Snooker
Topic: Snooker Shoot Out

My non-pool/non-snooker playing friend loves the snooker shoot out. He likes the format and mad excitement... Personally I can't help thinking it lowers the tone of a great and classy game.

Who's right?

It wouldn't surprise me if this appeals more to non players - I personally like the Shootout format for what it is - Fast and unpredictable - Set time limits for matches & fun for players and spectators - The players seem to like it - Certainly more smiles and wild shot making. I ts definitely more entertaining - And No it doesn't lower the tone - You gotta take it for what it is - The whole competition is a bit of fun - What title would you be more proud of winning - Shootout Winner or UK or World Open Champion - Well that's a no brainer -
In all seriousness, finding out who the best players are, has gotta be done in a professional manner, to the highest standards & playing conditions available. Both kinds of tournament to be appreciated for what they are. I wouldn't be surprised if theyre are more competitions done in the shootout format in clubs. Stops matches from going on and on and on.

We used to use the One Rack k Shoot Out during the World 9 Ball Championship Qualifiers when they wre held at Stars n Stripes in Bristol and the Cardiff qualifiers.
Lag for break then loser racks the balls. Once any part of the triangle was lifted it had to be removed and the breaker had to accept the rack.

There were usuallly eight wildcard spots for the Pro9 Ball Tour members but if we got a late withdrawal from the Main Field then the ORSO was used to fill that spot. Anyone who had entered at least three qualifying events could enter this. There were plenty of twitched match balls before expatriate Irishman Jon Wims joined the main field representing Australia. There was joy from a large Greek contingent the following year when Alexandris was carried round the room shouldr high by his supporters after a nervy victory. But for me the best ORSO was when the USA's Art Wiggins win a highly entertaining match against Sweden's Sanne Crone in front of a massive crowd. Every shot was a pressure ball.
That was when 9 ball was exciting to watch.

Another incident comes to mind at Stars and Stripes. Not a ORSO but a match between two veterans o the sport - Grady Matthews and Ronnie Wiseman.
This was sharking of the highest degree. Eventually I was called to the table to intervene in a pattern racking dispute. I said that the only thinj that surprised me was that it took three racks before I was called over.

My best memory of world championship qualifiers in Cardiff was when I played a German. He took so long racking the balls I actually fell asleep and only woke as he smashed the pack. Mind you I had been out till about 4am the previous night.