Wildcards

[Mr Snooker]

Jimmy is still on the tour, they won't give it to John Parrott because he dropped off the tour and retired.

Dennis Taylor didn't look to bad the other day

John parrott may remain on the main Tor if Higgins gets banned. because he is 65th in the rankings and will move up to 64 in the world rankings which is the cut off point for the main tour, so he might play another season

[goldengirl]

I think, I may be wrong, that the wildcards awarded to Preece and Gray were because they were the next players on the ranking list - and I think that's how it should be.

[Matt_2745]

They were the next on the one-year list which personally I disagree with because if you are going to do than then why not just scrap wildcards and make it so that the top 10 on the one-year list stay or whatever.

I also think that those players had several chances, couldn't take them and so didn't deserve another without having to earn it. Would much rather have seen the places go to impressive amateurs.

[madman]

We've broached this subject so many times before. At the end of the day, wildcards were introduced, so that a player, not already on the main tour, could be awarded a place, whereby they may attract certain media attention and hopefully sponsorship.

Also an amateur player that may of performed outstandingly throughout the season, won almost every tournament possible, but not the most important tournament that can give promotion to the main tour.

Therefore you could say that Reanne Evans matches partly the criteria of 'media attention' which would be much
appreciated publicity world snooker crave, but i doubt she will have the sponsors flooding in. The reasons why, i personally think she will be lucky to win a first round match, even if she does, a 2nd round match, definately not. But in saying that, she could have a chance in the best of 5 grand-prix. I am not including the pct events, as they will not generate that much publicity anyway, unless Reanne won one of them.

But to be fair to her and Barry Hearn, it could be years away before a woman actually wins a title that would win her promotion to the main professional tour. So technically this is the only way it was ever going to happen. It does not seem fair on other potential wildcard nominee's, but you never know, Reanne just might surprise us all and get to a venue on tv, and that would have the desired effect, as long as she does not get Ronnie on a good day!!!!

[JanieWatkins]

Brazil's Igor Figueiredo has been awarded one of the wildcard places.

Great news as Igor did exceptionally well to reach final of World amateur and was only just outside promotion places on the PIOS

Good for Brazil and snooker in South America

[jaybee136]

Not sure Reanne Evans deserves a wildcard (I am sure not on ability) agree it shouldn't be the next highest ranking (otherwise as was already posted, it would be definite and therefore not a wild card) I do think however, ability should come into the equation.

[ltfc39]

I thought Reanne Evans was only given a wildcard to be one of the amateurs taking part in the 1st round of the World Open in a few months time?

[magicman]

I think Reanne deserves a chance, even though there are undoubtedly PIOS players that would most probably regularly beat her. It creates interest, gives her a chance to develop, and its one tour place for one year at the end of the day.

I agree that wild cards should almost never be given to MT pro's too. Maybe very occasionally, assuming something awful has happened that affected the rankings unduly; such as what happened to Paul Hunter, or players dropping down the rankings due to broken arms etc. Otherwise it should be given to up and coming players who deserve the opportunity to gain experience, develop, and be rewarded for amateur achievements. This is especially apt for players who gain MT places and are too young to take up the opportunity.

[ltfc39]

I think Tian Pengfei should be given the wildcard for next year IMO. He has pulled off some sensational results in the past 12 months in the Shanghai Masters, China Open and last weeks Wuxi Classic. He is capable of getting in the Top 32 at least IMO.