December 7th 2024.
Tom Ford is having a blast at his hometown event in Leicester. He has made it to the last 32 of the Snooker Shoot Out and he gives credit to his two-hour bottomless brunch for helping him reach this point. The world number 22 is playing in his hometown, adding a special touch to this unique event on the snooker calendar.
Unlike traditional snooker matches, each game in the Shoot Out is just one frame, played with a shot clock and a 10-minute limit. The crowd is encouraged to be as loud and rowdy as they want, creating a lively and exciting atmosphere. It's a far cry from the usual serious and quiet ambiance of a snooker tournament.
With the knowledge that one shot could make or break their chances, players tend to approach Shoot Out games with a more relaxed attitude. However, no one seems to have mastered the art of staying calm and cool quite like Tom Ford. In an interview with Jimmy White on Eurosport, he revealed that his preparation for the game involved a delightful two-hour bottomless brunch with his friends. And he's not done yet, as he plans to head back to the brunch spot as soon as he can, sporting a festive Christmas jumper.
Despite his laid-back approach, Ford showed no signs of weakness in his match against Paul Deaville, even scoring a break of 55. Up next, he will be facing Duane Jones in the last 32 on Saturday afternoon.
Reflecting on the Shoot Out, Ford shared, "It's one of those tournaments where you just have to go out there and enjoy what you can. I don't think any of us truly enjoy it because the nerves are still there, but we just have to push through and make the most of it."
Opinions on the Shoot Out are divided, as it is quite different from other snooker events. The fact that it is also a ranking event adds to the controversy. The champion crowned on Saturday night will win £50,000, which will count towards their world ranking, making the stakes even higher as the tournament progresses.
MC Rob Walker, who has been hosting the event, shared his enthusiasm for the Shoot Out, saying, "Everyone told me the Shoot Out is good, but I had no idea it would be this wild! What I've loved about this is seeing the players smiling and truly embracing the chaos and energy of the event. We've had a few rowdy fans, but overall, it's just great fun. Of course, things will get serious as we get closer to the quarter-finals and the 50,000 ranking points."
Not all top players participate in the Shoot Out, but there are still some big names in the mix as the last 32 begins on Saturday afternoon. One of them is four-time world champion Mark Selby, who has previously reached the final of the Shoot Out. He believes that there should be more than one of these thrilling events on the snooker calendar.
Commenting on the energetic crowd at the Mattioli Arena, Selby said, "There will definitely be some sore heads in the morning. The crowd is like what you see in darts for every single match. It's fantastic. I think there's definitely room for more events like this in the calendar. They should have another one!"
With so much excitement and passion surrounding the Snooker Shoot Out, it's no wonder that fans and players alike are already looking forward to the next one. Who knows, maybe there will be more than one on the calendar in the future. Only time will tell.
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