I notice snooker authorities recently announced plans to make the sport more exciting and try to replicate the success of Twenty20 cricket. It's an ambitious plan and it involves...
*drumroll*
Having less balls on the table
As far as I can see - That's it.
Is having less balls on the table going to make someone who has never watched snooker before suddenly decide to watch?
"Oh wow I love snooker now, there's far less of those confusing red balls. What do you call them?"
"Reds"
"Yes far less reds, I like it much better now without those reds"
It's just not going to happen.
So therefore, I announce my five ways to make snooker sexier and more appealing to the general public.
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1.Make drugs compulsory
---
I've had enough of this campaign to get drugs out of sport. What we need is more players playing whilst high as a kite.
What I suggest is this.
One hour before the match in the dressing room, each player is required to take a mandatory ecstasy tablet Then hard house, trance and happy hardcore is pumped into the playing area during the match at full volume. If frames are even then instead of a respotted black, a dance off takes place.
An alternative is each player is provided with a spliff roller and then smokes cannabis during the frame whilst the other player is taking a shot. I mean, those chairs look mighty comfortable. Munchies will also be provided.
---
2.Strippers
---
A strippers pole to be installed in the centre of the table. A stripper dances during each frame and the players play around her and the pole. Double points on offer for a shot that goes through the arch of one of her 6 inch clear wedge heels. Winner of each frame gets a private dance in the 'VIP lounge'.
---
3.Convicted criminals to referee matches
---
As part of a rehabilitation process for dangerous criminals, prisons should teach particularly violent or angry criminals the skills of snooker refereeing so they can do this on a day release basis. Not only will it give them an inner calm, it also helps them with numeracy and diplomacy. It will save the snooker authorities money and they will also be doing a valuable service to the community.
3a. An alternative is to get Mr T to referee snooker matches. Or even other celebrities. You could even turn this into a prime time TV show featuring a host of minor celebrities competing to be the top snooker referee.
---
4.Make snooker more Goth
---
This one is a guaranteed winner. How can we tempt more young people into the game of snooker? Goth it up! Hey, it's surely no coincidence that the black ball is worth the most points...
Black nail varnish and eyeliner are mandatory and players much dress in full Goth attire and pass strict Goth club bouncers to get into the playing area. Any player refused entry for 'streetwear' will be forced to forfeit the match.
Smoke machines in operation throughout the match and cider and black on tap for players and the crowd.
Andrew Eldritch from the Sisters of Mercy to become the official Goth ambassador for snooker (Well he's available and looking for work)
Bauhaus to reform and record a cover version of Chas and Dave's Snooker Loopy
---
5.Combine snooker with Gladiators
---
What better way to sure up two fading British institutions than to combine them together. The options are endless:
Following Charlie Brooker's observations, players are to be given gladiator style nicknames that sound like gay nightclubs. Thus we get Peter 'Eros' Ebdon, Stephen 'Rawhide' Hendry and Ding 'Cock Ring' Junhui.
Foam added to the bottom of cues so they can be turned around and used to joust against gladiators.
A moving platform (or travelator if you will) to be installed around the table for players to run up before taking a shot.
Players required to shout "AWOOGA" as loud as possible before breaking.
Gladiators swing giant foam balls at players as they are attempting to take shots whilst standing on small unstable platforms above water.
Crowd given large foam hands and taught the full lyrics to Queen's 'Another one bites the dust'
Referee John Anderson to oversee proceedings in his inimitable grumpy and humourless Scottish style.
After winning a frame a player must complete an obstacle course around the arena - Not as easy as it sounds - Have you ever tried climbing up a cargo net whilst carrying a snooker cue?
---
I mean - surely some of these things must be worth a try, right?
---
Next week - Putting the glamour back into lawn bowls
*drumroll*
Having less balls on the table
As far as I can see - That's it.
Is having less balls on the table going to make someone who has never watched snooker before suddenly decide to watch?
"Oh wow I love snooker now, there's far less of those confusing red balls. What do you call them?"
"Reds"
"Yes far less reds, I like it much better now without those reds"
It's just not going to happen.
So therefore, I announce my five ways to make snooker sexier and more appealing to the general public.
---
1.Make drugs compulsory
---
I've had enough of this campaign to get drugs out of sport. What we need is more players playing whilst high as a kite.
What I suggest is this.
One hour before the match in the dressing room, each player is required to take a mandatory ecstasy tablet Then hard house, trance and happy hardcore is pumped into the playing area during the match at full volume. If frames are even then instead of a respotted black, a dance off takes place.
An alternative is each player is provided with a spliff roller and then smokes cannabis during the frame whilst the other player is taking a shot. I mean, those chairs look mighty comfortable. Munchies will also be provided.
---
2.Strippers
---
A strippers pole to be installed in the centre of the table. A stripper dances during each frame and the players play around her and the pole. Double points on offer for a shot that goes through the arch of one of her 6 inch clear wedge heels. Winner of each frame gets a private dance in the 'VIP lounge'.
---
3.Convicted criminals to referee matches
---
As part of a rehabilitation process for dangerous criminals, prisons should teach particularly violent or angry criminals the skills of snooker refereeing so they can do this on a day release basis. Not only will it give them an inner calm, it also helps them with numeracy and diplomacy. It will save the snooker authorities money and they will also be doing a valuable service to the community.
3a. An alternative is to get Mr T to referee snooker matches. Or even other celebrities. You could even turn this into a prime time TV show featuring a host of minor celebrities competing to be the top snooker referee.
---
4.Make snooker more Goth
---
This one is a guaranteed winner. How can we tempt more young people into the game of snooker? Goth it up! Hey, it's surely no coincidence that the black ball is worth the most points...
Black nail varnish and eyeliner are mandatory and players much dress in full Goth attire and pass strict Goth club bouncers to get into the playing area. Any player refused entry for 'streetwear' will be forced to forfeit the match.
Smoke machines in operation throughout the match and cider and black on tap for players and the crowd.
Andrew Eldritch from the Sisters of Mercy to become the official Goth ambassador for snooker (Well he's available and looking for work)
Bauhaus to reform and record a cover version of Chas and Dave's Snooker Loopy
---
5.Combine snooker with Gladiators
---
What better way to sure up two fading British institutions than to combine them together. The options are endless:
Following Charlie Brooker's observations, players are to be given gladiator style nicknames that sound like gay nightclubs. Thus we get Peter 'Eros' Ebdon, Stephen 'Rawhide' Hendry and Ding 'Cock Ring' Junhui.
Foam added to the bottom of cues so they can be turned around and used to joust against gladiators.
A moving platform (or travelator if you will) to be installed around the table for players to run up before taking a shot.
Players required to shout "AWOOGA" as loud as possible before breaking.
Gladiators swing giant foam balls at players as they are attempting to take shots whilst standing on small unstable platforms above water.
Crowd given large foam hands and taught the full lyrics to Queen's 'Another one bites the dust'
Referee John Anderson to oversee proceedings in his inimitable grumpy and humourless Scottish style.
After winning a frame a player must complete an obstacle course around the arena - Not as easy as it sounds - Have you ever tried climbing up a cargo net whilst carrying a snooker cue?
---
I mean - surely some of these things must be worth a try, right?
---
Next week - Putting the glamour back into lawn bowls
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