Snooker World

The Rocket - masters the game

2007-12-16T00:03:00.000+01:00

What can I say. Coming down from 6-3 and perforing 147 in deciding frame. Not many players can do that.

Ronnie O'Sullivan won his Maplin UK Championship semi-final with Mark Selby in magnificent fashion with a 147 break in the deciding frame WS

Having tied the scores at eight frames all, 32-year-old O'Sullivan showed all the skills that have made him a two-time world champion as he produced a maximum break when the chips were down to power through.

O'Sullivan will play Stephen Maguire in the final. ES

888.com World Snooker Championship

2007-04-24T15:58:00.000+02:00

The World Snooker Championship is in it`s first round. I was not able to post this last couple of days but, i watched some of the duels and i can tell you i`m looking forward more matches.

Nice games, young brave players and offensive plays. The complete results can be accessed here.

Yesterday Shawn Murphy didn`t allow any sensation and won over seventeen year old Judd Trump.

This is going to be a period of enjoyment i can assure you on that. I`ll post from time to time something new, but i`ll try to watch as many as possible :)

I would advise the same to you :)

Ding stays home, home

2007-03-28T21:32:00.000+02:00

He is Home, but he will literary stay home this week.

Ding Junhui's hopes of winning the China Open were ended by Barry Hawkins.

"I've not won a match all season so this is great result," said Hawkins. "I've been playing well but it's always a case of getting over the line and I've not been able to do that this season.

Maplin UK Champion Peter Ebdon is also going home. He lost against Joe Swail 5-3.

China Open

2007-03-27T15:28:00.000+02:00

Its ON, and is already without No 1 Stephen Hendry.

was 3-1 down to Hong Kong's Fu before winning three frames in a row.

The seven-time world champion look to have sealed victory with a 58 break to open frame eight but Fu hit back with a 72 run to take the match into a deciding frame.

And then the world number 22 produced a match-winning break of 63 and will now meet either Matthew Stevens or Chinese wildcard Xiao Guodong.

More results

World Championship qualifying

2007-03-09T13:19:00.000+01:00

From March 12th to 15th.

Follow the results, and prepare for the big show.

5 centuries in 9 frames from Stephen Hendry

2007-02-22T19:43:00.000+01:00

Legends of Snooker Tour

It live now!!!

And the first magnificent play was made.

Stephen Hendry recorded five centuries in nine frames in an exhibition match against Ronnie O'Sullivan.

The Scot defeated the Rocket 6-3 in the first of six matches comprising the Legends of Snooker Tour.

It was the first time the two players have met since since O'Sullivan walked out midway through their UK Championship quarter-final in December.

4 from 5

2007-02-19T00:22:00.000+01:00

This evening i`ve past by eurosport.com/snooker and i`ve captured this screen.

You can see how good week Robertson had on Welsh Open. Grandiose play, no doubt.

Fightback after comeback

2007-02-19T00:16:00.000+01:00

Australia's Neil Robertson withstood a superb fightback from Andrew Higginson to win the Welsh Open final 9-8.Robertson went into the match as a heavy favourite against the unranked Englishman and raced into a 6-2 lead.

But Higginson hit back with a series of big breaks to move to 8-6 ahead and within sight of a stunning win.

However, Grand Prix winner Robertson held his nerve with breaks of 92 and 59 to force a deciding frame and took it with two visits to the table.

Robertson on fire

2007-02-16T21:38:00.000+01:00

Yesterday:
The Australian stormed to a four frame lead over Hendry and recorded a career best tournament break of 140 in the process. But Robertson was made to sweat for his victory after Hendry won three successive frames to make the score 4-3. In the seventh frame order was restored and Robertson progressed to the last 16.

Today:
Neil Robertson took a tight last frame to pinch a high-quality quarter-final against Ronnie O'Sullivan 5-4 and move through to the last four of the Welsh Open in Newport.

We must admit this boy is on the run, good tactical play. Although I`m a fan of Hendry`s still, i got to admit, yesterdays game was very good. For a moment i hoped that Hendry can come back and turn the game in his favor, but the concentration was not on the desired level

Welsh Open

2007-02-12T13:04:00.000+01:00

World Class Snooker

Welsh Open
Dont`t miss it

Another sad result in Malta

2007-02-02T20:04:00.000+01:00

Stephen Hendry, lost this afternoon from Alister Carter.

The play was not too good for Hendry, he had his chance in the th deciding frame but one slow ball was not showing any signs of kr to Stephen.

However Carter play was solid and he took the victory 5 frames to 4

Losers in Malta: Ronnie O'Sullivan, Matthew Stevens, John Higgins,

2007-02-01T21:01:00.000+01:00

Michael Holt pulled off the best win of his career with a 5-3 win over Ronnie O'Sullivan to move through to the last 16 of the Malta Cup. Holt - who had never previously beaten O'Sullivan - held his nerve to move through to a clash against Mark King.

Ryan Day moved in to the last 16 of the Malta Cup with a 5-3 win over friend and countryman Matthew Stevens. Day, ranked 17 in the world, had moved in to a 2-0 lead before Stevens had even got going.

World number one John Higgins went crashing out of round one of the Malta Cup 5-3, after a fine display by Marco Fu. The Wizard of Wishaw began well having potted the black to win a tight first frame, but soon found himself 4-1 down to Fu.

Maguire sends Ding home

2007-01-30T09:30:00.000+01:00

Ding knocked in a break of 68 in the first frame after the mid-session interval to bring the match to 2-3, but Maguire dominated the final two frames to progress.

Stephen Maguire booked his place in the last 16 of the Malta Cup with an excellent 5-2 victory over Ding Junhui. He meets Peter Ebdon in the next round after seeing off the challenge of the provisional world number five.

The Rocket crush Ding Junhui in the Masters final at Wembley

2007-01-22T09:05:00.000+01:00

Ronnie O'Sullivan produced a vintage display of snooker to crush Ding Junhui 10-3 in the Masters final at Wembley.

There were doubts over the troubled star's participation at the prestigious invitational event after he was widely criticised after walking out of his quarter-final against Stephen Hendry in last month's UK Championship in York.

But the 31-year-old silenced the critics with a resounding victory over the Chinese teenager in which he scored four century breaks.

The 19-year-old took a 2-0 lead with runs of 77 and 109.

But then the Essex star took control, winning four frames in a row thanks to breaks of 55, 99, 128 and 101.

Ding pulled one back by edging a tight seventh frame only for O'Sullivan to hold a 5-3 lead after a fascinating afternoon session following a 116 break.

And the two-time world champion was unstoppable in the evening with a 96 break followed by a 65 clearance to snatch frame ten.

The Rocket was well on his way to his third Masters title, following his victories in 1995 and 2005, when he hammered home a 143 break in frame 11 and following runs of 48 and 49 in frame 12, Ding left the arena with his opponent consoling the visibly upset provisional world number five.

But things got no better for the youngster as O'Sullivan wrapped up victory in quick time before receiving the trophy from Steve Davis.

Ding, who appeared upset by remarks from a member of the audience, said: "I thought he had won the ninth frame of 17 and the match was over.

"It is very different to events like the China Open because the fans go in groups and I felt very alone here. I was a bit annoyed with the man's comments because I couldn't concentrate."

O'Sullivan said: "Ding is one of the rarest talents that I have seen and there is no doubt in my mind that he will become a multiple winner."

147 at 19 , Ding Junhui

2007-01-15T09:20:00.000+01:00

Ding Junhui became the youngest player to score a maximum 147 break live on television on Sunday, beating the previous record set by Ronnie O'Sullivan by almost three years.

The Chinese player, aged 19 years and nine months, set the record as he swept aside fellow wildcard entry Anthony Hamilton 6-3 on the first day of the Masters Tournament.

There have been 27 other televised maximum breaks in the history of the sport, the first going back to 1982 when Briton Steve Davis achieved the feat.

"I didn't realise I was the youngest and I am very happy to go into the record books for the youngest scorer of a 147 break - I am feeling really special," Ding said.

"I felt the nerves on the last red to the middle pocket and the final black."

O'Sullivan scored his televised 147 at the world championships in 1997 when he was 22.

Source: Eurosport

Ronnie O'Sullivan is ready

2007-01-11T09:48:00.000+01:00

The star met World Snooker chairman Sir Rodney Walker on Wednesday to discuss his actions at York's Barbican Centre.

A spokesman for the governing body described as the meeting as "informal talks, not a disciplinary hearing".

And Walker told Five Live: "I thoroughly enjoyed my lunch with (Ronnie) today. He was relaxed and happy and I think is looking forward to doing as well as he can at the Masters.

"As chairman of World Snooker, I very much see Ronnie O'Sullivan as being an important part of the future."

O'Sullivan added another chapter to his controversial career by walking out while trailing 4-1 to Stephen Hendry in the UK Championship quarter-finals last month.

He later apologised through Doyle's 110sport Management company, but may still face disciplinary action by World Snooker.

Walker told Five Live he will write to the disciplinary committee on O'Sullivan's behalf.

More: BBCSport/snooker

Stephen Hendry

2007-01-01T18:46:00.000+01:00

Stephen Hendry MBE (b. January 13, 1969), is a professional Snooker player.

Born in Edinburgh, he was brought up in Fife, where he attended Inverkeithing High School. Stephen now lives in the small town of Auchterarder.

In 1983, aged 14, Hendry won the National Under-16 Championship and also appeared for the first time on the BBC's Junior Pot Black. At 15, he was the Scottish Amateur Champion and also became the youngest ever entrant in the World Amateur Championships. Stephen retained his Scottish title in 1985 and at just 16 years and 3 months old, he became the youngest ever professional.
Hendry first won his first World Championships title in 1990 at the age of 21, becoming the youngest player ever to win the event.

Hendry holds several records. He has scored the most 147 breaks (eight) [1], and was the first player to have scored one in the deciding frame of a match; the final of the 1997 Liverpool Victoria Charity Challenge. He has also compiled the most century breaks, currently 698, and he holds the most ranking event titles (36).

He is considered to be the greatest break builder the game has ever seen, having compiled a stunning 698 centuries in professional play as of the 17th December 2006. Unlike Steve Davis who, in the preceding decade, was strong in every department of the game, Hendry relied solely on his long potting and break building which were so formidable at the time that they compensated for his other deficiencies.

Hendry tends to play at a moderate pace, displaying complete ease throughout a frame, and methodically working through the vast majority of break building opportunities.

Rules of Snooker

2006-12-27T09:25:00.000+01:00

Type of Game: International or "English" snooker is the most widely played form of snooker around the world. It is generally played on 6'x12' English billiard tables, with cushions that are more narrow than on pocket billiard tables and which curve smoothly into the pocket openings. 5 x 10 and snooker tables of even smaller playing dimensions may be used for the game. On a 6 x 12 snooker (English billiard) table the playing area within the cushion faces shall measure 11' 8.5" x 5' 10" with a tolerance on both dimensions of +/-0.5". The height of the table is measured from the floor to the top of the cushion rail, and the height shall measure 34" with an allowable variance of +/-0.5".

Players: 2

Balls Used: Set of Snooker balls: fifteen object balls that are not numbered and are solid red (called reds), six object balls of other colors that are not numbered (called colors) and a cue ball (called the white ball). Point values for object balls: red-1, yellow-2, green-3, brown-4, blue-5, pink-6, black-7. In International Snooker the balls used are 2-1/16" diameter.

The Rack: Play begins with the balls placed as in the diagram above. The pink is spotted on the Pyramid Spot. The apex ball of the triangle of reds is racked as close as possible to the pink without touching it.

Baulk-line and Baulk: A straight line drawn 29" from the face of the bottom cushion and parallel to it is called the Baulk-line and the intervening space termed the Baulk.

The Half Circle: The Half Circle is a semi-circle described in Baulk with its center at the middle of the Baulk-line and with a radius of 11.5". When the striker has cue ball in hand within the Half Circle he may place the base of the cue ball anywhere on the line or within the Half Circle, and may use his hand or any part of his cue (including the tip) to position the cue ball--as long as it is judged he is not attempting to play a stroke.

Object of the Game: To score a greater number of points than opponent.

Scoring: Points are scored in two ways: players are awarded points for fouls by the opponent (see Penalties For Fouls below), and by legally potting reds or colors. Each legally potted red ball has a point value of one; each legally potted color ball has a point value as indicated (Balls Used above). A frame ends when all balls have been potted, following the Rules of Play; if, however, only the black (7) ball is left on the table, the frame ends with the first score or foul. If the players' scores are equal after that scoring, the black is spotted on its original position and the layers lag or draw lots for the choice of playing at, or assigning opponent to play at, the black ball with the cue ball in hand within the Half Circle, first score or foul then ends the frame.

Opening Break: Players lag or draw lots for choice of break in the opening frame. In a match format the players alternate the break in subsequent frames. Starting player has cue ball in hand within the Half Circle. He must cause the cue ball to contact a red ball. It is not necessary to send a ball to a rail or into a pocket. Failure to meet this requirement is a foul (see Penalties For Fouls) A foul is scored and--with all fouls--the incoming player has a choice of (1) accepting the table and becoming the striker, or (2) requiring the offender to break again.

Rules of Play... more here

Crucible highs and lows in 2006

2006-12-26T09:08:00.000+01:00

It's been a rollercoaster ride of drama and emotion at this year's World Snooker Championship.

So we asked celebrities, fans and our users to pick out their highs, lows and their most memorable moments from the last two weeks at The Crucible.

Dennis Taylor, BBC commentator, at The Crucible

Simon Hickman, from Dudley, at The Crucible

Q-double-T-P from the 606 messageboards

Alex Ananstasiou, aged 14, Derby, at The Crucible

Sonny Varma, from Nottingham, at The Crucible

Wildsnooker_loopy from the 606 messageboards

Former England cricketer Jack Russell painting The Crucible stage

More on BBC/Snooker

WIN TICKETS

2006-12-23T16:36:00.000+01:00

Worldsnooker.com has two pairs of tickets to give away to the final of the SAGA Insurance Masters.

Find out more here: WIN TICKETS TO THE SAGA INSURANCE MASTERS FINAL (free reg. req.)

The 2007 SAGA Insurance Masters Snooker

2006-12-18T14:58:00.000+01:00

The 2007 SAGA Insurance Masters Snooker comes to Wembley Arena. Masters Snooker has been staged at Wembley since 1975 however after loosing its traditional home at the Conference Centre last year it makes the short journey across the road to Wembley Arena.

Last year’s tournament was a thrilling event with John Higgins finally winning the title in a dramatic 10-9 victory over Ronnie O’Sullivan. The world’s top 16 players qualify automatically, including the likes of Higgins, O’Sullivan, Stephen Hendry, Ken Doherty, Steve Davis and 888.com World Champion Graeme Dott.

However, this year the usual two wildcards are increased to three with the hugely popular Jimmy White being awarded one, Ding Junhui confirmed as the second and the third being Stuart Bingham.

Ebdon beats Hendry

2006-12-18T09:30:00.000+01:00

Peter Ebdon joined an elite band of players to have won both the UK Championship and the world title with a 10-6 win over Stephen Hendry in York.

The pair were locked at 4-4 after their opening session but Ebdon, 36, won the first four frames of the evening.

Hendry, whose form had disintegrated alarmingly, roused himself to close to 8-6 with a stirring break of 116.

But Ebdon, world champion in 2002, held his nerve and runs of 43, and a 70 in the last frame, sealed victory.

"I'm delighted with the way I'm playing - I can only get better," Hendry added.

"It was just a shame I couldn't finish it off today, but my time will come again this season."

Learn to control the cue ball

2006-12-17T19:19:00.000+01:00

The most important ball on the snooker table is the white.

It is the only one you strike with the cue and your ability to control it is vital.

And it's not just about making the pot. You have to plan ahead and manoeuvre the cue ball accurately.

SCREW AND STUN

This is the most common form of spin used by players. It's achieved by striking the lower half of the cue ball.

You can stop the cue ball dead by hitting just below centre, but if it's more backspin you're after, strike the ball lower.

Be careful not to strike too low or the cue-ball will jump and, if you really overdo it, you may even end up ripping the cloth!

As for direction, screw back in a straight line by hitting the bottom centre of the ball.

Strike the lower sides of the cue ball to send the ball left or right after impact.

SIDE SPIN

Probably the hardest technique to employ successfully - even experienced professionals have difficulty judging it - is side spin.

Side spin is used for a number of reasons, but its main job is to change the angle the cue-ball bounces off the cushion after hitting the object ball.

This is achieved by striking left or right of the centre of the cue-ball.

For example, with left side spin, the cue-ball will rebound off the cushion further to the left after hitting the object ball. And vice-versa.

Once perfected, this skill can also be used to swerve the cue-ball - sometimes required to get out of being snookered.

TOP SPIN

Striking the upper part of the cue ball causes it to travel further after impact with the object ball.

It is helpful to raise your bridge hand when playing this shot.

This will steady your aim and enables greater accuracy when striking above the centre of the white ball.

Players use this shot frequently, particularly when attempting to open a pack of reds.

Also concentrate on the follow-through of your cue after striking the ball.

It is this follow-through, combined with the power and distance between the cue ball and the object ball, that determines the amount of spin.

Rules of Snooker

2006-12-17T19:16:00.000+01:00

Players: 2

Baulk-line and Baulk: A straight line drawn 29" from the face of the bottom cushion and parallel to it is called the Baulk-line and the intervening space termed the Baulk.

Object of the Game: To score a greater number of points than opponent.

Rules of Play

1. A legally potted ball entitles the striker to continue at the table until he fails to legally pot a ball.

2. On all shots, the striker must comply with the appropriate requirements of Rules of Play 5 and 6. It is not necessary to cause the cue ball or an object ball to contact a cushion or drop in a pocket after the cue ball has contacted a legal object ball (ball on). Failure to contact a legal object ball first is a foul.

3. As long as reds are on the table, the incoming striker (player taking his first stroke of an inning) always has a red as his legal object ball (ball on).

4. Any red balls potted on a legal shot are legally potted balls; the striker need not call any particular red ball(s), pocket(s) or details of how the pot will be played.

5. When the striker has a red ball as his "ball on" (legal object ball), he must cause the cue ball's first contact to be with a red ball. Failure to do so is a foul (See Penalties For Fouls)

6. After the striker has scored a red ball initially, his next legal object is a color, and as long as reds remain on the table he must alternate his play between reds and colors (though within each group he may play a ball of his choice). When reds remain on the table and a color is his object, the striker must (a) designate prior to stroking which color ball is his object (that specific color is then his "ball on"), and (b) cause the cue ball's first contact with a ball to be with that colored ball. If the striker fails to meet these requirements, it is a foul (See Penalties For Fouls).

7. If the striker's ball on is a red, and he pots a color, it is a foul.

8. If the striker's ball on is a color, and he pots any other ball, it is a foul.

9. Jump shots are illegal in International Snooker. It is a foul if the striker intentionally causes the cue ball to jump (rise from the bed of the table) by any means, if the jump is an effort to clear an obstructing ball.

10. While reds remain on the table, each potted color is spotted prior to the next stroke (see Spotting Balls below for spotting rules). After a color has been spotted, if the striker plays while that ball is incorrectly spotted (and opponent or referee calls it before two such plays have been taken), the shot taken is a foul. If the striker plays two strokes after such error without its being announced by opponent or referee, he is free of penalty and continues playing and scoring normally as though the spotting error simply had not occurred. The striker is responsible for ensuring that all balls are correctly spotted before striking. If the striker plays while a ball(s) that should be on the table is not a foul may be awarded whenever the foul is discovered during the striker's inning. Any scoring prior to the discovery of the foul will count.

11. When no reds remain on the table, striker's balls on become the colors, in ascending numerical order (2,3,4,5,6,7). These legally potted colors are not spotted after each is potted; they remain off the table. (The black (7) ball is an exception in the case of a tie score; see Scoring.)

Illegally Potted Ball: Reds illegally potted are not spotted; they remain off the table. Colors illegally potted are spotted. (See Spotting Balls.)

Object Balls Jumped off the Table: Reds jumped off the table are not spotted and the striker has committed a foul. Colors jumped off the table are spotted and the striker has committed a foul. (See Penalties For Fouls)

Spotting Balls: Reds are never spotted. Colors to be spotted are placed as at the start of the game. If a color's spot is occupied (to mean that to spot it would make it touch a ball), it is placed on the spot of the highest value color that is unoccupied. If all spots are occupied, the color is spotted as close as possible to its original spot on a straight line between its spot and the nearest point on the top (foot) cushion.

Cue Ball after Jumping off the Table: Incoming player has cue ball in hand within the Half Circle. When cue ball is in hand within the Half Circle (except the opening break), there is no restriction (based on position of reds or colors) as to what balls may be played; striker may play at any ball on regardless of where it is on the table.

Touching a Ball: While balls are in play it is a foul if the striker touches any object ball or if the striker touches the cue ball with anything other than the tip during a legal stroke.

Snookered: The cue ball is snookered when a direct stroke in a straight line to any part of every ball on is obstructed by a ball or balls not on. If there is any one ball that is not so obstructed, the cue ball is not snookered. If in-hand within the Half Circle, the cue ball is snookered only if obstructed from all positions on or within the Half Circle. If the cue ball is obstructed by more than one ball, the one nearest to the cue ball is the effective snookering ball.

Angled: The cue ball is angled when a direct stroke in a straight line to any part of every ball on is obstructed by a corner of the cushion. If there is any one ball on that is not so obstructed, the cue ball is not angled. If angled after a foul the referee or player will state "Angled Ball", and the striker has the choice to either (1) play from that position or (2) play from in hand within the Half Circle.

Occupied: A spot is said to be occupied if a ball cannot be placed on it without its touching another ball.

Touching Ball: If the cue ball is touching another ball which is, or can be, on, the referee or player shall state "Touching Ball." Thereafter the striker must play away from it or it is a push stroke (foul). No penalty is incurred for thus playing away if (1) the ball is not on; the ball is on and the striker nominates such ball; or (3) the ball is on and the striker nominates, and first hits, another ball. [If the referee considers that a touching ball has moved through an agency other than the player, it is not a foul.]

Push Stroke: A push stroke is a foul and is made when the tip of the cue remains in contact with the cue ball (1) when the cue ball makes contact with the object ball, or (2) after the cue ball has commenced its forward motion. Provided that where the cue ball and an object ball are almost touching, it shall be deemed a legal stroke if the cue ball hits the finest possible edge of the object ball.

Miss: The striker shall to the best of his ability endeavor to hit the ball on. If the referee considers the rule infringed he shall call foul and a "miss." The incoming player (1) may play the ball(s) as they lie, or (2) may request that the ball(s) be returned to the original position and have the offending player play the stroke again. Note: if the ball on cannot possibly be hit, the striker is judged to be attempting to hit the ball on.

Free Ball: After a foul, if the cue ball is snookered, the referee or player shall state "Free Ball." If the non-offending layer takes the next stroke he may nominate any ball as on. For this stroke, such ball shall be regarded as, and acquire the value of, the ball on. It is a foul should the cue ball fail to first hit, or - except when only the pink and black remain on the table - be snookered by, the free ball. If the "free ball" is potted, is is spotted, and the value of the ball on is scored. if the ball on is potted it is scored. If both the "free ball" and the ball on are potted, only the value of the ball on is scored.

Fouls

If a foul is committed:

1. the player who committed the foul incurs the penalty prescribed (which is added to the opponent's score), and has to play again if requested by the next player. Once such a request has been made it cannot be withdrawn. 2. should more than one foul be committed in the same stroke the highest value penalty shall be incurred. 3. any ball improperly spotted shall remain where positioned, except that if off the table it shall be correctly spotted.

Penalties for Fouls

The following are fouls and incur a penalty of four points or the higher one prescribed:

1. value of the ball on -

by striking:

a) when the balls are still moving from the previous shot. b) the cue ball more than once (double hit). c) without at least one foot on the floor. d) out of turn. e) improperly from in hand within the Half Circle.

by causing:

f) the cue ball to miss all object balls. g) the cue ball to enter a pocket. h) a snooker with free ball. i) a jump shot.

2. value of the ball on or ball concerned -

by causing:

a) a ball not on to enter a pocket. b) the cue ball to first hit a ball not on. c) a push stroke. d) by striking with a ball not correctly spotted. e) by touching a ball with other than the tip of the cue. f) by forcing a ball off the table.

3. value of the ball on or higher value of the two balls by causing the cue ball to hit simultaneously two balls other than two reds or a "free ball" and the ball on.

4. penalty of seven points is incurred if -

the striker

a) after potting a red commits a foul before nominating a color.

b) uses a ball off the table for any purpose.

c) plays at reds in successive strokes.

d) uses as the cue ball any ball other than the white one.