Ebdon V Ding * 16/1/07

[Caroline]

Many people including Joe Johnsson criticizes that Ding played some wrong shots on the way, especially that match winning black he missed in 8th frame. I hold a different opinion though, the reason why Ding chose to go into the pack when potting the black instead of only concentrating on the pot, I would suggest that it is not really because Ding lacks the common match experiences, it is mostly probably because Ding knows so well of Ebton, he was really afraid that the never-say-die Ebbo would still come onto the table to play on even if he potted the black leaving 2 snookers to be required. Almost the same thought in that re-spot black frame in UK quarter final when he was already in the winning position. I think he just wanted to continue potting the balls to totally end Ebbo's hopes many times. If you say he made some mistakes I shall only agree to say that the confident young lad was somehow too positive in many cases against a well-known & friend-like opponent.

[PaulTheSoave]

I watched the whole match and Ding seem to have some flaws playing certain safeties. Especially where he left the cue ball near the object ball and Ebdon could easily lay another snooker. Some of his escapes from the snookers were brilliant though. The one snookered behind the black, going to the right cushion with a lot of side effect, going back to the other cushion hitting the green. If he sharpens some of his shots even more, he will become unbeatable. What a class act!

[Semih_Sayginer]

The one snookered behind the black, going to the right cushion with a lot of side effect, going back to the other cushion hitting the green.

a very common shot in pool (especially english 8 ball), but not seen so much in snooker. a good shot to practice as its often a good one to have in your locker if your opponent needs snookers and you just need "a hit" and not the balls safe.

[Semih_Sayginer]

it is mostly probably because Ding knows so well of Ebton, he was really afraid that the never-say-die Ebbo would still come onto the table to play on even if he potted the black leaving 2 snookers to be required. I think he just wanted to continue potting the balls to totally end Ebbo's hopes many times.

i think youre correct about why he wanted to do it.

perhaps it turned out "wrong" this time, but sure it has went "correct" many more times than not.

[elvaago]

I've potted the ball that was in the green ball's position in similar situations in a game of pool. It's neat to watch the opponent's expression when you do that.

[PaulTheSoave]

i have played continental billiards for many years, where i use a lot of side, screw, follow through etc. To apply this in snooker is a different skill as the table size is quite different and balls are much smaller than pool and continental billiards. Margins of error in snooker are more profound for this reason. In pool or continental billiards its not a special shot, but in snooker it is quite different imo.

[Semih_Sayginer]

i have played continental billiards for many years, where i use a lot of side, screw, follow through etc. To apply this in snooker is a different skill as the table size is quite different and balls are much smaller than pool and continental billiards. Margins of error in snooker are more profound for this reason. In pool or continental billiards its not a special shot, but in snooker it is quite different imo.

IMHO the shot is far from difficult. i can play it, and i play snooker once a month at most. its often used in pool to good success.

oh, and in english 8 ball the balls are smaller than snooker balls.

not saying it wasnt a good shot. it was,but only because its not common, or needed to be used in snooker much, but it is in pool

[Caroline]

Joe Johnson said in his commentary that this snooker escape by Ding is "the shot of the tournement"!

I remember a couple of years ago Hendry did make a similar shot in a match. Don't know it is easy or not, but surely very exciting for us to watch!

[Semih_Sayginer]

Joe Johnson said in his commentary that this snooker escape by Ding is "the shot of the tournement"!

joe johnson would lose his money to me at pool then, and probably elvaago who has played the same shot to good results previously

[elvaago]

It's a good shot, especially in snooker, but it's not a spectacular shot by any means, in my opinion.

[Semih_Sayginer]

It's a good shot, especially in snooker, but it's not a spectacular shot by any means, in my opinion.

exactly what i was meaning too elvaago.

a tourney or two ago during a televised match someone played a slight swerve and also screwed the white back a bit. dennis taylor was almost on the floor saying the shot was one of the best hes ever seen, but ive seen the shot in 8 and 9 ball many times, by a very low standard of player compared to snooker players talents.

if you dont know youre cuesports, and unusuall good shot on a snooker table may be run of the mill, or close to, on other tables. thats why great (ex) players like dennis and joe say things like that without "knowing"

btw, i like dennis. good guy

[PaulTheSoave]

i surrender! Better go and learn more about cuesports!

[Semih_Sayginer]

i surrender! Better go and learn more about cuesports!

not at all PTS

nobody was trying to "get the better of you". anyone who knows, didnt at some point.

the shot was "a little special" as its rare, but it was far from a show stopper.

were all here for the debate and fun and thoughts of others. i learn off many here, directly or indirectly

[World_No_1]

Real Shame for Ebo his game was reaching the peak again after the great win in the UK, i thought he might have gone on to win the Masters, i think he will be in the last 4 come the world, it was just an off day on what has been a good season so far for Ebo.

Take nothing away from Ding though hes played some fantastic snooker, and ever since he made the 147 at the weekend, hes been my favourite to win the tournament.