World Doubles 2024

[FredDavis'Leg]

Starts on Saturday the 30th of March.

Leads into the Tour Championship, which is maybe not a bad idea.

Good that it promotes women's snooker, but, I don't know, I must be missing something over it really. I wonder what the crowds will be
like? The GMex is a vast venue. There is a good snooker club not far away from it too. Just finding it hard to get particularly
excited over it, maybe that will change. I will still watch it!

[DeanH]

Starts on Saturday the 30th of March.

Leads into the Tour Championship, which is maybe not a bad idea.

Good that it promotes women's snooker, but, I don't know, I must be missing something over it really. I wonder what the crowds will be
like? The GMex is a vast venue. There is a good snooker club not far away from it too. Just finding it hard to get particularly
excited over it, maybe that will change. I will still watch it!

Last year the crowd was reasonable and the matches entertaining

[vmax]

Mark Allen has withdrawn, doesn't want to face Reanne again

[FredDavis'Leg]

Mark Allen has withdrawn, doesn't want to face Reanne again

Yes, that was my thinking too! In it one day on the WST website, out the next. A pity but Selby is a fair replacement.

In truth though it was electric viewing when then played against each other, maybe a bit soap opera-ish but
still watchable.

[FredDavis'Leg]

Last year the crowd was reasonable and the matches entertaining

Yes fair point, I just wonder if the venue will be a bit too big for it this year, but I guess it depends how they work it inside.
You can get about 10k of people I would estimate into the GMex, certainly gigs I have been to there you are talking thousands
upon thousands, so just wonder how that will work, maybe they curtain half of it off. I hope it is well attended, it seems in yesteryear
Manchester was a popular snooker venue, not so sure now, but I hope so.

[vmax]

Yes, that was my thinking too! In it one day on the WST website, out the next. A pity but Selby is a fair replacement.

In truth though it was electric viewing when then played against each other, maybe a bit soap opera-ish but
still watchable.

Nothing better than a grudge match and Reanne sure holds a grudge about something.

[itsnoteasy]

This is pretty hard going.

[vmax]

Well I watched it this afternoon but the standard was pretty poor so I'll not bother again. I don't think there's any future in this competition to be honest, there's a biological reason why men and women are kept apart in sport and it was plain to see why today. What did Hendon say about the recent womens world final, over seven hours for an eleven frame match and what I watched today was little more than local league 30 handicapper standard.
Yes I know they can knock in tons, but not when I'm watching.
BTW has anyone ever witnessed Desi deciding that a snooker was so diificult that she didn't call a miss ?

[cueman]

There is also a reason why the doubles format was dropped from snooker and this has been the perfect showcase that it's simply not conducive to good quality snooker.

In fact, I'd go as far to say, that those involved in this are actually doing their game and confidence no good whatsoever. Missing balls they wouldn't miss, being frustrated due to not getting any rhythm, and simply trying too hard not to let down their partner. Allen and Ronnie pulling out made the right decision, Trump and Selby will struggle this week in the Players event due to this, I'm certain of it. Silly event and this isn't showing the women in any good light, please ITV drop this, everyone is completely bored.

[Steve748]

I think It would be far more interesting if they were playing alternate shot and whoever sunk the winning ball their partner should break.
Rules need some adjusting to make it more interesting because at the moment it's looking like watching paint dry and there's no interaction between the players.
If any of you have watched Mosconi cup doubles you'll get a fair idea of what this could be like notwithstanding the rowdy crowd of course we don't really want that.
It just needs to be made more interesting to watch

[Cue crafty]

I think the standard of the game in this era is too high for this format to be entertaining, players are still trying to p,ay their best match play standard because they want to win but also know the higher ranked pro will clear up/make a one visit win if they leave a good chance etc.

Back in the day of the Hoffmeister doubles, a few more risks could be taken which led to more exhibition style snooker and a more relaxed and entertaining format.....which tbh is all doubles should ever be!! A chance for the players to relax, interact, have some fun and show off some of their talents without any great concern for winning, just ride the wave 🌊

People won't really care who wins this, but they will remember things like an amazing shot that one of the lower ranked players pulls off, and that could be imortalised on YouTube forever!! (ok I understand money is important to these guys but it's such a lottery why worry!?!?)

[Nifty50]

Maybe a 15 second shot clock might liven a doubles match up.

[GeordieDS]

Managed 15 minutes of this, I remember how bad the Woman's single final was and when Mink played that terrible careless colour where she was very lucky not to snooker herself I was thinking she'll probably miss this next easy red and it didn't even rattle, I just switched it off after that.
The only way to make this format interesting is to play what we call Scotch doubles where you take alternate shots with your partner

[Cue crafty]

Maybe a 15 second shot clock might liven a doubles match up.

I think a £15k prize for "shot of the championship" would lend itself to better free flowing and entertaining play!

Better to reward adventurous plays here rather than unwatchable defending negative poor play. Encourage the players to showcase their skills and take some chances.

It's a stupid format in the modern era so jazz it up and make it glitzy, give players a chance to shine. I think it would help the ladies grow in confidence as players and let them have some freedom to show off.

Maybe some of them have zero flair, but I bet Mary Talbot would relish the chance to try a Jimmy White shot or two!!

[FredDavis'Leg]

I think a £15k prize for "shot of the championship" would lend itself to better free flowing and entertaining play!

Better to reward adventurous plays here rather than unwatchable defending negative poor play. Encourage the players to showcase their skills and take some chances.

That seems a fair amount for one shot! I wonder if it might encourage some wild flashing type shots? What do you do about outrageous flukes though that result from good shots?