Have you ever watched pro level snooker in person?

[predator]

This June I was in Duffel, Belgium where European snooker championships were held. Tony Drago won the Open event prior to championships, while David Hogan becomes European champion. Both earned their place on the Main tour, so they gain a snooker professional status again. See the end results at http://www.ebsa.tv/

I had no idea that watching good players playing snooker live is that much better than on television. It was most impressive. What surprised me how smooth and incredibly straight those strokes are in person and the amount of side spin used...yes, they use a lot more side spin than I thought...especially around the black spot or when they pot the brown and then go two cushions down for the reds...I guess there are some details that you just can't see that clearly on TV.

Tony Drago made a 139 total clearance in just 4 and a half minutes... That was the highest break of the tournament. Seeing that kind of performance live is just unbelieveable. He just storms around the table...Later he tried a 147, but unfortunately got stuck on 104 as he missed a very tough red.
Very likeable fellow too. I chatted to him about snooker and about pool as well...he sure has some interesting stories...
Believe it or not, he doesn't practice pool at all...he just plays tournaments.

Plenty of other guys can play on a pro level too. That was the strongest amateur snooker tournament around. I also saw Luca Brecel, an incredibly talented 14 year old Belgian boy. Watching a child put on a century is just...well...you don't know what to think anymore...this boy may become one of the greats some day...

All in all a great experience. If you ever get the chance to watch pro level snooker in person, don't miss it!

 

[StudyinBlack]

If you ever get the chance to watch pro level snooker in person, don't miss it!

Yeah it is very inspiring to see pros up close. I grew up in Toronto Canada and there was a club there called "Snooker Canada" where pros would come in to practice prior to TV matches. Steve Davis, Ray Reardon, Alex Higgins just to name of few. Cliff Thorburn would even walk around to your table and give free pointers. TV cannot capture the nuiances that one can spot live.
I wonder if the snooker association will adopt using the Measles cue ball for TV - it definitely helped the 9 ball broadcasts.

 

[DKhan]

Watched live performances in person of Steve Davis, Alex Higgins, Roy Reardon, Dennis Taylor and Jimmy White among several others in the late 70's and early 80's in England. I have personally played at least once against some of the top Indian, Pakistani, Malaysian, Thailand and Singapore players during mid/late 80's and once with Effrin Reyes at Hard Times, Bellflower, CA around 2000 I believe.

Unlike 8/9 ball, it is absolutely stunning to watch some of the top notch snooker players make high breaks with such precision and strategies to run on big tables, many with 147's.

Played/gambled 8/9 ball several times against Corey Duel along with others at the then Route-66 billiards hall in Paramount/Downey, CA and mostly beat him. As a matter of fact, if I recall correctly, Corey first learnt playing snooker with me back then on the 10 footer (wonder if he still remembers). He was a pretty consistent, serious player and worked hard on practising his shots and improving his overall game to become what he is today. There were others among our 'group' whom I can't recall their names who were also pretty good players and regulars at both Route-66 and Hard Times.

 

[blonde1]

Yes i used to watch Q Hann, Williams, Paul Hunter Jimmy White etc., during the period when snooker was at its peak in terms of quality.
The standard has dropped off a bit for me and the events, with the exception of the WC are a bit dull now. My favorite venue was the old B & H Masters in London. Great venue with a great atmosphere.