1984-Jimmy's Big Chance???

[147 Club]

im a big fan of Jimmy's and ive analysed all of his world finals and i generally perceive the 84 final to have been his best chance at winning the big one. From 12-4 down he totally dominated the match and was unlucky with the run of the ball that could have swung a couple of the close frames his way rather than Steves. From looking at the footage of the latter stages of the game, Steve looks like he was running on empty, but in all fairness when the half chances came he took alot of them. One thing i think you can take from this final is the fact that Jimmy wasnt afraid to win. Of course this was because of the fact there wasnt as much pressure on him to deliver as there would be in the coming years. I really believe that if Jim had took the 34th frame he would have won the decider and laid the foundations for a few more titles. I dont think Steve would have had much more to give if it had gone the distance. A lot of people and pundits believe that 92 and 94 were his big chances but i really believe that he could have won it in 84. Any opinions on this?

[mythman69]

I found this on Youtube . . .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ndj3...9F72866E5C0A81

: )

[mattyshinobi22]

still think his best chance was against hendry when he needed one frame, had a chance in the pack and let his arm go at a black. never got another chance

[Looki]

Considering his life style and type of character I don't think it would've neccessarily meant more world titles for him had he won in 1984. But it was a great chance and good match, very exciting. May've been his best chance as said, in 1994 he clearly had the burden and pressure from the previous defeats and that denied him the title. I don't know how he lost in 1992, it's unbelievable but Hendry was too strong for him in the 90s.

[vmax4steve]

I think the seeds were sown in 1982 when he lost to Higgins in the semi. Showed the very same temperament in all his subsequent world finals at one point or another.
The black he missed when in the balls in that match when leading 15-14 was the very same shot he missed against Hendry when he needed one frame, a half ball stun that he hit too thick.

[mick farrell]

In the 34th frame in 1984 Final Jimmy missed the last yellow down the side cushion and the final green twice by a mile. His 65 clearance in the previous frame was one of the finest displays of flair and bottle ever seen but in the last few minutes of the frame 34, his nerve did appear to weaken. 1994 was his best chance for me. It was the last frame, he was in the balls and the title was there for the taking.

[damienlch]

I found this on Youtube . . .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ndj3...9F72866E5C0A81

: )

Nice, thanks for sharing.

[narl]

White was doomed to lose after that final, the older he got the more he was out drinking and gambling and not putting in the hours on the table, he's said it himself. Would have been nice to see him win but it wasn't meant to be, despite the fact he still thinks he can win it (or at least thats what he said in 2010 in an interview, i doubt his stance has changed), at 50 years old he's more chance of winning the lottery.

[ADR147]

have to say in both 92 and 94 he really should have done it.

[Rane]

I think the seeds were sown in 1982 when he lost to Higgins in the semi. Showed the very same temperament in all his subsequent world finals at one point or another.
The black he missed when in the balls in that match when leading 15-14 was the very same shot he missed against Hendry when he needed one frame, a half ball stun that he hit too thick.

So do I. He was nearly over the line, and only an extreme break from Higgins denied him the victory. If he had won a title in 82 or 84 I think he would have won one or two more titles.

[vmax4steve]

So do I. He was nearly over the line, and only an extreme break from Higgins denied him the victory. If he had won a title in 82 or 84 I think he would have won one or two more titles.

I have it on video and watched it many, many times, and even though he got back in and missed a red with the rest, it was the look on his face when he missed that black that stayed with me and told me why he missed that rest shot soon afterwards. He simply couldn't believe it and it's moments like that that stay with you all your days and many times you are doomed to repeat them, and he did against Hendry with the exact same shot.

It's something he does when he has the chance to win, when staving off defeat his bottle is boundless.

I agree with you had he beaten Higgins in '82 he would have given Reardon a hell of a game and maybe would have won two or more WSC titles.

[SnookerFan]

The thing with Jimmy is, much though I hate to say it, he did have six chances to win the World Title. Granted, four of those were against Stephen Hendry and one was against Steve Davis, so tough to win. But, if he's admitting himself he was out boozing more than he was putting in the practice, you kind of wonder how many he would've won if he'd prepared properly.

Maybe none. But you kind of wonder...

[GeordieDS]

If half the story's of his lifestyle are true it's amazing he could see the balls never mind make World Finals,gutted for him he never managed to win one because he is my favourite player by a country mile.
I went to play a poker tournament in Newcastle one night and when i made my way to my table who was sitting a couple of seats away but the man himself,he was an absolute gentleman and spoke to people like he had known them all his life.
They say you should never meet your heroes as you always end up disappointed but in Jimmy's case this was definitely not true.

[adteh2206]

i think jimmy is just unlucky, he was in the right place at wrong time. if alex higgins hadnt made tht incredible 69 break in 1982, i think jimmy would have been world champion tht year, and would have been the youngest ever world champion at 20 yrs of age.

[Byrom]

i think jimmy is just unlucky, he was in the right place at wrong time. if alex higgins hadnt made tht incredible 69 break in 1982, i think jimmy would have been world champion tht year, and would have been the youngest ever world champion at 20 yrs of age.

Absolutley

I always found it ironic that he was beaten by the two people that respected and looked up to him in the game the most - Stephen Hendry and Alex.

The title of 'people's champion' made him more money and earned him more respect down the years than any world title he could have won though. Not many people hold that title.