tabb refereeing again. No, I know - it's Rachel Casey's fucking atrocious accent. Dropping Rs seems to be the new element of the ever-worsening mid-Irish Sea affectation.
Still, spotted a Therapy? T-shirt in the crowd there, so someone's reprazentin'.
Is he still The Whirlwind though?
In his shite, he's gone. Tony Drago still playing at 100 mph though. Last I saw anyway.
Good final tonight. Trump played well was unlucky in the last frame.
On form, I'd fancy Wilson, Trump or Robertson for the World Champions but who knows.
Eurosport/Discovery pulled a stunt and rolled their snooker and cycling coverage into TNT Sports.
Thats the end of me watching much snooker anymore.
I'm not interested in paying those prices.
There's always streams on Twitch. The system thinks it's the video game so they rarely get pulled.
Yeah, it's shite that Eurosport is no more. The snooker coverage was great, considering the BBC shifted half of theirs to the bloody iPlayer or red button.
Quote from: leoos on March 24, 2025, 09:58:35 AMEurosport/Discovery pulled a stunt and rolled their snooker and cycling coverage into TNT Sports.
Thats the end of me watching much snooker anymore.
I'm not interested in paying those prices.
Which TNT channel has it?
I was looking for it yesterday & ended up watching a bit in Polish Eurosport!
Quote from: leoos on March 24, 2025, 09:58:35 AMEurosport/Discovery pulled a stunt and rolled their snooker and cycling coverage into TNT Sports.
Thats the end of me watching much snooker anymore.
I'm not interested in paying those prices.
Aye it's crap eurosport is gone.
Now tv do a pass for 27 euro a month for both sky and TNT. Add in 8 euro for 3 devices and that's 35 a month.
Myself, the brother and the ould lad have all the sports then for 11.66 each a month.
Graeme Dott charged with historical child abuse:
https://www.google.ie/amp/s/www.bbc.com/news/articles/c985555nr49o.amp
Fuck :o
Shaun Murphy looks like someone put a too-small toupée on Uncle Fester.
Weird watching him and Trump chatting last night after Trump's match when the two are facing each other next. The likes of Hendry and Davis would be having none of that.
Thank fuck for the dodginess, I can knock off the coma inducing Selby and flick over to Higgins' match.
I'm up to my eyes in that coma right now. The missus backed him so I'm stuck.
The commentators on the Higgins game mentioned him throwing a strop and horsing a ball up the table, I didn't think he was capable of human emotion.
Yep and fired his cue down on the table in the frame before, never seen him like this.
Hopefully to his detriment, he's unwatchable and the sooner he's out of it the better.
He's missing absolute sitters, now 6-8 down and seething (with his cue I imagine).
Quote from: Thorn on April 24, 2025, 10:13:33 PMHe's missing absolute sitters, now 6-8 down and seething (with his cue I imagine).
Aye. He had someone down yesterday to put on a new tip and the commentator was aghast that he dosent replace his own tips. Yer man he's playing Wollanstan should be further ahead tbh
Frame 15 and his highest break of the match is 38. Says it all really.
Average frame time is 27 mins. He makes Ebdon seem like Speedy Gonzalez.
Jesus christ, 2 reracks in the one frame.
Selby out anyway. Very tense last frame.
Is Allen the first Irish player to get a 147 at the Crucible? Generally not a fan but fair play to him.
Quote from: Carnage on April 25, 2025, 01:42:53 PMIs Allen the first Irish player to get a 147 at the Crucible? Generally not a fan but fair play to him.
From this island, yes he's the first.
Brecel's on fire tonight, best session of snooker I can ever remember watching. Poor Ding's been demolished since his opening frame 141.
Quote from: Thorn on April 26, 2025, 09:04:02 PMBrecel's on fire tonight, best session of snooker I can ever remember watching. Poor Ding's been demolished since his opening frame 141.
Aye. Brecel annihilated Ding in that session. Unreal snooker. He flew through the frames. Had a swagger on so he did.
Watching the '85 Davis v Taylor snooker final. Fucking hell, the standard of play is shocking compared to nowadays. Pretty much every shot (including safety shots) is leaving a pot on and neither player is trying them. The game has come on so much since then it's unreal.
Dream match on now, Williams v. Higgins. Mad that thwy've been around for so long and are still competing at the top level.
Yep, start of my hols which I always take to coincide with the World Championships and it's a treat to see every shot of this.
Absolutely outrageous snooker from Brecel, ..AGAIN ???
When he's on form he's mighty, a shame he's so erratic though. He's a good shout for it again this year.
The Higgins - Williams match was mighty, a shame one had to lose it.
Yeah, I have an 18/1 betting slip on Williams that was one blue away from going in the bin, he'll be running into one of these two now though.
That Higgins v Williams match was a classic. I didn't think Williams still had that level in him but for the majority of that match he was incredible. How much pressure must it add to you knowing that you're playing someone with long potting that exceptional, you can't leave anything on! I was going for Higgins and was sad he lost, but Williams won me over throughout that match.
Of the two I'd veer toward Williams but I'd have been happy whoever won.
Well that was a disaster for O'Sullivan...
Surprising to an extent, but his head definitely wasn't in it. No harm anyway, let the young lad have a go. I'm more interested in the other match, you'd expect Trump to win out but I'd never count Williams out.
Good man Mark, now bring it on home baby.
Quote from: Thorn on May 03, 2025, 09:34:24 PMGood man Mark, now bring it on home baby.
Love marks run to the final but yer man is on fire. His long ball potting is insane
Yep fair play to him, not ripping up that slip yet though!
I would love Williams to win. One last blaze of glory. Looks very unlikely now though, that first session will just be too much to overcome now I think.
If Williams keeps this up it'll be an interesting night. Can't see it happening though.
Yeah, just left the gap too much too bridge and it was never really on but fair play to Xhao , a worthy champion.
Well deserved indeed. Not very exciting to watch but he's there to win, not to entertain.
Ha, yeah, he is a bit robotic alright and I found myself cursing him at times there for just knocking in everything in front of him but that was my own bias..it's up to the rest now to reach that standard and I suspect it'll only be the younger lads like Wilson who will be able to keep with him.