by Witz78 » 15 Feb 2012 Read
typical blinkered responses on here from the uneducated masses.
the current protection for the self proclaimed "elite" has been stifling snooker for years and has to end ASAP.
a flat qualifying set up of 128 players entering in round 1 makes it a level playing field for all, and also means a money based order of merit works fairly.
as Hearn says the best players should come through the early 2 rounds to make the last 32 stage at the venue. If they dont, then tough luck i say, what right should they have to be in the last 32.
As it is half of the venue (16/32) are automatically qualifying whilst once the tour goes up to 128 players, then the other 112 players would be scrapping it out for only 16 places which is totally unfair and just doesnt promote growth and change in the sport, it simply panders to the elite few.
So in effect under a 128 system, then the last 32 stage is round 3 so itd be the equivalent of the top 16 entering at round 3 which is ludicrous. Infact where do you stop, why not say there should be an elite TOP FOUR, who enter events at the quarter final stage OR the top seed doesnt enter the event until the FINAL. Farcial that may sound, but its no more farcial IMO than the current set up. Players should have to earn their place and prize money, rather than be handed it on a plate.
Why should someone start in the 1st qualifying round and win 2 or 3 games and earn no money, when Carter for example can lose in round 1 proper and earn money.
The new system will reward people for achieving, not simply existing. Win a game and you get paid, lose and you dont, simple and fair for all.
And as for the tosh about there being too many games to play under a 128 qualifying system then take a look at this.
currently there are 4x16 plus potentially 3 prelim games if all 99 are on tour, so there are 67 qualifying games played. Under the new system there would be 64+32 = 96 played so its not a great deal more.
Take the World Champs qualifiers for example. Once the last 128 draw had been made there would in effect be 32 sections of the draw with 1 winner from each segment making it to the Crucible.
The 16 most attractive segments (probably featuring the top 16 players) would be played at the South West Snooker Academy so specatators could view them. The other half (16 less attractive segments) would be played at Sheffield.
The following schedule would happen at both venues with numerous selected games also being streamed.
Day 1 -
10am - 8 last 128 games 1st session A
2.30pm - 8 last 128 games 1st session B
7pm - 8 last 128 games 2nd session A
Day 2 -
10am - 8 last 128 games 1st session C
2.30pm - 8 last 128 games 2nd session B
7pm - 8 last 128 games 1st session D
Day 3 -
10am - 8 last 128 games 2nd session C
2.30pm - 8 last 128 games 2nd session D
7pm - 8 last 64 games 1st session E
Day 4 -
10am - 8 last 64 games 1st session F
2.30pm - 8 last 64 games 2nd session E
7pm - 8 last 64 games 2nd session F
So there you have it, by playing on 8 tables over the 2 venues listed World Champs qualifiers could be done and dusted in ONLY 4 DAYS.
Normal qualifiers for shorter format events (best of 9) could just be solely played at the SWSA and would only take 4 days, plus the public would be able to attend.
Im sorry but the argument of a tournament being devalued if certain players arent in the last 32 is nonsense. They still ARE in the tournament, except they start in the last 128 like the rest. Tough luck if they lose early on, the 32 who win 2 games deserve to make the venue.
And seeding would be in place anyway, so its not like Ronnie, Trump, Higgins and Robbo would end up in the same mini section and only 1 could make it through to the venue.
The current top 32 for example if it was in place now would face a scenario like this.
Round1 - play a random player seeded between 97 and 128
Round 2 - play the winner of the round 1 match between 33-64 seed and 65-96 seed.
So worst case scenario they would have to face world number 33 in the 2nd round.
Surely it all makes sense now why this is a logical route to go down ...............?