2024 Masters

[vmax]

Best thing about it for me was Carter didn't beat himself on this occasion. He certainly had cause to be fed up with some of the run especially the missed green that nearly fluked to the yellow pocket but got complete snookered cover from the brown, that would leave most feeling the gods were against them, but he knuckled down and persevered so 👏👏

If he hadn't have missed that easy red then it wouldn't have happened at all, then again he missed it thick, nearly all the easy misses have been missed thick the only exception was that easy pink from Judd, and that was purely down to his cue action as he didn't move on the shot as normal so the cue wasn't brought onto line on the delivery stroke.
He's prone to that when the pressure's on unlike most who tend to twitch, he tightens up so he doesn't which is fatal to him with his offset address.

Last night's match was a turgid affair wasn't it, lit up by an out of the blue 147 and then back to turgid again. This mental toughness bollocks that's spouted annoys me, taking ages over an obvious shot is simply gamesmanship.

[Cue crafty]

If he hadn't have missed that easy red then it wouldn't have happened at all, then again he missed it thick, nearly all the easy misses have been missed thick the only exception was that easy pink from Judd, and that was purely down to his cue action as he didn't move on the shot as normal so the cue wasn't brought onto line on the delivery stroke.
He's prone to that when the pressure's on unlike most who tend to twitch, he tightens up so he doesn't which is fatal to him with his offset address.

Last night's match was a turgid affair wasn't it, lit up by an out of the blue 147 and then back to turgid again. This mental toughness bollocks that's spouted annoys me, taking ages over an obvious shot is simply gamesmanship.

I thought Judd missed the cut back red (the Davis black as they were calling it) thin? If that's the one you're referring too V? Anyway yes, I watched a couple more frames after the highlight of Allen's great 147, then got bored and left it.

[DeanH]

I wish WST would not use that "whistling" sound-track!


anyway, here we go

[Nifty50]

Is the Ronnie safety not more of an S as opposed to a figure of eight? Just being pedantic lol.

[Nifty50]

Well done Carter. Should be good final. Little bit of needle.

[cueman]

I hope for a contest but for too long now, players have simply been beaten before they've broken off against O'Sullivan.

It happened throughout the UK championship where nobody played well against him, and so far here again at the Masters. Worse of all, he's there for the taking, but a combination of poor performances and lack of bottle has meant O'Sullivan has had the easiest of runs in history in the first two triple crown events of the season.

In fact, I'd go to say he's not only going to win an 8th Masters, you may as well give him an 8th WC too because frankly, the rest of the tour are **** scared of him. I've never been more disillusioned with the lack of competitiveness in the tour than what we've seen this last 18 months. It's pathetic and players really do need to up their game, a 48 year old still dominating is frankly embarrassing for those who should be in their peak and doing everything to dethrone Ronnie. Yet nobody wants it!

[vmax]

I thought Judd missed the cut back red (the Davis black as they were calling it) thin? If that's the one you're referring too V? Anyway yes, I watched a couple more frames after the highlight of Allen's great 147, then got bored and left it.

The frame ball red over the pocket that Carter missed which eventually led to the lucky green brown snooker you referred to was the one missed thick. Judd missed an easy pink thin in the next frame but practically all easy shots missed were missed thick. I know I sound like Quasimodo sometimes, 'the balls, the balls' and the players don't recognise this and are at odds with their cue actions when it happens and make adjustments that aren't needed so don't work.
Ronnie missed an easy green into the middle and no one said the green left the table on contact with the cue ball when it clearly did, it was the usual of 'Ronnie throws in a quick one now and again' when the reality is that he plays fast anyway and that doesn't stop all the ones he pots from going in.

I was watching Bangers & Cash and flipped over to check the score and was lucky enough to catch Allen's 147 and then flipped it back to Bangers & Cash again which lasted an hour, flipped it back to the snooker and only one frame had passed so gave up on it.
I don't mind bouts of safety but there's no need to take a minute between basic safety shots, they aren't thinking that slowly, they know all the shots and have been left in those situations hundreds of times before, as for the break off shot, I always hit the second red from the end of the pack and never bring the end red over the middle pocket and if they're too worried about doing that then why not the simple break with no side that only goes off the top and side cushions, there's no law that states one has to play the figure of eight break off.

[Cue crafty]

The frame ball red over the pocket that Carter missed which eventually led to the lucky green brown snooker you referred to was the one missed thick. Judd missed an easy pink thin in the next frame but practically all easy shots missed were missed thick. I know I sound like Quasimodo sometimes, 'the balls, the balls' and the players don't recognise this and are at odds with their cue actions when it happens and make adjustments that aren't needed so don't work.
Ronnie missed an easy green into the middle and no one said the green left the table on contact with the cue ball when it clearly did, it was the usual of 'Ronnie throws in a quick one now and again' when the reality is that he plays fast anyway and that doesn't stop all the ones he pots from going in.

I was watching Bangers & Cash and flipped over to check the score and was lucky enough to catch Allen's 147 and then flipped it back to Bangers & Cash again which lasted an hour, flipped it back to the snooker and only one frame had passed so gave up on it.
I don't mind bouts of safety but there's no need to take a minute between basic safety shots, they aren't thinking that slowly, they know all the shots and have been left in those situations hundreds of times before, as for the break off shot, I always hit the second red from the end of the pack and never bring the end red over the middle pocket and if they're too worried about doing that then why not the simple break with no side that only goes off the top and side cushions, there's no law that states one has to play the figure of eight break off.

AHH ok, that one. Yes I've noted the misses thick too and read your opinion in another post re the balls (TC) causing this where SC didn't generally have a problem. I have noticed in my own game more angled pots missed thick especially over distance and have resorted to using more helping side to counter it. Feels like a bit of a lottery sometimes though.

Re Mark Allen, I've definitely noticed an intention to play slower, agree with Neil foulds though that it isn't helping him with fluency. I even noticed how when play was paused due to someone being taken ill, he eat his piece of fruit in a way that looked like he was trying to say.... " I don't care if I'm here all night, take as long as you like"!!

Gotta say that I loved what Ronnie had to say after his win over Murphy yesterday about the younger players being slow lol made me giggle. Link below for anyone who missed it.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/av/snooker/67971203

[vmax]

AHH ok, that one. Yes I've noted the misses thick too and read your opinion in another post re the balls (TC) causing this where SC didn't generally have a problem. I have noticed in my own game more angled pots missed thick especially over distance and have resorted to using more helping side to counter it. Feels like a bit of a lottery sometimes though.

Once you realise that this is a real phenomenon and it's not your fault you can accept it but I suspect that the pros and pundits have something in the small print of their World Snooker contract that doesn't allow criticism of the equipment. The younger players probably have no idea but the old pros who started out with SC balls know about it but remain silent on the issue, notice how they all clam up when the pockets are noticeably too easy and jump to the tables' defence whenever one that obviously shouldn't drop anyway stays out.

[vmax]

I hope for a contest but for too long now, players have simply been beaten before they've broken off against O'Sullivan.

It happened throughout the UK championship where nobody played well against him, and so far here again at the Masters. Worse of all, he's there for the taking, but a combination of poor performances and lack of bottle has meant O'Sullivan has had the easiest of runs in history in the first two triple crown events of the season.

In fact, I'd go to say he's not only going to win an 8th Masters, you may as well give him an 8th WC too because frankly, the rest of the tour are **** scared of him. I've never been more disillusioned with the lack of competitiveness in the tour than what we've seen this last 18 months. It's pathetic and players really do need to up their game, a 48 year old still dominating is frankly embarrassing for those who should be in their peak and doing everything to dethrone Ronnie. Yet nobody wants it!

Yes they are afraid of him but it's his attitude that scares them as they can see he's of the frame of mind that his best is behind him and he's now in practise mode and not feeling any pressure, heard Lisowski say as much when in the studio yesterday and he's someone who needs some help in that respect as he clearly sways from great to bad once he gets further into a tournament.

He's beaten everyone, set all the records and Ronnie is now taking on the game in tournaments like he does in practise and the others know he doesn't fear anyone or any situation as he's not afraid to lose.

[theplough]

Once you realise that this is a real phenomenon and it's not your fault you can accept it but I suspect that the pros and pundits have something in the small print of their World Snooker contract that doesn't allow criticism of the equipment. The younger players probably have no idea but the old pros who started out with SC balls know about it but remain silent on the issue, notice how they all clam up when the pockets are noticeably too easy and jump to the tables' defence whenever one that obviously shouldn't drop anyway stays out.

Vmax, Can you explain a bit why TC balls cut thickly please? I`ve recently got a decent set of SC that I`m really looking forward to trying, thanks.

[DeanH]

CRAP - Virgo just said those awful words!!!!
on silent now

come on Eurosport - please leave the tennis ASAP!!!!!

[terrytibbs]

What is Ronnie playing at here with these shots he's attempting? Either he wants to win the match or not. If he does, he can't win it playing such a high risk strategy like this against an opponent in the form Ali is in.

[Cue crafty]

Once you realise that this is a real phenomenon and it's not your fault you can accept it but I suspect that the pros and pundits have something in the small print of their World Snooker contract that doesn't allow criticism of the equipment. The younger players probably have no idea but the old pros who started out with SC balls know about it but remain silent on the issue, notice how they all clam up when the pockets are noticeably too easy and jump to the tables' defence whenever one that obviously shouldn't drop anyway stays out.

Yeh, they don't want to look the gift horse in the mouth...

[Cue crafty]

What is Ronnie playing at here with these shots he's attempting? Either he wants to win the match or not. If he does, he can't win it playing such a high risk strategy like this against an opponent in the form Ali is in.

You must've missed the memo?

It went something like...." I'm past my best, my eyes are going, my feet hurt, me knees have gone, I've got a dodgy arm, Ally Pally is a flea ridden dump can't wait to get out of here"

So he's gonna smash the balls up let Carter see a few and get in front, then see if he can complete the ultimate challenge.... Beat a great player in top form from 5-3 down to claim an eighth Masters title and cement his all time GOAT status in undeniable fashion.

BTW if Carter wins today, I think he completely deserves it, he's overcome many things and changed his attitude towards luck, bad rub etc etc.