Snooker party rocks into Blackpool

Blackpool is one of the most popular party towns in the UK.

This weekend  the snooker party will be coming to town. Snooker and the word party are hardly ever uttered in the same sentence, but by the sport's usual standards, this all-new Shoot-Out event is crazy.

With ten-minute matches, 15-second shot clocks in the final five minutes, the rule that a ball must always hit a cushion if not potted, and a ball-in-hand rule, it really is radical stuff.

And if October's Power Snooker event wasn't enough to drive the game's traditionalists barmy, this one surely will, as the game faces yet more change to win increased public popularity.

Just like the IndigO2 event, the Shoot-Out will also be decided on points and quickfire style, as the top 64 players need to be narrowed down to just one winner inside a single weekend.

Sky will be airing the tournament, and even if it does ultimately end in failure, I'm sure they can deal with it, after the week of controversy they've endured.


While this competition has an unknown element about it,  one thing is for sure though. we won't be seeing Richard Keys or Andy Gray in the presenting studio, to the relief of most.


All joking aside, will the event be a success?

Well, that's up to you to decide.

No-one who knows snooker can possibly think this Shoot-Out format is the way forward for the game. But if it proves an entertaining exercise, then it's a good job done as snooker continues to try to pull in a new younger audience.

It's up to the fans whether they choose to back it.

I'm ready to embrace it. We aren't losing out on any 'real' snooker because of this event. It's just an addition to the calendar. It's just another chance to watch snooker's professionals in action.

My only fear is that the players' vast talents will be dumbed down.

If balls go crashing into the pockets, and we end up watching a number of close-fought matches, where potting is the highest order of the day, it'll be remembered fondly.

My only concern is that matches become a  farce. Professional players just start whacking the balls around and taking on kamikaze shots.

We'll have to wait and see how it pans out, but whatever, it's all extra prize money for the players we love watching.

Hold onto your hats folks...