The Grand Prix Draw

[Cessy143]

How many tables will there be in the arena? or are they playing in different spaces?

6 tables. Round robin matches.

[lagermike]

Paul man

I am not sure how many tables there will be but the format will be roll on, roll off. So one match will finish and the next one will start straight away, the audience will get to see lets of players in one session.

[..KiD DyNaMiTe..]

I wouldn't like to be in any of them groups but if I was a pro going into a group I would of been hoping for group G. Look's the weakest TO ME.

[PaulTheSoave]

I would fancy my chances in E, cause they are all out of form and play wreckless, out of frustration. Even more, if Jimmy would join the group. (though I dont think he will qualify).

[Caroline]

Groups C,E,F & H all not so easy, and never easy for anyone in any group at this stage.
Certainly rather interesting to see how things turn out with this new robin format, and I guess if the players themselves would be happier or less happier to enter this kind of competition.

[PaulTheSoave]

Why is E not easy? Hendry and Stevens are out of form completely. Hicks is ready for his pension. Selby should get it!

Groups C,E,F & H all not so easy, and never easy for anyone in any group at this stage.
Certainly rather interesting to see how things turn out with this new robin format, and I guess if the players themselves would be happier or less happier to enter this kind of competition.

[davis_greatest]

How does it work?

I haven't heard / read much about it yet, but I take it there are 8 groups of 6 at this stage, each player plays the other 5 in his group, and the top two from each group go through to a last 16 knock-out stage? Is that right?

How then do they determine the top two in each group? Is is x points for a win, then if these are equal, looking at frame difference, frames won, result(s) of the match(es) between the tied players.... - how exactly does it work?

[The Statman]

I imagine total frames won/lost would be a good measure. If you get five 3-0 wins there should not be much doubting you're top of the group.

But if you win five 3-2s (meaning your totals are 15-10) and someone else wins four 3-0s and a 1-3 loss (total 13-3) it needs to be sorted out!

[Caroline]

out of form? They are still class, you could expect they come back at any moment

Why is E not easy? Hendry and Stevens are out of form completely. Hicks is ready for his pension. Selby should get it!

[lagermike]

It's all going to end in tears...

[April madness]

It's all going to end in tears...

Who will be the one to laugh?

[lagermike]

O'Sullivan will laugh, Hendry will throw his toys out of the pram, Ebdon will scream, Murphy will say everything is brilliant, Higgins will say he is diappointed and Jimmy will say he will be back next year...

[mcmanusrules]

I think we are all forgetting- the qualifiers are yet to be added!
if say, Jamie Cope, and Dominic Dale get intoi the same group, whats to say they wont win it, given both are plaing well.

[davis_greatest]

I imagine total frames won/lost would be a good measure. If you get five 3-0 wins there should not be much doubting you're top of the group.

But if you win five 3-2s (meaning your totals are 15-10) and someone else wins four 3-0s and a 1-3 loss (total 13-3) it needs to be sorted out!

I don't know what system they're going to use - hence my question - but would have imagined that match outcomes (win or lose) would be looked at before the match scores. I.e. I would have imagined that five 3-2 wins would be viewed as better than four 3-0 wins and a loss. At least, that's how groups normally work in football.

[The Statman]

Sorry DG, I didn't word my post very carefully – I agree with you!

Having best-ofs, rather than like the Premier League where a predetermined number of frames are played, is more likely to produce clear placings rather than the need for meaningless tiebreaks.