Seems Xintong has won 19 from 20 matches since his return obviously at a lower level, what a shame this kid went down the wrong path, at one point i thought he had more potential than any the of the young blood, could have gone to the very top.
Snooker
- Thread starter The Uncouth
- Start date
The Hare
Gelding
Yes he has won the next Qualifying Tour event and with 3 to go looks strong favourite to top the rankings and regain his tour place that way. He had the most lenient ban of all the players so the first back playing. Don't know the full events but he must have been put under a lot of pressure from Wenbo and the other leaders. Has served his time and like you say O Outlander he was great to watch. Have to forgive him as in a foreign land can't be easy under threats. Still think the 9-0 win over Yan Bingtao in the German event in 2022 has to be very suspicious. He was amazing that day but Yan was obviously in betting troubles at the time, though never mentioned in the "suspect" games.
These are the Q Tour rankings, 3000 for a win, 3 events left in VIenna, Zurich and Walsall!
The Hare
Gelding
So 2 decent efforts from Allen and Jones make tonights' final. Wilson took 3 frames to get up to speed but Figueiredo had plenty of chances and perhaps the lack of games told. He is in the UK next week so better chances in the qualifying rounds for him there. Planning to try and return to the tour again next season which he would be an asset.
Best of 11 tonight
The affect of the result on my top of ratings - look a little better now.
Best of 11 tonight
The affect of the result on my top of ratings - look a little better now.
The Hare
Gelding
Another half hearted effort from Brecl after a good first frame against an impressive Wilson, says he has ha colda fter coming back from China but still looks in great shape. Williams a little below best but Bai couldn't take advantage. Wilson would be the most likely winner tonight based on afternoon form.
Delboy99
Dam
...... yes they make a bit more sense now. Looks like a few of the bigger boys have dropped out of the top sixteen. Carter, Jones, Figuriredo, Gilbert, Wilson, Vafaei, Bingham and Brecel to name a few. Looks to be about five Chinese up there in their places so is this the shape of things to come.
Delboy99
Dam
What Shaun Murphy said on the potential ‘demise of snooker’.
Shaun Murphy believes the rise of Chinese 8-ball poses a threat to the long-term popularity of snooker in the Far East.Last week’s International Championship was the fourth tournament in China this season following previous outings for the Shanghai Masters, the Xi’an Grand Prix, and the Wuhan Open.
Ding Junhui beat Chris Wakelin 10-7 to claim the title in front of a big crowd in Nanjing as the home hero returned to winning ways in a ranking event for the first time in five years.
Ding’s success followed Xiao Guodong’s triumph in Wuhan last month with Chinese representation at the business end of tournaments becoming increasingly commonplace in recent times.
Following last year’s match-fixing scandal that resulted in ten players receiving varying lengths of bans, many queried whether the probe would have a negative affect on the popularity of snooker in China.
While that doesn’t appear to have been the case – with crowd numbers in Chinese events improved compared to the pre-pandemic era – Murphy does think there is another potential threat to the sport.
“There is absolutely no evidence that I can see,” Shaun Murphy said on this week’s episode of the OneFourSeven Snooker Podcast.
“That the betting scandal led by the ten players who were banned for match-fixing offences and associated offences has had any impact of the popularity of the sport out there at all.”
“Every time we do an opening ceremony, a PR event, or a red-carpet event, it is packed with fans.
“They had to delay a couple of matches out in Nanjing because the crowd was so big and it took so long to get the crowd in the door.
“When you’re having to delay the start of matches because the crowd is too big to get through the door, I don’t think we need to worry about whether snooker is doing okay.
“I’ll tell you what I am concerned about a little bit. I am a little bit concerned about the popularity of Chinese 8-ball.
“A sport that gets called Heyball, it gets called Chinese 8-ball, or Chinese pool. There’s quite a few different titles for it.
“The reason I’m concerned about it is because there are a lot of snooker players who are – understandably – getting offered a lot of money to go and play in these events.
“And again, completely understandably, they are taking that money. I’ve got no problem with that at all.
“Except to say that they are potentially contributing to the rise [of Chinese 8-ball] and the subsequent demise of snooker out in the Far East.
“Because Chinese 8-ball is unquestionably on the rise and potentially may have already overtaken snooker in China in terms of participation, tables, and it’s moving out around the world.
“I know a lot of players who now have Chinese 8-ball tables in the UK, because they’re practicing it. It’s starting to become a thing.
“Now listen, I’m all for competition. I’m all for more eyes on getting more people playing cue sports – that’s what we want.
“If we’re trying to drive towards an Olympic bid at some stage, participation is key.
“When you’re having to delay the start of matches because the crowd is too big to get through the door, I don’t think we need to worry about whether snooker is doing okay.
“I’ll tell you what I am concerned about a little bit. I am a little bit concerned about the popularity of Chinese 8-ball.
“A sport that gets called Heyball, it gets called Chinese 8-ball, or Chinese pool. There’s quite a few different titles for it.
“The reason I’m concerned about it is because there are a lot of snooker players who are – understandably – getting offered a lot of money to go and play in these events.
“And again, completely understandably, they are taking that money. I’ve got no problem with that at all.
“Except to say that they are potentially contributing to the rise [of Chinese 8-ball] and the subsequent demise of snooker out in the Far East.
“Because Chinese 8-ball is unquestionably on the rise and potentially may have already overtaken snooker in China in terms of participation, tables, and it’s moving out around the world.
“I know a lot of players who now have Chinese 8-ball tables in the UK, because they’re practicing it. It’s starting to become a thing.
“Now listen, I’m all for competition. I’m all for more eyes on getting more people playing cue sports – that’s what we want.
“If we’re trying to drive towards an Olympic bid at some stage, participation is key.
“However, I just worry that some of these players – perhaps naively – are almost sleepwalking themselves and the rest of us towards the demise of snooker.
“Or certainly snooker’s fall down the popularity rankings in that part of the world. I’m not trying to be super negative.
“And I’m not trying to be overcritical of players taking earning opportunities, because we’re all trying to earn money.
“I think we might need to just be careful that by trying to maximise all of our commercial opportunities, we don’t accidentally make something more popular or make snooker less popular, and by extension damage what we’ve got.”
Mark Williams, Stuart Bingham, and Gary Wilson are a few of the high-profile snooker players who have started to participate more regularly on the Heyball circuit.
Murphy, meanwhile, has revealed that rumours surrounding his involvement in unsanctioned 900 Series events later in the campaign are true.
Recent changes to the WPBSA players’ contract, which were required following the controversy surrounding the Macau exhibition events late last year, have relaxed the rules on the possibility of playing in tournaments outside the World Snooker Tour.
The 900 Series, created by Jason Francis, has already been a popular addition to the World Seniors Tour but four tournaments for established main tour players are set to take place in the new year.
“It is true. I’m delighted to be asked, but I don’t know very much about it,” Shaun Murphy said.
“I know that Jason was planning to put on four two-day events. I had no idea until I saw the list on social media myself who else was asked to play in it.”
“I’m just happy to play and looking forward to these opportunities. As luck would have it, two of those dates do clash with potential events in the 2025/26 calendar, so I think only two of them so far have been granted permission.
“[I’m] excited about it, you know I think competition is good. I think players being allowed to play and ply their trade [is good].
“For what it’s worth, my own personal view is that as a professional snooker player, as a self-employed trades person, I should be allowed to play snooker whenever and wherever I want.
“That’s my own personal view, so I see this as a real positive step that these events are going to be put on.”
Ronnie O’Sullivan, Kyren Wilson, John Higgins, Neil Robertson, Mark Williams, Luca Brecel, and Reanne Evans are reported to be signed up for the series of events as well.
The Hare
Gelding
Hi
Delboy99 there is no doubt Murphy is correct. Chinese 8 ball will surely impact snooker. The problem with modern day society is attention span. Hearn realised this with reducing the number of frames in games and the Shoot OUt. He tried to shame the slower players in an effort to increase popularity with youngsters. While there is still money around and interest in Europe and the UK there should be a few years left with the game but competition in China would surely lead to it's demise?
Excellent game Wilson and Williams last night. Was amazed it was Williams first ever win against Wilson!
Delboy99 there is no doubt Murphy is correct. Chinese 8 ball will surely impact snooker. The problem with modern day society is attention span. Hearn realised this with reducing the number of frames in games and the Shoot OUt. He tried to shame the slower players in an effort to increase popularity with youngsters. While there is still money around and interest in Europe and the UK there should be a few years left with the game but competition in China would surely lead to it's demise?Excellent game Wilson and Williams last night. Was amazed it was Williams first ever win against Wilson!
The Hare
Gelding
Easy win for Trump, back in top form against a weary Ding. Carter fought back against Ronertson but Ronertson cleared up well in the last frame. Both days so gar have been won by the winner of the first match to be played so Trump has the advantage of an easy game and the rest advantage.
For Zhao Xintong in the qualifiers starting on Saturday draws Akani Songsermsawad in the first round, not easy but game of the round undoubtedly. Will put draw up Friday.
For Zhao Xintong in the qualifiers starting on Saturday draws Akani Songsermsawad in the first round, not easy but game of the round undoubtedly. Will put draw up Friday.
Delboy99
Dam
Judd Trump irked after ‘unlucky’ loss to ‘slow’ Neil Robertson at Champion of Champions.
Judd Trump felt he was very unlucky to lose to Neil Robertson at Champion of Champions on Wednesday night, unhappy with the ‘slow play’ of the Australian.Trump had hammered Ding Junhui 4-0 earlier on Wednesday, while Robertson edged Ali Carter 4-3 to set-up the group final between the two former world champions.
It was an unusual clash between the two usually fluent, heavy scorers, with some very long frames and prolonged safety exchanges.
Robertson looked good in taking a 3-1 lead, but the second half of the match was very lengthy and undoubtedly the Thunder from Down Under did get the run of the balls at times, which clearly irked Trump.
‘I thought I was very unlucky,’ Trump told ITV4. ‘To be honest I think Neil knows that he didn’t deserve to win like that, but that happens. He put in a good spell to go 3-1 up, then after that he had quite a few chances, missed quite a few long balls and got safe every time. It’s just one of those days.’
The world number one felt that, purposefully or not, Robertson slowed the play down and while it worked on Wednesday, he feels he needs to speed up again to play his best.
‘It was a tough game, it was very slow,’ he said. ‘I love Neil but there was a lot of slow play and he’s a much better player when he just gets on with it.
‘Hopefully he gets on with it for the rest of the tournament, it would be nice to see him go and win it again, he’s a great player. It just got a bit bogged down out there, I think.’
Robertson praised Trump’s battling spirit in what became a slugfest at times and was not fussed how the big win came, punching the air after shaking hands with his beaten opponent.
‘Incredible game, Judd showed all his qualities there. The great champion he’s been over the past 18 months, well his whole career really,’ said Robertson. ‘His safety play, his discipline, everything was incredible. I matched it with him, I stayed with him, kept my discipline as well.
‘That blue is definitely one of the highlight shots of my career, in terms of the pressure and everything that was at stake.’
Seven-time world champion Stephen Hendry agreed with Trump that Robertson was lucky, but was impressed with how he capitalised at the death.
‘He had lots of chances, it was a great blue he potted and great pink, but he was hovering,’ said Hendry. ‘But for an unbelievable run of the balls, it would have been 5-5 and then who knows who would have won? All credit to him, he held himself together for the last four pots but I think he was lucky.’
Robertson has booked his spot in a Saturday semi-final against three-time world champion Mark Williams, a match he is relishing against a legend of the game.
‘Mark’s had a really good season last year and he’s started well this time as well,’ said the Aussie. ‘I always enjoy playing Mark, get along with him really well.
‘Young kid from Australia to be competing against Mark WIlliams in major semi-finals, I never would have believed that. To get another chane to play a great, great player is fantastic.’
The Hare
Gelding
A little tongue in cheek from Trump? Certainly the other players are catching him up with his early season form. Robertson was certainly very lucky in the final frame but finished it off well. Trump first failure for a couple of years as the first player in the afternoon. AS mentioned on here Robertson is certainly better when he plays at a quicker pace and doesn't overthink.
An Amazing display from Xiao today. 3-0 down and never had a look in, no points, then did the same to Ronnie in the decider. Got a bit tense for him in the last but he managed to get over the line. Murphy couldn't compete when Selby got going in the second frame.
An Amazing display from Xiao today. 3-0 down and never had a look in, no points, then did the same to Ronnie in the decider. Got a bit tense for him in the last but he managed to get over the line. Murphy couldn't compete when Selby got going in the second frame.
The Hare
Gelding
Saturday sees the start of the UK Championship Qualifiers in Leicester. 144 players entered so a few top ups. Including my recent top rated Figueiredo with a fair chance of progressing and of course Zhao against Akani, my 2nd and 3rd top rated in the round, though with Figueiredo rating a little unreliable as only 3 games effectively 1 and 2. Those in this round need to win 4 games to make York the following Saturday.
Even a good chance for Nutcharut to win another game for the women.
Even a good chance for Nutcharut to win another game for the women.
The Hare
Gelding
An amazing day for Xiao, 3-0 down to O'Sullivan and then like a World Champion and same against Selby in a best of 11. Selby looked tired a little later on, understandable after 18 frames for him with just an hours gap but Xiao's level this season is something he has never been near before. At 35 he is finally maintaining his top game over longer periods. Back out tonight against Allen, Semi finals the next 2 nights. No English players!
Delboy99
Dam
...... interesting semis here. Can Mark Allen dispose of Xiao where others have failed before him, or is he destined to fall by the wayside? I think Mark Williams could be one too many for Neil Robertson but this match still looks to be in the lap of the gods.
The Hare
Gelding
Took some time sorting this one out as well. Have seen games with misses as bad as this in current season, unlikely any betting involved in those games, just a general lack of interest in the event from the players.
Quite a hefty fine for King, probably go down the same line as Stephen Lee and not pay it.
I suppose at least now players get the guaranteed £20,000 to cover their expenses but King had gambling problems when he won the Northern Ireland event in his interview after that.
Hopefully now Covid passed and the guarantee will mean no more of these but I doubt it!!
The Hare
Gelding
Xiao Guodong continues in top form with another excellent display to beat Allen. Amazing that he can now sustain top form so long, had decent spells in the past but never throughout a tournament and this case for 6 weeks at least.
Alarmingly the Allen interview afterwards said he was experimenting for the big tournaments coming up. Obviously unhappy at losing and maybe a little aggrieved at Xiao thinking over tricky shots. He never looked comfortable in his chair, some times meditating, some sitting on the edge of his seat. For him the big problem is the UK which he won 2 years ago so loses 250,000 ranking points which puts him back in the middle of the top 16. He said he couldn't play like he did in the first day of the tournament and needed to enjoy his snooker again. So from that he now plans to be more attacking and quicker. My memory of Allen showing his best ever form was he played very slowly and defensively and scrambled through rounds early on - similar to the first rounds this week. Clearly not a happy guy yesterday.
Nothing against Xiao, he played fluently and thought throught the harder shots when a little out of position. He is clearly playing top 4 snooker of late and now showing it in the UK as well, clearly a very happy guy at the moment. Zhang Anda last year must have been his inspiration.
Alarmingly the Allen interview afterwards said he was experimenting for the big tournaments coming up. Obviously unhappy at losing and maybe a little aggrieved at Xiao thinking over tricky shots. He never looked comfortable in his chair, some times meditating, some sitting on the edge of his seat. For him the big problem is the UK which he won 2 years ago so loses 250,000 ranking points which puts him back in the middle of the top 16. He said he couldn't play like he did in the first day of the tournament and needed to enjoy his snooker again. So from that he now plans to be more attacking and quicker. My memory of Allen showing his best ever form was he played very slowly and defensively and scrambled through rounds early on - similar to the first rounds this week. Clearly not a happy guy yesterday.
Nothing against Xiao, he played fluently and thought throught the harder shots when a little out of position. He is clearly playing top 4 snooker of late and now showing it in the UK as well, clearly a very happy guy at the moment. Zhang Anda last year must have been his inspiration.
Delboy99
Dam
Snooker’s Mark King banned for match-fixing.
Snooker professional Mark King was suspended from the sport for five years for match fixing and providing ininformation.The World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) announced today (15 November) that it had found King guilty of one count of match fixing associated with his game against Joe Perry in February 2023. He was also found guilty of one count of providing inside information on that match.
King’s case was heard by an independent disciplinary committee, which held a tribunal in London in May 2024. The committee embargoed the publication of its liability decision until it receives submissions on sanctions and delivered its final decision.
King was initially suspended from the game in March 2023 by WPBSA, which governs the sport. Suspicious betting was reported on his Welsh Open match against Perry, which he lost 0-4, during the previous month. An investigation was carried out by WPBSA partner Sportradar and the Sports Betting Intelligence Unit at the UK Gambling Commission.
In addition to the five-year ban, King must pay £68,299.50 (€81,875.39/$86,272.51) in costs. The ban precludes King from playing, coaching, officiating or managing within snooker.
The former World No 11 has until 28 November 2024 to appeal the decisions of the independent disciplinary committee.
WPBSA chairman Jason Ferguson said: “The global expansion of this sport brings with it great responsibility, both for our players and for the WPBSA as the sport’s world governing body.
“I have known Mark King since he was very young, he is a very experienced player who has enjoyed great success and I am deeply saddened to read the finding in this case. However, the integrity of this sport will always be our number one priority.
“This case is testament to the fact that no stone will ever be left unturned in ensuring that the hundreds of millions of snooker fans worldwide, and our many global partners, can have full confidence in this incredible sport.”
The disciplinary committee found King acted in breach of Part 2 Rule 2.1.2.1 and Rule 2.2 of the WPBSA Regulations. Under these, King was found to have “fixed or contrived, or were a party to an effort to fix or contrive the result or score of [the Perry match]”. He was also found to have “provided information to be used for betting purposes to another person or persons and that information included the fact that you would contrive the score and/or outcome….” The offences took place between 1 January and 14 February 2023.
Two other charges relating to King’s match with John Higgins played in December 2022 were dismissed.
John Pierce, Gambling Commission enforcement director, said: “All betting customers in Britain should have confidence that bets placed with licensed gambling businesses are on markets that are fair and free from betting-related corruption.
“This is why our Sports Betting Intelligence Unit will always work closely with partners such as the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association to support their sporting integrity investigations and allegations of match fixing.
“Today’s announcement should send a clear message that betting-related corruption in sport will not be tolerated.”
The Hare
Gelding
Williams sweeps past Robertson and a 19 frame decider with Xiao today, an impressive display by Williams and Robertson now set for UK qualifying later in the week. Good to see Williams has replaced the tinny sound on his tip with his new cue and playing so much better. Two of the 4 best players this season so far so should be good.
The Hare
Gelding
In UK qualifying Zhao beat Akani 6-3, was 3-2 down before he got his form together and a 146 break, (much rarer than a 147), leads the way for top break. He now faces a younger Chinese player Jiang Jun who is improving fast this season with a great run in Nanjing last week. That game is Monday morning but the below are for the last 112 round starting this afternoon, will update the bottom 6 games tomorrow.
In other games former top rated Figueiredo lost to young Pole, Kowalski, 6-4 and is now a more realistic rating on my rankings after 4 games on the database, down to 68th.
In other games Nutcharut lost 6-0 to Hatem Yassen, winning his first game on tour, only played 1 before as his qualification through winning the African Championship was very late. Bai Yulu did win for the women though over Farakh Ajaib 6-4. She was clearly helped by her appearance in the Champion of Champions. Reanne Evans withdrew from her game, don't know why, she was commentating the other day so hopefully all well with her.
In other games former top rated Figueiredo lost to young Pole, Kowalski, 6-4 and is now a more realistic rating on my rankings after 4 games on the database, down to 68th.
In other games Nutcharut lost 6-0 to Hatem Yassen, winning his first game on tour, only played 1 before as his qualification through winning the African Championship was very late. Bai Yulu did win for the women though over Farakh Ajaib 6-4. She was clearly helped by her appearance in the Champion of Champions. Reanne Evans withdrew from her game, don't know why, she was commentating the other day so hopefully all well with her.
Delboy99
Dam
Jimmy White beats player 42 years his junior in UK Championship qualifying.
Jimmy White got his UK Championship qualifying campaign underway on Sunday with a 6-2 win over Paul Deaville, a player who is 42 years his junior.The 62-year-old beat the youngster with a couple of half-centuries along the way, including a 78 in the final frame of the match.
The world number 90 has to win four matches in qualifying to reach the main stages at York’s Barbican and he returns for his second outing against Ross Muir on Monday.
The legendary Whirlwind is still playing in the UK Championship 43 years after he reached the semi-finals on debut in 1981.
He beat the likes of John Virgo, Dennis Taylor and Ray Reardon that year before running into Steve Davis in the semis and taking a 9-0 walloping.
It is also 32 years since White won the UK Championship, beating John Parrott in the 1992 final in one of the biggest wins of his epic career.
Deaville, his opponent on Sunday at the qualifiers in Leicester, was born in 2004, 24 years after White turned professional.
It is not a victory out of the blue for the veteran after he beat Mohammed Shehab and Andrew Higginson at the Saudi Arabia Masters earlier this season, while he beat Deaville, Jackson Page and Hossein Vafaei in the Northern Ireland Open.
The qualifiers run until Thursday 21 November in Leicester, with the main event getting underway two days later on Saturday in York.
Ronnie O’Sullivan is the defending champion after beating Ding Junhui in last year’s final and he will begin the defence of his title on the opening day at the Barbican.
Who he faces is yet to be decided, with plenty of big names having to come through qualifying to join the Rocket and the rest of the top 16 in York.
The likes of Neil Robertson, Barry Hawkins, Jak Jones, Dave Gilbert, Stephen Maguire, Anthony McGill, Tom Ford, Jacki Lisowski and Hossein Vafaei are all in the qualifiers and will be very tricky tests for any top 16 player if they come through.