Ronnie being Ronnie

BrianJD

I'm not sure how ignorant this man can be...

Poor fella was only getting 4k so he didn't want to do a 147....
What about entertaining the people watching the game who pay so you can earn money in the game.

What a baby...

Such a talent wasted..

Dr.Silly

incredible performance..
funny how he asked about the top prize after only potting the first black..

he is a complete genius, but a complete pr1ck as well at same time

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7We78kb1BeI

Squegee

There's not a whole lot to like about this "sportsman" at all. To be bestowed with such a talent and to show such petulance and disrespect again and again to the game of snooker just disgusts me.
To think that I used look up to this man in the 90's, if I was Barry Hearn I'd be asking him to take an extended holiday until he learns a bit of respect.

BrianJD

Squegee wrote: »

To think that I used look up to this man in the 90's, if I was Barry Hearn I'd be asking him to take an extended holiday until he learns a bit of respect.

It's true...If I was watching the sport, uness it was an Irishman, I wanted him to win..........not anymore

I used to do the same for a certain T Woods...

zack01

Sorry guys, but am I missing something here? The World Open has been on since saturday and apart from the odd piece reported here and there it's been pretty low key even with the Whirlwind winning last night!

But along comes 'O Sullivan today, makes a 147, even has the audacity to question the prize for a maximum after a red and black and then proceeds to make the max and he's the bad guy?
For heavens sake it's all over the news now, sky, rte, tv3 etc, all of a sudden everyone knows the World Open is on.

He had every right to ask what the prize was, that may seem arogant to some but to actually back it up and do it makes it all the more remarkable.

Yes he can be childish some times but today was just pure exhibition snooker by the man!

And by the way 10 maximums in tournament play now?
Surely that should be applauded as well.

allaction22

Talent and genius are no good when accompanied by such an arrogant attitude.

His interview after the Premier League match on Thursday was totally disinterested and disrespectful.

The blokes a richard head.

who what when

Its not childishness, hes just an arsehole.
Some people are born that way and he just happens to be one of them.

ArmaniJeanss

I thought it was disgraceful Zak.

In his own words he genuinely wasn't going to pot the black until the referee asked him to. Then totally dodged the interviewers 'what about the fans?' question with some nonsense about how 147s dont mean anything to him, Ronnie.

Seeing a 147 is something that only happens to a small minority of fans - you could probably go to 40 sessions a year for 10 years and the chances are you won't see one..... but "The Peoples Champions" would see nothing wrong with denying it to those fans who were there today.

Tin_Cup

The attitude Ronnie is showing towards the game in general over the last few weeks has been a joke tbh. Not gonna help encourage new sponsors to come on board.

Will agree with Zack01 that it has created publicity but I dont see how it can benefit having a marque player slagging off the state of the game at the moment.

Squiggle

Money doesn't buy class. You would have to go a long way in professional sport to find as big a low life ignoramus as O Sullivan. His utter disrespect for the fans and the sponsors is beneath contempt. He would be in the gutter if he didn't have talent with a cue though I fully expect him to self implode at some point. I won't be watching any of his matches.

DubGF

I for one think this is brilliant.

Look at the amount of publicity this has been given, there is people posting here that would not normally post.

The cheek of the man to ask after 1 red and 1 black has to be admired, it goes to show the snooker brain and ability the chap has.

Tin_Cup

Good article from Dave Hendon at Snooker Scene about it here (Mean, Moody, Magnificent)

http://snookerscene.blogspot.com/

zack01

Guys, I do agree with your points about O'Sullivan being disrespectful, but is this new? He has behaved like this since he first picked up a cue, all you have to do is look at his long list of bad moments he has self inflicted on himself not to mention how many times he had threathened to retire!

But then look at the magical moments he has provided for us!

Now I'm not saying for one minute that the game wouldn't survive without him, it would, but he does provide entertainment.And at this moment in time entertainment is what we are looking for.


I do agree with him that there should be a substantial prize for making a max, it's an incredible achievement all the more so when he practically nominated it after just one black!
But the prize was 4K and 4K is a he'll of a lot of money to some people these days, but as it seems not to O'Sullivan, he was a spoilt child and that seems to have carried over into his adult years.

I know that most of his fellow pros's don't even listen to what he has to say, they just take it with a pinch of salt, I remember a few years back when he made a maximum at the cruicble to pocket 147K and in his interview after he said he would just go out and buy a bentley convertable with the money, a few days later Ali Carter made a max and in interview said he would be going out to buy a ford escort convertable!!

But hate him or love him he does give us plenty to take about and to watch, I wouldn't be surprised if White beat him in the next round!

az2wp0sye65487

I also think this is a great story. This tournament is designed to create more of an interest in snooker. Ronnie did just that.

And to the people complaining that he didn't care about the £4K for the highest break. I'm sure he probably thought a 140 would stand just as much a chance of earning the prize as a 147...

Like him or loathe him, Ronnie draws attention. Every good story has a bad guy. He seems happy to play this role. It's keeping things lively for the fans!

Gang of Gin

I've really changed my opinion on the guy. I thought this clip was a disgrace...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UA3l0O8TaOM

Seemed a bit of fun up til around 1.50. He was getting egged on, but there's no place for that kind of talk..

clived2

what about the fans, I hate that crap

Fuck those fickle fans,

Ronnie is a genius, By not potting the black, maybe the next tournament would have a big prize for a 147, So the players would play more aggressive shots and less passive shots,
This would be better for the fans, but they are to stupid to realise this, or maybe they are not fans at all, just bandwagon jumpers

symbolic

Personally I thought it was great. So cocky to ask what the prize was and let everyone know he was going to do it, and then to actually do it, took some nerve!

And whether he pot the black or not the fans saw a spectacular break, especially the couple of times he lost position. And then getting down and hammering in the black. Pure class.

Funny when you think of watching players over the years and they are shaking whilst knocking in the final black. Makes it all look ridiculously easy, always a pleasure to witness him play.

Will definitely be tuning into his next match, as I'm sure many others will, loving or hating him!

Myrddin

zack01 wrote: »

For heavens sake it's all over the news now, sky, rte, tv3 etc, all of a sudden everyone knows the World Open is on.

Well if that's what it takes to get Snooker some attention, it really is worse off than I thought.

Didn't he have to be convinced by the referee to pot the last black? The ref should have let him sit down, and then take it as a frame concession. That might make Ronnie question being such a fool the next time round. I suppose he had a good whinge in the post match interview yeah?

Myrddin

clived2 wrote: »

Ronnie is a genius, By not potting the black, maybe the next tournament would have a big prize for a 147, So the players would play more aggressive shots and less passive shots

Yeah, players play safe today in the fear of not making a maximum :rolleyes: A genious he was, now he's just a self-important moaning child.

NickDrake

The man is not only the greatest ever but also a legend.

zack01

originally posted by Enter Now

'Didn't he have to be convinced by the referee to pot the last black? The ref should have let him sit down, and then take it as a frame concession. That might make Ronnie question being such a fool the next time round. I suppose he had a good whinge in the post match interview yeah?'

The ref wouldn't and couldn't take a frame concession at that point, the frame was won, even if he had fired the black off the table it wouldn't have mattered.As I said earlier his behaviour sometimes is very very childish, but hav'nt we all come to expect this as routine now?

As you all know I'm a great fan of snooker and have been for the last thirty years, but in all that time I've never seen the likes of O'Sullivan, he's an incredible talent but unfortunatly as a person he is very immature, his attitude is down to many things most notable is that he suffers from serious depression.Now don't think for a minute I am condoning his erratic behaviour over the last ten years but sometimes you just have to stand back and applaud the guy.
Although in saying that I wouldn't be rushing out to back him to win the event, he may even struggle against an out of sorts Jimmy White in the next round!

M cebee

re:the world open

are the pockets big or is it just my eyes?

_feedback_

EnterNow wrote: »

The ref should have let him sit down, and then take it as a frame concession. That might make Ronnie question being such a fool the next time round.

I've read this ^ a few times and can't understand it!

The ref couldn't take it as a frame concession. He had 140 points, so by leaving, Ronnie would merely be calling the frame as won.

I am incredibly stuck on the fence with this one. I find it hard to not admire the fact that he can question the prize for the 147 after just two balls being potted. He knew he could do it no problem, and went on to pull off some great shots.

On the other hand I think his attitude stinks. He acts like a spoiled child when being interviewed. Also, if he had walked off without potting the black it would have been very disrespectful to fans, some of whom may never see another 147. When questioned about that aspect in the interview he just shrugged his shoulders saying that 147s don't excite him anymore.

vincenzolorenzo

There's no doubting the man's talent but he's basically just an arrogant prat. Used to be a fan but can't see ignore his behaviour any more.

briany

I thought the point of Barry Hearn's "revamp" was to get snooker back to the old glory days? Part of that is surely having characters in the sport, regardless of whether their actions are sometimes questionable and they are not bringing the sport into disrepute. I say more of it, please. Ronnie seems to be the only one whose personality comes across whereas the rest of them are just very sober sportsmen. Very prim, very proper and it doesn't matter if Dennis Taylor cheerfully recounts an anecdote about the time Ken Doherty drank six whole pints once during the time of the 2000 world championship. I get the feeling that once Ronnie (and Steve Davis) is gone, that's it, it will be all about the snooker and will that be enough? In this day and age I doubt it.

_feedback_

briany wrote: »

I thought the point of Barry Hearn's "revamp" was to get snooker back to the old glory days? Part of that is surely having characters in the sport, regardless of whether their actions are sometimes questionable and they are not bringing the sport into disrepute. I say more of it, please. Ronnie seems to be the only one whose personality comes across whereas the rest of them are just very sober sportsmen. Very prim, very proper and it doesn't matter if Dennis Taylor cheerfully recounts an anecdote about the time Ken Doherty drank six whole pints once during the time of the 2000 world championship. I get the feeling that once Ronnie (and Steve Davis) is gone, that's it, it will be all about the snooker and will that be enough? In this day and age I doubt it.

Wouldn't agree that there are no other characters. Look at Mark Selby. He is a great joker around the table, but he respects his fans, the media folk and the game.

Curran

While I dont agree exactly agree with how he went about finishing the game....that is leaving the black of a 147, and making a show of Mark King in a way....I have to say that the rest was pure magic!

He knew after potting the red and black and the way the balls were spread, that a 147 was a very good possibility...without actually coming out and saying Im going to make a 147, he did a bit of show boating and made a bit of a scene about it! Making the crowd scratch their heads, even King was at a loss! He went ahead and made a stunning clearance...6 mins from the time he potted the 2nd red until the pink was sank! Unbelieveable....
Its just a shame he didnt rifle in the black, before offering his hand out to King, because thats the only thing that makes it a bit sour!

On a side note; I wonder how many folk in the crowd grabbed their mobiles and tried to get onto a Live Bet site to put money on the 147!

briany

elviscostello wrote: »

Wouldn't agree that there are no other characters. Look at Mark Selby. He is a great joker around the table, but he respects his fans, the media folk and the game.

That may be but in my opinion the game needs a little bit of controversy and I'm not talking about what happened with Higgins. People love a villian and some of the most fondly remembered sporting encounters feature a hero and a villian. People remember the Dennis Taylor vs. Alex Higgins match at the Irish masters in such a way, almost reverent, because it was a classic hero/villian type encounter but it did not become bigger than the game itself and both players are fondly remembered by fans, particularly Higgins for being great characters. I don't wish for Ronnie to be villified but I would be lying if I said I didn't like the idea of a showdown arising from this. For example Ronnie the jaded champion looking down his nose at the game and the fans, being taken on by someone like Selby who as you say respects the game and would not have acted selfishly/cockily like Ronnie did.

Myrddin

elviscostello wrote: »

I've read this ^ a few times and can't understand it!

Here it is then, spelled out for you, Section 4 Rule 1.

any conduct by a Player which in the opinion
of the referee is wilfully or persistently unfair; or
(c) any other conduct by a Player which otherwise
amounts to ungentlemanly conduct; or
(d) refusing to continue a frame;
the referee shall either:
(e) warn the Player that in the event of any such further
conduct the frame will be awarded to his opponent; or
(f) award the frame to his opponent;

Sorted. Ronnie is a knob, and the sooner the better he's brought back to his roots, the better off he'll be. I'll also say I was a major rocket fan, and nobody barring himself turned my opinion on him.

Pighead

EnterNow wrote: »

Here it is then, spelled out for you, Section 4 Rule 1.



Sorted. Ronnie is a knob, and the sooner the better he's brought back to his roots, the better off he'll be. I'll also say I was a major rocket fan, and nobody barring himself turned my opinion on him.

Rubbish. No referee in the world would enforce that rule if player A was more than 7 points ahead of player B with just the black left on the table.

Check the rules again buddy. Especially section 2(b):
A frame of snooker comprises the period of the play from the first stroke, with all the balls set as described in Section 3 Rule 2, until the frame is completed by:
(b) claim by the striker when only the Black remains and there is more than seven points difference between the scores in his favour,

clived2

EnterNow wrote: »

Yeah, players play safe today in the fear of not making a maximum :rolleyes:

So you think if there was 147k for a max, players wouldnt take riskier shots:rolleyes:

LukeQuietus

Look. That's part of his charm. I personally think it was more disrespectful when he finished off a frame with one hand or when he spent nearly a full match with a towel over his face before walking out. But those are great moments to watch. We love to bitch about people melting down but without him there's not much left to talk about in snooker. Very few players with any attitude left in the top 10. Just enjoy it. I didn't even know the snooker had started till I heard about his. That says alot about how bad it's getting.

Myrddin

Pighead wrote: »

Rubbish. No referee in the world would enforce that rule if player A was more than 7 points ahead of player B with just the black left on the table.

Check the rules again buddy. Especially section 2(b):
A frame of snooker comprises the period of the play from the first stroke, with all the balls set as described in Section 3 Rule 2, until the frame is completed by:
(b) claim by the striker when only the Black remains and there is more than seven points difference between the scores in his favour,

He was refusing to continue the frame Pig-Head, as the player on the table it's a rule violation - 140 points clear or not. I'm not saying refereeing should be that tight, but O'Sullivan is a petulant child...I'd throw the book at him. What if the ref hadn't convinced him to continue? The crowd would have been well chuffed...buddy.

Myrddin

clived2 wrote: »

So you think if there was 147k for a max, players wouldnt take riskier shots:rolleyes:

Well in that case, the prize for the 147 would outweigh most of the smaller events winners prize-money would it not? Doesn't make a lot of sense, it might in the future of the game gets bigger, but not today.

Pighead

EnterNow wrote: »

He was refusing to continue the frame Pig-Head, as the player on the table it's a rule violation - 140 points clear or not. I'm not saying refereeing should be that tight, but O'Sullivan is a petulant child...I'd throw the book at him. What if the ref hadn't convinced him to continue? The crowd would have been well chuffed...buddy.

He was well within his rights to refuse to play on though. That's the point. He wasn't breaking any rule by not potting the black. The only reason the ref asked him to pot the black was because there was a 147 on. Ronnie didn't break any rule so I'm not sure why you want to throw books at the poor chap.

Myrddin

Pighead wrote: »

He was well within his rights to refuse to play on though. That's the point. He wasn't breaking any rule by not potting the black. The only reason the ref asked him to pot the black was because there was a 147 on. Ronnie didn't break any rule so I'm not sure why you want to throw books at the poor chap.

But technically, doesn't he at least have to play a shot & miss for the frame to be called by the referee. Maybe my interpretation is wrong, but in all my years of watching snooker I've never seen a frame called while the player in question still had a viable shot to make. A miss, a concession or a snooker are the only ways I've seen it end.

As regards throwing the book at him, I just don't find him remotely amusing with the carry on. A snooker player should be able to go out & wow the crowd with a maximum without having to be baby'd by the ref to finish it. What's amusing or likeable about that? It's pathetic. If he's unhappy about the prizemoney, maybe he should hang up the cue and start packing 1/4 pounders for a living.

Pighead

EnterNow wrote: »

But technically, doesn't he at least have to play a shot & miss for the frame to be called by the referee. Maybe my interpretation is wrong, but in all my years of watching snooker I've never seen a frame called while the player in question still had a viable shot to make. A miss, a concession or a snooker are the only ways I've seen it end.

Nope. If there is only the black on the table and the player at the table is more than 7 points ahead the frame is officially deemed over. This is one of the rules of the game. Check them out if you don't believe me.
http://www.worldsnooker.com/rules_of_snooker.htm

EnterNow wrote: »

As regards throwing the book at him, I just don't find him remotely amusing with the carry on. A snooker player should be able to go out & wow the crowd with a maximum without having to be baby'd by the ref to finish it. What's amusing or likeable about that? It's pathetic. If he's unhappy about the prizemoney, maybe he should hang up the cue and start packing 1/4 pounders for a living.

I partly agree with this and I do find myself getting frustrated listening to some of his interviews but in his defence I get the feeling he absolutely hates that Rob Walker bloke who interviews them after the matches. They had a run in after the quarter final match V Williams this year in the Worlds and Ronnie seems to get annoyed by him pretty easily.

I know he sounds liek a spoilt brat and very ungrateful for what snooker has done for him but he's not all bad. I've seen him in interviews plenty of times talking about how he wants to give something back to the game and he often talks about his desire to coach kids in the future. Here's an interview from about a year ago.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-lB8GHyFmc

Obviously these kind of interviews he gives doesn't generate much talk as it doesn't fit the "Ronnie is an ungrateful cnut" profile most people have labelled him with.

clived2

EnterNow wrote: »

Well in that case, the prize for the 147 would outweigh most of the smaller events winners prize-money would it not? Doesn't make a lot of sense, it might in the future of the game gets bigger, but not today.

It wouldnt have to be 147k, I watched alot of snooker, and when there is decent money/prize for a highest break/147, they take on exciting/tougher shots,
are you arguing this fact, or have you watched much snooker:rolleyes:

KrazeeEyezKilla

For a 147 they should just set a certain prize for it and for every major tournament that passes without one the amount increases so that the longer the gap between 147's the bigger the prize. The World Championship wouldn't count in this. I think they did it in darts for 9 darters for a while but I'm not sure if it's still done.

Myrddin

Pighead wrote: »

Nope. If there is only the black on the table and the player at the table is more than 7 points ahead the frame is officially deemed over. This is one of the rules of the game. Check them out if you don't believe me.
http://www.worldsnooker.com/rules_of_snooker.htm


I partly agree with this and I do find myself getting frustrated listening to some of his interviews but in his defence I get the feeling he absolutely hates that Rob Walker bloke who interviews them after the matches. They had a run in after the quarter final match V Williams this year in the Worlds and Ronnie seems to get annoyed by him pretty easily.

I know he sounds liek a spoilt brat and very ungrateful for what snooker has done for him but he's not all bad. I've seen him in interviews plenty of times talking about how he wants to give something back to the game and he often talks about his desire to coach kids in the future. Here's an interview from about a year ago.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-lB8GHyFmc

Obviously these kind of interviews he gives doesn't generate much talk as it doesn't fit the "Ronnie is an ungrateful cnut" profile most people have labelled him with.

I stand corrected on the rule so, my bad. I suppose the fact that the ref tryed to convince him to finish it, made me attatch some technical importance to it. It seems it was for the sake of the crowd, depriving the people who payed in to see him a chance to see him make a maximum, is hardly giving something back to the game. Ill say it again though, it's pathetic. Can any other player be named who would adopt a similar attitude while in that position? Any vintage players even?

If he went out, played the game, & kept his whining negativity to himself well I'd have all the time in the world for him. He's an astonishing player, and probably the best we've seen (he certainly was at one point anyway). But the man is his own worst enemy, and a professional shouldn't portray that to the camera - it gives people a different light on him, as it did in my case. Ronnie seemingly has no hunger for the game at all, he's done everything you can do in it and broke some records. His conduct shouldn't suffer though, imagine the reaction if he had of left that last black. Half the time I do think is a lot of it for attention, and maybe he had every intention of potting it, maybe he was having a laugh...you just don't know though with Ronnie.

I didn't know about the Rob Walker fall out either, any ideas what happened?

clived2 wrote: »

It wouldnt have to be 147k, I watched alot of snooker, and when there is decent money/prize for a highest break/147, they take on exciting/tougher shots,
are you arguing this fact, or have you watched much snooker:rolleyes:

A professional Snooker player at the first whiff of making a maximum in professional play will go guns for it, prize money or not.

laugh

EnterNow wrote: »

If he went out, played the game, & kept his whining negativity to himself well I'd have all the time in the world for him. He's an astonishing player, and probably the best we've seen (he certainly was at one point anyway). But the man is his own worst enemy, and a professional shouldn't portray that to the camera - it gives people a different light on him, as it did in my case. Ronnie seemingly has no hunger for the game at all, he's done everything you can do in it and broke some records. His conduct shouldn't suffer though, imagine the reaction if he had of left that last black.

What you are saying is that someone with emotional/mental problems shouldn't be a sports person in-spite of their talent at the actual sport?

He is without doubt the most talented person to ever play professional snooker, broken records that may never be beaten, why does he have to be some perfect person as well?

Myrddin

laugh wrote: »

What you are saying is that someone with emotional/mental problems shouldn't be a sports person in-spite of their talent at the actual sport?

He is without doubt the most talented person to ever play professional snooker, broken records that may never be beaten, why does he have to be some perfect person as well?

It's really not hard to smile & keep your mouth closed, emotional problems or not, when the camera is on you. A few generic pleasantries in an interview is all that it would take, and a bit of respect for fellow players/fans. Is that too much to ask?

Don't be twisting my posts either, I never hinted at those with mental problems being ruled out of the sport. I'm talking about basic, honest to goodness respect & conduct, which I know Ronnie is capable of displaying. He wasn't always a whining child. He was more mature ten years ago actually.

zack01

I can't really agree with you saying that Ronnie was more mature ten years ago, if anything his conduct was worse!
One instance comes to mind and that was when he assaulted a member of the WSA Mike Ganley at the world championships when a pal off Ronnie's wasn't allowed into the players bar because he was wearing jeans. Ronnie actually bit Ganley on the nose that day.

Ronnie also does his bit for the game too, only last season he got involved with Rileys to find future stars, and the winner has been practising a lot with Ronnie since.
As for Ronnie not having respect for his fellow players, just think back to when he beat Ding in the Masters final a few years back, the Wembley crowd gave Ding awful stick that night but Ronnie consoled him that night and helped him through that, have you seen many other pro's do something similar??

This business with the 147 the other day has got out of hand completly, in all fairness why should he have to explain himself?
The players in my opinion should be rewarded for making a maximum, they always have been and rightly so because it's an incredible achievement. I think the WSA have certainly missed a trick this year by not rewarding the break, not only is it exciting to watch but the audience are also aware of the financial reward.I believe Ronnie was making a point and rightly so to the WSA, even Hendry who he overtook as the all time maximum maker agrees with what Ronnie was saying. I don't think Ronnie was really thinking this will be nice for the audience, his thoughs i reckon were more like 'get to 140 shake hands and my point is made'!
Even after Jan Verhass asked him to finish off he knew he had made his point.

It should be just left alone now, nobody is talking about it at the venue anymore, it hasn't even been mentioned in commentary in a few days.
There is after all a tournament going on and as I've always said nobody is bigger than the game and the show has gone on.
We should be talking about the snooker and if you want to talk about Ronnie, talk about his match with Jimmy White today, fantastic snooker was produced.

edwardhitler

If there is anyone out there that knows snooker will realise how great that break was, the last few reds were amazing. Ronnie is a genuis in his field and how he copes with retirement is going to be interesting.

Hes 34 now and has not many years at the very top going on previous champs! He should hold every record but because of his issues/attitude he holds very little in terms of achievements.

I see he beat Jimmy in next round, pity because I would have liked to see Jimmy in the later rounds. Jimmy is a proper player and character for all the right reasons!

az2wp0sye65487

I watched this interview afterwards and think it shows him in a different light than a lot of people here are making him out.

He sounds genuine in what he's saying too...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6KOkkPPYiw&feature=related

(I can't get the video to play in my post - so had to link to Youtube - Sorry!)

kryogen

ronnie is a legend tbh

zack01

We might just have a happier Ronnie on the circuit from now on.His dad Ronnie senior was released from prison on Friday after doing 18 years for murder.
He was always very close to his dad and I remember vividly when Ronnie was a junior how proud his dad was off him, he travelled everywhere with him but due to his crime and sentence has never seen his son hit a ball in professional snooker.
You can be sure that he'll travel to Telford next month to watch him play in the UK.
I've always said and I'm sure most snooker fans will agree that if Ronnie's frame of mind was right going into each tournament i honestly couldn't see anyone beating him, it remains to be seen, maybe we'll have a better idea soon?

Setun

Interesting to survey his mood over the coming tournaments then. In a way it would be bad for the viewers at home if his mood became more consistent - we'd see some great snooker, but as you say yourself, you would know who'd be winning in the final