Yesterday saw the round of 64 at the 2024 Shoot-out played to completion in Leicester. Of the 32 matches played, my “coin predictions” only yielded 14 correct “guesses”. My overall winner guess was equally dire … Shaun Murphy bowed out.
The crowd was bigger and VERY loud especially in the evening. Far too loud for my liking actually. I switched off the sound on my computer at one point. It was that bad. I do get it that people want to have a good time, but does that necessarily involve shouting all the time? There was one guy in particular … he was utterly annoying and, unfortunately, encouraged by the fact they showed him on TV all the time.
There was quite a bit of drama. Noppon narrowly avoided a heart attack ❤️🔥. Kreishh Gurbaxani played some really crazy stuff and still won! The defending champion bowed out. Generally the young players did well and that’s one positive of this event: we get to see everyone on TV, not just the big names and their (often unfortunate) opponents.
All the results are available on snooker.org
Another positive is that because generally the top guys don’t take it too seriously many of them are more inclined to make themselves available to fans. Going by what transpired on social media, Zimena met her hero… 😊. Happy for you Zimena!
Today we have 31 matches on the menu and tonight we will know the 2024 madness champion.
This is the draw for the last 32 round and my predictions
- Neil Robertson v Liam Pullen – Liam Pullen
- Dylan Emery v Noppon Saengkham – Noppon Saengkham
- Zhou Yuelong v Florian Nüßle – Florian Nüßle
- Duane Jones v Tom Ford – Tom Ford
- Antoni Kowalski v Vladislav Gradinary – Antoni Kowalski
- Andrew Higginson v Ma Hailong – Andrew Higginson
- Wu Yize v Liam Davies – Wu Yize
- Zhang Anda v Elliot Slessor- Elliot Slessor
- Mark Selby v Jamie Jones – Mark Selby
- Liam Graham v Ali Carter – Liam Graham
- Aaron Hill v Allan Taylor – Allan Taylor
- Si Jiahui v Martin O’Donnell – Martin O’ Donnell
- Kreishh Gurbaxani v Ashley Carty – Kreishh Gurbaxani
- Robbie Williams v Fan Zhengyi – Robbie Williams
- Huang Jiahao v David Gilbert – Huang Jiahao
- Robert Milkins v Haydon Pinhey – Robert Milkins
This time I didn’t use a coin or anything, I made my predictions based on what I saw so far … let’s see if I can do better than the coins. I have absolutely no clue about who will win this crazy event. It’s a shame that Joe Swail isn’t playing… maybe, for once, being partially deaf might have been an advantage1.
Post afternoon session update
Well, I’m definitely better than the coins: 10 out of 16… and here is what the round of 16 brings and my predictions.
- Mark Selby v Liam Pullen – Mark Selby
- Antoni Kawalski v Florian Nüßle – Antoni Kowalski
- Allan Taylor v Andrew Higginson – Andrew Higginson
- Elliot Slessor v Wu Yize – Wu Yize
- Robert Milkins v Martin O’Donnell – Robert Milkins
- Robbie Williams v Huang Jiahao – Robbie Williams
- Kreishh Gurbaxani v Tom Ford – Tom Ford
- Noppon Saengkham v Liam Graham – Noppon Saengkham
Make that 6 out of 8 then…
Not going to predict anything about the evening… see you tomorrow!
- Although… I’m partially deaf myself and I really struggle in loud environments. So, maybe not… ↩︎
Ronnie O'Sullivan 
Wow, I had absolutely not expected to be in this post. ♥️ Thank you so much! Being here is absolutely magical, and that moment last night meant the world to me. I wish I had been able to tell him some more things I would want to say to him, but my mind kinda froze a bit when he was suddenly next to me. But okay, that happens, and I’m still the happiest person in the world.
You’re right about the crowd, though. Some of them are very loud in an annoying way. I also don’t think Rob is helping, with his encouragement to be LOUD and the constant alcohol-related comments. I mean, he’s amazing, but not with this.
Loving the warmth the crowd is showing towards the younger players, btw. Vladislav Gradinari got a lot of love as well. And Kreishh Gurbaxani, of course.
On a personal note, I’m also happy to have made some new friends and acquaintances. Love how easily people just start to chat, because we all know that we have the love or snooker in common. I feel so much warmth and joy from this, too.