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The World Open

Postby SnookerFan

I take it I am probably the only one, but to me this does sound a bit rubbish.

The concept of a pro-am, I don't mind. In fact, I don't mind the sound of the tournament at all, really. But I think it's a somewhat poor replacement to the Grand Prix. After that stupid-arse group stage thing they did a couple of times, which the players hated, as well as a lot of the fans, I personally think the random draw thing had finally got the right idea. It was an exciting concept, not knowing who was going to play who in the next rounds, and the draw was fun.

I appreciate this is a similar concept, and gets all 96 players on the tour playing. But a ranking tournament? How the hell can it be a ranking tournament when there are 32 amateurs in it? And how can it be fair to have best of fives in a ranking tournament? I mean, all anybody does on these forums is whinge that best of nines are too short, and there aren't enough longer matches, but as soon as Barry Hearn suggests best of fives until the final, which is best of 11, everybody starts going :bowdown: What's happening there?

If this event was a televised, non-ranking tournament, seen as a specialist annual event to attract new fans to the event and give up-and-coming players publicity, or the female players that are criminally held back publicity, I'd be all for it. I'd be congratulating Barry Hearn on that... But it seems unfair as a ranking event, and a shame to replace one that had finally found it's identity with this. Can they not have the World Open and The Grand Prix. Surely if Mr. Hearn is so determined with making more tournaments, replacing one with another isn't a good start.

Or am I alone in thinking this?

Re: The World Open

Postby Monique

From what I understood the BBC wanted to axe the Grand Prix from their schedule because it wasn't attractive enough to the fans. I am, it seems, the opposite of you (although I am a snooker fan!) as I loved the round robin - for me it's the fairest of all formats - and hate the random draw as it distorts the ranking system, based on seeding, big time. To me having the seeds number 1 and 2 meeting in round 2, like we had last year, was very unfair to both players. Anyway...
So Barry Hearn managed to convince the Beep to keep the event provided a totally new concept is tried. Now there was no possibility to "extend" the event over more than a week broadcasting and as the goal is to show as much matches as possible, ideally all matches, the only option was to shorten the format. This is also a test bench to see if actually shorter formats do appeal to a younger or novice public. This has been said and disputed ... but never put to the actual test. Now it will be. And the audience will have tix for a certain day/afternoon/evening ... not for a specific match. The idea is that they get to see some diversity in styles of play and players.

Re: The World Open

Postby Casey

And the audience will have tix for a certain day/afternoon/evening ... not for a specific match. The idea is that they get to see some diversity in styles of play and players.


Nice, that's good news. I take it's a 1 table format?

Re: The World Open

Postby Monique

case_master wc wrote:
And the audience will have tix for a certain day/afternoon/evening ... not for a specific match. The idea is that they get to see some diversity in styles of play and players.


Nice, that's good news. I take it's a 1 table format?

That's my understanding, yes.

Re: The World Open

Postby SnookerFan

Oh yes, I remember the talk about the BBC not wanting to keep the Grand Prix talk now. Assuming that's true, and I have no reason to suppose it isn't, I still feel a bit short changed by this as a ranking event. If it's completely random draw, can't the world number 1 and world number 2 still be drawn in the next round, with the world number 3 getting some amateur not even on the tour. Surely, that's less fair then how it was last year?

Don't get me wrong, I liked the random draw idea, when it was only in the one tournament. And felt the people in the top-16 got enough of a reward, being guaranteed for every tournament for the season, automatically getting into The Masters and playing a qualifier in the first round of each ranker... But somehow this seems like a step too far. I have no problem with this event as an invitational. It just feels such a non-ranker. I mean how can a ranking event have best of 11 as a final, and best of five at all other times? Or did I just imagine all these people on here and break-off that said they wanted longer matches?

Re: The World Open

Postby Monique

Actually this is how it will be:

Round 1 in EISS 32 amateurs vs players 96-65 random draw
Round 2 in EISS 32 winners of R1 vs players 64-33 random draw
Tournament proper 32 winners of R2 + top 32 random draw through all rounds
The reason for this setup is that BBC wants to be certain that at least all top players will be on telly stage.

Re: The World Open

Postby SnookerFan

Monique wrote:Actually this is how it will be:

Round 1 in EISS 32 amateurs vs players 96-65 random draw
Round 2 in EISS 32 winners of R1 vs players 64-33 random draw
Tournament proper 32 winners of R2 + top 32 random draw through all rounds
The reason for this setup is that BBC wants to be certain that at least all top players will be on telly stage.


In that case, I obviously misunderstood the format, so maybe it won't quite be as rubbish as originally thought. Still, how do you react to the shorter games mentioned? Does this also concern you?

Re: The World Open

Postby Monique

well, yes, I prefer longer formats because it leaves less space for luck and the best players tend to come on top more consistently. But I'd rather live with this than see a tournament disappear and/or lose its BBC sponsorship. Let's give the thing a chance.

Re: The World Open

Postby Wildey

SnookerFan wrote:
Monique wrote:Actually this is how it will be:

Round 1 in EISS 32 amateurs vs players 96-65 random draw
Round 2 in EISS 32 winners of R1 vs players 64-33 random draw
Tournament proper 32 winners of R2 + top 32 random draw through all rounds
The reason for this setup is that BBC wants to be certain that at least all top players will be on telly stage.


In that case, I obviously misunderstood the format, so maybe it won't quite be as rubbish as originally thought. Still, how do you react to the shorter games mentioned? Does this also concern you?


it is a concern for me if Ranking points for this will be as high as ranking points for the welsh open where its best of 9s and 17 frame final...

there will be a hell of a lot of shocks and if points as high as other tournaments it will turn the rankings upside down based on luck rather than skill.

ive said before id like if its 3-0 or 3-1 then its over but if it goes 2-2 play first to 4 and if it goes 3-3 play first to 5.

atleast then it will be different but at the same time get a credable winner and not someone in frame 5 that flukes a 3-2 win.

Re: The World Open

Postby SnookerFan

Anyway, maybe I was jumping the gun a bit.. It is something new, and we should do what I've been saying all along. See what Barry Hearn delivers before we judge him.

I'm just getting a little sick of people judging him a success before he's had any success in the sport.

Re: The World Open

Postby Wildey

SnookerFan wrote:Anyway, maybe I was jumping the gun a bit.. It is something new, and we should do what I've been saying all along. See what Barry Hearn delivers before we judge him.

I'm just getting a little sick of people judging him a success before he's had any success in the sport.


what im saying now it cant be any worst than its been with Hearn surely.

Re: The World Open

Postby SnookerFan

wildJONESEYE wrote:
SnookerFan wrote:Anyway, maybe I was jumping the gun a bit.. It is something new, and we should do what I've been saying all along. See what Barry Hearn delivers before we judge him.

I'm just getting a little sick of people judging him a success before he's had any success in the sport.


what im saying now it cant be any worst than its been with Hearn surely.


Maybe Barry Hearn will be an amazing success. I am not saying he will or he won't. Some things he has suggested/done, I've liked. To be honest, others have sounded stupid. I can understand people having a sense of excitement.

What I don't seem to understand, are how carried away people are getting already. Like I say, a lot of people have said they wanted more longer-frame games. When Hearn suggest shorter framed games, and he has done, I'm not just going on the World Open, people are like :bowdown: And anybody that seems to question anything Hearn does, however constructively, is to call them Anti-Hearn.

Yes, there weren't enough ranking events or sponsorship before. And yes, as somebody who visits several live snooker events, I also would like to see more people in the crowd. If Hearn can improve those things, then he's a success in my eyes and I'll be the first to congratulate him. He's done some good stuff. I am just a bit concerned people are looking at; "He must be better then the last lot", and "Barry Hearn is God" as the same thing.

I still don't like the idea of best of fives in a ranking event. Creating more exhibition events, so the players play more, I like. But I am keeping my opinion of Hearn open, until he delivers on the big promises he makes, and can judge whether any of his weird and wonderful ideas work. I'll be happy if they do, of course... I am just a bit worried we have gone a bit Seifer island hatah with him.

Re: The World Open

Postby N_Castle07

All i know is around the pubs there is a lot of talk about next season and Barry becoming new chairman and if he can turn snooker around like Darts, and this is talk from none snooker fans, so already he has done good for the game in my eyes. Hearn is well known throughout sports and his involvement in the game brings big publisity and he knows that hence why he wants 51% for his services.

Re: The World Open

Postby SnookerFan

N_Castle07 wrote:All i know is around the pubs there is a lot of talk about next season and Barry becoming new chairman and if he can turn snooker around like Darts, and this is talk from none snooker fans, so already he has done good for the game in my eyes. Hearn is well known throughout sports and his involvement in the game brings big publisity and he knows that hence why he wants 51% for his services.


If you are hearing that kind of talk, it can only be good. Getting positive publicity for the sport can only be good. I have also noticed quite a lot in the sport section about the world championships this year as well. And as long as he brings in more tournaments, and sponsors, without messing with the big tournaments, or the rules of the games themselves, I am happy. I do consider the Grand Prix a big tournament as well, so I was a little disappointing that had to change, especially since I feel it had a unique identity with the random draw. And am wondering if the amateur involvement would be better at a tournament where ranking points weren't awarded. (Nothing wrong with creating these sort of events. Not every tournament brought in has to be a ranker, though the majority should be.)

I feel Hearn should use the skills he has to promote, rather then change too much of the game in the sense of bringing in shot clocks, six reds, too many gimmicks to rankers etc. But, the fact more people are talking, and perhaps showing an interest, can only be a good thing.

Re: The World Open

Postby Smart

Hearn will use the darts knowledge has gained and use that as a business model going forward with snooker.

The World Open in snooker is mirroring the UK Open in darts - whereby amateurs get their chance to pit their wits against the pros....... I am all for this as a change to the current set up.

I must admit that the random draw at the GP was good... but hey ho, give BH a chance to prove himself or otherwise.

<ok>

Re: The World Open

Postby Casey

Letting armatures in is nothing new, the China Open and Shanghai Masters both do it. The Malta Cup when non-ranking did it. I suppose the difference is that the armatures have to now earn the right to play the big boys instead of being given a Wildcard.

Re: The World Open

Postby Rocket_ron

StalinESQ wrote:Hearn will use the darts knowledge has gained and use that as a business model going forward with snooker.

The World Open in snooker is mirroring the UK Open in darts - whereby amateurs get their chance to pit their wits against the pros....... I am all for this as a change to the current set up.

I must admit that the random draw at the GP was good... but hey ho, give BH a chance to prove himself or otherwise.

<ok>

im happy with this world open setup, and if i can afford it i will go and watch some snooker there <ok>

Re: The World Open

Postby Smart

rocket_ron wrote:im happy with this world open setup, and if i can afford it i will go and watch some snooker there <ok>


I've heard this event will be played in Siberia - perhaps we could meet up at my local for a few pints........... :redneck:

Re: The World Open

Postby Rocket_ron

StalinESQ wrote:
rocket_ron wrote:im happy with this world open setup, and if i can afford it i will go and watch some snooker there <ok>


I've heard this event will be played in Siberia - perhaps we could meet up at my local for a few pints........... :redneck:

:redneck:

Re: The World Open

Postby Witz78

Cheesyman99 wrote:Which amatuers do you think we'll see? Brecel, Evans, any more?


Me, id be right up for entering just for the crack.

Nah would be embarrassing i think. Now i know what they mean about debutants getting nerves at the Crucible cos normally im always half cut when i play on the table in the Cuezone but i played on it stone cold sober at the weekend and id a dose of the shakes with a large crowd including Nigel Bond watching me. Managed to somehow pot 6 balls in 60 seconds but my technique totally went to pot and my cueing action must have looked 100 times worse than Alex Higgins rofl

Re: The World Open

Postby NedB-H

StalinESQ wrote:
rocket_ron wrote:im happy with this world open setup, and if i can afford it i will go and watch some snooker there <ok>


I've heard this event will be played in Siberia - perhaps we could meet up at my local for a few pints........... :redneck:

vodka by the pint :scared:

Re: The World Open

Postby Rocket_ron

1. Grand Prix becomes World Open 2010.

2011 is the last year of the BBC contract and they do not like the Grand Prix. I do not blame them, I think it is dull and tired and as I do not want to lose an event on the BBC we are converting the Grand Prix into the World Open for 2010, a new look event but still carrying ranking points.

The BBC will then have first option on acquiring the World Open going forward and if they do not want it, we will have established a new, vibrant event to offer other broadcasters.

World Open: September, Scotland

The FA Cup of Snooker
Round 1 Seeds 65-96 v 32 invited amateurs (random draw)
Round 2 Seeds 33-64 v Round 1 winners (random draw)
Round 3 Seeds 1-32 v Round 2 winners (random draw)
Four selected matches from Round 3 and Round 4 onwards will be televised on a single table format.

All matches will be best of five frames up to the semi-finals
Rounds 1, 2 and 3 will be played at the Academy in Sheffield
FA Cup random draw throughout
No limitation on age or sex of players.

Prize Money
£
Round 1 losers (x 32) -
Round 2 losers (x 32) x 1500 48,000
Round 3 losers (x 32) x 2500 80,000
Round 4 losers (x 16) x 5000 80,000
Round 5 losers (x 8) x 7500 60,000
Quarter final losers (x 4) x 12,000 48,000
Semi final losers (x 2) x 20,000 40,000
Runner Up (x 1) x 40,000 40,000
Winner (x 1) x 100,000 100,000
_______
496,000
_______
Highest break prize on TV 4,000
_______

£ 500,000
_______
No 147 break prize.


where it says the qualifiers to be played at accademy in sheffield will it be in the actual accademy or the badminton courts that the world Champ qualifiers were played in?

Re: The World Open

Postby GJ

will robbo be down as defending champ despite the name change

Re: The World Open

Postby Wildey

GJtheaussiestud wrote:will robbo be down as defending champ despite the name change

no there is history on this before when it was changed to the LG Cup and back again both times it changed the WC was top seed but Being in the top 4 in the world it wont make much difference to him.