World Snooker Championships Discussion

[Gerry Armstrong]

Tucked up in my hotel room after 2 fabulous days in Sheffield, my 1st visit to the Crucible. Even enjoyed Peter Ebdon torturing Graeme Dott and the rest of us in the audience with his "attempt" at playing snooker this morning!!

What a place, what an atmosphere and to top it all off, Sheffield is a very nice city. If you haven't been before, you HAVE to come, it's awesome!!

Back up the road in the morning

[The Statman]

Tucked up in my hotel room after 2 fabulous days in Sheffield, my 1st visit to the Crucible. Even enjoyed Peter Ebdon torturing Graeme Dott and the rest of us in the audience with his "attempt" at playing snooker this morning!!

What a place, what an atmosphere and to top it all off, Sheffield is a very nice city. If you haven't been before, you HAVE to come, it's awesome!!

Back up the road in the morning

Glad you enjoyed it. The whole Crucible malarkey really does need to be experienced to be believed, doesn't it!

I well remember the first time I walked into the arena, through the far right (green?) door on 28 April 1993, and gazing at the scene so familiar from the television! 20 years later and each year the tingle is just the same when walking into the arena for the first time. I shall be there from Friday - the first time since 2005 that I haven't done the whole tournament. I'm coping with watching it on the telly surprisingly well.

Will see you next year, by the sound of it!

[Byrom]

thought Michael White looked the part today. Great to watch

[CueInAction]

Tucked up in my hotel room after 2 fabulous days in Sheffield, my 1st visit to the Crucible. Even enjoyed Peter Ebdon torturing Graeme Dott and the rest of us in the audience with his "attempt" at playing snooker this morning!!

What a place, what an atmosphere and to top it all off, Sheffield is a very nice city. If you haven't been before, you HAVE to come, it's awesome!!

Back up the road in the morning

Sounds like you've had a great time up there Gerry

Wanted to make this year my first one but unfortunately it fell in probably the busy time I've ever had with work, plus other commitments. Without a doubt I am going to get tickets for next year. That said, the UK Championship starts on my birthday later in the year so maybe I'll treat myself

[northerner]

Just noticed that in one session we had: John Higgins v Mark Davis and Mark Williams v Michael White.

Is this the first Crucible session where all the surnames were legends of yesteryear? (Alex Higgins v Steve Davis and Rex Williams v Jimmy White)

[streamer45]

Nice comeback by Ebdon

[rich45]

Enjoyed that mini-session with Ebdon grinding down Dott. He had the run of the ball, and his 4/5 minute toilet break was really annoying Dott, who twice spoke to the referee about it, but nothing was said on Ebdon's return. If the interval hadn't come, I could imagine another towel-on-head scenario!

[Mr Snooker]

yes first four frames of the morning session go to Ebo

[Mr Snooker]

will Dott and Ebdon be takien off so the afternoon matches can start I woner uless Peter wins 8 frames in a row this afternoon

[alphabetagaga]

i am wondering the same thing. 2.30pm start will need half hour or so to get the tables ready etc. only gives em 1.5hrs or so to get the ebdon game done. allen v king seems go slow too.

[CueInAction]

Not seen the Ebdon v Dott match but a little suprised by the stats. Dott has outplayed Ebdon in every single department (& quite significantly too), yet the scoreline is 6-6. Ebdon must be delighted that the match isn't already over.

Total Points: Dott 712 Ebdon 502
Balls Potted: Dott 212 Ebdon 140
Pot Success: Dott 87% Ebdon 81%
Long Pot Success: Dott 63% Ebdon 50%
Safety Success: Dott 83% Ebdon 79%
Highest Break: Ebdon 39

[Mr Snooker]

I recall Graeme Dott complaining about Steve Davis taking to many toilet breaks after Davis had gone 6-0 up in the first rd of the 2000 world championships Graeme lost that match 10-6, and the following year Steve Davis interviewed Graeme before Graeme's first rd match and during the interview he stopped it to go to the toilet serveral times typical Steve Davis lol.

Enjoyed that mini-session with Ebdon grinding down Dott. He had the run of the ball, and his 4/5 minute toilet break was really annoying Dott, who twice spoke to the referee about it, but nothing was said on Ebdon's return. If the interval hadn't come, I could imagine another towel-on-head scenario!

[Valiullin]

Woah, what a steal that was come on Graeme !

[rich45]

Few things after that enthralling frame.

First of all, I had the snooker ready before the players came out for this session, and Hendry/Taylor were getting settled in the commentary box,, and greeting (presumably) the director. Hendry said "good morning...hope it's a quick one" - his wish has most definitely not been granted!

Secondly, the commentary was very poor in that frame. For at least 5 minutes, the commentators were unaware that Dott needed a snooker, and then when he laid a difficult one, they were saying how the referee shouldn't give a miss because it was such a difficult hit. When the ref didn't give it, they commended his bravery! Probably a minute later, Dennis Taylor finally acknowledged that the ref didn't give a miss because snookers were needed! Very amateurish.

Finally, Dott just spoke to the ref between frames asking the time, and the ref said "probably" when asked if this would be the last frame.

[The Statman]

Yeah, they wouldn't normally start another frame if it's within 45 minutes of the start of the next session. So it all depends how long this next frame takes. If it's relatively quick, then they'll play another.