Ronnie O'Sullivan....

[Losttheplot]

Just watched Ronnie O'Sullivan get to 140 with only the black left for a maximum 147 when he turns around and shakes his opponents hand. He was then persuaded to pot the black.
After the match in the interview he said something along the lines of "why should I get a maximum when I'm not going to get paid anything extra for it?? I thought Barry Hearne was putting money in the game not taking it out!"

You've got to love him!!

 

[richart]

Bet the bookies were not to pleased he potted the last black

 

[borntorunsean]

Think he is a tit to be fair. Im not going to pot the black because i dont get any money. You ebtered the competition you moody sod.

 

[Region3]

Think he is a tit to be fair. Im not going to pot the black because i dont get any money. You ebtered the competition you moody sod.

+1

Amazing talent.

Total Dime Bar.

I think he was just playing up to his image. If he really wanted to object to not getting anything extra for it he'd try to pot it in the middle off a couple of cushions or something.

 

[Atticus_Finch]

The man's a bell end.

 

[ADB]

Not really fair on the fans and a bit arrogant in my book. How many dart players would miss a 9-darter after 8 darts as there was nothing in it for them?

Shows how de-motivated he is that he can't even be bothered with a 147 for personal pride.

 

[pokerjoke]

I agree with Ronnie he should be rewarded for his genius,perfection is rewarded in most sports,as he said Barry hearn should put his money where his mouth is.

 

[Swinger]

I agree with Ronnie he should be rewarded for his genius,perfection is rewarded in most sports,as he said Barry hearn should put his money where his mouth is.

He ain't exactly short of a penny and unless his poetry book was a best seller without my knowledge then its through snooker. Give something back to the fans selfish money grabbing dick. If he really was that 'great' he wouldn't bat an eyelid at potting the black and set an example for Mr. Hearn. Great snooker player, not so much off the court.
I know people love to back the black sheep or the troubled soul but the guy just would rather have your money than your love.

 

[Region3]

I have to admit I loved the cheek of asking when he had 8 points on the board, and then to back it up is special.

If he really doesn't care about £4k (which I can believe) then why not (when he was told there's no extra for it) say either out loud or to the ref that if he makes it he'll give it to a charity or put it behind the bar for the audience.

 

[Losttheplot]

I agree with Ronnie to be fair. They play a sport where they are rewarded for the better they do in a comp. One big part of the major snooker tournament is always the high break. The players know they are rewarded for achieving a tough feet of a maximum break. When players are trying for the high break or a maximum the crowd know this and it builds tension and great viewing and helps to pull in crowds.
So for there to be no reward for a maximum is disappointing.
There should always be a good reward for it and it encourages players to be more attacking and increase crowd viewing pleasure.

My humble opinion though.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I'm a little torn on this one. He knew the situation and continued to make the break until he was left with the black. I think personally he was an arrogant knob for doing what he did but I do feel sorry for him not getting the kind of reward a 147 deserved. I don't like him as a player and don't think he does the game any favours with his antics and snooker is almost a side show to his behaviour in a match

 

[pokerjoke]

Ronnie himself is a very troubled person at times and that can come accross as arrogant or selfish,but there is no doubt he makes the game more watchable,at times snooker can be tedius and some of the players you wouldnt know had heart beats at times,imo snooker needs players like ronnie,in fact players like alex higgins,jimmy white,and ronnie dont come along very often but they sure make the game more watchable.

 

[Losttheplot]

If you don't have colourful characters in any game then it becomes very boring!!
Totally agree that the likes of Alex Higgins and Ronnie O'Sullivan make the game great to watch.

I'd rather watch Ronnie play than sit and watch Graeme Dott.

No contest.

 

[SyR]

I'm with Ronnie on this one. For sure someone would make a profit off his 147, so why shouldn't he be rewarded for perfection. It motivates the players to try harder.

 

[The_LHC]

I don't like him as a player

Sorry? Did you mean you don't like him as a person? How can you not like the most exciting, naturally gifted player ever to hold a cue?

 

[iwtuk]

The man's a bell end.

Wise words indeed!!

 

[chris661]

I agree with Ronnie to be fair. They play a sport where they are rewarded for the better they do in a comp. /SNIP!

Isnt that the whole point of being a PROFESSIONAL sports player, how many people would give their arm to even be in that positon. I think he is hugely disrespectful.

 

[Losttheplot]

I agree with Ronnie to be fair. They play a sport where they are rewarded for the better they do in a comp. /SNIP!

Isnt that the whole point of being a PROFESSIONAL sports player, how many people would give their arm to even be in that positon. I think he is hugely disrespectful.

Last seasons world championships prize money:

Winner 250k
Runner up 125k
Highest break 10k
Maximum break 147k


Now are you telling me that having a maximum break in snooker isn't worth going for when the money's there. It's always been there and to take it away is harsh on probably 95% of players on the circuit. To the likes of Ronnie he doesn't need the money but unless you are in the top 32 your lucky to make any more than 25k a year from earnings and sponsorship. You then have accommodation, entrance fees and travel expenses as well as running your house, supporting your family too.

So coming back to the point... Yeah we all would give our right arm to be in his position but I wouldn't give my right arm to be 35 in the world, struggling to make ends meat and knowing prize money is currently dropped.
Disrespectful... Probably yes. But how else does a player make an impact for the world to see to stick up for a MASSIVE prize money drop.
Being a smaller comp than the world champs they could of offered 15k extra for a maximum but to take it away could be career ending for some players in the lower end of the scale.

It's a great topic for discussion...

 

[Region3]

Yes, prizemoney is not as good for this comp, but it wasn't even on the calendar last year.

Hearn has to 'sell' snooker to new sponsors before it can get bigger. I think he's already done a good job because there are far more tournaments this season.
There was 6 last year if I remember right. Now that's what I call a limited opportunity to earn a living for those outside the top 32.

If you think O'Sulkivan was protesting on behalf of those lesser players then I can maybe understand a little bit, but I seriously don't think he was.

 

[viscount17]

how frequently are 147's made? they used to be as rare as hen's teeth but seem far more common - at least one every tournament?

9-dart finishes don't seem that uncommon either.

hole's-in-one are much less common (though at least two on the Saturday of the Senior Masters at Woburn this year) so are probably still worthy of the 'star' prize label.