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Snooker Shoot Out

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Snooker Shoot Out
Tournament information
VenueMorningside Arena
LocationLeicester
CountryEngland
Established1990
Organisation(s)World Snooker Tour
FormatRanking event
Total prize fund£171,000
Recent edition2024
Current champion Tom Ford (ENG)

The Snooker Shoot Out is a professional snooker tournament played under a variation of the standard rules. Each match consists of one frame, played over a maximum of 10 minutes, with a shot clock in effect. First staged in 1990 as the Shoot-Out, the event was revived in 2011 and renamed the Snooker Shoot Out. Held from 2011 to 2016 as a non-ranking event with 64 competitors, it became a ranking event in 2017 for an expanded field of 128 players.[1]

The event is notable for its wildcard entrants, including young amateur players. Liam Davies first competed in 2019 when he was 12 years old, making him the youngest player to feature in a professional ranking event.[2] At the 2023 edition, 14-year-old Vladislav Gradinari became the youngest player to win a televised match at a ranking event, beating Ng On Yee in the first round, continuing his run by beating Pan American Snooker Champion Victor Sarkis, reaching last 32 before losing to Tom Ford[3] and Reanne Evans became the first female player to achieve the same feat.[4] The current champion is Mark Allen, who defeated Cao Yupeng in December 2023 to become the first top 16 player to win the Shoot Out.[5] Stuart Bingham, Mark Selby, and Mark Williams have also all reached finals.[6]

Unlike other major snooker tournaments, the audience does not remain silent during play, and the event has become known for its boisterous atmosphere.[7]

History

[edit]

Single frame snooker competition was a staple of early televised coverage of the sport, and largely responsible for bringing the game to the mainstream of British sport, primarily through the BBC's popular Pot Black programme. Extended televised coverage of longer professional tournaments, however, had caused the format to become jaded, with the last Pot Black tournament taking place in 2007.

A similar event known as Shoot-Out was first held in September 1990, when, except in the final, all matches were decided over a single frame. With the demise of Pot Black, the event returned in 2011 with several innovations, and was renamed to Snooker Shoot Out.[8] It was sponsored by CaesarsCasino.com.[9]

It was a one-frame shoot-out with a random draw, where the winner is given £32,000. The top 64 players in the world rankings contested the tournament, which was shown on Sky Sports and ITV4. The 2011 event was the first time that Sky Sports had shown a World Snooker Tour event live since 2004.[10] From 2011 to 2015 the event took place at the Circus Arena in Blackpool.[11][12][13] The event was sponsored by PartyPoker.com in 2012,[14] by Betfair in 2013,[15] by 888casino in 2014,[16] and by Betway in 2015.[17] The tournament was held at the Hexagon in Reading for 2016.[18] From 2016 to 2018, the tournament was broadcast by ITV and was sponsored by Coral.[19][20][21] In 2017, the tournament became a ranking event for the first time, open to all 128 professional players.[22] At the end of the season, the players voted to keep it as a ranking event.[23] From 2017 the tournament was staged at the Colosseum in Watford.[24][25] In 2018, the event agreed a long-term deal with Eurosport and Quest to broadcast the event in the United Kingdom until 2026, beginning with the 2019 Snooker Shoot Out.[26]

In January 2023, Reanne Evans became the first female winner of a Snooker Shoot Out match as well as the first woman to win a televised match at a ranking event.[27] In December 2023, Shaun Murphy made the first ever Shoot Out maximum break in his first-round match against Bulcsú Révész.[28]

Format

[edit]

Rules by the WPBSA:[29][30][31]: 42–46 

  • Every frame lasts a maximum of 10 minutes.
  • There is a shot clock. For the first 5 minutes of the match, players have 15 seconds per shot, but for the last 5 minutes this is reduced to 10 seconds.[32] Prior to 2013, the shot clock was set at 20 seconds per shot for the first 5 minutes and 15 seconds for the last 5 minutes.[29] Failure to strike the cue ball within the time allowed results in a minimum 5 points penalty or the value of the "ball-on", whichever is greater. Prior to 2018, it was always a 5 points penalty.[33] In 2021, normal rules regarding foul points were used.
  • Players must hit a cushion (with any ball) or pot a ball with every shot.[32] Prior to 2013 either the cue ball or the object ball needed to hit a cushion.[29] Failure to do so results in a minimum 5 points penalty or the value of the "ball-on", whichever is greater. Prior to 2018, it was always a 5 points penalty.[33]
  • All fouls result in ball-in-hand.
  • Players "lag" for who breaks off.
  • In an event of a tie the blue ball shoot-out determines the winner. The blue ball is placed on its spot and the cue ball can be placed anywhere within the "D". The winner of the lag decides who goes first. The players make alternate attempts until one player has potted the blue more times than his or her opponent after taking the same number of shots. The blue must be potted directly, without touching a cushion other than the jaws of the intended pocket. This prevents a player from winning with a fluke.

Winners

[edit]
Year Winner Runner-up Final score Venue City Season
Shoot-Out (non-ranking, 1990)
1990[8]  Darren Morgan (WAL)  Mike Hallett (ENG) 2–1[n 1] Trentham Gardens Stoke-on-Trent, England 1990/91
Snooker Shoot-Out (non-ranking, 2011–2016)[34]
2011[35]  Nigel Bond (ENG)  Robert Milkins (ENG) 1–0 (62–23) Circus Arena Blackpool, England 2010/11
2012[11]  Barry Hawkins (ENG)  Graeme Dott (SCO) 1–0 (61–23) 2011/12
2013[12]  Martin Gould (ENG)  Mark Allen (NIR) 1–0 (104–0) 2012/13
2014[13]  Dominic Dale (WAL)  Stuart Bingham (ENG) 1–0 (77–19) 2013/14
2015[36]  Michael White (WAL)  Xiao Guodong (CHN) 1–0 (54–48) 2014/15
2016[37]  Robin Hull (FIN)  Luca Brecel (BEL) 1–0 (50–36) Hexagon Theatre Reading, England 2015/16
Snooker Shoot Out (ranking, 2017–present)
2017[38]  Anthony McGill (SCO)  Xiao Guodong (CHN) 1–0 (67–19) Watford Colosseum Watford, England 2016/17
2018[39]  Michael Georgiou (CYP)  Graeme Dott (SCO) 1–0 (67–56) 2017/18
2019[40]  Thepchaiya Un-Nooh (THA)  Michael Holt (ENG) 1–0 (74–0) 2018/19
2020[41]  Michael Holt (ENG)  Zhou Yuelong (CHN) 1–0 (64–1) 2019/20
2021[42]  Ryan Day (WAL)  Mark Selby (ENG) 1–0 (67–24) Marshall Arena Milton Keynes, England 2020/21
2022[43]  Hossein Vafaei (IRN)  Mark Williams (WAL) 1–0 (71–0) Morningside Arena Leicester, England 2021/22
2023 (Jan)[44]  Chris Wakelin (ENG)  Julien Leclercq (BEL) 1–0 (119–0) 2022/23
2023 (Dec)[45]  Mark Allen (NIR)  Cao Yupeng (CHN) 1–0 (65–4) Swansea Arena Swansea, Wales 2023/24
2024[46]  Tom Ford (ENG)  Liam Graham (SCO) 1–0 (31–28) Mattioli Arena Leicester, England 2024/25

Century breaks

[edit]

Total: 30

Records

[edit]
  • Michael Holt has played (42) and won (30) the most matches in the tournament's history.
  • Paul Davison has entered the tournament 7 times without winning a match.
  • Robin Hull has the best winning record in terms of percentages, winning 87.5% of his matches (7 out of 8 played).
  • When it comes to the winners trying to defend their title, as of the 2023 tournament, 5 of the winners have lost in the 1st round the year after winning the trophy; the best performance by a defending champion was by Barry Hawkins, who reached the quarter-final stage.
  • Barry Pinches, Nigel Bond, Rod Lawler, and Ken Doherty all competed in the original event back in 1990, and also took part in the 2022 tournament.[48]
  • The highest break in Shoot Out history is 147 by Shaun Murphy in December 2023.
  • The lowest aggregate score is 8, recorded when Elliot Slessor beat Mostafa Dorgham 7-1 in 2024; this match also holds the record for the lowest winning score of 7.
  • Only one century break has been recorded in a final, by Chris Wakelin in 2023.
  • As of 2024, no player has won a frame when requiring 'snookers'.

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ The final was best of three frames.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "2017 Coral Snooker Shoot Out - World Snooker". World Snooker Tour. Archived from the original on 2 February 2017.
  2. ^ Blainey, Gareth (31 August 2019). "Snooker player, 13, aims to turn pro". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 29 January 2023. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  3. ^ "Gradinari, 14, continues Snooker Shoot Out run". BBC Sport. 27 January 2023. Archived from the original on 29 January 2023. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  4. ^ "Evans claims historic victory over Bingham". BBC Sport. 26 January 2023. Archived from the original on 29 January 2023. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  5. ^ "Allen Wins Tenth Ranking Title With Shoot Out Success". World Snooker Tour. 9 December 2023. Archived from the original on 10 December 2023. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  6. ^ "How to watch 2023 Snooker Shoot Out, draw, schedule and live stream with Mark Allen, Mark Williams playing". Eurosport. 25 January 2023. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  7. ^ "Wakelin wins Shoot Out for first ranking title". BBC Sport. 28 January 2023. Archived from the original on 23 February 2023. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  8. ^ a b Turner, Chris. "One Frame Shoot-Out". Chris Turner's Snooker Archive. Archived from the original on 18 April 2016. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  9. ^ "Caesarscasino.com sponsors Snooker Shoot-out". crunchsports.com. 23 January 2011. Archived from the original on 27 February 2017. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  10. ^ "Sky To Televise World Seniors Championship". World Snooker Tour. Archived from the original on 3 November 2010. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  11. ^ a b "PartyPoker.com Snooker Shoot-Out (2012)". snooker.org. 29 January 2012. Archived from the original on 31 October 2023. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  12. ^ a b "Betfair Snooker Shoot-Out (2013)". snooker.org. 27 January 2013. Archived from the original on 31 October 2023. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  13. ^ a b "888casino.com Snooker Shoot-Out (2014)". snooker.org. 26 January 2014. Archived from the original on 31 October 2023. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  14. ^ "Partypoker.com Sponsor Shoot-Out". World Snooker Tour. 26 January 2012. Archived from the original on 28 January 2012. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  15. ^ "Betfair Backing Shoot-Out". World Snooker Tour. 23 July 2012. Archived from the original on 23 January 2013. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  16. ^ "Shoot-Out to Be Sponsored by 888casino.com". World Snooker Tour. 21 October 2013. Archived from the original on 21 October 2013. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  17. ^ "Betway to Sponsor Shoot-Out and Seniors". World Snooker Tour. 25 February 2015. Archived from the original on 27 February 2015. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  18. ^ "Reading To Host Snooker Shoot-Out". World Snooker Tour. 9 November 2015. Archived from the original on 29 January 2023. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  19. ^ "ITV4 to Televise Snooker Shoot-Out". World Snooker Tour. 14 August 2015. Archived from the original on 15 November 2023. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  20. ^ "Coral to Sponsor Snooker Shoot-Out". World Snooker Tour. 8 January 2016. Archived from the original on 3 February 2023. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  21. ^ "Coral Extends Shoot Out Title Sponsorship". World Snooker Tour. 15 August 2016. Archived from the original on 30 January 2023. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  22. ^ "Snooker Shoot Out Becomes Ranking Event". World Snooker Tour. 11 May 2016. Archived from the original on 5 April 2023. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  23. ^ "Players Vote to Keep Shoot Out". World Snooker Tour. 9 March 2017. Archived from the original on 12 March 2017. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  24. ^ "Watford to Host Snooker Shoot Out". World Snooker Tour. 30 September 2016. Archived from the original on 2 February 2023. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  25. ^ "Snooker Shoot Out Returns to Watford". World Snooker Tour. 28 July 2017. Archived from the original on 24 September 2022. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  26. ^ "Snooker Shoot Out Here to Stay as Eurosport and Quest Agree to Take Over as Host Broadcaster". World Snooker Tour. 30 April 2018. Archived from the original on 14 April 2023. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  27. ^ van Wijk, Jim (26 January 2023). "Reanne Evans becomes first woman to win Snooker Shoot Out match". Yahoo! News. Archived from the original on 27 January 2023. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  28. ^ "Murphy scores first ever Shoot Out 147". World Snooker Tour. 7 December 2023. Archived from the original on 7 December 2023. Retrieved 7 December 2023.
  29. ^ a b c "Rules". World Snooker Tour. 18 January 2011. Archived from the original on 9 June 2012. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  30. ^ "Snooker Shoot Out Competition Rules" (PDF). World Snooker Tour. Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 February 2020. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  31. ^ "Official Rules" (PDF). WPBSA. 31 May 2022. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 March 2023. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
  32. ^ a b "Rules". World Snooker Tour. 23 January 2013. Archived from the original on 14 April 2013. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  33. ^ a b "Snooker Shoot Out 2018 Competition Rules" (PDF). World Snooker Tour. 19 December 2017. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 January 2018. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  34. ^ "Hall of Fame". snooker.org. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  35. ^ "Caesarscasino.com Snooker Shoot-Out (2011)". snooker.org. 30 January 2011. Archived from the original on 7 November 2023. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  36. ^ "Betway Shoot-Out (2015)". snooker.org. 6 March 2015. Archived from the original on 31 October 2023. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  37. ^ "Coral Shoot-Out (2016)". snooker.org. 14 February 2016. Archived from the original on 31 October 2023. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  38. ^ "Coral Shoot-Out (2017)". snooker.org. 26 February 2017. Archived from the original on 31 October 2023. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  39. ^ "Coral Shoot-Out (2018)". snooker.org. 11 February 2018. Archived from the original on 31 October 2023. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  40. ^ "BetVictor Shoot-Out (2019)". snooker.org. 24 February 2019. Archived from the original on 31 October 2023. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  41. ^ "BetVictor Shoot-Out (2020)". snooker.org. 23 February 2020. Archived from the original on 31 October 2023. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  42. ^ "BetVictor Shoot Out (2021)". snooker.org. 7 February 2021. Archived from the original on 31 October 2023. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  43. ^ "BetVictor Shoot Out (2022)". snooker.org. 23 January 2022. Archived from the original on 31 October 2023. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  44. ^ "BetVictor Shoot Out (2023)". snooker.org. 28 January 2023. Archived from the original on 31 October 2023. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  45. ^ "BetVictor Shoot Out (2023)". snooker.org. 9 December 2023. Archived from the original on 9 December 2023. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  46. ^ "9Club Shoot Out (2024)". snooker.org. 8 December 2024. Archived from the original on 8 December 2024. Retrieved 8 December 2024.
  47. ^ "Shaun Murphy v Bulcsu Revesz". World Snooker Tour. 7 December 2023. Archived from the original on 10 December 2023. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  48. ^ "Matches | World Snooker Live Scores".
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