Re: Hearn wants to revolutionise World Championship
I just think ranking points should be earned by winning matches, and having everyone come in at the same stage is the only way to achieve that. Currently, each group of players (whether it be top 16, 17-32, 33-48 etc) is guaranteed a minimum amount of points for each event on a sliding scale. For example, the top 16 are guaranteed about 7500 points if they stay there for a season, whereas anyone below 64th is only guaranteed just over 2000. It's hard enough starting out as a new pro without having to bridge a points difference which is unfair (there is no other word but "unfair" I'm afraid).
We all know that guys down around the 81-99 region can win 5 matches, all against players ranked higher than them, and come away with less points than a top 16 player winning only one game (against someone ranked lower than them). The tiering system makes it hard for any ranking system to work, but a flat 128 makes it easy. OK, you might end up with the same top 32 players, but at least it would be based on actual points earned rather than elitist guarantees.
Consider this situation: player A is ranked 16th at the December cut-off point and player B is just 10 points behind in 17th. Player A can now expect to gain 2660 points from his seeding in the Welsh, China & World Open events, whereas player B can only gain 2185....all of a sudden, without a further ball being struck, the difference is now 485 points(!) Totally unfair, and another reason why we need a flat ranking system.
Getting back to the World Championship, for the 128-man draw to work, some sort of gap would have to be incorporated into the event....players already complain about burn out by the semi finals as it is.
As for a 128-man draw for the other ranking events....I'd love it if all 128 played at the main venue, even for China/Australia, but I don't see that many pros embarking on that kind of journey, especially if the last 128 losers get no cash. I also can't see WSA subsidising that many players travel anytime soon. Which means qualifying in Sheffield or Gloucester....even for Ding/Liang/Xiao etc (another ludicrous scenario I hope Barry Hearn addresses soon).
The move away from an elite top 16 is a massive step in the right direction for snooker; I look forward to the elite 128 taking shape.
We all know that guys down around the 81-99 region can win 5 matches, all against players ranked higher than them, and come away with less points than a top 16 player winning only one game (against someone ranked lower than them). The tiering system makes it hard for any ranking system to work, but a flat 128 makes it easy. OK, you might end up with the same top 32 players, but at least it would be based on actual points earned rather than elitist guarantees.
Consider this situation: player A is ranked 16th at the December cut-off point and player B is just 10 points behind in 17th. Player A can now expect to gain 2660 points from his seeding in the Welsh, China & World Open events, whereas player B can only gain 2185....all of a sudden, without a further ball being struck, the difference is now 485 points(!) Totally unfair, and another reason why we need a flat ranking system.
Getting back to the World Championship, for the 128-man draw to work, some sort of gap would have to be incorporated into the event....players already complain about burn out by the semi finals as it is.
As for a 128-man draw for the other ranking events....I'd love it if all 128 played at the main venue, even for China/Australia, but I don't see that many pros embarking on that kind of journey, especially if the last 128 losers get no cash. I also can't see WSA subsidising that many players travel anytime soon. Which means qualifying in Sheffield or Gloucester....even for Ding/Liang/Xiao etc (another ludicrous scenario I hope Barry Hearn addresses soon).
The move away from an elite top 16 is a massive step in the right direction for snooker; I look forward to the elite 128 taking shape.
Last edited by JIMO96 on 16 Feb 2012, edited 1 time in total.
- JIMO96
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