is snooker dying out in uk?

[alabadi]

maybe, but many people know you enter a completely different game when you play on a table with tight pockets,or the same table as pros proper pockets,that big break people normally smash in on their club tables seem to come to a halt when they move tables and then what happens they start missing easy balls that they would normally pot and say damn these pockets are tight i ain't playing on these again or is it really them saying I am not quite as good as I thought.

its having the opposite effect on my game, if i play on a nice table which has a fast cloth i'm ok, it suites my cue action and i can control the white better. but when i play on the other clubs heavy worn out cloths with cushions that you can't predict what they will do, i lose the white too often which makes my next shot harder than it should be.

also i would like to agree with the poster who mentioned lighting, i think its crucial, the pro lighting is much brighter everything becomes much clearer not much shadows or dark spots and playing becomes a lot easier on the eye.
some of the clubs we play in the lighting is terrible, coffin box lighting some with bulbs missing dark a dreary parts of the table lit up and other parts in darkness, terrible.

[golferson123]

is snooker dying out in uk?

well I've made centuries with bonzolene/old crystalites/super crystalites/and some sets that look like the surface of the moon but with your logic they don't count because they aint been made on a super tight star table (sic)

[Leo]

don't talk rubbish! your falling into the elitist trap that's its all about the pro game suppose it don't count count if you aint had the white cleaned at least three times got a bottle of water and had a pxxs break

maybe, but many people know you enter a completely different game when you play on a table with tight pockets,or the same table as pros proper pockets,that big break people normally smash in on their club tables seem to come to a halt when they move tables and then what happens they start missing easy balls that they would normally pot and say damn these pockets are tight i ain't playing on these again or is it really them saying I am not quite as good as I thought.

[cueman]

The free time in playing snooker is limited, i would prefer to play in better condition, of course it includes the quality of snooker table. Otherwise , I would play other sport. From marketing pont of view, the life cycle of snooker is decling in uk, but expanding in other counties. I think we want some new stars instead of ronnie alone,.

I think what has been said about the clubs and tables in the UK has played a big part in its decline. The reason its expanding in other countries is because they are relatively new to the sport and also new clubs opening with good quality table conditions its far easier to sell the game to a new audience.

Here in the UK many clubs were bought up by Rileys who decimated the snooker side of these clubs. Tables are now very old with damaged slates, cushion rubbers over 20 years old, dents on the rails and cloths that are terribly maintained or ripped, all the time whilst punters are charged over £6 p/h in many clubs, and people wonder why the game is dying!
We need more academy style set ups or clubs willing to invest in the future but I can't see that happening.

Eventually snooker will go much like football did in this country. We made the game, everyone else invested in it whilst we stood around admiring our history. 20 years from now there won't be a top british player in the game, probably not 1 in the top 32 given how things are and the lack of youngsters taking up the game.

[golferson123]

is snooker dying out in uk?

don't talk rubbish! your falling into the elitist trap that's its all about the pro game suppose it don't count count if you aint had the white cleaned at least three times got a bottle of water and had a pxxs break

[Leo]

I will play on anything too but for me its not the size of the pockets that puts me off - its the speed of the cloths - Playing on a match table with fast cloth and steel blocked cushions G1s and good lighting can not be bettered in my opinion. Decent tables make decent players - Most of us on here play a totally different game than the pro's condition wise. They don't need to whack it around to get position as much - and cannon the pack on a match table and the pack splits lovely. Sometimes on club tables you need to hit them with a sledge hammer - the pockets are tighter on a match table yes but on a fast thin cloth it does not turn off with the nap and because you don't need to whack it encourages a nicer smoother cue action to develop - if your stroking it they go in and tighter pockets do help you concentrate more because they are unforgiving. The lighting matters too - cant beat proper lighting - how many clubs still have coffin lids with dull lighting urrr.

Most local clubs are in the dark ages still using old tackle old tables and this is not showing any foresight - Maybe if a every club or a few of them invested in a few Star tables or aristocrats then they would find a number of good players flock back to play - in turn inspiring others to play or improve - Its worth paying a bit more to play on a good table. I'm not saying fill the club with them but one or two great tables to appeal to everyone would possibly help the cause.

Also at grass roots we need more comps and sponsorship of leagues - perhaps a free junior club on Saturday-Sunday mornings with coaching to inspire the next generations of youngsters to pick up a cue.
It also helps to have a few more people doing great write ups in the local press like Neil Tapperell - Have I spelled that right?

On the national side of things a 1 million first prize for the worlds does say to youngsters this is a game worth taking up - Rooney earns more in a week than the top prize in our game and the money has not actually gone up - discounting inflation - for years.
It would be nice too if the association or our government gave sporting grants - like they do with other sports - as this would help our new generation of youngsters with the expenses of competing in what is now a world wide sport - taking the edge off if they break onto the tour for a few years at least.

That's my 2 pence worth.

yep very good post,but i will stand by my quote that a break is not considered a break IMHO unless it's been done on a table that has world snooker tournament templates.

[alabadi]

I will play on anything too but for me its not the size of the pockets that puts me off - its the speed of the cloths - Playing on a match table with fast cloth and steel blocked cushions G1s and good lighting can not be bettered in my opinion. Decent tables make decent players - Most of us on here play a totally different game than the pro's condition wise. They don't need to whack it around to get position as much - and cannon the pack on a match table and the pack splits lovely. Sometimes on club tables you need to hit them with a sledge hammer - the pockets are tighter on a match table yes but on a fast thin cloth it does not turn off with the nap and because you don't need to whack it encourages a nicer smoother cue action to develop - if your stroking it they go in and tighter pockets do help you concentrate more because they are unforgiving. The lighting matters too - cant beat proper lighting - how many clubs still have coffin lids with dull lighting urrr.

Most local clubs are in the dark ages still using old tackle old tables and this is not showing any foresight - Maybe if a every club or a few of them invested in a few Star tables or aristocrats then they would find a number of good players flock back to play - in turn inspiring others to play or improve - Its worth paying a bit more to play on a good table. I'm not saying fill the club with them but one or two great tables to appeal to everyone would possibly help the cause.

Also at grass roots we need more comps and sponsorship of leagues - perhaps a free junior club on Saturday-Sunday mornings with coaching to inspire the next generations of youngsters to pick up a cue.
It also helps to have a few more people doing great write ups in the local press like Neil Tapperell - Have I spelled that right?

On the national side of things a 1 million first prize for the worlds does say to youngsters this is a game worth taking up - Rooney earns more in a week than the top prize in our game and the money has not actually gone up - discounting inflation - for years.
It would be nice too if the association or our government gave sporting grants - like they do with other sports - as this would help our new generation of youngsters with the expenses of competing in what is now a world wide sport - taking the edge off if they break onto the tour for a few years at least.

That's my 2 pence worth.

Excellent post! well said

[louisleung]

The free time in playing snooker is limited, i would prefer to play in better condition, of course it includes the quality of snooker table. Otherwise , I would play other sport. From marketing pont of view, the life cycle of snooker is decling in uk, but expanding in other counties. I think we want some new stars instead of ronnie alone,.

[Byrom]

good point about loving the game,but playing with big pockets just feel like cheating to a point, a bit like a dartboard having bigger number areas,I recon if I got my head down on one of these big pocket tables i would certantly beat my 128 i would think,but beating it for me on a table with irregular pockets wouldn't give me a buzz

I will play on anything too but for me its not the size of the pockets that puts me off - its the speed of the cloths - Playing on a match table with fast cloth and steel blocked cushions G1s and good lighting can not be bettered in my opinion. Decent tables make decent players - Most of us on here play a totally different game than the pro's condition wise. They don't need to whack it around to get position as much - and cannon the pack on a match table and the pack splits lovely. Sometimes on club tables you need to hit them with a sledge hammer - the pockets are tighter on a match table yes but on a fast thin cloth it does not turn off with the nap and because you don't need to whack it encourages a nicer smoother cue action to develop - if your stroking it they go in and tighter pockets do help you concentrate more because they are unforgiving. The lighting matters too - cant beat proper lighting - how many clubs still have coffin lids with dull lighting urrr.

Most local clubs are in the dark ages still using old tackle old tables and this is not showing any foresight - Maybe if a every club or a few of them invested in a few Star tables or aristocrats then they would find a number of good players flock back to play - in turn inspiring others to play or improve - Its worth paying a bit more to play on a good table. I'm not saying fill the club with them but one or two great tables to appeal to everyone would possibly help the cause.

Also at grass roots we need more comps and sponsorship of leagues - perhaps a free junior club on Saturday-Sunday mornings with coaching to inspire the next generations of youngsters to pick up a cue.
It also helps to have a few more people doing great write ups in the local press like Neil Tapperell - Have I spelled that right?

On the national side of things a 1 million first prize for the worlds does say to youngsters this is a game worth taking up - Rooney earns more in a week than the top prize in our game and the money has not actually gone up - discounting inflation - for years.
It would be nice too if the association or our government gave sporting grants - like they do with other sports - as this would help our new generation of youngsters with the expenses of competing in what is now a world wide sport - taking the edge off if they break onto the tour for a few years at least.

That's my 2 pence worth.

[Leo]

I find that quite strange Leo, I would play on anything ,just love playing.

good point about loving the game,but playing with big pockets just feel like cheating to a point, a bit like a dartboard having bigger number areas,I recon if I got my head down on one of these big pocket tables i would certantly beat my 128 i would think,but beating it for me on a table with irregular pockets wouldn't give me a buzz

[itsnoteasy]

If a table hasn't got tight pockets i won't play simple,but can understand the run of the mill player wanting football goal pockets

I find that quite strange Leo, I would play on anything ,just love playing.

[golferson123]

That's enough isn't it??

Used to be about 14

[Leo]

The star academy was originally only set up for the overseas players to have a practice base so they could improve their game in preperation for the main tour.

Its only in recent years has it been opened up for the general public to go along and play on these tables. Most of their revenue comes from overseas clients who come over for a few weeks at a time and are put up in good quality accomodation and have meals cooked for them.

Its a great set up and the best time to go is on a weekend as its quieter so you should get a table unless they have a comp on which they do from time to time. Keith who runs it just lets you get on with your game, you have access to the kitchen area to make yourself a drink, its fantastic and can't recommend it enough. Only thing is you need to be pretty good to adapt to these tables as players who aren't will really struggle with the pace and tight pockets.

If a table hasn't got tight pockets i won't play simple,but can understand the run of the mill player wanting football goal pockets

[jrc750]

only 5 or 6 I think

That's enough isn't it??

[golferson123]

is snooker dying out in uk?

only 5 or 6 I think