The Shootout in Blackpool was great fun last year and there is every reason to expect more high jinks when it returns tomorrow, sponsored by Partypoker.com.
Tickets have gone like hot cakes (should that be hotpots?), indeed more have been released, and players are looking forward to another three days of frenetic and, with a top prize of £32,000, potentially lucrative speed snooker.
Unlike six reds (anyone remember that?) and Power Snooker, nobody is spinning that this is the future of the game. Nobody is cueing an imaginary revolution. It is what it is: three days of rapid fire snooker-based entertainment.
One of the great plus points is that you get to see so many players, including those down the rankings not used to a crowd and an atmosphere. Nobody outstays their welcome. Each match lasts just ten minutes.
Last year there was some genuine drama, including Neil Roberton’s last gasp win over Alan McManus and Rory McLeod outrageously fluking the final black against Tony Drago.
Blackpool Tower Circus is a terrific venue, although in time a bigger one may be required to meet demand.
Sky Sports, the great innovators of TV sport, are host broadcasters.
Ronnie O’Sullivan has not entered and Joe Jogia has reportedly withdrawn after sustaining a knee injury which he believes sparked the flurry of bets on him to lose to Matt Selt being investigated by the WPBSA disciplinary committee.
Frankly, the personalities involved are less important than the entertainment they provide. Anyone could win this event, although a cool head is required and was demonstrated last year by Nigel Bond.
The Shootout is about fun outside of all the serious tournaments. It’s about showcasing the game and its players in a different way.
It was a success last year and I have every expectation it will be this season too.
Good luck everyone!
17 comments:
Fully agree with what you said there Dave... Shootout or even Power Snooker aren´t trying to replace the classic way of snooker like some people are constantly implying....
It is just 3 days of pure fun and entertainment, a chance to show some personalities which we don´t know a lot about, all in a good spirit.. Too bad Ronnie isn´t on it, but the event isn´t only one player, so it should be great great fun to watch, like it was last year.
I think it is a great opportunity for great talents lower down the ranking to get some exposure. I’d love to see any of the likes of, Michael White, Jack Lisowski, Jamie Jones &/or Mark Joyce, who are all quality players, reach the business end of this Tournament.
The Joe Jogia episode could figure in his memoirs at the end of his playing career.
The fact is he has somehow failed to be involved in a tournament which could have been a springboard in his career.
We dont know what has happened but its a catalogue of disaters for someone who needs the fame and certainly the fortunes.
I don't like this event, it's just a lottery! I much prefer power snooker. I played power snooker yesterday and it was great fun.
Dave, two 6-Reds Championship will return in May and July respectively.
Just wondering is anybody going to be watching in 3D?
Sky are showing some of this in 3D over the weekend... I just rang Sky to see if they'd upgrade me for the weekend but to no avail.
Still really looking forward to it - just great entertainment!
yeah, sore knee. ahem!
3D snooker? Great just what I want, balls flying into my face on day long.
i used to like jimmy white
these days, he talks a load of nonsense
http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/blogs/desmond-kane/jimmy-white-interview-o-sullivan-six-world-titles-172042320.html
groan
Is O'Sullivan going to be playing in Championship League snooker at any stage?
No
listening to jimmy in the box reminds me of only fools and horses
and just as funny.
not suited to it AT ALL
This doesn't have ranking points does it?
Last years shootout was better. Maybe it needs tweaking. Best of 17 matches without a shot clock perhaps? :-P
my twist would be....
draw one player
he picks who he plays
has to answer within 5 seconds or he gets the highest ranked player left to be picked
That would be pretty funny actually 706.
i thot so, 814
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