TimeOut

Are there any snooker players in our community? If so, I've . . .
Jul 15 2008,09:08 AM

. . . got a question: are jump shots permitted? I had an opportunity to see Steve Davis and a team of pros at an exhibition in Bahrain in '86 but missed it, and I've been kicking myself ever since. We don't get televised snooker on ESPN, unfortunately . . . thanks, Art

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Televised Snooker?
Jul 15 2008,13:10 PM

Art,

When did you get the TV? 

Curious,

Helen

 

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I have dozens of TVs, Helen . . .
Jul 15 2008,15:31 PM

. . . they're all at Azar's, my local tavern ;-) . . . warm regards, Art

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Art, is it still true
Jul 16 2008,01:29 AM

You have none in you home?  I took the TV out of my room almost a year ago, it's nice.

Warmest Regards,

Helen

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No television, none planned . . .
Jul 16 2008,08:11 AM

. . . and no regrets ;-) . . . I catch the occasional Raider game and endurance race at the local sports bar,  but other than that  there's not a moment of my time spent in front of a TV . . . cordially, Art

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Yes, jump shots are allowed in snooker, but very rarely seen...
Jul 15 2008,13:54 PM

The only rule is that the cue ball must strike the intended object ball first. If the cue ball goes airborn in the process, well that is fine, and makes for an exciting shot. I have, on very rare occassions, seen this occur. It is often at the end of the game and a player is clearing the colors and has accidently snookered himself on the next color. For example, he may be on the Brown (which is near the pocket) but is covered in the line of sight by, say, the Pink. The player may choose to jump the Pink in attempts to pot the Brown as opposed to banking off the rails. This is perfectly legal as long as the Brown is the first ball struck by the cue ball.

I bet this post makes no sense to anyone unfamiliar with the game

Best,

NickO

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Thanks, Nick . . .
Jul 15 2008,15:41 PM

. . . the rare incidence of jump shots has to be assumed given the tighter pockets and smaller balls used in snooker, but for the life of me, I can't remember anyone ever making a jump shot when I learned how to play ages ago at the British club when I lived overseas . . . cordially, Art

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It's really rare...
Jul 15 2008,17:42 PM

I have been a casual player for about twenty years and I have seen it done twice in that time. Both instances were as I described above - a player is clearing the colors, and has snookered himself behind the next color which also happens to be pretty darn over the jaw of the pocket. The frame is already won, so for a bit of bravado he decides to jump the ball to pocket the color. Both times it worked. You are quite right - the balls and pockets are smaller and as a result, it is not only a harder shot but one which is undoutedly less practiced. In both instances it worked out, not sure what the snooker hall owner would have said when presented with a ripped cloth and the explanation of how it occured. It's just not snooker.....

BTW - my favourite player was Alex "Hurricane" Higgins and Jimmy White, honestly, has the best hair transplant I've ever seen. Poor chap was bald at 25 and had a mane at 30. Catch Steve Davis if you ever get another chance - that's the great thing about snooker, it is like golf - you can play until you die.

Best,

NickO

This message has been edited by NickO on 2008-07-15 17:44:25

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Jimmy White
Jul 16 2008,15:18 PM

Hi SteveO,

I saw Jimmy White playing in the 80ies during an exhibition match in Ostend (Belgium). What a guy, i still remember he had a great sense of humor ... people where laughing all the time. And he was (is) one of the best ever ....

Greetz,
Filip

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Alex "Hurricane" Higgins, now that brings me back...
Jul 19 2008,15:45 PM

Nick,
Growing up in the north west of the UK, my dad loved watching snooker on those cold rainy evenings. I have fond memories of these great players. The speed with which Higgins could dispatch the balls when he was "on", was quite something to watch.
The other fellow to watch was the great Ray Reardon, who was a sort of godfather figure when Higgins and White were playing and an early Steve Davis figure who appeared on the scene, and then earned the huge accolades he was due.
Good times...
Thanks for the reminder,
Cheers,
Tim

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Ah, Ray Reardon, with his slicked-back jet black hair..
Jul 21 2008,07:42 AM

and receeding through the temples - he always reminded me of an aging Dracula He was a super-nice fellow and was "The Man" until a certain S. Davis showed up on the scene. Do you remember the other greats of the time - Doug Mountjoy, Cliff Thorburn (the ladies favourite), Dennis Taylor (always joking around) etc... These guys, like any great professionals, make their sport look so easy. They'd rep off century break-after-break at the Crucible during the World Championships like it was hardly any effort at all. Then I'd go down to my local snooker hall and struggle to make a break of 16

Good times indeed.

NickO

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Apparently, there are a few snooker fans in our community . . .
Jul 21 2008,12:20 PM

. . . click on the links below, and maybe you'll become a fan, too.

www.youtube.com

www.youtube.com

www.youtube.com

www.youtube.com

www.youtube.com

www.youtube.com

I wonder if my fascination for the game, with it's emphasis on the beauty of geometry combined with the intricacy of physics, is somehow related to my similar appreciation for watches . . . cordially, Art

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The third link, of the fastest 147 break in history, is superb.
Jul 23 2008,12:07 PM

As a sporting feat it comes as close to sheer perfection as anything I've ever seen. Like listening to Glenn Gould playing the Goldberg Variations.

Cheers
Tony P

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Intentional Jump Balls are considered foul
Jul 17 2008,18:03 PM

Yes i am one of those players who play occasional snooker.

Just to clarify ...in snooker JUMP balls are not allowed. It's a foul if the player intentionally forces the cue ball to jump.

Jump ball are only allowed in Pool 8 or 9 ball.



Cheers

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So what the heck do I know...
Jul 17 2008,23:12 PM

After RWs post here, I went back and checked my rulebook and.... I'm wrong and he's right. I quote:

9. Jump shots are illegal in International Snooker. It is a foul if the striker intentionally causes the cue ball to jump (rise from the bed of the table) by any means, if the jump is an effort to clear an obstructing ball.

Obviously as the shot is illegal, that would explain why they are so rare   Both times I saw it performed was in non-matchplay situations but, yes, technically they should have been called Foul shots.

Thanks RW for the correction,

NickO

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Thank you both, RW and Nick . . .
Jul 18 2008,00:28 AM

. . . most cordially, Art

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No sweat, so for all those players out there....wat is your
Jul 25 2008,19:05 PM

HIGHEST Break???


I think i only managed a 30+ once or twice......LOL....Just goes to show u all how "good" i am.


Cheers

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It's been decades since I've played snooker . . .
Jul 26 2008,09:37 AM

. . . but what I can say with complete confidence is that despite their superficial similarity, the British game is an order of magnitude more complex and difficult than the American game. The larger table [12 x 6 vs 10 x 5], slightly smaller balls and tighter pockets mandates a higher level of precision and patience . . . I pity the pool player who gets duped into his first game of snooker for wagers ;-) . . . cordially, Art

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