Doe anyone on here watch or play Snooker?

[cee-dee]

Now, bearing in mind I've never picked up a cue and the nearest I've been to a snooker table is that I've walked past one a couple of times...😀 What I want to know is......

There's a player faced with frame ball, has a go at it, ends up absolutely inch perfect on the next shot but has completely missed the pot. Then his opponent goes on to steal the frame! Why do they do it?

I've watched snooker since before Steve Davis won his first World title and players are still doing it.

Now OK, I suppose I'm an armchair critic but these are professional players, not a couple of blokes having a knock-about down at the local pub or club. Surely, surely by now they'd know that there's no point in being in perfect position for the next shot if you miss the pot on frame ball?

Anyone got a comment?

[double_o_heaven]

Because "frame ball" isn't that - their opponent can still play on for snookers even if the remaining spherical objects* on the table total less then their score deficit.  So it is always wise for whoever is at the table to pot a few more to make the frame totally safe.

*the obvious word got censored!  😄

[cee-dee]

Yes, they can play on for snookers but when the remaining balls are scattered with some in pretty safe positions, the opponent needs Blacks with the remaining Reds but when "frame ball" has been missed, it's easier to begin the response from the positions left for him?

[double_o_heaven]

Ok - well in most situations, it is easier to play for a position, than just to pot with no thought - it's what they do hundreds of time a match after all.

And if they are obtaining inch perfect position for the next shot, then the "frame winning" pot itself wouldn't have been a particularly hard one.  

But knowing it is frame ball can make the almost unmissable suddenly missable.  And I know what that feels like!  😄

I see it bleeped your "spherical objects" too 😄

[iew-signed-books]

What I'd like to know is why snooker, like darts, is termed a sport? Not sure which of those two is the more boring.

[kidmore_kats]

Ball.s

Where there's a will

[cee-dee]

I had the bleep removed as I said the word was used in the context of the objects used to play the game and it was obvious there was no vulgar intent.

[silber6406]

Missing a pot on the frame ball in snooker can be attributed to the high-pressure situation and the player's nerves. Even professional players can make mistakes and succumb to the moment's pressure, despite being in a good position for the next shot. Players may also miss the pot due to misjudgment of the shot's angle or pace. Ultimately, it's part of the game and adds to the excitement and unpredictability of snooker.

[cee-dee]

But they're supposed to be professionals at the very top of the game and be aware that it's no good being in the perfect position for the next shot if they've missed the pot? After years or either doing it or seeing others do it, they should be well aware of it?

[double_o_heaven]

The positional thing comes naturally - that's not the reason the pot is missed - it's the pressure of the situation.

Have you never watched a penalty shoot out?!

They will never try for a really tricky positional shot off frame ball.  (or very, very rarely).

[iew-signed-books]

I once met James Wattana on a Thai Airways flight (either to or from Bangkok), and got his autograph on a menu (which I subsequently gave to a snooker-loopy friend of mine). I then met him again at the Thai Temple at Wimbledon. Not a lot of people know that. Doing the Romford Rap ...

[double_o_heaven]

I have shaken Jimmy White's hand once.  It was a bit cold and clammy tbh...

[iew-signed-books]

Hope there wasn't any powder residue left.

[the-olas]

Still watch the World Championship final.

Although the final hasn't been any good since Davis v Taylor in '85.