28.11.08

ENTER THE CENTURIONS

The old maxim goes that a century only wins you one frame.

This is true but centuries are a very good indicator of form, as proved by the list below which includes centuries for all ranking and professional tournaments played so far.

It is no great surprise that that century machine Ronnie O’Sullivan is out in front. He compiled 50 tons last season and has every chance of making around the same number again (Stephen Hendry holds the record with 52).

Hendry himself has already made seven this season, which reaches its half way point at the UK Championship.

Among those yet to make one this season are Mark King, Ken Doherty and Steve Davis.

CENTURIES SO FAR THIS SEASON
15
Ronnie O’Sullivan

10
Mark Selby

9
Ricky Walden

8
Liang Wenbo

7
Ryan Day, Stephen Hendry, Ding Junhui, Judd Trump

6
Stephen Maguire, John Higgins, Joe Perry, Tom Ford

5
Mark Allen, Peter Ebdon, Ali Carter, Matthew Stevens, Michael Holt, Robert Milkins, Andy Hicks, James McBain

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

Off-topic but is there any news on the podcast Dave?

Dave H said...

It has been recorded but there are a few technical issues to iron out

Anonymous said...

what tournaments are used to tally up the totals?

Dave H said...

It's all tournaments on the WPBSA tour plus the Premier League

Anonymous said...

Cope must have made at least 5 centuries this season. Alone 3 in the master qualifiers plus the 147.

Anonymous said...

He hasn't actually, just the four that you have named which is a bit of a surprise.

Anonymous said...

why is the PL included?

Anonymous said...

I guess it's an officially recognised professional tournament with the tables up to the correct specifications.

Dave H said...

That's right, it's all professional events with templated pockets

Anonymous said...

just seems strange as it isnt or hasnt been open for all pros to play in for all its years of existence has it? if not then it kinda slants the figures in the favour of those whove played regular PL

Anonymous said...

If a player makes a century in a tournament as a professional, then it should count towards his overall century tally regardless of the tournament status.

Of those who saw it who could forget Ding Junhui's final cut back black powered into the yellow pocket from its spot to get his 100th competitive century? It was in the Premier League.

Anonymous said...

i disagree, if that tournament isnt or hasnt been open to all professionals at that time, but a select "few"

Anonymous said...

Some could say that every player outside the Top 16 is definitely favoured when the century tally is taken into account because of the number of extra matches he has the chance to play.
So do the League and the Masters compensate for this?

Anonymous said...

NO. Every player has can play poorer and have to be in that qualifying stage. Thats a completely separate debate. i am saying that players in PL have an advantage in that they are "selected" and so play in more tournaments that count

Anonymous said...

They are also better and more likely to get centuries

Anonymous said...

if a player is lowly ranked and is making centuries and not qualifying then thats tough. if they keep qualifying then they will have less rounds to play. to me a player whos century record includes PL is a tainted record in regards that they have been invited (or played off recently) to play in a tournament that others havent had the opportunity. i dont agree with cats reckoning as if they would need to get past three or four rounds on every qualifier to have the same potential 3 or four rounds or so during the actual finals. ok potentially they could but then theyd climb the rankings in a year or so and wouldnt have all those rounds so it would only stand for a year or two, unless they yo yo their ranking, which every pro would do if they didnt get points for going far, thus giving them the chance to drop down to more qualifier matches. the top pros generally had to climb those rankings at some point and so have had their advantage of more rounds in most cases.