2016 World Championship discussion

[shmeeko69]

looks like the pinball cushions are back in action!

some bounce on carter that.

I've never seen so many extreme cushion bonces or kicks at the Crucible. What's going on?

[Odrl]

Kicks and big bounces mostly seem to be happening on table 1 in this tournament so far, while table 2 has had the better matches. :smile:

[DeanH]

I have a thought that the cushion bounces (big or dull) are due to the variations of "tautness" of the cloth over the rubbers, i.e. an over-tightened cloth = big bounce, loose cloth = dull bounce
of course (as with much in snooker/cue-sports) there is no precise science with fitting cloths but experience and "feel".

[Cov86]

I know it has been discussed a lot....... but I still can't get over how badly the tables are playing. It really spoils the rhythm for the players.

[cally]

Willie not very clever with his measurements is he... "The white run 18" past blue"... Errrr.. No it didn't willie.. Lol

Some crazy bounces..

[cueman]

I think the problem is the cloths they use. They vary too much, obviously the manufacturing process means they cannot perfect the cloths to play the same. WE see it at some events the batch of cloths they have can sometimes be excellent, then at other tournaments the roll they have is poor.

I believe moisture is the key to it all. I wonder where the rolls of cloth are stored and the moisture content in the arena. If temperature variation changes, I mean do they turn off the table heaters at night or leave it on? We are having a few cold nights at the moment, all these things can play a part. I guess we just have to accept that they want a thin cloth so they have to accept they will experience big bounces and more frequent kicks.

If you asked the players do they want a slower less responsive cloth which makes break building harder but without any bounces or kicks, would they be prepared to adapt their game? I bet the answer would be no.

[Cov86]

I'm not so convinced about the need for ultra fine cloths. I've been watching snooker since the mid to late 90s and back then we still had plenty of big breaks. The cloths were fine and cushions fast but not ultra fine and super fast. I'm sure there were not as many kicks and bounces as this 10 years ago.

I think they just need to increase the cloth thickness a fraction, go back to what they had a decade ago. Yes the players will have to hit the a bit balls harder which reduces accuracy, but they ought to be able to cope, especially given how generous the pockets appear to be playing.

Also thicker cloths would reduce this nonsense where a player puts a fraction of side on the ball and it throws miles off line, making side spin shots almost impossible.

[DeanH]

commentators-curse by WT there

[itsnoteasy]

I don't know what causes big bounces or a lot of ball jumpies, but Deans idea could be worth a look, along with the cloth. Not sure if it's anything to do with moisture as they have table heaters which should sort that out, saying that the heater won't heat the cushions will they?

[cally]

Great point is that.

[cattermole]

I hope it's on the BBC, as that Phil Yates guy on Eurosport is unbearable at time with his worthless statements :livid:

If you imagine Alan Partridge's voice Yates can be unintentionally quite funny.

[gnomus]

I've managed to get a few tickets for this years WC. I've enjoyed the snooker so far (apart from the first session of the Walden-Williams match which got a bit bogged down). The thing I have really struggled with is finding anywhere decent to eat. I've been to a few places nearby the Crucible and have been very unimpressed (unlike the sitiation at the York Barbican). Last night cost me a small fortune for a very unimpressive meal and environment.

Can any regulars point me in the direction of some decent between-sessions nosh?

Also, where's the best place to stay up there? I see that there is a Mecure and a Novotel within walking distance.

[culraven]

Well the wife is recovering from a short stay in hospital so I'm having to pamper her and relinquish control of the tv, I thought it would be a nice treat from her loving husband to let her choose what we watch, table 1 or table 2?

[Billy]

I might colour in the cushions right round our tables with chalk as they are dead, might bring them back to life.

I know the tables are playing bad, but I'm getting fed up of hearing 'I think he had a bad contact there.' every time a player misses. McManus played a beautiful cut into the corner - very clean and smooth - of which Ebdon was very complimentary... that is until he noticed he'd almost gone in-off and trapped the cueball in the jaws of the opposite pocket, and then he starts calling 'kick'.

[sh1234]

I know the tables are playing bad, but I'm getting fed up of hearing 'I think he had a bad contact there.' every time a player misses. McManus played a beautiful cut into the corner - very clean and smooth - of which Ebdon was very complimentary... that is until he noticed he'd almost gone in-off and trapped the cueball in the jaws of the opposite pocket, and then he starts calling 'kick'.

It's doing my head in, literally every shot they are blaming kicks, even when they miss thin by about 6 inches. Weird that the actual successful players like Ronnie don't blame kicks and Hendry thinks they are caused by poor cueing.