2017 World Championship - Main Event

[attilahun]

Yup, Ebdon did that against O'Sullivan and was accused of gamesmanship, yet its fine for Selby to do exactly the same thing apparently. I remember Graeme Dott saying the following "I know Mark will say the balls went awkward, but he constructs the frames that way. And it was hard to get out of".

Thats the match a few years back that went on for 5 hours.

When Selby plays like that is a great tactical game of snooker...from the most complete player of this days.

[PatBlock]

Nice split, chance for Ding to go 2 up here. Great session so far this.

-

[rich123]

When Selby plays like that is a great tactical game of snooker...from the most complete player of this days.

There is little doubt that Selby is a top player ....but snooker is (for the crowds and people watching on TV etc) entertainment and IMO Selby isn't the easiest player to watch, don't get me wrong he has his moments but on the whole his style lacks any swagger, and what's worse is that he can often drag his opponents into a similar state. It might win him trophies and be clinical in implementing these tactics but entertainment wise ....na.

[Cue crafty]

There is little doubt that Selby is a top player ....but snooker is (for the crowds and people watching on TV etc) entertainment and IMO Selby isn't the easiest player to watch, don't get me wrong he has his moments but on the whole his style lacks any swagger, and what's worse is that he can often drag his opponents into a similar state. It might win him trophies and be clinical in implementing these tactics but entertainment wise ....na.

Agreed! Snooker needs showman as well at grinders to get the balance right. Alex made the game popular being the peoples champ, to care more about pleasing the crowd than winning a match may be crazy but wonderful too. If a player wears his heart on his sleeve you live every shot with him and feel part of it.

[P.Smith]

Why must the Ronnie fans stick around and ruin the thread for everyone else after he has been eliminated from the tournament? We get it, you only enjoy snooker with frame times averaging 10 mins, now please leave and go and watch the footie.

[PatBlock]

Why must the Ronnie fans stick around and ruin the thread for everyone else after he has been eliminated from the tournament? We get it, you only enjoy snooker with frame times averaging 10 mins, now please leave and go and watch the footie.

Bit of a cracked record isn't it.

-

[jonny66]

Agreed! Snooker needs showman as well at grinders to get the balance right. Alex made the game popular being the peoples champ, to care more about pleasing the crowd than winning a match may be crazy but wonderful too. If a player wears his heart on his sleeve you live every shot with him and feel part of it.

This is exactly why snooker also needs Mark Selby. Some people say snooker would be boring if everyone played like Selby, true, but it would also be boring if everyone played like Judd Trump. Contrast makes things interesting.

[attilahun]

There is little doubt that Selby is a top player ....but snooker is (for the crowds and people watching on TV etc) entertainment and IMO Selby isn't the easiest player to watch, don't get me wrong he has his moments but on the whole his style lacks any swagger, and what's worse is that he can often drag his opponents into a similar state. It might win him trophies and be clinical in implementing these tactics but entertainment wise ....na.

Totally agree. I wasnt praising Selby in my post. IMO he sometimes playies just like Ebdon did....still people tend to defend his gamesmanship.

[BigDazUK]

Maybe I'm alone but I actually enjoy watching Selby play. He's got everything and his 143 yesterday was as entertaining as anything I've ever seen.

[golferson123]

There is little doubt that Selby is a top player ....but snooker is (for the crowds and people watching on TV etc) entertainment and IMO Selby isn't the easiest player to watch, don't get me wrong he has his moments but on the whole his style lacks any swagger, and what's worse is that he can often drag his opponents into a similar state. It might win him trophies and be clinical in implementing these tactics but entertainment wise ....na.

Sport or entertainment? Suggest you try the wrestling

[Cue crafty]

This is exactly why snooker also needs Mark Selby. Some people say snooker would be boring if everyone played like Selby, true, but it would also be boring if everyone played like Judd Trump. Contrast makes things interesting.

Isn't that what my post says? I agree. You need the pantomime villain and the hero.

[PatBlock]

Isn't that what my post says? I agree. You need the pantomime villain and the hero.

And of course, one man's hero is another man's villain. :smile:

-

[Hal]

Why must the Ronnie fans stick around and ruin the thread for everyone else after he has been eliminated from the tournament? We get it, you only enjoy snooker with frame times averaging 10 mins, now please leave and go and watch the footie.

+1, can't agree more.

[Cue crafty]

And of course, one man's hero is another man's villain. :smile:

-

Exactly! Just like football in that sense. ( I don't much like football but it's a decent analogy i spose ) we need the ooh's and the ahh's for it to be gripping. I don't expect to get that in every match, but for me a great tourney needs a few of these to make it memorable.

[silbilee]

Just realized Selby is playing three Chinese players in a row. Is this a record in the Crucible?