Snooker

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Ronnie was far more civil and positive in the post match interview than usual, partly because of who his opponent was and the respect he had for him. Usually he's more blasé and pessimistic, and he was outright scathing and brutal to Carter last week, which as we know was simply the appetiser for what was to come in their war of words.

As usual, I get caught up in the moment. It's just when I've seen Selby recently, he hasn't looked great. Then I somehow forget that things can change quickly if he can make his way through a draw while not being at his best.

I always think back to Ronnie years ago when he would talk about the Sampras retirement for a while. How there was no better way to go out. haha Yeah, typical Ronnie, talking about retirement back in 2002. Winning the triple crown, is there a better way to finish off than that? Not to tempt fate or anything.

Want Ronnie out there when he is 60.

Health willing, even at 60 I reckon Ronnie could win a ranker.

 

[K-H]

Did Ronnie really just say Judd is the favourite for the worlds

I wouldn’t be surprised if Judd took offence to that lol.
Ronnie. World no 1. Just won the UKs and masters back to back. And now just defeated trump in the final and he’s saying Trump is the favourite. Bit of a joke to say if you ask me. I cracked up when I heard that.
Anything to take the pressure off I guess…

 

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Needed to add "at least alongside myself" to that at bare minimum.

 

[Gizo]

I was surprised to see Ronnie even entering another tournament directly after the Masters (I only follow snooker casually nowadays though - maybe he does it more often than I think).

Him winning a record breaking 8th world championship title in the modern era in few months’ time, and winning each of the triple crown events in the same season in the process, would be very fitting. I hope he pulls it off.

I was worried in the past about the tedious Selby potentially getting the record himself !

 

[K-H]

I was surprised to see Ronnie even entering another tournament directly after the Masters (I only follow snooker casually nowadays though - maybe he does it more often than I think).

Him winning a record breaking 8th world championship title in the modern era in few months’ time, and winning each of the triple crown events in the same season in the process, would be very fitting. I hope he pulls it off.

I was worried in the past about the tedious Selby potentially getting the record himself !

I wouldn’t count Selby out just yet. I honestly think he can push for that 5th world title. He just got to the final last year again.

This long format at the crucible I’d say favours him more than any other player. He can really bring a players game down and wear them out.

 

[Gizo]

I wouldn’t count Selby out just yet. I honestly think he can push for that 5th world title. He just got to the final last year again.

This long format at the crucible I’d say favours him more than any other player. He can really bring a players game down and wear them out.

I'm definitely not writing him off from winning a 5th World Championship title, but I thought at one stage that he could potentially get to 7 titles at the Crucible (or even 8) before Ronnie. Selby himself said that he thought that the 2014 World Championship final result. would stop Ronnie from breaking Hendry's record.

He never cannot be written off at the Crucible and over 3-4 session matches. I think his style of play, requiring such relentless focus and concentration, isn't as conducive as Ronnie's in terms of maintaining tremendous longevity. And I think his previously formidable record in finals and big matches could decline as he feels the pressure more as he gets older), but we'll see.

 

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Selby has lost a step, I doubt either of them will get close to Ronnie. Relatively speaking.

Can you name the players (Player 1, 2, etc as listed on the right side) by this general measure of breakbuilding/scoring ability?

 

[Poisoned Slice]

Can you name the players (Player 1, 2, etc as listed on the right side) by this general measure of breakbuilding/scoring ability?

I am not smart enough for this task. I've been staring at it and thinking Jack Lisowski is player 7. ''I doubt he would have been a top fifty player twenty years ago.''

 

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I am not smart enough for this task. I've been staring at it and thinking Jack Lisowski is player 7. ''I doubt he would have been a top fifty player twenty years ago.''

I'd still like to see a guess before you peek at the answers, but answers for you in the spoiler if you can't resist.

Spoiler: Answers...

Player 1: O'Sullivan (aka best breakbuilder of all-time-and-space)
Player 2: Trump
Player 3: Robertson
Player 4: Ding
Player 5: Higgins
Player 6: Hendry
Player 7: S.Davis (Lisowski is a much more consistent scorer than Davis was... similar to Higgins/Hendry but with less seasons at that standard so far. You can take most of the usual suspects in snooker these days and they're just hammering the scoring with regular 40%+ strike rates. Even compared to 10 years ago, the standard has risen significantly. On top of that, the safety play down the ranks has gone up leaps and bounds according to Stephen Hendry in returning to the tour.)

 

[Poisoned Slice]

I'd still like to see a guess before you peek at the answers, but answers for you in the spoiler if you can't resist.

Spoiler: Answers...

Player 1: O'Sullivan (aka best breakbuilder of all-time-and-space)
Player 2: Trump
Player 3: Robertson
Player 4: Ding
Player 5: Higgins
Player 6: Hendry
Player 7: S.Davis (Lisowski is a much more consistent scorer than Davis was... similar to Higgins/Hendry but with less seasons at that standard so far. You can take most of the usual suspects in snooker these days and they're just hammering the scoring with regular 40%+ strike rates. Even compared to 10 years ago, the standard has risen significantly. On top of that, the safety play down the ranks has gone up leaps and bounds according to Stephen Hendry in returning to the tour.)

Sorry, only noticed this now. True story, I did predict number 1 and 2 correctly. They just felt right. Everything else, I wasn't close.

 

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Judd Trump just can't stop winning and is now in the final of the German Masters. He'll play Si Jiahui, who smashed Kyren Wilson up in his SF... very exciting prospect from China, the one who was smashing Brecel to pieces in the WSC SF last year before he froze and Brecel made that incredible comeback.

 

[K-H]

They normally exaggerate with their titles. But this isn’t too far off. Extremely difficult clearance…

 

[Poisoned Slice]

The photo to go along with the Ronnie article was vintage. Yeah, Ronnie whitewashed 0-6 vs Selby in the players championship quarter-final.

 

[K-H]

The photo to go along with the Ronnie article was vintage. Yeah, Ronnie whitewashed 0-6 vs Selby in the players championship quarter-final.

Whitewash never good. Especially when you get it from Selby

 

[Poisoned Slice]

Speaking of Selby, maybe he is trying the talking crap tactic, Ronnie has mastered. The Jester said yesterday that it could be time to call it a day if he plays that way again. Also, we've had John Higgins saying he (himself) has lost his edge.

World championship starting soon. Woot.

 

[Poisoned Slice]

Next Saturday, ladies and gentlemen.

Will 8 by the magic number?

I can't really remember much from last year, it all feels like a blur. That historic collapse and then Brecel going on to win the whole thing. He did take out Ronnie as well. And Selby.

Snooker saved. haha

I just hope Ronnie is in there at later stages. No first or second round exits please. Or quarters or semis, if you would be so kind. Yes, it's all about Ronnie.

A quite historic season already. Let's play snooker!

 

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As you would have expected, Saudi Arabia is becoming a player in the world of snooker.

Ronnie, the new Saudi Arabian snooker ambassador, is all, ''it would be more convenient than Sheffield.'' Never change. Shot, Ron. Get innnnnnn.

 

[K-H]

As you would have expected, Saudi Arabia is becoming a player in the world of snooker.

Ronnie, the new Saudi Arabian snooker ambassador, is all, ''it would be more convenient than Sheffield.'' Never change. Shot, Ron. Get innnnnnn.

Saudi are really taking over sport big time. And no one can really compete with them money wise. And I don’t mind it one bit…

 

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Brecel vs Gilbert suddenly got good. Gilbert in that no miss phase, but he's got back in again and the chance to make it 9-9 against the defending champion.

 

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Yep, decider it is. Brecel was leading 9-4 at one stage. How much will he regret that ''easy enough'' green miss in the previous frame? Let us find out.

 

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The crucible curse strikes once more. Gilbert has defeated Brecel 10-9.

 

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Wow, Mark Selby is in huge trouble, trailing 2-7 vs Joe O'Connor.

 

[Poisoned Slice]

I'm suited up, ladies and gentlemen.

Come on, Ronnie!!!!!

 

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This might be controversial but I'll just say it. I hope Mark Selby gets back into this and wins the match. Sorry, but I just don't like a tournament full of unknown Tom's, D1ck's and Harry's.

Not happening though. O'Connor on the verge of a 9-5 lead.

 

[alexio]

evergreen mark j williams is in the lead 3-2..

 

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The Jester hanging in there. Back to 6-9. Come on, Mark!

 

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Awk well, the jester has been eliminated. Joe O'Connor wins 10-6.

 

[alexio]

incredible

 

[Poisoned Slice]

incredible

Yeah, first time since 2018 that he's been knocked out in round 1. I was just feeling bad for him again when I heard him talking about his late Dad.

''We're only three days in and already the first, fifth, ninth, 11th and now 10th seeds are out already.''

 

[Poisoned Slice]

Forgot to list the names. haha

1st - Brecel
5th - Selby
9th - Carter
10th - Gary Wilson
11th - Anda

 

[Poisoned Slice]

Mark Williams joins the eliminated crew. 9-10 vs Si Jiahui.

 

[RS]

Forgot to list the names. haha

1st - Brecel
5th - Selby
9th - Carter
10th - Gary Wilson
11th - Anda

Were does Snooker rank among your favorites sports? I am guessing 3rd.

 

[Poisoned Slice]

Were does Snooker rank among your favorites sports? I am guessing 3rd.

I'd still have football, boxing and tennis ahead of it. Last night, the NBA action was also a jolly good experience, even though the Lakers lost. Just so dramatic, both matches. It's a different experience with how it can go right down to the final second.

I'm mainly in snooker for Ronnie. Always watched the world championship or whatever, but never fully zoned in if Ronnie isn't playing. Yes, I am a dedicated Ronnie fanboy.

Overall, I'd probably have it fourth.

 

[K-H]

Looks like I’m late to the party. The thread is live and kicking…

 

[Poisoned Slice]

Looks like I’m late to the party. The thread is live and kicking…

Welcome.

After my claims about only concentrating on Ronnie, I couldn't even watch the action today. Was happy when I found out the score.

 

[RS]

I'd still have football, boxing and tennis ahead of it. Last night, the NBA action was also a jolly good experience, even though the Lakers lost. Just so dramatic, both matches. It's a different experience with how it can go right down to the final second.

I'm mainly in snooker for Ronnie. Always watched the world championship or whatever, but never fully zoned in if Ronnie isn't playing. Yes, I am a dedicated Ronnie fanboy.

Overall, I'd probably have it fourth.

I would have guessed 3rd or 4th.

 

[K-H]

Welcome.

After my claims about only concentrating on Ronnie, I couldn't even watch the action today. Was happy when I found out the score.

I was working. But let’s just say, the second screen came to use today

 

[Poisoned Slice]

I ended up watching the highlights.

Mr. Hendry on commentary, loving it.

''Ominous signs already with some of those facial expressions from Ronnie.'' This was while it was 0-0, he just knew what was coming.

 

[Poisoned Slice]

The quarter-final might actually be a test. Bingham did knock out the rocket in the quarter-final back in 2015, the same year he won it all.

Gilbert vs Maguire
Trump vs Jones
Kyren Wilson vs Higgins
O'Sullivan vs Bingham.

 

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I've got the Trump vs Jones match on. Real nice clear-up for Jones to level 1-1.

 

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Gilbert off to a flier. Leading Maguire 7-1 at the end of the first session.

Jones is leading Trump 4-3, a bit of a nail biter, this 8th frame. The world wonders how Trump will get this pink safe. Let us find out.

 

[Poisoned Slice]

Where all the snooker fans at?

Sorry for abandoning the Ronnie avatar, but I just couldn't resist hamming it up a bit with ol Darvin.

Meanwhile, Trump finishes off the frame with a double. He needed a snooker earlier on as well. The session ends 4-4.

 

[Poisoned Slice]

Rough start for the rocket. Missed a dastardly black off the spot in frame one. A bit of a scrappy frame 2, Bingham prevails. 2-0.

 

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Both players making a lot of errors, but Bingham's with the more expensive variety.

Stephen Hendry talking about the sessions a lot, as he always does, but yeah, Bingham really did miss a beat because he could've been 3-0, but it ended 2-1, then he could have been 4-1, but it was 3-2. Now he's 3-4, just started the final frame of the session.

It’s just about the way it started, you have to take those chances.

 

[Poisoned Slice]

Our country rump in big trouble here. 8-12 vs Jones. No way back. Trump hasn't been at it, so slow around the table, relatively speaking, what's slow for him might not be slow for others. Just not looking good at all.

Fair play to Jones though. Just finished it off with a century.

Still mind blown when I see Robertson doing the punditry. Not that he's bad it's just, I keep thinking back to a few years ago, he was the scariest player on tour for maybe a year or so. Strange not to have him in there.

Come on, Ronnie.

OK, speaking as the hopeful fan. For how the matches are set now, Ronnie vs Higgins would have been the final I'd like, but it would be a long way back for Higgins again, 4-9 vs Wilson. Not looking good. Get some new lines. Yeah, I'm tired.

Gilbert is leading Maguire 10-6 in the remaining quarter-final.

 

[alexio]

i'd like to see gilbert ronnie finale tbh

 

[Gizo]

I'm behind the times here, but I was very happy to see Selby losing in the 1st round. I didn't want him to come close to glory at the Crucible, so him failing to clear the first hurdle was great.

Mark Williams was probably my favourite player in modern times, so I was sad for him though. His back to back fight backs to beat Higgins and then Stevens in 2000, were amazing

 

[Poisoned Slice]

Bingham worries me.

Higgins gets it back to 7-9. Ohhhh. Could be a tasty session later.

 

[alexio]

ronnie walkin around behind the scenes and thinkin about sth, guys are ready to show up..