Top Men vs Top Women?....soon we'll know!

[Pete]

I've just announced a big event I'm organizing in Shanghai, October 4th between Ralf Souquet and Angela Pan (Pan Xiao Ting).

Angela will get 5 frames start in a race to 15, alternate break. I think this format makes things pretty even.

Angela came 3rd in this year's world championships at her first attempt and is the current Asian Women's Champion. This is really a battle between to current top level players of the two sexes.

Who do you think will win?

btw: The event will be broadcast 3 days after on Friday night Prime time for 2 hours on Shanghai Sports Channel which should pull a lot of viewers.

Here's a pic!

Sorry, but it's a loss loss match. Ralf wins, he beat a girl (that's the attitude people have). She wins, well she didn't really get to beat Ralf, she only needed ten games to his fifteen. It won't prove any thing.

And alternate break, means that Ralf has to not only keep most if not all his serves, but steal away five of hers.

If it's a battle of the sexes, take an unknown male pro ranked in the top 30 or so, and have him play any one of the top woman pros, in a 3 sets of races to 11. Then you'll see something.

Just a thought or 4

Pete

 

[landshark77]

If it's a battle of the sexes, take an unknown male pro ranked in the top 30 or so, and have him play any one of the top woman pros, in a 3 sets of races to 11. Then you'll see something.

I'd pay to see that.

 

[Kevin Lindstrom]

yes

I'd pay to see that.

I agree you would have to go pretty deep in the male pro ranks #30-#100 and have one of them play Allison or Karen so that you know where the women stand up against the men. Anyone can beat anyone on a given day but for consistency the top men at this time will still beat even the number 1 and 2 ranked women players on a consistent basis.

 

[Colin Colenso]

The thread title is a hook guys! A way to get your attention. Of course this will not settle anything about which sex is best, but it will be an interesting match-up none the less.

Maybe the handicap only serves the betters who don't want a 95% certain result. I want a close game in the end, and my audience are people who know little about the game, I think they want to see a close game.

It's not all about me or all about you, it's all about media and entertainment. And if that works, then pool is a big step forward in China.

Pete has a point about the lose-lose aspect, but I think if we see a close match, at least there will be lot more people getting into the game for while, and who won't sit back for the long analysis of what it means.

For the pool aficionados, we can just subtract the difference, measure the quality of play. And have another story to tell.

 

[Colin Colenso]

Do u have a video clip of her playing pool Colin,i may not know her,but im interested to watch her video.To see her skills,etc.

So if u have any video clip of her playing pool,please send it here.

Thank You...

I just uploaded a 10mb (6minute) video of her here:
Angela (Pan Xiao Ting) v Jennifer Chen

It's available for a week and limited downloads according to the site. First in first served. Maybe someone can put it up on another link.

btw: In this match (about 2.5 years ago) it was freezing in the studio in Hunan China I think. They were wearing layers of clothes, so Angela looks fatter than she was, but nowadays she has lost weight, has longer hair and is much more fashionable. Has grown up!

 

[sniper]

The only reason Angela has a small chance is the alternating break format, without this Ralph could easily string together a good run of 5 racks or so which would essentially eliminate the spot. Maybe we could have some v-bookie for this?


BTW, congratulations Colin for organising something like this. It should grab alot of attention over there especially with the TV coverage, it's great to see all this battle of the sexes talk translate into actual matchups between top players, it may not be good enough to satisfy some of the whiners around here and people will always bitch about the format, players, or just about anything else but I personally love your idea!

 

[Pete]

The only reason Angela has a small chance is the alternating break format, without this Ralph could easily string together a good run of 5 racks or so which would essentially eliminate the spot. Maybe we could have some v-bookie for this?


BTW, congratulations Colin for organising something like this. It should grab alot of attention over there especially with the TV coverage, it's great to see all this battle of the sexes talk translate into actual matchups between top players, it may not be good enough to satisfy some of the whiners around here and people will always bitch about the format, players, or just about anything else but I personally love your idea!

I agree that it is good for pool, any buzz is good (maybe not the celebraty pool).

Now I don't know if you thought I was whinning (and you didn't quote me), but I was talking about the battle of the sexes thing, and not the hook of the battle of the sexes. I think it's a shame that the women don't play in more open events (I know and applaude Karron and Jullie). But I was just trying to say that this is a no win situation as competetors. If she wins it's hollow period. If he wins, well , he's sopost to. If she loses, people will say she isn't a top female pro, or she's a girl. And if he losses, he had to give up a ridiculous amount of weight and the format isn't fair against a run out player.

But I do think this will be great for the industry, and can help to bring more players and maybe more tournaments .

Pete

 

[Colin Colenso]

I agree that it is good for pool, any buzz is good (maybe not the celebraty pool).

Now I don't know if you thought I was whinning (and you didn't quote me), but I was talking about the battle of the sexes thing, and not the hook of the battle of the sexes. I think it's a shame that the women don't play in more open events (I know and applaude Karron and Jullie). But I was just trying to say that this is a no win situation as competetors. If she wins it's hollow period. If he wins, well , he's sopost to. If she loses, people will say she isn't a top female pro, or she's a girl. And if he losses, he had to give up a ridiculous amount of weight and the format isn't fair against a run out player.

But I do think this will be great for the industry, and can help to bring more players and maybe more tournaments .

Pete

Cheers Pete,
I thought your points were reasonable, and I had to think a bit about them, and here is what I came up with.

Tons of pros have bad events, but most get forgotten, except for us stat buffs who love to argue over things

But what really helps players on their resume's with sponsors and getting invitations is lists of achievements and exposure.

This event will bring added exposure to both participants which is most likely going to be a good thing.

Whatever result for Ralf, he will hardly put King v Queen Challenge Champion on his resume' but he can put down that he was invited to China, played a special entertainment challenge exhibition on Prime time TV to millions. That benefits his sponsors nd creates new sponsor opportunities. The result doesn't really matter so much.

For Angela, the case is pretty much the same, but add to this the extra experience she will gain in attending a press conference with celebrity status, and if she can win, it makes a story that the media in China will have a lot of fun with. Even to appear to put up a good fight will show Chinese people that this little Chinese girl seems to play not far below the world's best male player and is a growing star to watch.

The actual match result won't matter much, but it could be a question in Pool Trivial Pursuit in a few years

 

[Colin Colenso]

The only reason Angela has a small chance is the alternating break format, without this Ralph could easily string together a good run of 5 racks or so which would essentially eliminate the spot. Maybe we could have some v-bookie for this?


BTW, congratulations Colin for organising something like this. It should grab alot of attention over there especially with the TV coverage, it's great to see all this battle of the sexes talk translate into actual matchups between top players, it may not be good enough to satisfy some of the whiners around here and people will always bitch about the format, players, or just about anything else but I personally love your idea!

Thanks Sniper!
On the alternate break, yes it does make the gap a bit narrower, but the clear deciding reason I chose this is for content considerations.

99% of the audience is unfamilar with the game, and would like to barrack for Pan Xiao Ting I suppose. The last thing I would want to see is 30 minutes of Ralf running racks with her in the seat. As a pool enthusiast I love to watch a good run, but this would give a bad feeling to the audience, who would be wondering why this guy is playing by himself. Or even why Angela is playing by herself if she managed to run a few as she often does.

I want the audience, in any 5 minute viewing experience to see that there is a pretty chinese girl competing againts a professional looking foreigner, so as to catch their interest. More viewers, means more future sponsors and more future opportunities for the players.

It will take time to educate the audiences like they have with snooker in the UK.

btw: Snooker is shown prime time Friday nights here in Shanghai on the country's 2nd biggest sports TV channel. Though most here know little about pool, there is a general interest in cue sports among audiences which bodes well for the future of the sport here.

Across the straight in Taiwan, Pool is considered a major sport with Baseball and Basketball.

 

[bobroberts]

She would blow him away if she was playing naked.

 

[647km2]

I just uploaded a 10mb (6minute) video of her here:
Angela (Pan Xiao Ting) v Jennifer Chen

It's available for a week and limited downloads according to the site. First in first served. Maybe someone can put it up on another link.

btw: In this match (about 2.5 years ago) it was freezing in the studio in Hunan China I think. They were wearing layers of clothes, so Angela looks fatter than she was, but nowadays she has lost weight, has longer hair and is much more fashionable. Has grown up!

Thanks for the video mate.Appreciate it

Now i know the true skills of Angela.Keep up the good work Angela!

Regards...

 

[landshark77]

Thanks for the video mate.Appreciate it

Now i know the true skills of Angela.Keep up the good work Angela!

Regards...

You're up pretty early...what time does school start over there???

 

[647km2]

I have a high fever yesterday,my mum brought me to the clinic,and they gave me 1 day to rest at home.

Got to take my medicine soon.

 

[landshark77]

I have a high fever yesterday,my mum brought me to the clinic,and they gave me 1 day to rest at home.

Got to take my medicine soon.

I hope you feel better. That must be one heck of a school though....you get ALOT of computer time in.

Maybe you should go back to sleep so you feel better....just a suggestion. We don't want that homework to build up.

 

[647km2]

I hope you feel better. That must be one heck of a school though....you get ALOT of computer time in.

Maybe you should go back to sleep so you feel better....just a suggestion. We don't want that homework to build up.

Yup i will go to bed after i take my medicine.

Lets stick to the topic shall we,dont wanna get Colin to be pissed at me,hehe.

Regards...

 

[landshark77]

Yup i will go to bed after i take my medicine.

Lets stick to the topic shall we,dont wanna get Colin to be pissed at me,hehe.

Regards...

Sure. IMO, you have a mean doctor, making a poor sick boy of 14 get up at 4:30 am to take medications. Your mom should take you somewhere diffrent. You seem to have alot of dedication..maybe the "Young Master" will be featured in one of Colin's matches.

 

[sjm]

I'm fairly sure that plenty of people in this forum wouldn't have a problem beating Souquet if they were spotted 5 frames out of 15.

So your title is a little misleading Colin.

Strongly disagree. It takes an exceptional player to beat Ralf with five on fifteen. I'm guessing it's not enough weight for Pan. I think seven on the wire would make it pretty even.

FYI, back in 2000, when Ginky was playing his best, and when Karen Corr was ranked #2 on the WPBA tour, Ginky used to spot her five games on a race to eleven and she got all the breaks. The game was absolutely dead even when they played that way.

Still, this should make for great viewing. Wish I could make it!