By Elliott west
Players are starting to make their journey to Thailand for the next episode of the snooker tour with the start of the Six Reds World Championship beginning on 02/09/19. Played over a week, this tournament was won last year by Kyren Wilson and is a hybrid of snooker using six reds instead of fifteen. This version of snooker has survived to live the tale unlike its rival, Power Snooker that died the death after two tournaments. It is true to say that this not every player’s cup of tea and some choose to skip this event as a means of preparation for the Shanghai Masters and China Championship later in the month. However those that do, use it for actively playing snooker even not in its original form and even if they are knocked out, it is a week on a sun lounger for them beside a hotel swimming pool.
With a total prize fund of £265,000 and a winner’s prize yet to be announced, this is definitely a tournament that can produce different winners. Mark Davis has won this event three times with wins in 2009, 2012 and 2013 and with a game that joins snooker and pool together, it is suited to a player that prefers a faster frame. Unlike previous years the likes of John Higgins, Mark Selby, Ding Junhui, Stuart Bingham and Jimmy White will compete alongside some of the female players. Reanne Evans, the twelve times World Champion will be joined by the very talented player from Hong Kong, Ng On Yee. Both Reanne and Ng have reached their top form recently and could go deep into this competition. It would be lovely to see a female victor once the week is over, especially as this is played alongside men.
Thailand is a special place for snooker in whichever format it is played and has produced in recent years the great James Wattana and more recently the fast and furious, Thepchaiya Un-Nooh and Noppon Saengkham. Played out in the Bangkok Convention Centre, this event attracts followers of snooker from across Thailand. Snooker in Thailand is still very popular and James Wattana is treated like a member of royalty wherever he goes. I recently met him at the World Seniors in Sheffield and can confirm that he deserves the accolade.
Whoever wins here in the final may or may not be a competitor in China but with the likelihood that they are, this tournament will not only put them in good stead for the Shanghai Masters but also be a shorter plane journey to Shanghai. I have been critical of smaller events in the past especially the Snooker Shootout that leans far too near a darts’ format to be taken seriously. In fact when I attempted to started a campaign to bring back Pot Black to television, I was told this was its replacement. However in its defence, it does include all 128 players on the tour which is only a good thing. That said, the Six Reds format works and ideal for catching the eye for potential new fans who have never seen snooker played. Pool and snooker fans will love the format and hopefully this tournament will remain on the main tour for many years to come.
