2012/13 - ranking rumours
Ranking rumours
This is just a short blog to share some of the rumours being banded around in Sheffield this weekend.
While Barry Hearn has made huge strides to improve the amount of tournaments for players to compete in and create a new, fairer ranking system, everything isn't quite yet perfect.
Next season, there's likely to be even more changes to the game.
Using the weekend largely to chat, I found out different nuggets of information.
Like all rumours, some will be true and some are just gossip.
Anyhow, here's what I heard:
The ranking system will be changed to be determined by prize money
The PTC series will be reduced to 8 events
There will be a ranking event held in Brazil next season
There will more ranking events in China (up to 6)
New players on tour will be given two seasons
Posted by garymoss87 at 9:46 PM
Now these are rumours and to be confirmed of course, but what IF they are confirmed?
Here is my opinion
The ranking system will be changed to be determined by prize money
This will add tremendous pressure on the players as the ranking system will change even more quickly. Wins will be more rewarded than consistency but the incentive to go to the "small" tournaments will be very low. It could also seriously backfire at Barry Hearn. One good win - World Championship or UK - could secure a players spot such is the difference between tournaments (£250000 WC, £35000 Wesh Open, and $40000 Australia f.i). This will mean that the top guys will find very little motivation to travel as far as OZ or Brazil for a pittance. Bad idea IMO, and bad news if true.
The PTC series will be reduced to 8 events
Good news IF it remains 4 in UK and 4 elsewhere. But if prize money is the key to ranking, who is gonna go there unless they are blackmailed by a huge prize money in the Grand Final? Price money rankings could kill the whole concept.
There will be a ranking event held in Brazil next season
Pointless. Especially with the type of price money in there (and 46% taxes on top) if the ranking is based on price money.
There will more ranking events in China (up to 6)
Again, unless the price money is huge the top boys will not want to travel there 6 times, and risk burn-out. On the other hand the ones who need the money will have increased expenses (travels and accommodations are on the players now... ) How will this work? The ones who have the money will have more opportunities to pick and chose and those who don't might not be in a position to pay for it? And how will they squeeze that in the calendar (they need time for qualifs also remember, and if qualifs happen just before the event players will have even more travel expenses - last minute isn't cheap)
New players on tour will be given two seasons
About time! This is the only real good news in this lot.
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