Let’s have a video going over why pockets are a different size at different venues. Quality and speed of cloth and quality of how the tables are put together in general. Snooker nerds will love it
just for your info, they don't actually have different sizes ... a more accurate phrase you might hear is "they're playing tight"... it's just a template (machine made) so it's exactly the same... what changes are the conditions like the humidity, the age of the cloth... sometimes though more rarely the cut of the cushion... how many balls have been potted into it... if you can imagine wearing down a pocket like a river wearing down the rock to let water pass... how much has someone brushed into the pocket.. maybe 10 minutes maybe 2 hours... brushing into the pocket again like helps the pocket accept the ball... in your average snooker hall I'd say probably the fitting of the cushion and cut of the cushion around the pocket are big factors alongside just genuine different sizes ... but at the top level it's almost certainly friction around the pocket and humidity... not actually the shape or size of the pocket. I wouldn't be surprised if some poor fuck in china was made to brush into the pocket for 12 hours compared to 5 minutes maybe in some UK tourneys ...
@@richardbrennan7288 I read an article on the sizes of tournament table pocket sizes at the start of the slate drop and i believe it is something like 3.313 inches from pocket tangent to pocket tangent. A s for cut of the cushion, that makes sense as well as brushing into the pocket. I have heard Hendry say that the tournament tables are heated to keep the humidity the same......soooo.
I met Ali when he was playing in his local snooker club. Next thing, we met up for dinner when he holidayed in Dubai. Then he very kindly invited me to his house. We played snooker and went for a curry. He's a top bloke and a really down to earth guy.
Great to see the tough table challenge again after a long time. Well done to Ali carter for getting the highest break for now. Mark Selby should have a go for the tough table challenge
Ali seems like such genuine bloke, becoming really keen of him, love these videos getting to see the pro's if a differrent light outside of the tournement settings
@ReadyToHarvest Higgins earned that with his match fixing scandal. But yeah I don't rlly have anything against them myself. I don't know any of them personally, I just appreciate the snooker.
@@joshhills1635 perhaps you should get your facts right before you comment, higgins did not match fix anything, saying you will do someting but then not actually do it, does not mean you match fixed so he never was guilty of match fixing
@@barryjones-c9j Agreed. Amazing how many people put him and Stephen Lee in the same basket. Lee actually did it, John got naggled yet he thankfully declined it.
I really hope in a few years that a new snooker world champion shouts out this channel for giving them routines and tips. I wonder how many people get better because of this channel
I never used to like you much Ali carter, but over the years you have grown on me, your a talented player, ever since that bust up with Ronnie the shoulder barge I have begun to respect ya! Win the championship 2025 mate 🎉
Yep. In Australia, the rules of snooker are modified. As soon as you get down to start your shot, the opposing player, after doing 2 laps of the table, can tackle you (head high tackles will incur a penalty).
In his day Hendry was arguably the most disliked player in the sport! Crowds actually booed him when he won tournaments! I think Hendry is the ultimate example of a players having different professional and personal sides to them and their personal side is kept hidden!! I've been a staunch Hendry fan my whole life and I had no idea he had banter until he started doing those RUclips videos interviewing Ronnie and Williams during covid! Then this channel has not only been a revelation into the real Hendry but its allowed Hendry to successfully show all the other snooker players in a far more unique way!!!
Great effort at a clearance. I think the last red would have been better rolling it to avoid unwanted side digging down but risking position a bit to ensure the pot as it was relatively straight ish but snooker has always been a game of if, buts and maybe’s. What a class player Ali is, hope he wins the worlds at some point.
Yes, as much of a foul as when he amusingly potted the red whilst playing a canon from the blue in the first frame of the 2008 World Championship final. That one was called!
I would have thought practicing with smaller pockets would make matches easier under pressure potting into pockets that aren’t as tight as you are used to practicing on, can you tell us why you prefer bigger pockets for practice?
Let’s have a video going over why pockets are a different size at different venues. Quality and speed of cloth and quality of how the tables are put together in general. Snooker nerds will love it
This
captain carter feels like an american .
just for your info, they don't actually have different sizes ... a more accurate phrase you might hear is "they're playing tight"... it's just a template (machine made) so it's exactly the same... what changes are the conditions like the humidity, the age of the cloth... sometimes though more rarely the cut of the cushion... how many balls have been potted into it... if you can imagine wearing down a pocket like a river wearing down the rock to let water pass... how much has someone brushed into the pocket.. maybe 10 minutes maybe 2 hours... brushing into the pocket again like helps the pocket accept the ball... in your average snooker hall I'd say probably the fitting of the cushion and cut of the cushion around the pocket are big factors alongside just genuine different sizes ... but at the top level it's almost certainly friction around the pocket and humidity... not actually the shape or size of the pocket. I wouldn't be surprised if some poor fuck in china was made to brush into the pocket for 12 hours compared to 5 minutes maybe in some UK tourneys ...
@@richardbrennan7288 I read an article on the sizes of tournament table pocket sizes at the start of the slate drop and i believe it is something like 3.313 inches from pocket tangent to pocket tangent. A s for cut of the cushion, that makes sense as well as brushing into the pocket. I have heard Hendry say that the tournament tables are heated to keep the humidity the same......soooo.
I luv the way Ali Carter plays, he always gives a100% and always wants to win
I have gained tremendous respect for Ali watching him on the program. Thankyou Mr. Hendry.
I met Ali when he was playing in his local snooker club. Next thing, we met up for dinner when he holidayed in Dubai. Then he very kindly invited me to his house. We played snooker and went for a curry. He's a top bloke and a really down to earth guy.
Suss
Sounds like you were groomed
@@charlielad6124 only to Ronnie’s fanboys and anyone that receives their wages in a brown packet.
You over 16
Then you woke up? Stay off the drugs mate..
What a lovely guy Ali is so down to earth nice guy
Great to see the tough table challenge again after a long time. Well done to Ali carter for getting the highest break for now. Mark Selby should have a go for the tough table challenge
Really enjoyed these couple of videos with Ali. Always great to watch over the years 👍
Al would make a great snooker coach. Hope he goes into it when he retires
What a fantastic player Ali Carter is. Terrific snooker brain, bucket loads of experience. Built to play snooker and criminally underrated
Tremendous cueist is Ali.
Whenever i see a huge 20 break on the horizon i start shaking so much you can see my cue wobbling all over the place.
Alright Mr Showoff, my hand starts going when potting two in a row is on the horizon
@@ejayman last time I got that nervous lining up 6 balls in a row was when I hired two Thai ladies and they took their underpants off.
I came to the conclusion that snooker pros play a different game than us, one that's actually not that hard
That's a monster practice routine!
That's definitely for good level pro players, even then it looks grueling
Great break, but Higgins and Allen might have something to say about where Ali's t-shirt is at 6:16!
Did it twice.
Please invite Mark Selby, one of the greatest players in snooker history!
Yaaassssssss
You are right
Yes!! Mark Selby plsss. I’m sure he’ll break the tough table record!!
The program an’t long enough!!
Please dont
I think this is one of the best videos you've done. I loved watching Ali play here, that routine was class. Thanks Stephen and everyone at CueTips.
So funny!! Stephen stood there holding his cue like he was waiting for his shot :-) lol
After Playing for so many years it becomes habitual
Nice to see Ali relaxing with a smile needs to play that quick all the time
What an effort! Ali's antics make him less likeable at times, but no doubt he has that killer instinct
I don't mind some antics, makes people seem more human.
Nice to hear Brian Morgan's still playing too! Came within a ball of qualifying for the World Seniors a few years ago, class act. As is Mr Carter. :)
If you Google Brian Morgan snooker,a picture of Ali Carter comes up
Ali seems like such genuine bloke, becoming really keen of him, love these videos getting to see the pro's if a differrent light outside of the tournement settings
Ali is a nice guy and a quality player , doesn’t deserve the hate
Agreed. I like all the top players. Carter and Higgins get too much hate particularly.
@ReadyToHarvest Higgins earned that with his match fixing scandal. But yeah I don't rlly have anything against them myself. I don't know any of them personally, I just appreciate the snooker.
Absolutely agree.
@@joshhills1635 perhaps you should get your facts right before you comment, higgins did not match fix anything, saying you will do someting but then not actually do it, does not mean you match fixed so he never was guilty of match fixing
@@barryjones-c9j Agreed. Amazing how many people put him and Stephen Lee in the same basket. Lee actually did it, John got naggled yet he thankfully declined it.
I bet the previous Tough Table Challenge leaders will be closely checking Ali's t-shirt for fouls when stretching over. 🙂
The cameraman certainly was ;)
I really hope in a few years that a new snooker world champion shouts out this channel for giving them routines and tips. I wonder how many people get better because of this channel
Warming to Ali 👍
Surely there must be a world title in him.
Great cueist one of my favourite players. Superb Ali. Hang on 11.40 naughty.
I never used to like you much Ali carter, but over the years you have grown on me, your a talented player, ever since that bust up with Ronnie the shoulder barge I have begun to respect ya! Win the championship 2025 mate 🎉
Yep. In Australia, the rules of snooker are modified. As soon as you get down to start your shot, the opposing player, after doing 2 laps of the table, can tackle you (head high tackles will incur a penalty).
In his day Hendry was arguably the most disliked player in the sport! Crowds actually booed him when he won tournaments! I think Hendry is the ultimate example of a players having different professional and personal sides to them and their personal side is kept hidden!! I've been a staunch Hendry fan my whole life and I had no idea he had banter until he started doing those RUclips videos interviewing Ronnie and Williams during covid! Then this channel has not only been a revelation into the real Hendry but its allowed Hendry to successfully show all the other snooker players in a far more unique way!!!
I can imagine Ali's father saying this
Well done Ally
Great fun. Good man with an great, simple cue action. Thanks Stephen and Ali.
I am really happy that you switched sponsors.
The routine at the end of vid is awesome. Thanks to Hendry and Carter for this. Carter's really good in this vids.
Foul on the red with the rest, shirt definitely touched the red....yes I'm a Ronnie fan too 😂😂😂😂
Brilliant Ali, very nice video Stephen. Top job both players. John
Nice to see the other side of Ali came across great in both videos, and great player what break 👏
Hi stephen love the videos always fun to watch helps improve
Well done captain!
joy to watch
I cry foul! His T-shirt definitely touched the red @ 6:13 😏😂
Yes. Should be disqualified. 🙂
Glad to see the second try. Great break. Thought Ali would have been the first to clear the table.
I never thought I say this but yea I would love to see mark selby here. He is by far the best all around cue sports player ever.
Beautiful playing.
Please make the next video with Mark Selby
Can’t be playing safe on tough table challenge though
😂
@@michaelmulhall5007 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Video would be too long if Selby was on it. Probably break RUclips.
For real!!!!
That comment about bottling the brown really got him laughing 😂
Great episode!
Great video. The first yellow in the high break was sick,
Amazing to see Ali
Two great videos with Ali.
That was superb.
He had a great day that day.
Also it's interesting to hear him. He can take a compliment. A good sign of healthy self esteem
Sign of a 🔔 🔚
The word thankyou is fav of ali carter....from the shoulder push with ronnie😂❤
What a player deserves to win more.
Excellent stuff from Ali there, very enjoyable.
Absolute sound lad always looks angry when he's playing 😂
Ali Carter what cool player Always great to watch
Great effort at a clearance. I think the last red would have been better rolling it to avoid unwanted side digging down but risking position a bit to ensure the pot as it was relatively straight ish but snooker has always been a game of if, buts and maybe’s. What a class player Ali is, hope he wins the worlds at some point.
Didication and talent at its best
Ali is easily the best pro guest Stephen has had on to date, class content.
That's the dif in class, everyone else talking n chilling having fun. Carter chill
Brilliant Ali
Is it possible to get another female player on the show ? Mink Nutcharut ? Or Rebecca Kenna
Or Allison Fisher.
@@jimrobb5289I thought she’s done with snooker ? She’s more into pool
Great Person!both of you
Wow, awesome break and such a difficult routine 😮
Carter marches around the table like a boss and has the pots to back it up
Ali seems like good craic to be around a snooker table with. That’s a great routine to practice, I wish I had my own table 🍀
Touch Foul on red at 6:17. Score null and void!!
Yes. That shirt was all over the red like a dog on a lamp post.
Excellent vid again
I think Ali fouled around 06:18 when his t-shirt touched the red by the middle pocket... 😂😅
Yes, as much of a foul as when he amusingly potted the red whilst playing a canon from the blue in the first frame of the 2008 World Championship final. That one was called!
6:20 tshirt on ball. Foul void attempt 😂
Yes. A forfeit should be implemented.
Stephen mentioned about bigger pockets on the table ? If I had my own table it’d still have to have pockets like 2 gallon buckets. 🤣🤣👍
Smashed it in Flip Flops 👍🇬🇧 Snooker should be in the Olympics 👍🇬🇧
Wow. Surely, there will be more fans of Ali Carter now. What a thorough professional.!
I wonder if Ali is practicing who respots the balls?
Stephen your the goat
*you're
@@charlielad6124 mb auto correct
Well done Al.
Ali's looking sharp on this one
Well done to the most respected and well liked player on tour
Well done Ali excellent performance I really thought he was gonna clear up so close 🔴⚫
That's a helluva practice routine drill 😮
Void - 6:28 shirt touched the red :0)
Yes, absolutely. Len Ganley would have been all over that.
@@andrewmorton3344 Record needs to be voided Cue Tips 😀
nicely done, Ali
One of the best players ever and Stephen is listening. Fair play
I like Ali Carter. Comes across as a bit flash but actually a nice guy.
Waistcoat fouls from 6:13: disqualified.
He’s on fire! 🔥
People got bad attitude against Ali I think he’s a top bloke and a great player. I think some of them fear him.
Unbelievable
That yellow ar 8:02 was insane!!
Hardcore routine looks like it covers a lot 👍🏼🙏 Ali should have totalled it almost did! Class 👍🏼
Wow! That is a hard practice routine. It amazes me how Ali can talk and play like that.
Like Ali great fella been through a lot of tough stuff
Great vlog well done the captain stellar performance
Now you're gonna have to invite everybody back and let them try again without talking 😂😂
Great blokes!
A class act, nice chap too
Ronnie fan here. Break ends at 62. Your clothing touched the ball.
@@Eriksnephew can’t stand Ronnie. But I’m a fan of fouls being called. Re watch it. Fouls much earlier than that. At least 3 times I noticed
great watching this. my twin boys are pilots for jet2.
I could see all the keyboard warriors mentioning the waistcoat foul! Excellent break.
well done captain 👏
Want Mark Shelby Next!!!
I know I'm nit-picking, but at 6:16, does Ali's shirt touch the red? A foul? :-)
It certainly does.
I would have thought practicing with smaller pockets would make matches easier under pressure potting into pockets that aren’t as tight as you are used to practicing on, can you tell us why you prefer bigger pockets for practice?
All people need to try this challenge while wearing black socks and flip flops, that is Ali's secret!
Ali is a sound lad. Good luck to him ti's year.