Off-topic Sid Wadell

Slapsie Maxie · Post by **Slapsie Maxie** » 16 Jan 2006, 10:26

Ian 'Mr' McNeilly wrote:he's as good at his sport as the likes of Kasparov was at chess, etc.

I recall watching the Karpov/Kasparov world championship way back when. Black & white TV, dull "Open University" style presenters and a big chessboard behind them to show the moves ( most more measurable with a calendar than a stopwatch )

But, utterly engrossing.

A lot of these sports that do not require physical effort are derided, but the sheer consistency of top Snooker, darts, chess etc players is extraordinary.

Pool too. I once won a college pool tournament and one of the prizes was the chance to enter a tournament with the pro's. I really thought I was Bertie Big Bollocks until I was paired with one "Maltese" Joe Barbara. I broke in the first game only for him to then clear up. He broke in the second and potted one and then cleared up again.

Cut to image of me looking like the world's premier piece of cheese

Slapsie

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 16 Jan 2006, 10:54

Yes, agreed.

The very fact that their sports inhabit the mental plane far more than the physical makes the task all the more promethean.

The act of running, jumping, etc is much more intuitive, once the athlete begins, they are no longer thinking so much as feeling their way through

However, in games like Snooker and Darts, the mental aspect can be crushing, which is why so often you see massive turnarounds like the comeback of Stephen Hendry against ?Jimmy White, or Phil Taylor against any number of opponents.

As you say, the level of consistency of the top flight in these sports is mind boggling, very few atheletes or other sportsmen can match the likes of Hendry, Davis, Taylor et al.

Ed Moses and Michael Johnson spring to mind, two of the greatest athletes of all time who went on stonking unbeaten runs and were so far ahead of the nearest competition as to be inhabiting a different plane of existence.

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 16 Jan 2006, 12:02

Snooker is one sport I have a massive respect for, I played a fair amount of Pool in Uni and got asked to play for the local pub side, I turned them down but my mates (who'd I'd often beat) did and more than held their own.

When it came to going to the snooker, I thought I would do well cause my long range potting in Pool was okay - I was missing literaturally by feet.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 16 Jan 2006, 12:39

I started out playing snooker as a kid every week with my dad, but despite early promise, never managed more than a 34 break.

However, I was always a whizz at pool, having played since I was 7, and I've nearly always held my own with anyone I played even the odd professional. The difference between pool and snooker is like draughts and chess.

The level of concentration required for most people to play snooker is incredible. Obviously the top players have incredible ability to assess angles and certain tools the rest of us haven't, but for everyone except the likes of Hendry, White, Higgins and O Sullivan who had godlike natural talent, it requires herculean effort to stay focussed enough to keep potting.

MightyWarrior · Post by **MightyWarrior** » 16 Jan 2006, 13:07

What's the deal with the two separate world championships? Is one more highly rated than the other? Taylor is the real champ I'm told, and I think he plays another tournament than the BBC one last week?

Though I see Bristow played in the BBC one in the 80's...

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 16 Jan 2006, 14:08

The Sky (PDC) organisation only started in the early 90's - when the some of the players broke away due to money issues (isn't it always).

Phil Taylor was defending world champion (BDO - BBC - but there was only one organisation then) and his averages/performance is far and away better than anyone in the world. Take him out of the equation and the ability between the two is very close.

Its kind of like Larry Holmes ditching his prestigious belt in favour of the IBF (at the time). Larry Holmes was the champ, and anyone who fought him were considered challengers - but it was hard to discount the WBC/WBA champion because of the history and tradition of that organisation.

dondada · Post by **dondada** » 16 Jan 2006, 14:55

I hadn't watched much of the BDO/BBC darts this year but made a conscious effort of watching the final. What struck me was how quickly the young lad threw and how jerky his action looked at times. He just didn't give a fornicate and was hoying them in from everywhere.

I particularly liked the total lack of support from Barney's wife when she realised he'd had it. She just scowled and shook her head, obviously feeling shown up.