Peter Ebdon's 6-2 victory over Marco Fu in the Pokerstars.com Masters today proved that experience in sport is invaluable.
This is Ebdon's 17th appearance in the Wembley tournament. He was poor at the start and could have been 4-0 or certainly 3-1 down at the interval.
By the end of frame three his pot success was in the 50s and his highest break was just 27.
But winning that frame with a colours clearance settled him down and, his iron will to win much in evidence, he started to find some form.
As he did, Fu's game collapsed. The man from Hong Kong got worse and worse as Ebdon grew stronger.
Ebdon is sometimes written off as a grinder but he plays some shots no other player would attempt - and often gets them.
He'll have to improve against Ronnie O'Sullivan or Neil Robertson but the main thing for him is that he's through to the quarter-finals with a tenacious performance that encapsulated his character.
10.1.10
SNOOKER'S LIFE EXPECTANCY SHORTENED BY OBSERVER
The downside to big snooker events is the seemingly endless stream of nonsense written about the sport in newspapers by people who know little and care even less about it.
Step forward Barney Ronay in today's Observer. Were spectacularly missing the point an Olympic sport, Mr. Ronay would give Steve Redgrave a run for his money.
He makes the assertion that "snooker could be an amateur sport by 2020" without any solid evidence to support this.
He then grossly misrepresents Ronnie O'Sullivan by claiming he had said as much. He didn't. Ronnie did say the game was dying last year and that something needed to be done.
His fellow players agreed and have brought in Barry Hearn, a fact Ronay appears not to have noticed, such was the extent of his research.
Also, Ronnie didn't say he wanted Simon Cowell to run snooker. He said he wanted someone who possessed Cowell's entrepreneurial skills to take it on. Hearn fits that bill.
"The everyday circuit takes in half-empty exhibition halls in Bahrain and its results rarely trouble the mainstream media," Ronay continues.
The circuit played one event in Bahrain in 2008. It also goes to China twice every year where the sport is hugely popular, something Ronay doesn't mention anywhere.
Perhaps the game would get more newspaper coverage if the Observer and others didn't fill space with columnists writing about sports they don't understand.
Actually, the results always get in the papers and over the last week there have been a large number of stories in the run in to the Masters, including two big pieces in the Guardian, for whom Ronay also writes.
Ronay writes of snooker: "It already has a resigned look, slumped glassily in its chair, and looking like its thoughts have turned to the white-gloved handshake and the scattered sound of exit applause."
What rubbish, although it may have set a new world record for throwing most cliches into a single sentence.
There is actually a newly found buzz around the players - as I witnessed at Crondon Park last week because, unlike Ronay, I've actually spoken to the players and asked them their views about the future.
My challenge to him is simple: go to Wembley this week. Sample the atmosphere. Watch the matches. Talk to Barry Hearn. Talk to the players.
I'm not denying snooker has its problems but the professional game dead by 2020?
I'd say there's more chance of the Observer - which has already axed two of its magazines to save money - being out of business first.
Step forward Barney Ronay in today's Observer. Were spectacularly missing the point an Olympic sport, Mr. Ronay would give Steve Redgrave a run for his money.
He makes the assertion that "snooker could be an amateur sport by 2020" without any solid evidence to support this.
He then grossly misrepresents Ronnie O'Sullivan by claiming he had said as much. He didn't. Ronnie did say the game was dying last year and that something needed to be done.
His fellow players agreed and have brought in Barry Hearn, a fact Ronay appears not to have noticed, such was the extent of his research.
Also, Ronnie didn't say he wanted Simon Cowell to run snooker. He said he wanted someone who possessed Cowell's entrepreneurial skills to take it on. Hearn fits that bill.
"The everyday circuit takes in half-empty exhibition halls in Bahrain and its results rarely trouble the mainstream media," Ronay continues.
The circuit played one event in Bahrain in 2008. It also goes to China twice every year where the sport is hugely popular, something Ronay doesn't mention anywhere.
Perhaps the game would get more newspaper coverage if the Observer and others didn't fill space with columnists writing about sports they don't understand.
Actually, the results always get in the papers and over the last week there have been a large number of stories in the run in to the Masters, including two big pieces in the Guardian, for whom Ronay also writes.
Ronay writes of snooker: "It already has a resigned look, slumped glassily in its chair, and looking like its thoughts have turned to the white-gloved handshake and the scattered sound of exit applause."
What rubbish, although it may have set a new world record for throwing most cliches into a single sentence.
There is actually a newly found buzz around the players - as I witnessed at Crondon Park last week because, unlike Ronay, I've actually spoken to the players and asked them their views about the future.
My challenge to him is simple: go to Wembley this week. Sample the atmosphere. Watch the matches. Talk to Barry Hearn. Talk to the players.
I'm not denying snooker has its problems but the professional game dead by 2020?
I'd say there's more chance of the Observer - which has already axed two of its magazines to save money - being out of business first.
9.1.10
SNOOKER'S WINTER WARMER
The Masters is indisputably one of snooker’s great events.
Its prestige comes from the fact that it isn’t a ranking event but is open only to the elite of the game.
First held in 1975, in its early years it was for only 12 players before becoming a tournament just for the top 16.
In 1990, Alex Higgins was given a wildcard after dropping out of this elite bracket. A qualifying event was then established to provide lower ranked players with a chance to take part.
In the tournament’s heyday, when it was held at Wembley Conference Centre and sponsored by Benson and Hedges, most players regarded it as second only to the World Championship.
It was a big money ‘major’ and was played in a bearpit atmosphere thanks to the cavernous arena and notoriously vociferous Wembley crowd.
Many great names have won the title, with Stephen Hendry doing so in each of his first five visits to Wembley.
Steve Davis memorably won it for the third time at the age of 39 in 1997.
In more recent years, Paul Hunter won three 10-9 thrillers in four years while last season Ronnie O’Sullivan captured his fourth title.
The Masters lost B&H by government decree seven years ago and had to move to Wembley Arena in 2007.
But it remains a highlight of the calendar and, with £150,000 to the winner, will be eagerly contested.
There is a new sponsor – PokerStars.com – and a buzz around the sport after Barry Hearn’s elevation to WPBSA chairman.
The opening day kicks off with Ding Junhui, the newly crowned UK champion, up against Mark Selby, who won the title on his Wembley debut two years ago and was runner-up last year, losing 10-8 to O’Sullivan.
This one is hard to call. Ding is in form, Selby showed signs at Telford that he was returning to form.
Two players out of form are Marco Fu and Peter Ebdon, who meet in Sunday’s second match.
Fu played well last week at the Championship League but suffers from inconsistency to such an extent that he can be either brilliant or average, with little middle ground.
Ebdon has played at Wembley on 16 previous occasions but has reached just two semi-finals, a surprisingly disappointing return for a former world and UK champion.
Although he appears to be on the decline, Ebdon tends to come good once every season. Who is to say it won’t be this week?
The evening will be a showbiz affair as Jimmy White takes on Mark King watched by some of his jungle buddies from I’m a Celeb – including winner Gino D’Acampo.
King defeated White 6-5 on the pink at the corresponding stage of the 1999 Masters and starts favourite, but White has often punched above his weight in Wembley, where the London crowd will roar in every pot.
The treacherous winter weather is likely to have a negative affect on attendances, although if people are off school and work next week the TV ratings may receive a boost.
There’s been loads in the newspapers in the run in to the tournament, proving the media is interested in snooker if they feel there is something to write.
A year ago, O’Sullivan memorably lamented the state of the game, claiming it was ‘dying.’
This year, there is a sense of excitement around the Masters, not least from O’Sullivan himself, and it will hopefully herald the first step on the long road back to the sporting big time.
The players themselves have to realise that this is their responsibility as much as anyone else’s. Not just to play well – they always want to do that – but to try and project their personalities also.
A small part of this will be intro music but much more needs to be done to prove that the sport does have characters and can hold its own against competing sporting attractions...although with the UK weather as it is, snooker may, for once, have the stage to itself for the next eight days.
What a chance to prove the patient is still alive and kicking.
Its prestige comes from the fact that it isn’t a ranking event but is open only to the elite of the game.
First held in 1975, in its early years it was for only 12 players before becoming a tournament just for the top 16.
In 1990, Alex Higgins was given a wildcard after dropping out of this elite bracket. A qualifying event was then established to provide lower ranked players with a chance to take part.
In the tournament’s heyday, when it was held at Wembley Conference Centre and sponsored by Benson and Hedges, most players regarded it as second only to the World Championship.
It was a big money ‘major’ and was played in a bearpit atmosphere thanks to the cavernous arena and notoriously vociferous Wembley crowd.
Many great names have won the title, with Stephen Hendry doing so in each of his first five visits to Wembley.
Steve Davis memorably won it for the third time at the age of 39 in 1997.
In more recent years, Paul Hunter won three 10-9 thrillers in four years while last season Ronnie O’Sullivan captured his fourth title.
The Masters lost B&H by government decree seven years ago and had to move to Wembley Arena in 2007.
But it remains a highlight of the calendar and, with £150,000 to the winner, will be eagerly contested.
There is a new sponsor – PokerStars.com – and a buzz around the sport after Barry Hearn’s elevation to WPBSA chairman.
The opening day kicks off with Ding Junhui, the newly crowned UK champion, up against Mark Selby, who won the title on his Wembley debut two years ago and was runner-up last year, losing 10-8 to O’Sullivan.
This one is hard to call. Ding is in form, Selby showed signs at Telford that he was returning to form.
Two players out of form are Marco Fu and Peter Ebdon, who meet in Sunday’s second match.
Fu played well last week at the Championship League but suffers from inconsistency to such an extent that he can be either brilliant or average, with little middle ground.
Ebdon has played at Wembley on 16 previous occasions but has reached just two semi-finals, a surprisingly disappointing return for a former world and UK champion.
Although he appears to be on the decline, Ebdon tends to come good once every season. Who is to say it won’t be this week?
The evening will be a showbiz affair as Jimmy White takes on Mark King watched by some of his jungle buddies from I’m a Celeb – including winner Gino D’Acampo.
King defeated White 6-5 on the pink at the corresponding stage of the 1999 Masters and starts favourite, but White has often punched above his weight in Wembley, where the London crowd will roar in every pot.
The treacherous winter weather is likely to have a negative affect on attendances, although if people are off school and work next week the TV ratings may receive a boost.
There’s been loads in the newspapers in the run in to the tournament, proving the media is interested in snooker if they feel there is something to write.
A year ago, O’Sullivan memorably lamented the state of the game, claiming it was ‘dying.’
This year, there is a sense of excitement around the Masters, not least from O’Sullivan himself, and it will hopefully herald the first step on the long road back to the sporting big time.
The players themselves have to realise that this is their responsibility as much as anyone else’s. Not just to play well – they always want to do that – but to try and project their personalities also.
A small part of this will be intro music but much more needs to be done to prove that the sport does have characters and can hold its own against competing sporting attractions...although with the UK weather as it is, snooker may, for once, have the stage to itself for the next eight days.
What a chance to prove the patient is still alive and kicking.
7.1.10
HIGGINS STARTS...SO HE FINISHES
World champion John Higgins is the second man through to the winners' group of the Championship League after a 3-1 victory over Ali Carter in the group 2 final at Crondon Park Golf Club in Essex tonight.
Higgins finished the match just in time to watch the tail end of his appearance on BBC's Celebrity Mastermind, where he finished joint third with former Tory leader Michael Howard.
After a promising start answering questions on US soap Dallas, Higgins struggled in the general knowledge round.
But on the table he had no such problems. He was in trouble when he trailed Judd Trump 2-0 in the semi-finals but fought back to beat him 3-2 before beatng Carter to join his fellow Scot Stephen Maguire in the final group in March.
"Stephen was giving me a bit of stick as he had already made it through and he was relaxing at the spa in the hotel enjoying himself so it's good to get through," Higgins said.
"The Championship is a great tournament and one of the main reasons why I won the World Championship last year. It's great match practise for all the boys and the practise you get against the best players in the world is invaluable.
"There's a real buzz about snooker at the moment with Barry Hearn coming in and we're hoping he could bring his skills of promotion to the game.
"It's been a real kick up the backside for the sport and hopefully we can grow as a sport and have people talking about us in good terms instead of negative ones as snooker is still obviously a good sport."
Higgins finished the match just in time to watch the tail end of his appearance on BBC's Celebrity Mastermind, where he finished joint third with former Tory leader Michael Howard.
After a promising start answering questions on US soap Dallas, Higgins struggled in the general knowledge round.
But on the table he had no such problems. He was in trouble when he trailed Judd Trump 2-0 in the semi-finals but fought back to beat him 3-2 before beatng Carter to join his fellow Scot Stephen Maguire in the final group in March.
"Stephen was giving me a bit of stick as he had already made it through and he was relaxing at the spa in the hotel enjoying himself so it's good to get through," Higgins said.
"The Championship is a great tournament and one of the main reasons why I won the World Championship last year. It's great match practise for all the boys and the practise you get against the best players in the world is invaluable.
"There's a real buzz about snooker at the moment with Barry Hearn coming in and we're hoping he could bring his skills of promotion to the game.
"It's been a real kick up the backside for the sport and hopefully we can grow as a sport and have people talking about us in good terms instead of negative ones as snooker is still obviously a good sport."
6.1.10
HEARN GETS SPONSOR FOR WEMBLEY MASTERS
Barry Hearn, who has been WPBSA chairman for three weeks, has secured a one-year sponsorship deal with PokerStars, the world's largest online poker room, to back next week's Wembley Masters.
Hearn says the level of financial support being offered by the company is "acceptable" for a last minute deal and that it was "very difficult" to secure a three year arrangement so close to the event.
The online gaming industry is one of the few doing well in the current economic climate, so their interest in snooker is most welcome.
It also proves that Hearn has the contacts to bring some much needed money into the sport.
Hearn says the level of financial support being offered by the company is "acceptable" for a last minute deal and that it was "very difficult" to secure a three year arrangement so close to the event.
The online gaming industry is one of the few doing well in the current economic climate, so their interest in snooker is most welcome.
It also proves that Hearn has the contacts to bring some much needed money into the sport.
5.1.10
MAGIC MAGUIRE
A highly focused Stephen Maguire won the first group of this year's Championship League with a 3-0 defeat of Mark Selby at Crondon Park Golf Club, Essex tonight.
Maguire, making his debut in the event, was 2-0 down to Ali Carter in the semi-finals but produced back-to-back centuries of 140 and 101 and fought back to win 3-2.
He returns for the winners' group in March. Selby, Carter, Judd Trump and John Higgins return for group two tomorrow alongside Ronnie O'Sullivan, Neil Robertson and Marco Fu.
If you're wondering what happened to the O'Sullivan story I posted earlier, I had, while kneedeep in the CLS if not snow, not read the link properly. It didn't say he would use the purple cue at the Masters, only that he had been practising with it, and I have thus deleted it.
In other news, the players will have music playing as they are introduced at the Masters.
The powers that be read this blog so feel free to suggest what the various players should have as their tracks.
Maguire, making his debut in the event, was 2-0 down to Ali Carter in the semi-finals but produced back-to-back centuries of 140 and 101 and fought back to win 3-2.
He returns for the winners' group in March. Selby, Carter, Judd Trump and John Higgins return for group two tomorrow alongside Ronnie O'Sullivan, Neil Robertson and Marco Fu.
If you're wondering what happened to the O'Sullivan story I posted earlier, I had, while kneedeep in the CLS if not snow, not read the link properly. It didn't say he would use the purple cue at the Masters, only that he had been practising with it, and I have thus deleted it.
In other news, the players will have music playing as they are introduced at the Masters.
The powers that be read this blog so feel free to suggest what the various players should have as their tracks.
REYNOLDS ON ROAD TO RECOVERY
Former top eight star Dean Reynolds is playing snooker again nine months after suffering a stroke.
The former Grand Prix and British Open runner-up is featured in the Grimsby Telegraph.
You can read the story here.
The former Grand Prix and British Open runner-up is featured in the Grimsby Telegraph.
You can read the story here.
3.1.10
CHAMPIONSHIP LEAGUE ATTRACTS BEST EVER FIELD
One of the reasons Barry Hearn attracted support before the WPBSA AGM last month was because of the Championship League, an event he promotes that has proved to be very popular with players.
Now in its third year, this qualifying event for the Premier League is shown on various betting websites.
This year’s field at Crondon Park Golf Club in Essex is the best yet. For the first time, Ronnie O’Sullivan and Stephen Maguire will compete.
Maguire joins world champion John Higgins, Shaun Murphy, Mark Selby, Ryan Day, Ali Carter and last year’s winner Judd Trump in the first group tomorrow.
O’Sullivan, Neil Robertson and Marco Fu join the fray on Wednesday for group two.
There has been a slight tweak to the rules this year with matches now best of five frames as opposed to being of four frames duration. This means there can no longer be draws.
Players receive £100 per frame won. It is a little like being paid to practise, albeit against some of the best players in the world, and will toughen these guys up ahead of the Masters.
Full details can be found at Matchroom Sport.
Meanwhile for those of you who follow me on Twitter, I will be attempting to post photos from various points of the snooker circuit, starting this week.
I know. Exciting, isn't it?
Now in its third year, this qualifying event for the Premier League is shown on various betting websites.
This year’s field at Crondon Park Golf Club in Essex is the best yet. For the first time, Ronnie O’Sullivan and Stephen Maguire will compete.
Maguire joins world champion John Higgins, Shaun Murphy, Mark Selby, Ryan Day, Ali Carter and last year’s winner Judd Trump in the first group tomorrow.
O’Sullivan, Neil Robertson and Marco Fu join the fray on Wednesday for group two.
There has been a slight tweak to the rules this year with matches now best of five frames as opposed to being of four frames duration. This means there can no longer be draws.
Players receive £100 per frame won. It is a little like being paid to practise, albeit against some of the best players in the world, and will toughen these guys up ahead of the Masters.
Full details can be found at Matchroom Sport.
Meanwhile for those of you who follow me on Twitter, I will be attempting to post photos from various points of the snooker circuit, starting this week.
I know. Exciting, isn't it?
1.1.10
2010: OVER TO YOU, BARRY
Happy New Year – and what an interesting year it promises to be for the snooker world.
Out of the darkness cometh light, or rather cometh Barry Hearn, the man now charged with restoring the professional game to something approaching its former glory.
This won’t be easy. The governance of the sport has been a scandal for decades (as painstakingly chronicled in Clive Everton’s book ‘Black Farce and Cueball Wizards’) but at long last there is some hope that better times may be around the corner.
Cards on the table: I like Barry Hearn. I like his attitude and his refreshing honesty. I admire his record of achievement in identifying niche markets and developing them into great successes.
He’s an ideas man. Some are good, some not so good (ITV’s Tenball anyone?) but at least he has ideas and the nous to try them out.
There’s nothing wrong with snooker as a game. Witness the John Higgins v Ronnie O’Sullivan match at the UK Championship last month or Higgins’s clash with Neil Robertson in the Grand Prix or the second half of last season’s World Championship. On its day, our sport is capable of providing absorbing, exciting sporting drama.
But snooker does have an image problem. To many it’s stale and samey. The players are interchangeable and the tournaments hard to distinguish.
This is where Hearn ought to come into his own. He has the passion and energy to set about changing these perceptions. The previous regime merely pretended there wasn’t a problem.
Snooker needs to appeal to casual sports fans, not just its own diehard community of followers. For this reason, let me predict right now that Hearn is likely to do a number of things ‘traditionalists’ may not agree with.
Shorter formats may be introduced. The look of tournaments may change.
However, this is all conjecture. I don’t have the inside track on Hearn’s plans. This would be difficult as he is yet to formulate them.
But what’s clear is that the WPBSA now has a chairman who recognises the sport does have problems and wants to sort them out.
Hearn has been involved in snooker since 1974. It has been the catalyst for all the success he has enjoyed in boxing, pool, poker and, perhaps most significantly, darts.
As he himself has said, he is a benevolent dictator. He will do things his way but for the benefit of the sport as a whole.
My advice to Barry is very simple: ringfence the ‘majors’ – the World Championship, UK Championship and Masters – because there’s nothing wrong with them but regard everything else as being up for grabs. I am particularly keen that he makes snooker tournaments feel more like ‘events’ for those attending and watching at home.
Remember this: all the tournaments that appear on TV have been either directly created or modified for television. However, most formats were created for TV as it was 25 years ago and have not changed as TV and society has changed over the years.
We must end the perception of snooker – which many casual sports fans hold – that it is slow, meandering and never ending. Having finals finishing after midnight hardly helps persuade people otherwise.
I understand Hearn’s main priority is to renegotiate the BBC contract. After this he wants to set up a new Pro Tour of small events, which will give all players, but particularly those lower down the rankings, more playing opportunities. I’m also told he will invite independent promoters to a meeting to thrash out a calendar that doesn’t involve clashes.
This is not an act of genius, merely a sensible move but his predecessor stubbornly refused to do it. His regime regarded all other tournaments with disdain and even refused to mention them on worldsnooker.com – an absurd policy that has now changed thanks to Hearn and his more open minded attitude. Expect many more changes on that website.
In 2004, Snooker Scene was prevented by the WPBSA from being sold at tournament venues. This was shortly after one of its then executives rather theatrically threw a copy into a bin at the Players Championship in Glasgow. This dramatic gesture was spoiled only by him then returning to the room to fish it back out as he realised it was his only copy.
Well, we’ll be back on sale at the Masters. Hearn will also meet the snooker media for a friendly chat and try to generate coverage that is sadly lacking in the newspapers.
I believe that all of snooker should support Hearn, even those who were against his appointment. It is in their interests to: if he is successful, the sport will be as well.
As I wrote earlier, there will be decisions that will alarm the sport’s closest followers – and I suspect it will be revealed that the true financial position is parlous – but I genuinely believe snooker will start to turn a corner this year if everyone pulls together.
Enough already. If you didn’t have a headache from last night’s festivities you’ll probably have one now.
So for some light relief, head on over to 110sport.tv, which has resurrected, Lazarus like, it’s online magazine On Q, which features interviews and irreverent musings on the game.
You can also watch myself and Stewart Weir interview the eight players who comprised the recent Legends event – when Alex Higgins allowed us to.
These included some of the names who played leading roles in the extraordinary boom years of the 1980s.
Let us all hope that, in 2010, snooker can take steps to once again scale the summit of popularity and thus arrest its slide into decline.
Out of the darkness cometh light, or rather cometh Barry Hearn, the man now charged with restoring the professional game to something approaching its former glory.
This won’t be easy. The governance of the sport has been a scandal for decades (as painstakingly chronicled in Clive Everton’s book ‘Black Farce and Cueball Wizards’) but at long last there is some hope that better times may be around the corner.
Cards on the table: I like Barry Hearn. I like his attitude and his refreshing honesty. I admire his record of achievement in identifying niche markets and developing them into great successes.
He’s an ideas man. Some are good, some not so good (ITV’s Tenball anyone?) but at least he has ideas and the nous to try them out.
There’s nothing wrong with snooker as a game. Witness the John Higgins v Ronnie O’Sullivan match at the UK Championship last month or Higgins’s clash with Neil Robertson in the Grand Prix or the second half of last season’s World Championship. On its day, our sport is capable of providing absorbing, exciting sporting drama.
But snooker does have an image problem. To many it’s stale and samey. The players are interchangeable and the tournaments hard to distinguish.
This is where Hearn ought to come into his own. He has the passion and energy to set about changing these perceptions. The previous regime merely pretended there wasn’t a problem.
Snooker needs to appeal to casual sports fans, not just its own diehard community of followers. For this reason, let me predict right now that Hearn is likely to do a number of things ‘traditionalists’ may not agree with.
Shorter formats may be introduced. The look of tournaments may change.
However, this is all conjecture. I don’t have the inside track on Hearn’s plans. This would be difficult as he is yet to formulate them.
But what’s clear is that the WPBSA now has a chairman who recognises the sport does have problems and wants to sort them out.
Hearn has been involved in snooker since 1974. It has been the catalyst for all the success he has enjoyed in boxing, pool, poker and, perhaps most significantly, darts.
As he himself has said, he is a benevolent dictator. He will do things his way but for the benefit of the sport as a whole.
My advice to Barry is very simple: ringfence the ‘majors’ – the World Championship, UK Championship and Masters – because there’s nothing wrong with them but regard everything else as being up for grabs. I am particularly keen that he makes snooker tournaments feel more like ‘events’ for those attending and watching at home.
Remember this: all the tournaments that appear on TV have been either directly created or modified for television. However, most formats were created for TV as it was 25 years ago and have not changed as TV and society has changed over the years.
We must end the perception of snooker – which many casual sports fans hold – that it is slow, meandering and never ending. Having finals finishing after midnight hardly helps persuade people otherwise.
I understand Hearn’s main priority is to renegotiate the BBC contract. After this he wants to set up a new Pro Tour of small events, which will give all players, but particularly those lower down the rankings, more playing opportunities. I’m also told he will invite independent promoters to a meeting to thrash out a calendar that doesn’t involve clashes.
This is not an act of genius, merely a sensible move but his predecessor stubbornly refused to do it. His regime regarded all other tournaments with disdain and even refused to mention them on worldsnooker.com – an absurd policy that has now changed thanks to Hearn and his more open minded attitude. Expect many more changes on that website.
In 2004, Snooker Scene was prevented by the WPBSA from being sold at tournament venues. This was shortly after one of its then executives rather theatrically threw a copy into a bin at the Players Championship in Glasgow. This dramatic gesture was spoiled only by him then returning to the room to fish it back out as he realised it was his only copy.
Well, we’ll be back on sale at the Masters. Hearn will also meet the snooker media for a friendly chat and try to generate coverage that is sadly lacking in the newspapers.
I believe that all of snooker should support Hearn, even those who were against his appointment. It is in their interests to: if he is successful, the sport will be as well.
As I wrote earlier, there will be decisions that will alarm the sport’s closest followers – and I suspect it will be revealed that the true financial position is parlous – but I genuinely believe snooker will start to turn a corner this year if everyone pulls together.
Enough already. If you didn’t have a headache from last night’s festivities you’ll probably have one now.
So for some light relief, head on over to 110sport.tv, which has resurrected, Lazarus like, it’s online magazine On Q, which features interviews and irreverent musings on the game.
You can also watch myself and Stewart Weir interview the eight players who comprised the recent Legends event – when Alex Higgins allowed us to.
These included some of the names who played leading roles in the extraordinary boom years of the 1980s.
Let us all hope that, in 2010, snooker can take steps to once again scale the summit of popularity and thus arrest its slide into decline.
23.12.09
DO YOU KNOW IT'S CHRISTMAS?
That’s quite enough blogging for one year.
In 2009 the blog had more posts, more comments and more readers than ever before.
It was sometimes right, sometimes wrong but always certain.
It’s also been fun despite the problems that have afflicted the sport. Ultimately, for all the political intrigue, for all that passions often get inflamed, snooker is only a game and being around the circuit and the people on it is first and foremost an enjoyable way to spend time.
Sometimes it’s exasperating too but we won't dwell on that right now.
Instead, I'd like to wish everyone reading this a very Merry Christmas, wherever you are and however you’re spending it.
There’s much to look forward to in 2010. With Barry Hearn now at the helm of the professional game there will doubtless be much happening and much to comment on come the New Year.
But it can all wait until then.
Right now it’s time to reacquaint ourselves of the true meaning of Christmas: fighting through crowds for last minute shopping, drinking copious amounts of alcohol and arguing with the family.
See you next year!
In 2009 the blog had more posts, more comments and more readers than ever before.
It was sometimes right, sometimes wrong but always certain.
It’s also been fun despite the problems that have afflicted the sport. Ultimately, for all the political intrigue, for all that passions often get inflamed, snooker is only a game and being around the circuit and the people on it is first and foremost an enjoyable way to spend time.
Sometimes it’s exasperating too but we won't dwell on that right now.
Instead, I'd like to wish everyone reading this a very Merry Christmas, wherever you are and however you’re spending it.
There’s much to look forward to in 2010. With Barry Hearn now at the helm of the professional game there will doubtless be much happening and much to comment on come the New Year.
But it can all wait until then.
Right now it’s time to reacquaint ourselves of the true meaning of Christmas: fighting through crowds for last minute shopping, drinking copious amounts of alcohol and arguing with the family.
See you next year!
22.12.09
NEW FORMAT TRIED, WORLD DOESN'T END
Overall I enjoyed my day out yesterday at ONEFORSEVEN in Cardiff, even if the city resembled a giant ice rink.
The harsh winter conditions undoubtedly had an effect on crowd turnout and a few big names also pulled out but several top stars took part, including Mark Williams, Mark Selby, Ken Doherty, Mark King, Matthew Stevens and the eventual winner, Ryan Day.
This was not, as some had predicted, the ghost of Pot Black Timeframe (for which many in the snooker world have undergone therapy to forget).
The format pitted eight players playing a single frame against one another. Each frame could last no longer than 21 minutes. The aggregate score for each player over the seven frames was used to calculate the overall winner.
The miss rule and free ball were thrown out and players had ball in hand after fouls, which certainly speeded things up. Not one of the 84 frames played lasted longer than the allotted 21 minutes.
Music was played throughout and the crowd were encouraged to make noise. This made it more a snooker club atmosphere and didn’t seem to put the players off.
I dare say ONEFORSEVEN wouldn’t be everyone’s cup of tea but it would be wrong to write it off without having seen it.
The players I spoke to enjoyed themselves. I’m sure Ryan will enjoy the £14,707 winners’ cheque he received – not even a semi-final prize in some ranking tournaments.
Players don’t just want to play hard tournament snooker and nothing else. They want to let their hair down (those that have any) from time to time and relax, just as spectators like to see them in less serious mode every so often.
The challenge now for the ONEFORSEVEN organisers is to gain interest from broadcasters. This may be harder than they think. The four table set up would be difficult to cover, although one appealing aspect for TV is that, unlike major tournament snooker, it is possible to discern how long the action will take.
There will, of course, be howls of protest that anyone had the nerve to tamper with the traditional form of snooker.
But the bottom line is that variants on a theme such as this and Six Reds do not threaten the established game in any way. They are merely offshoots that may have a role to play in broadening snooker’s appeal.
Most other sports have tried similar experiments. Some work, some don’t but not trying at all doesn’t get you anywhere.
Certainly the kids in Cardiff enjoyed being given the freedom to get up close to the players rather than sit silently in their seats for hours on end – not a pastime most children enjoy.
At the end, where Day, Liam Highfield and Alfie Burden were all in realistic contention for first place, there was a genuine sense of excitement and everyone got to their feet and gathered around the respective tables to see how it would end.
And remember: snooker was originally invented by messing around with the rules of other cue sports.
I’ve no doubt there were those hidebound to tradition who were appalled by this in the 19th century. If they’d had their way we’d still all be playing billiards and nothing else.
I don’t think ONEFORSEVEN is going to replace what we see at the Crucible any time soon – it’d be hard bearing in mind there is barely sufficient room for two tables in the famous Sheffield theatre.
Personally speaking, my favourite form of snooker is in major tournaments of the 15 red variety, just as I prefer Test cricket to Twenty/20 and one day internationals.
But if experiments such as this can help snooker’s future fortunes, even in a small way, then they should be given a chance.
The harsh winter conditions undoubtedly had an effect on crowd turnout and a few big names also pulled out but several top stars took part, including Mark Williams, Mark Selby, Ken Doherty, Mark King, Matthew Stevens and the eventual winner, Ryan Day.
This was not, as some had predicted, the ghost of Pot Black Timeframe (for which many in the snooker world have undergone therapy to forget).
The format pitted eight players playing a single frame against one another. Each frame could last no longer than 21 minutes. The aggregate score for each player over the seven frames was used to calculate the overall winner.
The miss rule and free ball were thrown out and players had ball in hand after fouls, which certainly speeded things up. Not one of the 84 frames played lasted longer than the allotted 21 minutes.
Music was played throughout and the crowd were encouraged to make noise. This made it more a snooker club atmosphere and didn’t seem to put the players off.
I dare say ONEFORSEVEN wouldn’t be everyone’s cup of tea but it would be wrong to write it off without having seen it.
The players I spoke to enjoyed themselves. I’m sure Ryan will enjoy the £14,707 winners’ cheque he received – not even a semi-final prize in some ranking tournaments.
Players don’t just want to play hard tournament snooker and nothing else. They want to let their hair down (those that have any) from time to time and relax, just as spectators like to see them in less serious mode every so often.
The challenge now for the ONEFORSEVEN organisers is to gain interest from broadcasters. This may be harder than they think. The four table set up would be difficult to cover, although one appealing aspect for TV is that, unlike major tournament snooker, it is possible to discern how long the action will take.
There will, of course, be howls of protest that anyone had the nerve to tamper with the traditional form of snooker.
But the bottom line is that variants on a theme such as this and Six Reds do not threaten the established game in any way. They are merely offshoots that may have a role to play in broadening snooker’s appeal.
Most other sports have tried similar experiments. Some work, some don’t but not trying at all doesn’t get you anywhere.
Certainly the kids in Cardiff enjoyed being given the freedom to get up close to the players rather than sit silently in their seats for hours on end – not a pastime most children enjoy.
At the end, where Day, Liam Highfield and Alfie Burden were all in realistic contention for first place, there was a genuine sense of excitement and everyone got to their feet and gathered around the respective tables to see how it would end.
And remember: snooker was originally invented by messing around with the rules of other cue sports.
I’ve no doubt there were those hidebound to tradition who were appalled by this in the 19th century. If they’d had their way we’d still all be playing billiards and nothing else.
I don’t think ONEFORSEVEN is going to replace what we see at the Crucible any time soon – it’d be hard bearing in mind there is barely sufficient room for two tables in the famous Sheffield theatre.
Personally speaking, my favourite form of snooker is in major tournaments of the 15 red variety, just as I prefer Test cricket to Twenty/20 and one day internationals.
But if experiments such as this can help snooker’s future fortunes, even in a small way, then they should be given a chance.
20.12.09
THE BEST OF 2009
What have been your favourite matches of 2009?
I can immediately think of three featuring John Higgins: his 13-12 victory over Mark Selby at the Crucible, 6-5 defeat to Neil Robertson in the Grand Prix semi-finals and 9-8 victory over Ronnie O'Sullivan at the same stage of the UK Championship.
O'Sullivan's 10-8 defeat of Selby in the Masters final was gripping viewing while Mark Allen's comeback against Higgins in the World Championship semi-finals was as compelling as it must have been nerve wracking for John.
I'd be interested to read the 2009 memories of snooker fans so please leave them below.
I can immediately think of three featuring John Higgins: his 13-12 victory over Mark Selby at the Crucible, 6-5 defeat to Neil Robertson in the Grand Prix semi-finals and 9-8 victory over Ronnie O'Sullivan at the same stage of the UK Championship.
O'Sullivan's 10-8 defeat of Selby in the Masters final was gripping viewing while Mark Allen's comeback against Higgins in the World Championship semi-finals was as compelling as it must have been nerve wracking for John.
I'd be interested to read the 2009 memories of snooker fans so please leave them below.
18.12.09
DAVIS WINS SIX REDS WORLD TITLE
Mark Davis pocketed a Christmas bonus of €10,000 by winning the inaugural 888sport.com Six Reds World Championship in Killarney tonight.
Davis, the world no.47 from Sussex, defeated twice Crucible world champion Mark Williams 6-3 in the final.
And it means his six year-old son, Jack, and daughter Millie, aged two, can enjoy an extra special festive period.
“It’s good timing and the kids will be pleased because they know they’ve got a good present coming,” Davis said.
“I played well all through the tournament. I had some luck, which you need with this shorter format, but I made some good breaks in the final.
“With the standard of the players who came here it was always going to be a bit of a lottery as to who won. I’m just happy to be the last man standing.
“I enjoyed the whole week. It was a good tournament and very well run. Killarney is a lovely place and it’s fair to say I’m a big fan of six reds snooker.”
Davis, 37, had previously won two minor invitation events, the 2002 Masters qualifying event and 1996 Malta Masters.
To reach the final he beat fellow main tour professionals Gerard Greene, Jamie Cope, Mark Joyce, Joe Swail and Mark King.
He twice trailed Williams by a single frame but from 2-2 was the stronger player, knocking in breaks of 71 and 65 on the way to clinching victory.
Williams edged Sheffield amateur Adam Duffy 5-4 on the black in the quarter-finals before completing a comfortable 5-1 semi-final defeat of Barry Hawkins.
“I’ve had a good week,” the Welshman said. “It was more relaxed than the ranking tournaments and Mark played very well from 2-2. He deserved to win.
“I think all the players have enjoyed this tournament. It’s something different and I’m a fan of the six red format.”
Reigning 15 red world champion John Higgins saw his bid to complete a unique double ended by a 5-1 defeat to Mark King in the quarter-finals.
Ken Doherty, beaten by Duffy in the last 32 and one of the tournament organisers, said he was pleased with the first staging of the short form World Championship.
“The feedback I’ve had from the players has been very positive and we’ll definitely be back next year,” he said.
“There’s no doubt that six reds snooker has its place and we hope to be even bigger and better in 2010.”
Davis, the world no.47 from Sussex, defeated twice Crucible world champion Mark Williams 6-3 in the final.
And it means his six year-old son, Jack, and daughter Millie, aged two, can enjoy an extra special festive period.
“It’s good timing and the kids will be pleased because they know they’ve got a good present coming,” Davis said.
“I played well all through the tournament. I had some luck, which you need with this shorter format, but I made some good breaks in the final.
“With the standard of the players who came here it was always going to be a bit of a lottery as to who won. I’m just happy to be the last man standing.
“I enjoyed the whole week. It was a good tournament and very well run. Killarney is a lovely place and it’s fair to say I’m a big fan of six reds snooker.”
Davis, 37, had previously won two minor invitation events, the 2002 Masters qualifying event and 1996 Malta Masters.
To reach the final he beat fellow main tour professionals Gerard Greene, Jamie Cope, Mark Joyce, Joe Swail and Mark King.
He twice trailed Williams by a single frame but from 2-2 was the stronger player, knocking in breaks of 71 and 65 on the way to clinching victory.
Williams edged Sheffield amateur Adam Duffy 5-4 on the black in the quarter-finals before completing a comfortable 5-1 semi-final defeat of Barry Hawkins.
“I’ve had a good week,” the Welshman said. “It was more relaxed than the ranking tournaments and Mark played very well from 2-2. He deserved to win.
“I think all the players have enjoyed this tournament. It’s something different and I’m a fan of the six red format.”
Reigning 15 red world champion John Higgins saw his bid to complete a unique double ended by a 5-1 defeat to Mark King in the quarter-finals.
Ken Doherty, beaten by Duffy in the last 32 and one of the tournament organisers, said he was pleased with the first staging of the short form World Championship.
“The feedback I’ve had from the players has been very positive and we’ll definitely be back next year,” he said.
“There’s no doubt that six reds snooker has its place and we hope to be even bigger and better in 2010.”
17.12.09
JUNGLE JIMMY GETS WEMBLEY WILDCARD
Jimmy White will today be unveiled as the remaining wildcard for next month's Wembley Masters.
White, the 1984 champion, has recently had his popularity boosted through an appearance on ITV's 'I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here.'
He will play Mark King on the opening day, January 10.
This will be a disappointment for Liang Wenbo, the outstanding favourite for the wildcard having reached the Shanghai Masters final earlier this season.
Nobody can argue with White's popular appeal, especially in London.
However, he is currently 62nd in the provisional rankings so many will question whether he really deserves this call up.
White, the 1984 champion, has recently had his popularity boosted through an appearance on ITV's 'I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here.'
He will play Mark King on the opening day, January 10.
This will be a disappointment for Liang Wenbo, the outstanding favourite for the wildcard having reached the Shanghai Masters final earlier this season.
Nobody can argue with White's popular appeal, especially in London.
However, he is currently 62nd in the provisional rankings so many will question whether he really deserves this call up.
16.12.09
HENDRY'S SIX APPEAL
Stephen Hendry is, of course, among the star attractions here at the Six Reds World Championship.
The seven times Crucible champion is much in demand for autographs and pictures from spectators and some of the amateur players.
Hendry is a great pro at all this stuff. He learned it at an early age and accepted it as part and parcel of being at the top of any sport.
He told me he wasn’t completely convinced by six reds snooker but that he was enjoying the tournament and happy to play in it:
“It’s certainly cut throat and there’s not room for many mistakes.
“Purists who want to see big breaks aren’t going to get that because the highest possible break is only 75 but if you had a six red event with all top players it would be intense.
“This is a bit of fun, although the competition is serious once you get out there.
“I’ve known the tournament director, Con O’Sullivan, for a long time and am friends with Ken Doherty so I was very happy to come out here and take part.
“It all takes me back to the start of my career at Pontin’s when you’d wait in the tournament office for your name to be called out and a table number.
“It’s a good event for the public because they don’t usually see top players in this environment, up so close.”
I’d echo that. There is something bizarre yet compelling about watching the likes of Hendry, John Higgins and Ken Doherty rubbing shoulders – sometimes literally – with amateurs from all over the world in the open plan, 13 table set up.
The tournament has also given players from all over the world the chance not just to meet their snooker heroes but also to play them.
Lucky Vatnani, from India, is one such player. He was very excited yesterday about the prospect of playing Hendry. In the event he almost beat him before letting slip a 3-1 lead and losing 4-3.
All of the pros have made it through to the knockout phase and I would expect one of them to win it.
Snooker devotees needn’t worry. Six reds isn’t going to replace the traditional game and neither is it going to harm it.
The players in general see this week as a chance to compete for a €10,000 first prize, come to a hospitable part of the world and wind down after the rigours of the UK Championship.
The atmosphere backstage is relaxed and players are socialising in ways they perhaps wouldn’t at a ranking event – last night’s poker evening was well attended.
And what of Alex Higgins? After two 4-0 defeats he beat James Stewart – for whom today was not such a wonderful life – 4-0 before producing a little bit of Hurricane magic to come back from 2-0 down to be 2-2 with main tour player David Hogan.
Higgins stroked in a terrific long pink and added the black in frame three before a good clearance gave him the fourth.
Sadly for his many fans – and he still has them – he was beaten 4-2.
Eurosport starts its live coverage tomorrow afternoon. Our own Mike Hallett may be playing as he’s made it through to the knockout stage.
The seven times Crucible champion is much in demand for autographs and pictures from spectators and some of the amateur players.
Hendry is a great pro at all this stuff. He learned it at an early age and accepted it as part and parcel of being at the top of any sport.
He told me he wasn’t completely convinced by six reds snooker but that he was enjoying the tournament and happy to play in it:
“It’s certainly cut throat and there’s not room for many mistakes.
“Purists who want to see big breaks aren’t going to get that because the highest possible break is only 75 but if you had a six red event with all top players it would be intense.
“This is a bit of fun, although the competition is serious once you get out there.
“I’ve known the tournament director, Con O’Sullivan, for a long time and am friends with Ken Doherty so I was very happy to come out here and take part.
“It all takes me back to the start of my career at Pontin’s when you’d wait in the tournament office for your name to be called out and a table number.
“It’s a good event for the public because they don’t usually see top players in this environment, up so close.”
I’d echo that. There is something bizarre yet compelling about watching the likes of Hendry, John Higgins and Ken Doherty rubbing shoulders – sometimes literally – with amateurs from all over the world in the open plan, 13 table set up.
The tournament has also given players from all over the world the chance not just to meet their snooker heroes but also to play them.
Lucky Vatnani, from India, is one such player. He was very excited yesterday about the prospect of playing Hendry. In the event he almost beat him before letting slip a 3-1 lead and losing 4-3.
All of the pros have made it through to the knockout phase and I would expect one of them to win it.
Snooker devotees needn’t worry. Six reds isn’t going to replace the traditional game and neither is it going to harm it.
The players in general see this week as a chance to compete for a €10,000 first prize, come to a hospitable part of the world and wind down after the rigours of the UK Championship.
The atmosphere backstage is relaxed and players are socialising in ways they perhaps wouldn’t at a ranking event – last night’s poker evening was well attended.
And what of Alex Higgins? After two 4-0 defeats he beat James Stewart – for whom today was not such a wonderful life – 4-0 before producing a little bit of Hurricane magic to come back from 2-0 down to be 2-2 with main tour player David Hogan.
Higgins stroked in a terrific long pink and added the black in frame three before a good clearance gave him the fourth.
Sadly for his many fans – and he still has them – he was beaten 4-2.
Eurosport starts its live coverage tomorrow afternoon. Our own Mike Hallett may be playing as he’s made it through to the knockout stage.
15.12.09
EVANS WINS BATTLE OF THE SEXES
Reanne Evans pulled off an amazing victory over John Higgins in snooker’s battle of the sexes at the Six Reds World Championship, in association with 888sport.com, in Killarney tonight.
Evans, the reigning women’s world champion, made a superb 51 break to secure the decider and complete a dramatic 4-3 defeat of the current Crucible king.
A tired Higgins had lost a gripping UK Championship final to Ding Junhui just 48 hours earlier and failed to find his top form.
But Evans played well from the start and came close to winning 4-2 before Higgins scrambled the sixth frame on the pink.
He was in first in the decider but, with standing room only for a sizeable crowd at the INEC arena, broke down on just three and Evans killed off frame and match in a single visit.
“John wasn’t firing on all cylinders after the week he’s just had but you have to take advantage,” said West Midlander Evans.
“This is one of my best ever wins. John is world champion, provisional world no.1 and will always be remembered as one of snooker’s greatest players.
“I was pleased with how I finished it off. There were a lot of people watching but that helped me to play well rather than put me under pressure.”
Higgins won his opening match, 4-1 against James Corbett, and is still likely to qualify for the knockout phase.
Evans is almost certain to be through having already beaten Aaron Doran 4-1 before her clash with Higgins.
In another surprise result, 2008 Shanghai Masters champion Ricky Walden was beaten 4-3 by Irishman Declan Brennan.
Six reds snooker is played using the same rules as the established game but with nine fewer reds. It has been described as snooker’s version of Twenty/20 cricket.
The tournament runs until Friday. Entry is free for the first two days with tickets costing €10 on the final two days.
The 130 players from as far afield as Brazil, India and the United Arab Emirates have been split into 23 groups for the round robin stage, played over the first two days, with the knockout phase getting underway on Thursday.
The last two days are being broadcast live on Eurosport and the winner will pocket a cheque for €10,000.
Results and group draws available at: www.6redworldchampionships.com
Evans, the reigning women’s world champion, made a superb 51 break to secure the decider and complete a dramatic 4-3 defeat of the current Crucible king.
A tired Higgins had lost a gripping UK Championship final to Ding Junhui just 48 hours earlier and failed to find his top form.
But Evans played well from the start and came close to winning 4-2 before Higgins scrambled the sixth frame on the pink.
He was in first in the decider but, with standing room only for a sizeable crowd at the INEC arena, broke down on just three and Evans killed off frame and match in a single visit.
“John wasn’t firing on all cylinders after the week he’s just had but you have to take advantage,” said West Midlander Evans.
“This is one of my best ever wins. John is world champion, provisional world no.1 and will always be remembered as one of snooker’s greatest players.
“I was pleased with how I finished it off. There were a lot of people watching but that helped me to play well rather than put me under pressure.”
Higgins won his opening match, 4-1 against James Corbett, and is still likely to qualify for the knockout phase.
Evans is almost certain to be through having already beaten Aaron Doran 4-1 before her clash with Higgins.
In another surprise result, 2008 Shanghai Masters champion Ricky Walden was beaten 4-3 by Irishman Declan Brennan.
Six reds snooker is played using the same rules as the established game but with nine fewer reds. It has been described as snooker’s version of Twenty/20 cricket.
The tournament runs until Friday. Entry is free for the first two days with tickets costing €10 on the final two days.
The 130 players from as far afield as Brazil, India and the United Arab Emirates have been split into 23 groups for the round robin stage, played over the first two days, with the knockout phase getting underway on Thursday.
The last two days are being broadcast live on Eurosport and the winner will pocket a cheque for €10,000.
Results and group draws available at: www.6redworldchampionships.com
ON THE BUTTON
Last season's World Championship was the second most popular sporting event for users of the BBC red button service.
It attracted 3.96m viewers, more than any BBC event other than Wimbledon.
In October, the BBC axed one of its two Freeview channels available through the red button, limiting snooker viewers on this platform to only one table.
It attracted 3.96m viewers, more than any BBC event other than Wimbledon.
In October, the BBC axed one of its two Freeview channels available through the red button, limiting snooker viewers on this platform to only one table.
SIXED UP
So I'm in Killarney for the first ever Six Reds World Championship, sponsored by 888sport.com.
To declare an interest from the off: I was asked to be tournament press officer and am here in that capacity.
There will be 130 group matches today and the same number tomorrow before the knockout phase begins on Thursday with the final on Friday.
Eurosport will screen live coverage on Thursday from 3.15-7pm UK time and on Friday from 3-7pm.
John Higgins is here despite his exertions in Telford, as is Stephen Hendry.
However, there were withdrawals from Shaun Murphy, Peter Ebdon and Mark Allen.
Even so, the likes of Mark Williams, Ryan Day, Matthew Stevens and the one and only Alex Higgins are among the huge international field.
I will also be keeping an eye on the progress of my commentary colleague Mike Hallett.
I'll be posting updates from behind the scenes on twitter.
You can follow the results on the official website and from Janie Watkins on global-snooker.com.
Among the matches today are John Higgins v women's world champion Reanne Evans and Michael Holt v Alex Higgins.
To declare an interest from the off: I was asked to be tournament press officer and am here in that capacity.
There will be 130 group matches today and the same number tomorrow before the knockout phase begins on Thursday with the final on Friday.
Eurosport will screen live coverage on Thursday from 3.15-7pm UK time and on Friday from 3-7pm.
John Higgins is here despite his exertions in Telford, as is Stephen Hendry.
However, there were withdrawals from Shaun Murphy, Peter Ebdon and Mark Allen.
Even so, the likes of Mark Williams, Ryan Day, Matthew Stevens and the one and only Alex Higgins are among the huge international field.
I will also be keeping an eye on the progress of my commentary colleague Mike Hallett.
I'll be posting updates from behind the scenes on twitter.
You can follow the results on the official website and from Janie Watkins on global-snooker.com.
Among the matches today are John Higgins v women's world champion Reanne Evans and Michael Holt v Alex Higgins.
14.12.09
DING IN THE SWING
The emergence of China as a force in snooker was one of the most important developments of the decade about to end so it was perhaps apt that Ding Junhui won its last ranking event tonight.
His victory in the Pukka Pies UK Championship was hard fought. He beat four members of the world's top five in Telford, culminating in a dramatic 10-8 victory over John Higgins in the final.
Ding's fourth ranking title makes him the most successful player to come out of Asia.
Higgins missed a simple brown to lead 8-7 but it was through carelessness rather than pressure. Ironicially, he slipped up because he was playing for position on the blue to give him extra insurance. He took his eye off a seemingly unmissable brown and the match turned at this late stage.
Credit, though, to Ding for the way he held himself together at the end.
He is a fine young player who has now won ranking titles by beating then four greatest players in snooker history in finals: Stephen Hendry, Steve Davis, Ronnie O'Sullivan and now Higgins.
China remains important to snooker's future growth. It won't all rest on Ding's shoulders but he remains the standard bearer.
His victory capped a superb tournament that was well attended and marked out by some very exciting matches.
But what a shame that, yet again, it was a midnight finish. These used to be a novelty, now they are commonplace.
This is too late for kids, too late for those with work in the morning and too late for casual viewers - the very people snooker needs to attract.
Starting at 7pm would at least mean that, come 10.30pm, a casual viewer may stick with the match because there are only two or three frames to go rather than a more daunting five or six.
Not a word of how the match ended will appear in most editions of the morning newspapers.
And the peak viewing audience figure is almost certain to be around an hour before the end.
Let's hope Barry Hearn forces a rethink in future.
His victory in the Pukka Pies UK Championship was hard fought. He beat four members of the world's top five in Telford, culminating in a dramatic 10-8 victory over John Higgins in the final.
Ding's fourth ranking title makes him the most successful player to come out of Asia.
Higgins missed a simple brown to lead 8-7 but it was through carelessness rather than pressure. Ironicially, he slipped up because he was playing for position on the blue to give him extra insurance. He took his eye off a seemingly unmissable brown and the match turned at this late stage.
Credit, though, to Ding for the way he held himself together at the end.
He is a fine young player who has now won ranking titles by beating then four greatest players in snooker history in finals: Stephen Hendry, Steve Davis, Ronnie O'Sullivan and now Higgins.
China remains important to snooker's future growth. It won't all rest on Ding's shoulders but he remains the standard bearer.
His victory capped a superb tournament that was well attended and marked out by some very exciting matches.
But what a shame that, yet again, it was a midnight finish. These used to be a novelty, now they are commonplace.
This is too late for kids, too late for those with work in the morning and too late for casual viewers - the very people snooker needs to attract.
Starting at 7pm would at least mean that, come 10.30pm, a casual viewer may stick with the match because there are only two or three frames to go rather than a more daunting five or six.
Not a word of how the match ended will appear in most editions of the morning newspapers.
And the peak viewing audience figure is almost certain to be around an hour before the end.
Let's hope Barry Hearn forces a rethink in future.
13.12.09
ENTER THE DRAGON
While John Higgins and Ronnie O’Sullivan were locking horns last night in their extraordinary semi-final, Ding Junhui had his feet up in his hotel room and the ferociously talented Chinese potter enters today’s Pukka Pies UK Championship final refreshed and ready to land the title for a second time.
Ding, the 2005 UK champion, has reached the final off the back of three good wins over last year’s winner Shaun Murphy, Ali Carter and Stephen Maguire. He is appearing in a second successive ranking tournament final following his run in the Grand Prix two months ago and has been highly focused and highly effective throughout the week in Telford.
In the balls, he is as good a break builder as O’Sullivan and Higgins. He’s a heavy scorer with more than 150 centuries to his name after only six years on the circuit.
Ding seems to have rediscovered the self belief he lost off the back of demoralising defeats to O’Sullivan in the 2007 Masters final and in the first round of that year’s World Championship.
He has played Higgins nine times but only beaten him twice. Even so, the Scot still has to come down from the amazing drama of his semi-final.
Higgins led O’Sullivan 8-2 but lost six frames on the spin in what threatened to become the most disappointing result of his long and distinguished career.
In the end, he fell over the winning line in a nervy decider and he needs to somehow pick himself back up and concentrate on today’s best of 19 frames clash.
That is easier said than done, which is why Ding needs to hit him early and do some damage in the first session.
If he can get on top and carry a good lead into the evening it will be hard to see him losing.
Ding’s upturn in fortunes has been a long time coming. He has exhibited mental strength and played extremely well in high pressure situations just to get this far.
A second UK title is within his grasp if he keeps believing.
Ding, the 2005 UK champion, has reached the final off the back of three good wins over last year’s winner Shaun Murphy, Ali Carter and Stephen Maguire. He is appearing in a second successive ranking tournament final following his run in the Grand Prix two months ago and has been highly focused and highly effective throughout the week in Telford.
In the balls, he is as good a break builder as O’Sullivan and Higgins. He’s a heavy scorer with more than 150 centuries to his name after only six years on the circuit.
Ding seems to have rediscovered the self belief he lost off the back of demoralising defeats to O’Sullivan in the 2007 Masters final and in the first round of that year’s World Championship.
He has played Higgins nine times but only beaten him twice. Even so, the Scot still has to come down from the amazing drama of his semi-final.
Higgins led O’Sullivan 8-2 but lost six frames on the spin in what threatened to become the most disappointing result of his long and distinguished career.
In the end, he fell over the winning line in a nervy decider and he needs to somehow pick himself back up and concentrate on today’s best of 19 frames clash.
That is easier said than done, which is why Ding needs to hit him early and do some damage in the first session.
If he can get on top and carry a good lead into the evening it will be hard to see him losing.
Ding’s upturn in fortunes has been a long time coming. He has exhibited mental strength and played extremely well in high pressure situations just to get this far.
A second UK title is within his grasp if he keeps believing.
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