Snooker Season 2023/24

For the Worlds, Ronnie is indisputably the favourite. Its not any old WC, its the historic 8th, and its not just the historic 8th WC, its the 3 Triple Crowns in the same season thing. Only Davis, Hendry (twice) and Williams have done that. Certainly since Ronnie won the UK champs I feel he has been targeting the 8-8-8, picking his tournaments, etc; once he is motivated on day 1 and stays that way until the end he won't be beaten, I feel. Odds: 5/2

Judd is the next favourite on paper, albeit he doesn't seem to be able to beat Ronnie, and also seems to excel more at the shorter format tournaments. His recent win in China could show the way for him - if Ronnie gets beaten by someone else before the semis, and Trump is still in, its his to lose. Odds: 7/2

Speaking of one time winners, Robertson has to be in with a shout. Looked good in China, best he has been all season, I actually thought during the Ding semi he would win the whole thing. Has something to prove now, the qualifiers can often be an advantage too. Odds: 12/1

I also think Mark Allen finally has a game that could go far in Sheffield. Incredibly composed these days, he plays his own game well and seems never phased by anyone or anything else. His demon is underperforming in Sheffield - out of 17 consecutive seasons being good enough to get in, he has only made the quarters 5 times, and the semis only twice. His ambition is to be No.1 and World Champion. I think he can go as far or farther than last years semi exit to Selby, (will have done him no harm to have recently out-Selbyed Selby in Riyadh). Odds: 12/1

For an outsider bet, Luca Brecel (16/1) can't be ruled out, Ding (16/1) should really have won it by now and still could, or Zhang Anda (28/1) who seems to not know nerves. Selby is a possible for sure, I just don't feel it (6/1).

Best of 19 is a lot of snooker these days

Sullivan Carter possible matchup

Hopefully they're not clown tables like we've been seeing lately. Balls bouncing in off the jaws.

Black bouncing in off the cushion to clinch the frame

Oops, sorry for misleading info. It was an assumption on my part, seemed logical to me that they'd do it the way they had for the Players'.

Interesting debate amongst the players over the increase from 8 players to 12, with most of them against it including some of those who only got their place because of the expansion.

I think it's fine personally - allows them to have the two table set-up for a few days which guarantees snooker on TV as one game will be on session 1 whilst the other is on session 2. So even if the latter ends 10-0 there is still snooker for the fan/viewer to see.

And crucially it avoids a repeat of last year when none of Trump, Ronnie, Higgins or Williams were in the Top 8. Now obviously the 8 players who were there qualified on merit and the bigger players failed to qualify, so to an extent 'tough luck'. But commercial realities for sponsors/TV companies/ticket sales have to come into it as well.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2023_Tour_Championship#Tournament_draw

Interesting. I had noticed they had ITV4 and ITVX on any graphic with match schedule, but also noticed that no presenter ever mentioned the second table would be on ITVX. Pretty bad form considering ITV has largely invested its reputation and future in offering dozens of streaming channels on ITVX. Would seem to be a no-brainer, they are capturing the video anyway, how hard would it be to put the stream up?

Ive enjoyed itv tournaments reasonably well

The format wouldn't suit WCs where u want the top dogs Davis and Hendry supplying analysis between crucial frames

Middle pockets at angle look very tough, so if the table's are playing "easy" why are the middle pockets not playing "easy"?

Ya middles tough corners easy from what I've been seeing overall

Carter can play in full flow

Though as Roy Keane would say

He's not a top top player

Bit like Higgins, Selbyin his post match interview is threatening to quit after the WC too. Just not happy with his form, not enjoying the game, will give the world champs a go and see then. Said that he has said before regardless of his ranking when he stops enjoying the game he will find himself another career.

I know this is a prestige tournament, "every match a final, etc", but I am not sure there is great merit in having Rob Walker asking every losing player for their thoughts. They are bound to be upset in the moment.

They all say nice things about Ronnie on camera

Seems to be a recent phenom

A lot to to with his transition to greatest of all time 😁

Commentars straight in about the rivalry lol

Im guessing O'Sullivan is way ahead on H2H

Mistakes Allround so far

Carter too emotional

Wears his heart on his sleeve

Trump Williams it is.

I'm reminded of (tennis player) Andy Roddick when he was asked at a press conference about his rivalry with Federer

"It's not much of a rivalry when he beats me every time!"