Snooker Live Scores, Results and Fixtures - All You Need to Know
Snooker Live: A Guide for Fans and Players
Snooker is a cue sport that is played on a large table with six pockets, using a white cue ball and 21 coloured balls. It is a game of skill, strategy, and concentration, where players have to pot the balls in a specific order to score points. Snooker is also a game of entertainment, excitement, and drama, where players have to cope with pressure, nerves, and emotions. Snooker is one of the most popular sports in the world, with millions of fans and players around the globe. Whether you are a beginner or a professional, a casual or a passionate fan, snooker has something for everyone. In this article, we will give you a comprehensive guide to snooker live, covering its history, rules, players, tournaments, and equipment.
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The History of Snooker: How it Started and Evolved
Snooker was invented in 1875 by a British Army officer named Neville Chamberlain, who was stationed in India. He combined two existing games, black pool and pyramids, and added some coloured balls to create a new game. He called it snooker, which was a slang term for inexperienced soldiers. The game soon spread among the British troops and later to the rest of the world.
The first official snooker tournament was held in 1916, and the first World Championship was held in 1927. The game became more popular in the UK in the 1970s and 1980s, thanks to the emergence of television and the dominance of players like Ray Reardon, Steve Davis, and Stephen Hendry. The game also expanded to other countries, especially in Asia, where players like Ding Junhui and Pankaj Advani became stars. Today, snooker is a global sport, with professional players from over 20 countries competing on the World Snooker Tour.
The Rules of Snooker: How to Play and Score
The basic rules of snooker are simple: two players take turns to strike the cue ball with their cue stick, trying to pot the coloured balls into the pockets. The balls have different values: red (1 point), yellow (2 points), green (3 points), brown (4 points), blue (5 points), pink (6 points), and black (7 points). The game starts with 15 red balls and six colours on the table. The player has to pot a red ball first, then nominate and pot a colour, then pot another red ball, and so on. The colour balls are re-spotted after each pot until all the reds are gone. Then the player has to pot the colours in ascending order of value. The player who scores more points than the opponent wins the frame (individual game). A match consists of a predetermined number of frames.
There are also some fouls that can occur during the game, such as missing a ball, potting the wrong ball, touching a ball with anything other than the cue tip, or leaving the cue ball in a pocket or off the table. A foul results in a penalty of at least four points for the opponent, or more depending on the value of the ball involved. If a player commits three consecutive fouls without making a legal shot, he or she loses the frame.
The Snooker Players: Who are the Legends and Stars?
Snooker has produced many great players over the years, who have amazed fans with their skills, achievements, and personalities. Some of the most famous snooker legends are:
Joe Davis: The first World Champion and winner of 15 titles between 1927 and 1946. He also invented the maximum break of 147 points.
Fred Davis: The younger brother of Joe Davis and winner of eight World titles between 1948 and 1956. He was known for his elegance and longevity, playing until the age of 78.
John Spencer: The first player to win the World Championship in the modern era, in 1969. He also won two more titles in 1971 and 1977, and was the first player to make a televised 147 break.
Ray Reardon: The dominant player of the 1970s, winning six World titles between 1970 and 1978. He was nicknamed "Dracula" for his dark hair and sharp teeth, and was renowned for his tactical prowess and mental strength.
Steve Davis: The dominant player of the 1980s, winning six World titles between 1981 and 1989. He also won a record 28 ranking titles and was ranked number one for seven consecutive seasons. He was known for his consistency, concentration, and professionalism.
Stephen Hendry: The dominant player of the 1990s, winning seven World titles between 1990 and 1999. He also won a record 36 ranking titles and was ranked number one for eight consecutive seasons. He was known for his aggression, break-building, and confidence.
Ronnie O'Sullivan: The most talented and charismatic player of all time, winning six World titles between 2001 and 2020. He also holds the records for the most centuries (1080), the most maximum breaks (15), and the fastest maximum break (5 minutes and 20 seconds). He is known for his flair, speed, and unpredictability.
Some of the current snooker stars are:
Judd Trump: The current world number one and winner of the 2019 World Championship. He also won a record six ranking titles in the 2019/20 season and has won 22 ranking titles in total. He is known for his power, potting, and creativity.
Mark Selby: The three-time World Champion in 2014, 2016, and 2017. He also won four Masters titles and three UK Championship titles, making him one of the few players to complete the Triple Crown. He is known for his resilience, safety, and versatility.
Neil Robertson: The first Australian to win the World Championship, in 2010. He also won two UK Championship titles and three Masters titles, making him another Triple Crown winner. He is known for his cue action, long potting, and scoring.
Ding Junhui: The most successful Asian player in history, winning 14 ranking titles and reaching the final of the World Championship in 2016. He is also a popular figure in his home country of China, where snooker is growing rapidly. He is known for his technique, temperament, and touch.
The Snooker Tournaments: What are the Major Events and Prizes?
Snooker has a busy calendar of tournaments throughout the year, with different formats, venues, and prizes. The most prestigious tournaments are the Triple Crown events, which are:
The World Championship: The oldest and most important tournament, held since 1927. It takes place at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, England, in April and May. It is played over 17 days, with a best-of-35 frames final. The winner receives 500,000 and the iconic trophy.
The Masters: The most exclusive tournament, held since 1975. It takes place at Alexandra Palace in London, England, in January. It is an invitation-only event for the top 16 players in the world rankings. It is played over eight days, with a best-of-19 frames final. The winner receives 250,000 and the Paul Hunter trophy.
The UK Championship: The second oldest ranking tournament, held since 1977. It takes place at the Barbican Centre in York, England, in November and December. It is open to all professional players on the tour. It is played over 13 days, with a best-of-19 frames final. The winner receives 200,000 and the trophy.
Other major ranking tournaments include:
The World Grand Prix: A tournament for the top 32 players on the one-year ranking list, held since 2015. It takes place at different venues in the UK, usually in February. It is played over seven days, with a best-of-19 frames final. The winner receives 100,000 and the trophy.
The Players Championship: A tournament for the top 16 players on the one-year ranking list, held since 2011. It takes place at different venues in the UK, usually in March. It is played over six days, with a best-of-19 frames final. The winner receives 125,000 and the trophy.
The Tour Championship: A tournament for the top eight players on the one-year ranking list, held since 2019. It takes place at different venues in the UK, usually in March or April. It is played over five days, with a best-of-19 frames semi-final and a best-of-25 frames final. The winner receives 150,000 and the trophy.
The World Open: A tournament open to all professional players on the tour, held since 1982. It takes place at different venues around the world, usually in China, in September or October. It is played over seven days, with a best-of-19 frames final. The winner receives 150,000 and the trophy.
The China Open: A tournament open to all professional players on the tour, held since 1997. It takes place in Beijing, China, in March or April. It is played over eight days, with a best-of-21 frames final. The winner receives 225,000 and the trophy.
There are also some non-ranking tournaments that are popular among fans and players, such as:
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The Champion of Champions: A tournament for the winners of selected tournaments in the previous 12 months, held since 2013. It takes place at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry, England, in November. It is played over six days, with a best-of-19 frames final. The winner receives 150,000 and the trophy.
The Shanghai Masters: A tournament for the top 24 players in the world rankings and eight invited Chinese players, held since 2007. It takes place in Shanghai, China, in September or October. It is played over six days, with a best-of-21 frames final. The winner receives 200,000 and the trophy.
The World Seniors Championship: A tournament for players aged over 40 who are either former professionals or amateur qualifiers, held since 1991. It takes place at different venues in the UK, usually in August. It is played over four days, with a best-of-seven frames final. The winner receives 25,000 and the trophy.
The Snooker Equipment: What do You Need to Play?
Snooker is a relatively simple game to play in terms of equipment. You only need a few items to enjoy the game:
A snooker table: A large rectangular table with six pockets (one at each corner and one at each side), covered with green baize (a type of cloth). The standard size of a snooker table is 12 feet by 6 feet (3.6 meters by 1.8 meters), but smaller tables are also available for home use.
A set of snooker balls: A set of 22 balls consisting of one white cue ball and 21 coloured balls (15 reds and six colours). The balls are made of phenolic resin (a type of plastic) and have a diameter of 52.5 millimeters (2.07 inches).
A cue stick: A wooden stick used to strike the cue ball. The cue stick has a tip (usually made of leather) at one end and a butt (usually decorated) at the other end. The standard length of a cue stick is about 57 inches (145 centimeters), but it can vary depending on personal preference.
A chalk: A small cube of chalk used to rub on the tip of the cue stick to increase friction and prevent miscues (slipping off the ball). The chalk is usually blue or green to match the colour of the baize.
A rest: A metal or wooden device with a cross-shaped head that is used to support the cue stick when the cue ball is out of reach. There are different types of rests, such as spider rests (with raised legs), extended rests (with longer shafts), and hook rests (with curved heads).
Other optional items that can enhance your snooker experience are:
A scoreboard: A board that displays the score of each player during a frame or a match.
A cue case: A protective case that holds your cue stick and other accessories.
A glove: A glove that covers your hand and fingers to reduce friction and improve grip.
A cue tip shaper: A tool that shapes and scuffs the tip of your cue stick to maintain its performance.
A snooker book or DVD: A book or DVD that teaches you the rules, techniques, and strategies of snooker.
Conclusion: How to Enjoy Snooker Live and Online
Snooker is a fascinating and rewarding game that can be enjoyed by anyone, regardless of age, gender, or skill level. Whether you want to play for fun, for competition, or for improvement, snooker can offer you a lot of benefits, such as:
Improving your concentration, focus, and memory.
Developing your hand-eye coordination, accuracy, and precision.
Enhancing your mental arithmetic, geometry, and physics.
Boosting your confidence, self-esteem, and sportsmanship.
Relaxing your mind, body, and soul.
If you want to watch snooker live, you can either go to a snooker club or a snooker venue and enjoy the atmosphere and the action. You can also watch snooker on TV or online, where you can find live coverage and highlights of various tournaments. Some of the best websites and apps to watch snooker online are:
World Snooker: The official website of the World Snooker Tour, where you can find live scores, results, rankings, news, videos, and more.
Eurosport: The leading sports channel in Europe, where you can watch live and on-demand snooker streams, as well as interviews, analysis, and features.
Snooker TV: A website that aggregates snooker streams from various sources, such as YouTube, Facebook, Twitch, and more.
Snooker.org: A website that provides live scores, results, statistics, rankings, calendars, and more.
We hope that this article has given you a comprehensive guide to snooker live. Snooker is a game that can bring you joy, excitement, and satisfaction. So what are you waiting for? Grab your cue stick and start playing or watching snooker today!
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about snooker live:
What is the difference between snooker and pool?
Snooker and pool are both cue sports that involve potting balls into pockets on a table. However, they have different rules, equipment, and strategies. Some of the main differences are:
Snooker is played on a larger table (12 feet by 6 feet) than pool (9 feet by 4.5 feet).
Snooker uses 22 balls (one white cue ball and 21 coloured balls) while pool uses 16 balls (one white cue ball and 15 numbered balls).
Snooker has a specific order of potting the balls (red-colour-red-colour...) while pool has different variations of potting the balls (such as 8-ball or 9-ball).
Snooker has more complex scoring system (based on the value of the balls) than pool (based on the number of balls).
Who is the best snooker player of all time?
This is a subjective question that depends on personal opinion and criteria. However, some of the most commonly mentioned candidates are:
Ronnie O'Sullivan: The most talented and charismatic player of all time, winning six World titles and holding many records.
Stephen Hendry: The most successful player of all time, winning seven World titles and 36 ranking titles.
Steve Davis: The most dominant player of the 1980s, winning six World titles and 28 ranking titles.
John Higgins: The most consistent player of all time, winning four World titles and 31 ranking titles.
Mark Williams: The most natural player of all time, winning three World titles and 23 ranking titles.
How can I improve my snooker skills?
There is no shortcut to becoming a better snooker player, but there are some tips that can help you improve your skills:
Practice regularly and with a purpose. Set yourself goals and challenges, and work on your weaknesses.
Learn from the best. Watch professional players and study their techniques, tactics, and routines.
Get a coach or a mentor. Find someone who can give you feedback, advice, and guidance.
Join a club or a league. Play with different opponents and in different conditions.
Have fun and enjoy the game. Don't put too much pressure on yourself and remember why you love snooker.
How can I watch snooker live online?
There are many websites and apps that allow you to watch snooker live online, such as:
World Snooker: The official website of the World Snooker Tour, where you can find live scores, results, rankings, news, videos, and more.
Eurosport: The leading sports channel in Europe, where you can watch live and on-demand snooker streams, as well as interviews, analysis, and features.
Snooker TV: A website that aggregates snooker streams from various sources, such as YouTube, Facebook, Twitch, and more.
Snooker.org: A website that provides live scores, results, statistics, rankings, calendars, and more.
You may need to subscribe or pay a fee to access some of these services.
What are some of the best snooker books and DVDs?
There are many snooker books and DVDs that can teach you the rules, techniques, and strategies of snooker, as well as the history, stories, and personalities of the game. Some of the best ones are:
The Complete Book of Snooker Shots by David Horrix: A comprehensive guide to over 400 snooker shots, from basic to advanced.
The Snooker Gym by Nic Barrow: A series of DVDs that cover all aspects of snooker training, from cueing to break-building.
Ronnie: The Autobiography of Ronnie O'Sullivan by Ronnie O'Sullivan: A candid and revealing memoir of the most talented and charismatic player of all time.
Masters of the Baize by Luke Williams and Paul Gadsby: A collection of profiles and interviews of 16 snooker legends.