Just got back from the Crucible

Dickie 'feckin' bird sat on the front row...how does he do that? Not that the front row gives you any better a view, the place is tiny. It's definitely set up to be a TV studio rather than an arena.

First time I've seen a live professional snooker match and I must say I do have a new found respect for those two guys, I never used to consider it a real sport but today I realised just how much thought must go into every shot...well done ronnie.

 

You Get A Programme?

There's a huge article on Dickie Bird in there. Last time I went the place was piping hot. **** knows how the players cope playing in such humid conditions.

 

RE: You Get A Programme?

Didn't get a programme no, to be honest I never saw anyone selling any - they seemed more interested in trying to flog the earpieces for the commentary.

It wasn't too hot or too cold inside to be honest, although like I say it's more like a TV studio than a sports venue so when all the lights are on pre-match it is a little bit warm but not uncomfortable.

 

ye ive been a couple of times so you went today with 1 table imagine what its like with 2 tables players are basically in crowd

 

Once went to see Steve Davis and Peter Ebdon

Ebdon was up and coming with hair and a pony tail and all the fist shaking stuff in those days. Davis was firm favourite but lost. Somehow we ended up sat so we could only see the balk colours so we watched Mike hallet and Alan McManus play like two club players on the other table.

 

Have you been to the earlier rounds

at some of the events? At the UK Championships when it was held at the Guildhall, Preston, I used to go to every session (quid a throw and I was a lay-about student). They had the eight tables at once setup and if you watched the end table you were sat such that if you reached down, you could pat the players on the head (not that I did this of course, but you get the idea of how close you are!).

I remember watching Hendry versus Hunter in one of the later rounds. The tie had attracted a fair crowd and I was sat right in the middle. Suddenly, mid-frame, I began to feel a bit queasy. This got worse and worse yet I daren't make a move for fear of attracting the wrath of everyone in there. Somehow, I managed to make it to the end of the frame without covering the row in front of me with a multicoloured yawn. White faced, I dashed up to the top of the arena and chundered explosively into a bin. Close call. Nivver watch snooker if you're feeling under the weather.

 

I went to the ones in Preston

Managed to watch Hendry in one game but got stuck with Terry Griffiths in first game. He has a super fan who follows him everywhere! </p>

 

Anybody know when next year's tickets are available, or can you pay on the day for earlier rounds?

 

RE: You Get A Programme?

I got to go to the quarter final. Saw Hendry -V- Day. Sat three rows from the front, level with the middle pocket. It didn't feel like a World Championship - more like a knock about in a WMC - that's the feel, not the skill. Oh, until Ebdon got a 143 against Carter behind the screen on the other table. Oh, and then he was on a 147 next frame and fluffed it on the last black, behind the screen. Oh, and then Carter got a 147 the next frame, behind the screen. Feckin' screen.

 

There's usually a reasonable quantity of tickets for the first week

available online, via the Crucible's own website, close to the start of the competition.

However if you want tickets for the second week, or for more than a session or two, you need to keep checking World Snooker's website, you can get the paper booking form from there:

http://www.worldsnooker.com/tournament_info-86.htm

I think we booked our tickets around Xmas for this year's event - certainly several months ago anyway. They say it's a lottery as to whether or not you will get tickets for the later stages, but it seems to us that the more you ask for the more you are likely to be lucky.