2024 Snooker Shootout

[snookerfollower]

Kicks off tomorrow at 1pm with the Last 128 round. First match is defending champion Mark Allen against Ross Muir.

Matches are 10 minutes maximum with one frame played. The players have a 15 second shot clock for the first 5 minutes and a 10 second shot clock for the last 5 minutes. There's various other rules like ball in hand after foul and having to hit a cushion or pot a ball etc. There's no 'quiet please' etiquette so the idiots in the crowd have free reign to shout whatever nonsense they want.

The events a farce but it's snooker so I'll probably watch some of it. How about you?

[Ginger Freak]

Its fun but it shouldnt be a ranking event! I'll be watching on Wed anyway, young Daniel Boyes is playing and I've got him and his mate in the next round of our league doubles! Call it a scouting mission!

[Nifty50]

A chance for one of the lower ranked players to rocket up the rankings. Will probably watch a bit of it. Was lucky last year to catch Murphy’s 147. Unlikely that will ever happen again.

[DeanH]

I'll will watch but with sound off, I don't need the zoo-noises from the audience to enhance my watching pleasure

[snookerfollower]

I'll will watch but with sound off, I don't need the zoo-noises from the audience to enhance my watching pleasure

I get the idea of having a less formal atmosphere for a less formal occasion but sometimes the idiots in the crowd need to shut up. The lame comments over Shaun Murphy's maximum ruin it as a rewatch for me. Such a great achievement that I'll probably not rewatch because of some guy making comments like 'Is anyone getting nervous?'.

[fatfreddy]

Gonna go watch this Saturday. Should be interesting, i've been to the Mattioli arena before and its basically just a giant warehouse

[Cue crafty]

I think it looks like it could be fun, if you're going with a few friends for some drinks and food too, gotta be a good experience I'd hope. Let us know what you think of it.

[Cue crafty]

Its fun but it shouldnt be a ranking event!!

I've always thought this historically, but beginning to wonder whether the powers that be think it's good to give possibly lower ranked pros a jump start into the big game. Obviously whoever wins still has it all to do, but it brings that lottery winner scenario to the tour that may just be the chance some need to kick on. Maybe 🤔

[snookerfollower]

Gonna go watch this Saturday. Should be interesting, i've been to the Mattioli arena before and its basically just a giant warehouse

Is there a reason you chose to go to this rather than an actual snooker tournament?

[fatfreddy]

Is there a reason you chose to go to this rather than an actual snooker tournament?

yep, local and boy loves it.

[trains]

yep, local and boy loves it.

There has been five events at this venue already this season.

[fatfreddy]

Yep, went to watch the 1st day of UK champs there as well. Got to watch Jimmy White play.

[trains]

Nice, I was going to go for a day but just happened to change my mind, the qualifiers interest me more than the main event, less palaver.

[fatfreddy]

There were around 50 spectators at best and you can get a really good view of the table and play. The qualifiers are definitely low rent compared to the main event. 4 tables side by side, a sort of curtain corridor behind them and then another 4 tables side to side and temporary seating for the spectators. TV feed made it look a more professional setup than it was in reality. I noticed the fitters using one of those Taiwanese table irons. You wouldn't get that at the Crucible !

Will be interesting to see how they set it up for the shootout, being a much flashier event.

[fatfreddy]

I think it looks like it could be fun, if you're going with a few friends for some drinks and food too, gotta be a good experience I'd hope. Let us know what you think of it.

Will do. Food when i went previously was hotdog / burger and chips and bottled drinks. I guess they might put on a better spread for the shootout. Hope so

Going with my snooker obsessed 12 year old, he loves the format.