2008 Premier League Snooker Discussion Thread

[bongo]

Matchroom Sport Presents: 2008 PartyPoker.com Premier League Snooker

I do not think that somebody else has started a thread like this for the 2008 PartyPoker.com Premer League so I will start it here, it can be the discussion thread for the tournament that starts on September 11th.

Details:

Players: Ding Jun Hui (China), Joe Perry (England), John Higgins (Scotland), Ronnie O'Sullivan (England), Mark Selby (England), Stephen Hendry (Scotland) and Steve Davis (England).

Prize Money: Winner: £50,000. Runner-Up: £25,000. Beaten Semi-Finalists: £12,500 each.

All matches 6 frames, 2 points for a win and one for a draw, obviously zero points available in a match to a player who loses. Semi final best of 11, and final best of 13 frames.

Last Year Winner: Ronnie O'Sullivan.

The tournament will be on Sky Sports.

Venues: All 7:30pm start except Kidderminster.

September:

11th- Grimsby Auditorium. Selby v Jun Hui, O'Sullivan v Higgins.
18th- The Anvil, Basingstoke. Higgins v Jun Hui, O'Sullivan v Perry.
25th- The Assembly Rooms, Derby. Perry v Davis, Selby v Hendry.

October:

9th- Malvern Theatre, Great Malvern. O'Sullivan v Jun Hui, Selby v Davis.
23rd- Plymouth Pavilions (GO PLYMOUTH!!). Hendry v Perry, O'Sullivan v Davis.
30th- English Institute of Sport, Sheffield. Hendry v Higgins, O'Sullivan v Selby.

November:

6th- Newport Centre. Perry v Jun Hui, Davis v Hendry.
13th- Dolphin Leisure Centre, Haywards Heath. Davis v Jun Hui, Selby v Higgins.
20th- Sands Centre, Carlisle. Higgins v Perry, O'Sullivan v Hendry.
27th- The Glades Arena, Kidderminster. 6:00pm start. Selby v Perry, Hendry v Jun Hui. Davis v Higgins.

December:

6th- Semi-finals. Potters Leisure Resort, Hopton on Sea.
7th- Final. Potters Leisure Resort, Hopton on Sea.

I hope this is going to be a good thread as it is a popular tournament.

I can't wait!

[In-off]

It's not a bad line up this year although I'm not sure Davis should be in it any more

The second and third ranked players in the world aren't in it which takes away a bit of credibility, but there is always a good atmosphere at the PL and it's a bit different to the normal tournaments

Hard to see how Ronnie, Higgins and Ding won't reach the semis and I'd expect Selby to go well also

[bongo]

There is no Jimmy White either this year...

[Valderie]

Thanks for that Bongo - I must admit I had to google Hopton on Sea, never heard of it! It's a long way to Norfolk but I suppose it's only fair that the games are spread around the country - just wish it was back in Manchester!

[ljw112]

Think its pretty poor that the moneys so low when compared to Darts. Barry Hearn come back, all is forgiven, snooker needs you!!

[bongo]

Think its pretty poor that the moneys so low when compared to Darts. Barry Hearn come back, all is forgiven, snooker needs you!!

£1,000 a frame isn't bad! And Barry Hearn is part of Matchroom Sport, the chairman or similar in fact, and Matchroom Sport are organising the event...

I agree with you about money on the main tour though, it could be more, but beggars can't be choosers!

[ljw112]

Amazing though how things just turn round, darts has come out of nowhere in the last few years and left snooker in the shade in terms of prize money on offer.

[Cossie]

Can`t understand why there`s nothing in the Manchester area, snooker has a big following and great venues. Especially since the UK was moved from Preston to Aberdeen.

[João]

I think it's a cool idea to keep people in touch with Davis. Afterall he's a legend and the crowd still loves him (as we could see on the last world champs against Bingham, for the first time I saw people cheering for him?) and this could well be one of the last chances of seeing him in televisioned stages.

[rich45]

Joe Perry?

Does anybody know a link where tonight's matches will be shown? I haven't got Sky unfortunately...

Thanks...

[In-off]

According to this http://www.snookerscene.blogspot.com/ it's on Betfair

[The Boss]

Coverage

Where can we watch the matches online? :snooker:

[In-off]

It's on Betfair!

[rich45]

It's on Betfair!

Anyone know if we can watch it online tonight?

[eric1234]

Betfair won't let US residents register
Any other links you guys might have will be greatly appreciated!!