World Snooker Chairman Barry Hearn staged another press conference at the Betfred World Championship today. He announced the following.
The World Cup will be staged in Wuxi, China every two years for the next ten years. This year’s event will take place from June 24 to 30. There will be 24 two-man teams from 23 nations (with host nation China to enter two teams). Total prize money will be $800,000. The teams will be announced after Q School.
The winner of next season’s Coral Cup, awarded to the player who wins the most money across the three Coral Series events, will receive an extra £100,000 bonus. This replaces the possibility of rounding up the prize money from £375,000 to £500,000 if a player wins all three events.
The first round losers in the three Coral Series events will receive the relevant prize money, but that money will not count towards their ranking tally.
In the Home Nations series events, the top 32 players will be seeded into the draw, with all other players drawn at random. Previously, only the top 16 were seeded.
High break prizes will go up next season, and there will be no discrepancy between the qualifying rounds and final stages in terms of breaks counting for the high break prize. This compensates for the scrapping of the rolling £5,000 for 147s, which has been replaced by the potential £1 million bonus for 20 or more 147s in a season, as previously announced.
Slow play will be closely monitored. The introduction of Average Shot Time on our website has helped speed up play. There are only a handful of players now consistently over 30 seconds a shot across the season. We will continue to monitor the situation and we are keeping our referees up to date with those players who are still lagging behind.
Toilet breaks are sometimes used as a form of gamesmanship and this clearly cannot be allowed. We will be in consultation with the players themselves, and the Players’ Commission in particular, to bring in some rules that are workable on toilet breaks.
Overall, I’m extremely satisfied with the level of entertainment being provided by the players. This has been a major reason for an escalation of TV ratings this year. In particular, the Coral series on ITV was a huge success and the World Championship and the other major events on the BBC are showing growth, while there is also significant growth on Eurosport.
The whole tournament schedule for the 2019/20 season will be published tomorrow. We’re aiming at 20 ranking events plus a range of invitational events, with total prize money estimated at £15 million.
Q School Asia will be taking place towards the end of the 2019/20 season alongside the traditional Q School here.
just astonishing, Trump was totally unplayable in that final. Higgins would've beaten anyone else today but Trump would've beaten anyone in the game's history
See Hazel Irvine calling it possibly the greatest final of all time.
See Trump won 18-9.
What did I miss?
they say that every year. for class it was good, Trump had one of his best performances. but to make a great final it needs to be closer and have tension (play off 98 springs to mind)
See Hazel Irvine calling it possibly the greatest final of all time.
See Trump won 18-9.
What did I miss?
they say that every year. for class it was good, Trump had one of his best performances. but to make a great final it needs to be closer and have tension (play off 98 springs to mind)
It was probably the best standard ever but not the best final because it wasn't close.
Trump was unplayable. His potting is so good that it was almost impossible to play safe. He has improved his cue ball control and his tactical game. If he keeps this up he will dominate for the next few years, but it's a big if.
just astonishing, Trump was totally unplayable in that final. Higgins would've beaten anyone else today but Trump would've beaten anyone in the game's history
The best Crucible final in terms of excitement for me has been Dennis Taylor beating Steve Davis in 1985.
In terms of consistent quality from both players this year has to be up there with the best. Trump hit such a consistent level of excellence over many frames it overshadowed Higgins' good play on the few occasions he was allowed out of his chair..
just astonishing, Trump was totally unplayable in that final. Higgins would've beaten anyone else today but Trump would've beaten anyone in the game's history
Steady on.
The 9 frames Higgins won were with breaks of 139, 69, 74, 101, 125, 113, 59, 67, 70. This is one of the all time greats playing top quality snooker and Trump totally destroyed him. Who do you think could have beaten him? Hendry at his best would've made a match of it but I don't think I've ever seen anyone play better
Not sure I buy that's the greatest final ever, admittedly I didn't watch as much once Trump pulled away (final day there wasn't too much drama)
Trump played very well, but also felt the commentators were a bit over the top. People saying he was unbeatable, maybe in the final but in a couple of the other rounds he was sketchy. Trump played the best snooker overall and was deserved champion, personally didn't really see him ever winning one until this year he has come on a lot, in particular beating ROS in a couple of finals which shows he has stepped up a level. Personally what I was more impressed with he was out-tacticalling the king of tactics himself. I wasn't too bothered who won in the end, Robbo v Trump would have been unbelievable but Higgins didn't recover from losing 8 frames in a row, which he could have knicked a couple of those.
Onto Q school, This world cup thing could be a bit of a farce like darts where only realistically the main nations (including China) will have a chance, I would much rather they had England A/B/C and fill it based on the strength otherwise its going to be formality personally. Although it does give lesser nations a chance which is a positive.
I personally think we are getting nearer to a Chinese world champ, within 3 years my guess. They are coming...
just astonishing, Trump was totally unplayable in that final. Higgins would've beaten anyone else today but Trump would've beaten anyone in the game's history
Steady on.
The 9 frames Higgins won were with breaks of 139, 69, 74, 101, 125, 113, 59, 67, 70. This is one of the all time greats playing top quality snooker and Trump totally destroyed him. Who do you think could have beaten him? Hendry at his best would've made a match of it but I don't think I've ever seen anyone play better
If's and buts, we will never know as he pulled his 'A' Game vs Higgins, could he play that well vs anyone else? I don't think we can ever argue that, likewise if Higgins played his 'A' Game it wouldn't have been so convincing, he did play well in spots obviously but he was tactically beaten. Also missed the odd chance, again not that I expect them to mop everything up, but more to the point I feel its hard to judge would have been able to stick with Trump as he might have had less chance against others/ less table times.
Hendry/Selby matchplayers, Ronnie if buzzing, Williams would have a fair crack. Again not bitter or taking anything away as personally Trump is one of the more exciting players to watch and hopefully can become a great now he has taken that step up.
Not sure I buy that's the greatest final ever, admittedly I didn't watch as much once Trump pulled away (final day there wasn't too much drama)
Trump played very well, but also felt the commentators were a bit over the top. People saying he was unbeatable, maybe in the final but in a couple of the other rounds he was sketchy. Trump played the best snooker overall and was deserved champion, personally didn't really see him ever winning one until this year he has come on a lot, in particular beating ROS in a couple of finals which shows he has stepped up a level. Personally what I was more impressed with he was out-tacticalling the king of tactics himself. I wasn't too bothered who won in the end, Robbo v Trump would have been unbelievable but Higgins didn't recover from losing 8 frames in a row, which he could have knicked a couple of those.
Onto Q school, This world cup thing could be a bit of a farce like darts where only realistically the main nations (including China) will have a chance, I would much rather they had England A/B/C and fill it based on the strength otherwise its going to be formality personally. Although it does give lesser nations a chance which is a positive.
I personally think we are getting nearer to a Chinese world champ, within 3 years my guess. They are coming...
The Soviets and the Chinese both did it with chess (amongst other things like gymnastics), going from OK and nowhere respectively to the Olympiad gold and, in the case of the former, individual world champions from 1948 to '72 and '75 to 2000. It's just a case of identifying talent early and the right training.
Having said that, I don't think any of the current crop we see on the tour will be world snooker champion within three years and it's a bit of a stretch for some "unknown" coming from nowhere in the next three years to world champ. If they progress like they did at chess, though, within twenty years they'll have as many top players as GB has without necessarily having the top one.
Not sure I buy that's the greatest final ever, admittedly I didn't watch as much once Trump pulled away (final day there wasn't too much drama)
Trump played very well, but also felt the commentators were a bit over the top. People saying he was unbeatable, maybe in the final but in a couple of the other rounds he was sketchy. Trump played the best snooker overall and was deserved champion, personally didn't really see him ever winning one until this year he has come on a lot, in particular beating ROS in a couple of finals which shows he has stepped up a level. Personally what I was more impressed with he was out-tacticalling the king of tactics himself. I wasn't too bothered who won in the end, Robbo v Trump would have been unbelievable but Higgins didn't recover from losing 8 frames in a row, which he could have knicked a couple of those.
Onto Q school, This world cup thing could be a bit of a farce like darts where only realistically the main nations (including China) will have a chance, I would much rather they had England A/B/C and fill it based on the strength otherwise its going to be formality personally. Although it does give lesser nations a chance which is a positive.
I personally think we are getting nearer to a Chinese world champ, within 3 years my guess. They are coming...
The Soviets and the Chinese both did it with chess (amongst other things like gymnastics), going from OK and nowhere respectively to the Olympiad gold and, in the case of the former, individual world champions from 1948 to '72 and '75 to 2000. It's just a case of identifying talent early and the right training.
Having said that, I don't think any of the current crop we see on the tour will be world snooker champion within three years and it's a bit of a stretch for some "unknown" coming from nowhere in the next three years to world champ. If they progress like they did at chess, though, within twenty years they'll have as many top players as GB has without necessarily having the top one.
There is plenty potential, Ding still the front runner. Yan Bingtao will have a great chance some day, but had a bad season.
Haotain (lots of potential, heard of him since he was about 14 or younger) + Yuelong
IMO above at the moment have the best chance, although 3 years might be a bold statement. They seem to have come on a lot the last couple of years so there will be another that comes out the woodwork this season no doubt.
So there we have it another season finished with extra money on the tour next year and a few names starting to make waves I am expecting some 1st time winners next season(and Hopefully Mark Selby gets a kick up his backside down to 6th now)
Tournamnet winners
Ranking Events
Riga Masters-Neil Robertson World Open- Mark Williams Paul Hunter Classic- Kyren Wilson China Championship- Mark Selby European Masters- Jimmy Robertson English Open-Stuart Bingham International Championship-Mark Allen Northern Ireland Open-Judd Trump UK Championship-Ronnie O'Sullivan Scottish Open- Mark Allen German Masters-Kyren Wilson World Grand Prix-Judd Trump Welsh Open- Neil Robertson Snooker Shootout- Thepchaiya-Un Nooh Indian Open- Matt Selt Players Championship- Ronnie O'Sullivan Gibraltar Open- Stuart Bingham Tour Championship- Ronnie O'Sullivan China Open- Neil Robertson World Championship- Judd Trump
Non Ranking Events
Haining Open- Mark Selby Shanghai Masters- Ronnie O'Sullivan Champion of Champions- Ronnie O'Sullivan The Masters- Judd Trump Championship League- Martin Gould
Challenge Tour Winners
Event 1- Brandon Sargeant Event 2- David Grace Event 3- Barry Pinches Event 4- Mitchell Mann Event 5- David Lilley Event 6- David Grace Event 7- Joel Walker Event 8- Simon Bedford Event 9- Adam Duffy Event 10- George Pragnall
Comments
Final
Judd Trump 16-9 John Higgins
Doubtful we will see a mid session interval tonight but John will just be happy going to the 4th session after last night
World Snooker Chairman Barry Hearn staged another press conference at the Betfred World Championship today. He announced the following.
The World Cup will be staged in Wuxi, China every two years for the next ten years. This year’s event will take place from June 24 to 30. There will be 24 two-man teams from 23 nations (with host nation China to enter two teams). Total prize money will be $800,000. The teams will be announced after Q School.
The winner of next season’s Coral Cup, awarded to the player who wins the most money across the three Coral Series events, will receive an extra £100,000 bonus. This replaces the possibility of rounding up the prize money from £375,000 to £500,000 if a player wins all three events.
The first round losers in the three Coral Series events will receive the relevant prize money, but that money will not count towards their ranking tally.
In the Home Nations series events, the top 32 players will be seeded into the draw, with all other players drawn at random. Previously, only the top 16 were seeded.
High break prizes will go up next season, and there will be no discrepancy between the qualifying rounds and final stages in terms of breaks counting for the high break prize. This compensates for the scrapping of the rolling £5,000 for 147s, which has been replaced by the potential £1 million bonus for 20 or more 147s in a season, as previously announced.
Slow play will be closely monitored. The introduction of Average Shot Time on our website has helped speed up play. There are only a handful of players now consistently over 30 seconds a shot across the season. We will continue to monitor the situation and we are keeping our referees up to date with those players who are still lagging behind.
Toilet breaks are sometimes used as a form of gamesmanship and this clearly cannot be allowed. We will be in consultation with the players themselves, and the Players’ Commission in particular, to bring in some rules that are workable on toilet breaks.
Overall, I’m extremely satisfied with the level of entertainment being provided by the players. This has been a major reason for an escalation of TV ratings this year. In particular, the Coral series on ITV was a huge success and the World Championship and the other major events on the BBC are showing growth, while there is also significant growth on Eurosport.
The whole tournament schedule for the 2019/20 season will be published tomorrow. We’re aiming at 20 ranking events plus a range of invitational events, with total prize money estimated at £15 million.
Q School Asia will be taking place towards the end of the 2019/20 season alongside the traditional Q School here.
worst final for me. really hard to go for one over the other. Trump has got it anyway.
I would of thought more than that
still can’t take to Trump for some reason though
Judd Trump is World Champion for the 1st time and with it completes the career triple crowna
Final
Judd Trump 18-9 John Higgins
See Hazel Irvine calling it possibly the greatest final of all time.
See Trump won 18-9.
What did I miss?
they say that every year. for class it was good, Trump had one of his best performances. but to make a great final it needs to be closer and have tension (play off 98 springs to mind)
Trump was unplayable. His potting is so good that it was almost impossible to play safe. He has improved his cue ball control and his tactical game. If he keeps this up he will dominate for the next few years, but it's a big if.
In terms of consistent quality from both players this year has to be up there with the best. Trump hit such a consistent level of excellence over many frames it overshadowed Higgins' good play on the few occasions he was allowed out of his chair..
Taylor va Davis & Hendry vs White final frame deciders were more dramatic
Not sure I buy that's the greatest final ever, admittedly I didn't watch as much once Trump pulled away (final day there wasn't too much drama)
Trump played very well, but also felt the commentators were a bit over the top. People saying he was unbeatable, maybe in the final but in a couple of the other rounds he was sketchy. Trump played the best snooker overall and was deserved champion, personally didn't really see him ever winning one until this year he has come on a lot, in particular beating ROS in a couple of finals which shows he has stepped up a level. Personally what I was more impressed with he was out-tacticalling the king of tactics himself. I wasn't too bothered who won in the end, Robbo v Trump would have been unbelievable but Higgins didn't recover from losing 8 frames in a row, which he could have knicked a couple of those.
Onto Q school, This world cup thing could be a bit of a farce like darts where only realistically the main nations (including China) will have a chance, I would much rather they had England A/B/C and fill it based on the strength otherwise its going to be formality personally. Although it does give lesser nations a chance which is a positive.
I personally think we are getting nearer to a Chinese world champ, within 3 years my guess. They are coming...
If's and buts, we will never know as he pulled his 'A' Game vs Higgins, could he play that well vs anyone else? I don't think we can ever argue that, likewise if Higgins played his 'A' Game it wouldn't have been so convincing, he did play well in spots obviously but he was tactically beaten. Also missed the odd chance, again not that I expect them to mop everything up, but more to the point I feel its hard to judge would have been able to stick with Trump as he might have had less chance against others/ less table times.
Hendry/Selby matchplayers, Ronnie if buzzing, Williams would have a fair crack. Again not bitter or taking anything away as personally Trump is one of the more exciting players to watch and hopefully can become a great now he has taken that step up.
Having said that, I don't think any of the current crop we see on the tour will be world snooker champion within three years and it's a bit of a stretch for some "unknown" coming from nowhere in the next three years to world champ. If they progress like they did at chess, though, within twenty years they'll have as many top players as GB has without necessarily having the top one.
There is plenty potential, Ding still the front runner. Yan Bingtao will have a great chance some day, but had a bad season.
Haotain (lots of potential, heard of him since he was about 14 or younger) + Yuelong
IMO above at the moment have the best chance, although 3 years might be a bold statement. They seem to have come on a lot the last couple of years so there will be another that comes out the woodwork this season no doubt.
It should happen, just when....
i voted for the safety in the semi final but I missed hearing the winner
Tournamnet winners
Ranking Events
Riga Masters-Neil Robertson
World Open- Mark Williams
Paul Hunter Classic- Kyren Wilson
China Championship- Mark Selby
European Masters- Jimmy Robertson
English Open-Stuart Bingham
International Championship-Mark Allen
Northern Ireland Open-Judd Trump
UK Championship-Ronnie O'Sullivan
Scottish Open- Mark Allen
German Masters-Kyren Wilson
World Grand Prix-Judd Trump
Welsh Open- Neil Robertson
Snooker Shootout- Thepchaiya-Un Nooh
Indian Open- Matt Selt
Players Championship- Ronnie O'Sullivan
Gibraltar Open- Stuart Bingham
Tour Championship- Ronnie O'Sullivan
China Open- Neil Robertson
World Championship- Judd Trump
Non Ranking Events
Haining Open- Mark Selby
Shanghai Masters- Ronnie O'Sullivan
Champion of Champions- Ronnie O'Sullivan
The Masters- Judd Trump
Championship League- Martin Gould
Challenge Tour Winners
Event 1- Brandon Sargeant
Event 2- David Grace
Event 3- Barry Pinches
Event 4- Mitchell Mann
Event 5- David Lilley
Event 6- David Grace
Event 7- Joel Walker
Event 8- Simon Bedford
Event 9- Adam Duffy
Event 10- George Pragnall
Players who made more than 1 ranking final
Neil Robertson- 6 (3 Wins 3 Runner up)
Ronnie O'Sullivan- 4 (3 Wins 1 Runner up)
Judd Trump-3 (3 Wins 0 Runner Up)
Mark Allen- 3 (2 Wins 1 Runner Up)
Stuart Bingham- 3 (2 Wins 1 Runner Up)
Kyren Wilson- 2 (2 Wins 0 Runners Up)
Ranking Titles by Country
England-13
Australia-3
Northern Ireland-2
Wales-1
Thailand-1
End of season ranking with list of players who have dropped of the tour will follow tonight