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
Defo agree with reducing PTC, and giving the new players two years.
ReplyDeleteI hope they are better prepared in Brazil next year, as the table was rushed through customs on the day the tournament started, and there was no practice table.
The crowds in China aren't great, six is to many I reckon. Would like to see a ranking event in Ireland.
Unsure on ranking system being altered, and don't think it will alter things a great deal.
Why are the ptc's being reduced to 8 events or is it just rumoured ?. Why would you reduce it when players are crying for more tournaments. or is it just rumoured ?. Why would you reduce it when players are crying for more tournaments.
ReplyDeleteNow these are rumours and to be confirmed of course, but what IF they are confirmed?
ReplyDeleteHere 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.
Are the ptc's really going to be reduced to 8 events.is this likely or just a rumour and if it does happen will there be more events to replace them as i think the calendar is perfect at the moment. Thanks Are the ptc's really going to be reduced to 8 events.is this likely or just a rumour and if it does happen will there be more events to replace them as i think the calendar is perfect at the moment. Thanks
ReplyDeleteAny ideas what the 6 ranking events will be in china. This is to many imo.i know there are 3 events there this season the shanghai masters,china open and world open.i presume if u turn the wuxi classic into a ranker thats four.any idea on the other two ?.Any ideas what the 6 ranking events will be in china. This is to many imo.i know there are 3 events there this season the shanghai masters,china open and world open.i presume if u turn the wuxi classic into a ranker thats four.any idea on the other two ?.
ReplyDeletewill these ptc's be replaced if they are cut to 8 events.are these new chinese events replacments ?.
ReplyDeleteFirstly, responding to a comment about the 46% tax on Brazilian prize money. That won't matter as all ranking calculations if indeed thathappens will be based on pre-tax winnings.
ReplyDeleteI agree that the number of PTC's is fine right now and the majority of players would agree. They want to play as much as possible.
As far as China goes, the game is fairly quickly moving that way and unless some encouragement (sponsorship etc.) comes from the right places in other parts of the world, WS (World Snooker) will move more tournaments that way.
Finally as far as ranking goes, the weighting has always been heavily weighted to the big two (UK and Worlds) so whether based on points will make very little difference on the outcome of the final end of season rankings. However, giving the new pro's a two year safety net has to be a great thing for the good of the game.