Top 5 controversial incidents in the crucible history

[deant1982]

And why shouldn't a snooker player use both hands. The object is to win the game, and nothing in the rules says a player must play with the hand he starts with. I wish I could play left handed, then I wouldn't miss so many rest shots. I am certain in my own mind that Ronnie was not being disrespectful, but he was right when he said he was better with his left than Robidoux was with his right. It was just another upgrade in the world of modern snooker. Would someone call Mark Williams disrespectful when he uses a rest which he holds in mid-air. Great players introduce great innovations, poor players sit and suffer and bitch about it.

I agree.

When I did used to practice a lot, I actually started to practice left handed for the reason you mention. Although I was fairly proficient with the rest, it is a big advantage to be able to switch hands for some shots. I think Alain's problem was ronnie wasn't switching for some shots, but a lot of shots, and as he was known as a right hander, felt it a bit disrespectful. A couple of shots he woould have understood I think, but to be outplayed and outclassed by someone using their "non playing" hand is what got to him. I feel If he had realised just [I]how[I] good Ronnie was left handed, he would have still been upset, but not the big cry baby he became.
As you say snooker players innovate new things, and sometimes these are looked upon as flashy or showing off, but if the player is able to do what he intended, I personally stand back and applaud them, but others might get annoyed.
I once played a guy who I knew well, but had never played before, but he thought we had and was telling everybody that the last time we played "he showed me a clean pair of heels". As I knew I had never played him, I took offence to this (although I didn't say anything) and played the frame. What I did do was make sure I gave him enough of a hammering that he would think twice before ever saying things like that again. At the end though, the score was 75 - 1 with just the colours on the table, and he still refused to conceed, and even more annoying, it wasn;t as if he was trying to pot the colours to make the score slightly respectful, as I twice left an easy pot (by mistake) however he turned it down to try and play a snooker. This got to me even more, so I started playing him left handed, snookering him, the took the 20 points (all left handed), didn't even attempt the black, and shook his hand. During the frame before I started playing left handed, I played normal, no showing off, no exhibition type shots, just simply out classing him from the word go. To me it is disrespectful to play on in such a ridiculous position, so my attitude became if he wants to be disrespectful like that, I'll play him left handed and embarrase him, so I did.
The way I see it, if they are good enough to do it, and confident enough to attempt it in a match, fair play to them, and if it gets people trying to do it, and making it a new feature in the game, good luck to them. After all, it wasn't that long ago that opening the pack from the blue was not the modus operandae, but now it is favoured by a lot of pro's, as it generates a better split a lot of the time than using the black.

[tommygunner1309]

I see your point about thinking it is disrespectful when a player needs so many snookers, but I myself am happy to let them do it. All that happens is that they get more and more frustrated and depressed and their game falls apart. If you are playing best of 5 frames and the one you describe is the first, you have got them over a barrel. It certainly is true that snooker in the 21st century is advancing fairly quickly. In the 70's and 80's I cannot remember a player using two rests (one on top of the other) to get a better strike at the cue ball, although someone here might correct me.

[Mr P]

Wasn't around for most of these. Never knew Hann was banned for 8 years in 2006, so will we see him return in three years time or did he announce him retirement?

[deant1982]

He "retired" from the pro circuit so he didn't have to face punishment.
Whether he would be able to start again in a few years I don't know. Something tells me they would have to let him, but my feeling is no, he shoulnt. He did a "moonlight flit" to escape his punishment. Like a criminal sentenced to 8 years, he escapes and returns 8 years later claiming he has done his punishment so should be allowed equal rights. He hasn't done his punishment.

[Theguywithaplan]

He has stated that he will definately not be returning.

[jrc750]

He has stated that he will definately not be returning.

Was that a while ago tho ? because with all the extra comps on and hence more chances to bag some prize money he may feel it is worth a shot ?

[Theguywithaplan]

Was that a while ago tho ? because with all the extra comps on and hence more chances to bag some prize money he may feel it is worth a shot ?

It was a couple of years ago. I recall him bragging he was a multi millionaire from real estate, but it's hard to know what to believe with him.

[Skypigeon]

and where is Ronnie's concession in the UK Champs a couple of years back??

[jrc750]

and where is Ronnie's concession in the UK Champs a couple of years back??

This is meant to be about "crucible" happenings

[deant1982]

I see your point about thinking it is disrespectful when a player needs so many snookers, but I myself am happy to let them do it. All that happens is that they get more and more frustrated and depressed and their game falls apart. If you are playing best of 5 frames and the one you describe is the first, you have got them over a barrel. It certainly is true that snooker in the 21st century is advancing fairly quickly. In the 70's and 80's I cannot remember a player using two rests (one on top of the other) to get a better strike at the cue ball, although someone here might correct me.

If it were a best of 5, I would have understood it if not condoned it. The problem was, it was in a one frame league. 5 players, one frame each. He needed snookers with 3 reds left, which I duely potted etc, and he still carried on right until I cleared up to the pink.

[tommygunner1309]

Oh right. Didn't realise it was a league match. Yes I agree, 75 - 1 with just the colours left is time to call it a day. I would think his team mates think he is a bit of a prat. He would have needed 12 snookers. I usually concede with 3 required and just the colours left. I just think he made himself look an idiot.

[Zoe]

There was quite a bit of controversy at the 2002 championship. Jimmy White smashed the black and cue ball off the table in his second round match with Matthew Stevens. Quinten Hann repeatedly smashed the reds on the break in his match against Stephen Lee and Ronnie O'Sullivan threw his cue in the air in his quarter final match against Stephen Lee. When it landed on the table it ripped the cloth. Ronnie O'Sullivan also went on about how he was looking forward to sending Stephen Hendry back to Scotalnd in their semi-final match.

[Zoe]

Yes I agree, 75 - 1 with just the colours left is time to call it a day.

It actually got to the point where only the pink and black were left on the table and Robideaux was still trying to get a large number of snookers.

[tommygunner1309]

It actually got to the point where only the pink and black were left on the table and Robideaux was still trying to get a large number of snookers.

Yes Zoe, I think Robideaux was just reacting because Ronnie played left handed. He obviously felt so peeved that he wanted to get all soppy about it. I have played on many times when needing a snooker with just the pink and black on the table. But only if I needed just one snooker and the Black was well placed for one. Otherwise it is just a waste of time and more likely to frustrate the player needing the snookers than his opponent.

[Skypigeon]

This is meant to be about "crucible" happenings

ahhh ok, missed that..my bad,,