Rocket Ronnie O'Sullivan is currently favourite to win the tournament outright closely followed by Trump, Robertson and al. I reckon Ding Junhui could be the one to lift the trophy this year. His form has been sketchy, however, he may be hitting form at the right time.
I call it World Snoozer Championship waste of my tv licence fee overpaid stuffed shirts.
Professional snooker players are true athletes. Their hand eye coordination can rival that of professional darts players. The balls are much harder and smaller in snooker unlike football where the balls are larger and much easier to hit. The degree of difficulty involved in snooker is much greater than in football. I stopped going to the Crucible many years ago because I was one of those who didn't appreciate the etiquette required during a game. I used to start cheering when the match referee was respotting a ball. In short I was told to calm down or leave. You probably know the rest.
No worries as I can now sit at home cheering to my heart's content.
Simmo, member of the snooker and billiards supporters association.
Don't watch it to me it's on the same level as house buying holiday DYY travel cheap telly as far as the BBC is concerned I resent having to pay for nothing only time I watch it is to check on bad weather sport on the BBC is none existent what next dominoes.
Was watching it yesterday. When it's not very exciting with the likes of Williams & Robertson playing Crucible looks outdated & too small for the event now. I think back to the days of Alex Higgins when it was must watch. It's preference but there's something about O'Sullivan I just can't get as excited about. Judd Trump is the nearest to Higgins playing today but to win this he's got to wait his chance. No rash shots, he's got the game. If he gets through the 1st round scheduled to meet Ding. If he's focussed on this seasons form should get to the quarter finals then if all goes to plan it's O'Sullivan next. Bottom half of the draw is like the group of death as they say in world cup football.
Alex Higgins was an excellent player in the day. However, he was often a loose cannon on some of his visits to Sheffield in the very early 1980's before he won the World Championship outright in 1982. Still a legend to this day. RIP Alex Higgins.
As for Ding The Dragon, he's up against some tough opposition. I'm still optimistic about his chances and the challenge ahead.
Went to watch Higgins against Davies at Roth' leasure centre when he was p*ssing in the artificial flowers. A legend. He loved horseracing. No characters now.
One other well-known snooker player used to stay in Doncaster during the World Snooker Championships. I saw him a couple of times nipping into the bookies in the market place during the afternoon when he wasn't playing in Sheffield. I'll not mention his name on here. He's still very much alive and kicking. Players have a lot of time on their hands. Why not have a punt now and again?
I've had the odd punt over the years. Horses and greyhounds mainly. I've never lost my shirt or been cleaned out. Unlike the title of Seasick Steve's third album, 'I Started Out with Nothin and I Still Got Most of It Left'.
I used to work with two blokes who worked for a bookmaker on the dogs. Told me they knew when a fancied dog wasn't going to win. Bookmaker was told this fav' wasn't going to win so opened up slightly higher than any other bookie on the rails. Nearly all the money was put on the race with him, some sizable bets. Fav' ran like there was something amiss. He got reported. They looked into it. Bookie got barred from Sheffield dogs.
Not been to the dogs for many years. It could be 30 years now. Used to wait for a dog named Jolies Fleurs to run in the last race on a Saturday night meeting. Jolies was a small dog with a big heart. More often than not she used to work her way through the pack to lead on the finish line. Happy days!
-- Edited by wotsisname on Monday 22nd of April 2019 09:13:19 AM
Only been to Sheffield dogs once. I didn't like how the betting went there. Betting on the tote you were worse off. Betting on the rails you only had a short time to get your bets on. Give me Uttoxeter any day. My fav' track for backing winners when I've been racing.
It's back to watching the snooker on TV now. Football season is over for us all bar the shouting. We still have to fulfil our obligations and play out the last two games of course.
Not grabbed me yet at the Crucible. Willie Mullins won the Irish National for the 1st time today, a master trainer. Can't watch the re-run of the race it's now on pay for view formally known as racing uk. Punchestown next week same can't watch that, lv that meeting.
-- Edited by gwru on Monday 22nd of April 2019 08:21:47 PM
Watched Irish National on TV after Millers game. Willie Mullins trained first three home. It never rains but when it does ......
Mullins is getting as good as Michael Dickinson who trained the first five home in the 1983 Cheltenham Gold Cup.
