Barry Hearn launches one-frame shoot-out tournament

[slymaster]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_s ... 687301.stm

Snooker boss Barry Hearn has promised "non-stop breathtaking action" after announcing a new one-frame shoot-out event for the world's top 64 players.

Hearn said the World Snooker Shoot-Out was a key part of his plans to overhaul the sport and draw in a new audience.

"It will be snooker at full throttle," said the World Snooker chairman.

The tournament, which will have a random draw, will feature a 20-second shot clock and frames will not be allowed to take more than 12 minutes.

The event will run from 28 to 30 January, 2011 at a venue to be announced, and will be screened live on Sky.

"It will test players to the limits of what they can do under pressure," added Hearn, who said the champion would win £32,000 for their efforts.

It's one of a variety of new events on the calendar which will help to generate a new and wonderful era for snooker

World Snooker chairman Barry Hearn
"They will have to make quick decisions and show their natural ability and plenty of bottle - with the chance to double their money for every game they win.

"There will be a very lively atmosphere so it might not be one for the purists, but we want to appeal to new and younger audiences and this is the perfect format to trial.

"This is among the most exciting ideas I've had since coming back into snooker and I can't wait to see it realised.

"It's one of a variety of new events on the calendar which will help to generate a new and wonderful era for snooker."

Sky has not screened any World Snooker-sanctioned events since 2004, with its coverage of the sport limited to the Premier League event.

Since returning to the sport, Hearn has helped set up a new ranking event in Germany, extended the deal to hold the World Championship at the crucible and announced plans for a World Seniors Championship.

Hearn intends to take a 51% stake in World Snooker, with players and other stakeholders in the sport owning the remaining 49% of what would become an independent business.

[GtotheF]

Sounds interesting - I would certainly think about watching having stopped watching snooker about 10 years ago.

[mshaw2]

Got to be worth a watch first time around. But to me, watching snooker, is like watching snooker...

[nikkiboy]

Excellent idea

[Ted Hankeys Cape]

Snooker is not darts or boxing Bazza.

It will be like WWE.

Ronnie needs the black to win v Higgins, Hendry sneaks out from unter the table and wacks Ronnie with a steel chair.

[Dicie]

Snooker is not darts or boxing Bazza.

It will be like WWE.

Ronnie needs the black to win v Higgins, Hendry sneaks out from unter the table and wacks Ronnie with a steel chair.

[Green Arrow]

I dont think all the players would like this.. peter ebdon springs to mind lol

[Green Arrow]

be exciting to watch though..

[TROUBLEAGAIN]

I dont think all the players would like this.. peter ebdon springs to mind lol

Cant see Ebdon travelling half way across the world for a frame.. good betting opportunitys though might be one or 2 interested

[jointer]

Snooker is not darts or boxing Bazza.

It will be like WWE.

Ronnie needs the black to win v Higgins, Hendry sneaks out from unter the table and wacks Ronnie with a steel chair.

don't think Higgins will be playing

[jameshope]

Maybe it will get the painfully slow players to move their backsides and see how quick they are because i don't think armchair fans like watching painfuly slow frames of snooker (i know i don't)

[Fergal]

Seems like Hearn's got himself a potential late Hendy-backed challenger, in the form of businessman and former Olympian John Davison.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_s ... 712167.stm

[PaulMoore]

Snooker is not darts or boxing Bazza.

It will be like WWE.

Ronnie needs the black to win v Higgins, Hendry sneaks out from unter the table and wacks Ronnie with a steel chair.

I wonder who will come out to Stone Cold Steve Austins music lol

Picture Ronnie with beer and flipping the crowd off haha

[oche balboa]

One frame comps seems a bit boring

Why dont he do that for Darts?