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Re: Alternative UK Championship format

Postby SnookerFan

Badsnookerplayer wrote:
Andre147 wrote:Ace got the justice he deserved.

That's what people said about Jesus when he was hanged for our sins.

The way the mods washed their hands of Ace reminds me of Poncho Pilot from the Bible.

Ace was a decent lad until he started posting hardcore anal double penetration porn.

We all make mistakes.

Lest we forget.


That's Pontius Pilate, dumbass.

Re: Alternative UK Championship format

Postby badtemperedcyril

As a purist I would love it to be how it once was with a best of 31 final but realistically that isn’t practical for television in 2021. A 2-day final absolutely necessary for the World Championship but not anymore for the UK. Having said that, there could still be changes for the better. Give the event back it’s credibility by re-instating 2-session matches and let the big boys (or girls) sit out the opening rounds.

Rd 1 players 65-96 v 97-128
Rd 2 players 33-64 v Rd 1 winners
Rd 3 players 1-32 v Rd 2 winners

Rds 1, 2, 3 - BO11
Rd 4, 5, QF, SF - BO17 (8/9)
Final BO19 - (8/11)

Re: Alternative UK Championship format

Postby Juddernaut88

In 2011 and 2012 I think the early rounds were best of 11 and then the semi finals were best of 17. Even if they brought that back it would be good.

Re: Alternative UK Championship format

Postby Prop

Juddernaut88 wrote:In 2011 and 2012 I think the early rounds were best of 11 and then the semi finals were best of 17. Even if they brought that back it would be good.


Agreed. Obviously not a problem in terms of the broadcast, and enough to make it feel as special as it’s supposed to.

Re: Alternative UK Championship format

Postby Iranu

badtemperedcyril wrote:As a purist I would love it to be how it once was with a best of 31 final but realistically that isn’t practical for television in 2021. A 2-day final absolutely necessary for the World Championship but not anymore for the UK.

To be honest I think this is a bit of an excuse, and one that WST rely on perpetuating to mollify fans.

If they weren’t so adamant that it was a 128 flat field they could easily accommodate a 2 day final. I refuse to believe that a UK final over two days is less tenable than a World Championship first round match.

Re: Alternative UK Championship format

Postby Iranu

badtemperedcyril wrote:Going to a BO11 semi was an even worse change than going to a BO19 final IMHO. Remember not that long ago Tom Ford reached the semi - a huge achievement for him only to get beat by Ronnie in little over an hour.

Agreed

Re: Alternative UK Championship format

Postby Andre147

badtemperedcyril wrote:Going to a BO11 semi was an even worse change than going to a BO19 final IMHO. Remember not that long ago Tom Ford reached the semi - a huge achievement for him only to get beat by Ronnie in little over an hour.


Going to a Best of 19 Final wasn't the worst thing, as you still had Best of 17s.

But the minute they started with the Best of 11s, and then Best of 11 for the Semis they screwed it up.

Still a great tournament though.

Re: Alternative UK Championship format

Postby gninnur karona

badtemperedcyril wrote:As a purist I would love it to be how it once was with a best of 31 final but realistically that isn’t practical for television in 2021. A 2-day final absolutely necessary for the World Championship but not anymore for the UK. Having said that, there could still be changes for the better. Give the event back it’s credibility by re-instating 2-session matches and let the big boys (or girls) sit out the opening rounds.

Rd 1 players 65-96 v 97-128
Rd 2 players 33-64 v Rd 1 winners
Rd 3 players 1-32 v Rd 2 winners

Rds 1, 2, 3 - BO11
Rd 4, 5, QF, SF - BO17 (8/9)
Final BO19 - (8/11)


I don't really understand the opposition to flat-128s. The four Grand Slam tennis events all use that system. I've never heard Djokovic, Federer or Nadal propose that they should be exempt from the early rounds. Then again their records in the opening rounds of those events aren't awash with defeats to supposed non-entities. Those events are the most prestigious because they're the most difficult to win. With their physical and mental demands of winning seven matches, 21 sets, titles are truly earned.

It is quite possible to run the UK with best of 17s from round 1, best of 19s from round 3, and complete the tournament in 14 days culminating with a best of 21 final. That to me would re-establish the credibility of the UK to be called a major tournament. The only real constraint I can see is that you would need a venue capable of running 11 tables for the first six days.