The Mr Vegas World Seniors Snooker 900 has concluded and what a spectacle it was in Hull! Legends of the sport, such as Stephen Hendry, Ken Doherty and Jimmy White, graced the baize, while Igor Figueiredo made it all the way to the final. In the end, it was the reigning World Seniors champ who added to his trophy collection by beating White 2-1 in the final. The tournament has proven a hit with fans and players alike, thanks to its unique and exciting format where anything can happen. Each match lasts for a mere 15 minutes (900 seconds) and has a 20-second shot clock in play at all times. This fast-paced action is thrilling to watch, and it provides a constant sense of urgency that keeps fans on the edge of their seats.
A Brief Look at the Format
The format of the Mr Vegas World Seniors Snooker 900 is truly unique. All matches throughout the tournament are just a single frame, and each of these frames has a time limit of just 15 minutes. Should the frame not be complete at the end of the allocated 15 minutes, whoever is leading the frame claims the win. The matches are played with a spotted cueball, and cueists have just 20 seconds per shot. There are no extensions or time-outs, unless at the discretion of the referee. For every shot played, either a ball must be potted, or a cushion must be struck with the cueball or an object ball. All fouls result in cueball in hand for the opponent. At the end of the 15 minutes, should the players be tied on points, a blue-ball shoot-out will be used to determine the winner.
The Road to the Final
The six players competed in two round-robin groups of three players, with the top two advancing to the semi-finals. The winner of Group A faced the runner-up in Group B, and the winner of Group B faced the runner-up in Group A in the last four. Sunday’s action began with a rematch of May’s World Seniors Championship final between Ken Doherty and Igor Figueiredo. Brazil’s Figueiredo ran out a 5-2 victor at the Crucible Theatre to lift the prestigious trophy and was looking to repeat the feat on his Mr Vegas World Seniors Snooker 900 debut in Hull. The two recent World Seniors Championship finalists were joined by former ranking event winner Barry Pinches, who was also making his debut under the fast-paced and exciting format.
Stephen Hendry and Jimmy White renewed their storied rivalry at the Connexin Live in Hull as the two met in the group stages. The two contested the first-ever Mr Vegas World Seniors Snooker 900 final in December, with Hendry coming out on top in Epsom, before White gained revenge at Goffs by eliminating the seven-time world champion at the semi-final stage. Hendry and White were joined in the group by Malta’s Tony Drago, who reached the semi-finals of this year’s World Seniors Championship in Sheffield.
A Final for the Ages
The final was a tense affair, with both players struggling to find their rhythm in the opening frame. White took the first frame with a 69 break, but Figueiredo leveled the score in the second frame with a break of 43. The deciding frame was a back-and-forth battle, with both players having chances to win. In the end, it was Figueiredo who emerged victorious, claiming the title with a break of 48.
The Future of Snooker
The Mr Vegas World Seniors Snooker 900 is a great example of how snooker is evolving. The format is fast-paced, exciting, and appeals to a new generation of fans. The event in Hull was a success, and it is sure to continue to grow in popularity in the years to come. However, the future of snooker is uncertain, with the game facing challenges from other sports and from the rise of online gaming. Whether snooker can maintain its popularity in the long term remains to be seen, but the Mr Vegas World Seniors Snooker 900 is a sign that the game is still alive and kicking.
The Whirlwind's Thoughts
Jimmy White, known as “The Whirlwind,” has had a long and successful career in snooker. He is a four-time World Seniors champion, and he has also won numerous other titles. White is a popular figure in the sport, and he is known for his attacking style of play. In the final, White was disappointed with his performance, but he acknowledged that Figueiredo played well. He said, "I'm gutted, I played a terrible shot. But this is what it's all about - fair play to him." White also commented on the unique format of the Mr Vegas World Seniors Snooker 900, saying, "It's nice to see a lot of the players from around we don't often see. But it's a bit nerve-racking - against the clock!"
The Rolling Stones of Snooker
Igor Figueiredo was ecstatic after his victory. “I'm over the moon!,” he said. He also noted that the Hull crowd was extremely enthusiastic, saying that they treated the players like “the Rolling Stones.” “Two fantastic players - I needed to produce magic!,” Figueiredo stated. “I don't know what happened - I need to see it again!” He was clearly happy with his performance and thrilled with the crowd's reaction.
The Future of the Format
The Mr Vegas World Seniors Snooker 900 is a unique format that has proven to be popular with both players and fans. The fast-paced nature of the game makes it exciting to watch, and the short matches make it ideal for a busy modern lifestyle. This format is a sign that snooker is still evolving and adapting to the changing times, and it has the potential to attract a new generation of fans. The success of the event in Hull suggests that the format is here to stay.
The Takeaway
The Mr Vegas World Seniors Snooker 900 is a sign that snooker is still alive and kicking. The format is fast-paced and exciting, and it is attracting a new generation of fans. The success of the event in Hull suggests that the format is here to stay.
