Topic: The Snooker thread

[paulrazor]

Ronnie has threatened to quit about 10 times

His mental health issues are well known

[fridgepants]

Yeah, I know, which was what had me wondering whether he was still getting something out of it if his mental health is not in great shape.

[Dazzer23]

His mental health issues are well known

True, and for that he has my sympathy.

But this just smacks of greed and ego.

I've found him increasingly difficult to take to. I started reading his autobiography recently in an attempt to do just that. But, it went in the bin before I was half way through. 

[paulrazor]

Could be anything really, the hours of practice probably do your head in later in your career too, I know John Parrott felt like that too

[Schmarn]

I've long wondered why he carries on playing when it clearly isn't doing anything for him personally at this stage - surely he's in a position where he could retire without financial worries unless his accountant has really dicked him about? But then a friend said that he thought that it was the worry of what to do instead that drives him. Kind of like how Gazza ended up addicted to exercise, Red Bull and god knows what else once he kicked the drinking - there's a void that needs filling with something.

I think that's exactly it. He took a whole year off after winning in 2012, worked on a pig farm among other things and he realised he needed the game. Didn't play a match before defending his title in 2013 and winning that as well.  He's tried his hand at other stuff too such as healthy cooking, writing etc but I suspect he misses the buzz.

[Roady]

Properly enjoyed that first session of the semi finals.hope it continues in that manner been a great watch.

[Robinred]

Really enjoying some “old fashioned” snooker. In no small part due to the tightness of the pockets and the comparative heaviness of the cloth.

Jones certainly plays in a ‘valleys’ style, (only those who’ve suffered being on the end of that might appreciate what I mean; it's basically, grind the f***ers into the dust, and give ‘em nothing).

[Statto Red]

Really enjoying some “old fashioned” snooker. In no small part due to the tightness of the pockets and the comparative heaviness of the cloth.

Jones certainly plays in a ‘valleys’ style, (only those who’ve suffered being on the end of that might appreciate what I mean; it's basically, grind the f***ers into the dust, and give ‘em nothing).

Yeah, Terry Griffiths was notable for that style of play,  the final session from one of his matches vs Cliff Thorburn [who had the same style of play] finished around 4am at The Crucible, it was that same match were Thorburn made the first 147 break at The Crucible too.

[WhereAngelsPlay]

Ronnie has threatened to quit about 10 times

His mental health issues are well known

Yeah but he now has that blood money.

[voodoo ray]

I guess that makes it 4-all all.

[Roady]

Two great sessions of snooker.

[Wabaloolah]

Yeah but he now has that blood money.

yeah his prickishness has shown through big time with his desire to take the World Championship to Saudi, his latest comment today about growing the game in the Middle East, sums him up for me

[Wabaloolah]

when was the last time the final was between two players who never won it?

Murphy and Matthew Stevens in 2005?


Trying to think when the last final was between two first time finalists too? Possibly Steve Davis and Doug Mountjoy in 1981?

think that's both correct

[kaesarsosei]

Have to say I've taken a liking to Jones. I thought he had something when he came through the Si match, and when he threw away an easy frame to go 5-3 up on Trump and instead went away at 4-4 I was sure he would cave. Again in this semi at 3-0 down I thought he was in trouble but he keeps grinding away and nothing seems to faze him.

I think it was someone in this thread who also said he looks like an evening guest at a wedding which makes me chuckle too.

[Keith Lard]

Bingham looking great in the afternoon session. Playing well too 😂

[Robinred]

Absorbing snooker; as I previously posted, it’s a bit of a throwback, because of the conditions (difficult pockets and heavy cloth).

It’s not huge break flash bang wallop - which can be entertaining in its own way, but I’m enjoying it.

[Eeyore]

Absorbing snooker; as I previously posted, it’s a bit of a throwback, because of the conditions (difficult pockets and heavy cloth).

It’s not huge break flash bang wallop - which can be entertaining in its own way, but I’m enjoying it.

The worry is going to be what they have left for the final.

[voodoo ray]

Bingham looking great in the afternoon session. Playing well too 😂

I think you cursed him or something. and in general I think it's a bit too scrappy for me.


there have been some good spectators in recent days. there was sleepy man, disgusted looking man and this afternoon a bloke who looked like bill oddie.

[Keith Lard]

I think you cursed him or something. and in general I think it's a bit too scrappy for me.


there have been some good spectators in recent days. there was sleepy man, disgusted looking man and this afternoon a bloke who looked like bill oddie.

Haha yep as soon as I posted that, he started looking miserable and playing like shit

[voodoo ray]

well there you go. if anyone doesn't like jones you can blame darren morgan.

[paulrazor]

yeah his prickishness has shown through big time with his desire to take the World Championship to Saudi, his latest comment today about growing the game in the Middle East, sums him up for me

Yeah but he now has that blood money.

my comments were about his mind and his play but I don't agree with anything Saudi

And I've never met him but he doesn't strike me as a nice bloke.

think that's both correct

I love stats

Anyway. Bingham and Jones was very scrappy and messy. Jones gave away 49 points of fouls in one frame

Just flicked on for tonight

Was there this time last week

[Robinred]

Wilson is making fewer key errors than Gilbert, and moreover, the balls are being much kinder to him, which happens a lot once a player starts getting up a head of steam. It’s uncanny, but very recognisable. 12-9.

[voodoo ray]

Ballrun wilson at the moment.

[Schmarn]

Quality has been piss poor. There’s a few seeds kicking themselves for getting knocked out.

[paulrazor]

Dunno whether players are getting tired now. Bingham and Jones got very sloppy.

Gilbert was all over the place tonight. Wilson didn't make as many errors. Though Gilbert's century in the last frame was fantastic

[kaesarsosei]

Quality has been piss poor. There’s a few seeds kicking themselves for getting knocked out.

Are they kicking themselves though? At no point in the tournament has anyone looked like grabbing it by the scruff of the neck and none of the big names deserved to be in these semis. I would say the closest we have seen to that is Wilson, including last night.

Crucial final frame for Gilbert last night, gives him a glimmer at 10-14. 9-15 and it was all over. If he can win the first frame this afternoon the match is back in the balance.

[CHOPPER]

Can anyone explain to me what the numbers are underneath the table at the reds end? You see it every now and again when the camera angle is low. It’s usually masked by the score banner.

[voodoo ray]

Can anyone explain to me what the numbers are underneath the table at the reds end? You see it every now and again when the camera angle is low. It’s usually masked by the score banner.

they're dennis taylor's 'measurements' apparently

[CHOPPER]

😂

[Statto Red]

Can anyone explain to me what the numbers are underneath the table at the reds end? You see it every now and again when the camera angle is low. It’s usually masked by the score banner.

I’m sure when you’re watching any televised snooker match you see a small display at the foot of the table with a number; typically either 45 or 50 (mostly the latter). This pretty much refers to the temperature at which the table is heated, kind of. Most of you already knew this; but this is for the uneducated (and also the bored).

The basis for heating a snooker table is simply to reduce the amount of friction on the table. If a snooker table wasn’t heated and was left to survive on its own throughout the course of a tournament then it would inevitably become too cold and damp to play on. It would also cause quite an uneven surface. Now, I don’t need to tell you why that is a bad idea. Actually, I might. On a 12ft+ table, long shots would be an absolute nightmare.

Keeping a table warm and dry helps with the ‘run of the ball’ by providing quick play as well as consistency. Left without under-table heaters, the table would have to adjust to the changing temperatures of the surrounding environment which would cause minor (but noticeable) contractions in the cloth that snooker is played on. That’s pretty much it.

This leads to what choice of temperature should be chosen for the heaters. Most of you (including myself) would probably think that 50 degrees would be far too hot to play on. However, because the slates that snooker tables are primarily made from are so thick, it is only approximately 20 or so degrees when the heat actually reaches to the top of the table.

Fun fact: a lot of local clubs that don’t have table heaters tend to just iron their tables in order to keep them running smooth.

https://www.snookershorts.com/shorts/why-are-snooker-tables-heated

[paulrazor]

Nice

[Robinred]

Nice

As was Dennis Taylor gently chiding Murphy for his poor arithmetic.

[voodoo ray]

bing's blowing it. he's also not living up to his nickname either.

[CHOPPER]

Cheers Statto

[voodoo ray]

A player gets in, misses a pretty simple shot they should always make, leaves Jones in and he wins the frame.

Stop me if you've heard that one before. Love bing but he's doing my head in now.

[Armchair expert]

Jesus the final might not start on Sunday if Bingham and Jones carry on like this…

One good thing a Jones v Gilbert final might put the Saudi’s off from wanting the World Championship

[TheShanklyGates]

This is ridiculous from Bingham.

[Armchair expert]

This is ridiculous from Bingham.

Is he getting Jones back from yesterday when he needed like 10 snookers (ok I’m exaggerating) in a frame, either way it’s fucking grim

[voodoo ray]

The funniest thing about this is how much it seems to wind up murphy

[TheShanklyGates]

Fitting way for that shitshow to end