Snooker: 2025 Halo World Championships

[Up the Junction]

obviously this is only two players

One of whom (Allen) states in the link you've provided he's "not really bothered either way".

As for the players, they may well wish to stay at the Crucible for now but as soon as the sport starts to offer the sort of money that darts players get, they will be off like a shot..

The Worlds are just one event in a season.

There is plenty of scope for other events to be introduced/expanded so that prize money may be increased elsewhere during the campaign and this one may remain in Sheffield.

They want more $$$ which means playing in a venue that holds more than a comparative handful.

I refer you to my answer above.

[thamesideiron]

Our favourite Welshman def gotta up his game wants to get past John H,not on it at all just yet,really hot and cold,but Higgins not a lot better,
Was a Clear Black potable in the 3rd,Williams kept avoiding it going up for blue..eventually he potted it easily...strange..thought the "Eyesight"
thing was a little wind up by him,maybe genuine.

Tempted to have a bit more on Higgins,but early days yet,and he is way to short for my liking...1.4 Betfair

[Up the Junction]

My boy Xintong thrashing Wakelin 6-1 - Higgins leading Williams 5-3 at the end of the first session in today's quarters.

[Robbie]

Watching Higgins V Williams is an absolute pleasure.
Both still so good. Going for it with attacking safety. Fantastic!
Not forgetting Ronnie either. He's warming up nicely.
That class of 92 is just that. Class!

[Late of the Boleyn]

Watching Higgins V Williams is an absolute pleasure.
Both still so good. Going for it with attacking safety. Fantastic!
Not forgetting Ronnie either. He's warming up nicely.
That class of 92 is just that. Class!

Alternative view (not mine!) from the BBC live feed:

BillyNic1882: The absolute state of the game that is snooker. So inaccessible that these two are allowed to stay at the top end of the rankings for so long is a farce. Just look at this boring plodding snooker.

[neathiron]

Higgins had some luck in that last frame to level the scores at 7-7.

[Crouchend_Hammer]

One of whom (Allen) states in the link you've provided he's "not really bothered either way".

Tbf I said players were 'open to moving it' not that they were definitely in favour or pushing for it

Mark Allen not being bothered falls into that category

I woukd love it to stay at the Crucible every year, but there is just not enough fervour of overwhlemimg support amongst the players. Some older established pros would prefer it but others not bothered. That is why a rotation system whwre Crucible gets regular hosting is the best compromise, IMHO

[Up the Junction]

Anyways, some great snooker today.

My view FWIW, I'd take an exciting, scrappy game full of audience "ooahs" and "aahs" and JV's "where's the cue ball going?*" that goes to the pink/black in preference to glazing over a(nother) century from Judd Trump.

Top half, it's all gearing up towards what promises to be a fascinating O'Sullivan/Xintong semi - a match that could be one of those Crucible epics, if the "amateur" doesn't freeze in the GOAT's present.

As for the other side of the draw - who can say? Edging towards Higgins/Trump, perhaps - but it'd be a brave man to discount WIllo and Brecel.

[thamesideiron]

The "Crucible" thing....I don't think Players Ex and Present want it to move,think they just see it as maybe inevitable...
back to the old Cliche "Money Talks",which unfortuantly I use way to much,but it's fact.

Hot and Cold from both the Welshman and the Scot last night,but makes it just as Enjoyable as the S**t hotstuff we're seeing
from the others...thing is S**t hot beats Hot and Cold,when up against each other...I can't see anyone stopping Trump,apart from Ronnie O
atm tbh.........when your at this level, this year especially levels so high,it's who makes the least mistakes,reckon it's these two.

I've held off putting more on Higgins...Williams better make that Semi now,or he owes me...

[ironilunga]

I get a sense that O’Sullivan, Trump and Xintong are a slight step up from the others.

Hard to call but I think it’s looking like Trump. He will have underachieved in the game if he doesn’t win 3 or 4 titles.

[Chicken Run Supreme]

Come on Mark Williams, taken the first three frames this morning to move 11-8 ahead
Just the two needed to make semi finals

[Up the Junction]

As for the other side of the draw - who can say? Edging towards Higgins/Trump, perhaps - but it'd be a brave man to discount WIllo and Brecel.

How quickly things can change! Four frames on the spin for Willo this morning and it's all but over at 12-8.

G'wanRonnie also on the cusp, leading 10-6 at the interval against a muted Si.

[Chicken Run Supreme]

Jeezo, Higgins claws another back, 12-11 Williams
Come on Mark, get it over the line

[thamesideiron]

Just had to be... this match up, didn't it...

Williams touching blue with hand ...crazy..

[daytimedave]

great contest between higgins & williams
final frame decider

[Chicken Run Supreme]

I can’t take the tension

[Chicken Run Supreme]

Higgins with the upper hand in the decider

Couple of poor shot choices from Williams

[Chicken Run Supreme]

Now Higgins makes a mistake
Is this Williams big chance?

[Chicken Run Supreme]

Now Williams makes an error

This will end up a black ball game

[Chicken Run Supreme]

Bollox