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			<pubDate>Wed, 03 Mar 2010 21:43:17 GMT</pubDate>
			<title>Poetry in motion</title>
			<description><![CDATA[I’ve been immortalised in poetry! Kevin Power is a snooker fan and has written several poems about the sport and various players – now he has chosen me as his subject! I’m very flattered and honoured, I think it’s great. And it shows that I must be doing something right. You can read Kevin’s poem, which is called ‘The Rap of Mark Selby’, in the Latest News section of my website.

Poetry is not my strongest point, I’ll admit. I don’t think it’s going to inspire me to write any, I think I should just stick to what I do best, playing snooker. I’m gearing up for the China Open which starts at the end of March, so I’ve got plenty of practising to do and a few exhibitions in the pipeline.

Me and Vikki had a week in Dubai last month, it was good to get away and have a break from it all. I’d never been there before but it really lived up to my expectations. Yes, it’s expensive, but we got plenty of sightseeing done, as well as some relaxing in the sun. Shaun Murphy had been before and he said he didn’t really enjoy it because it was too commercial and too many hotels. But there was plenty for us to do and it made a nice change to get out and about and see a bit of the place.

We were there for Valentine’s Day so we had a meal at the Burj Al Arab, which is the only seven-star hotel in the world. The restaurant was right at the top – very nice too!

Mind you, we almost didn’t make it to Dubai at all because of an admin error. The paperwork for the flights had one letter wrong in Vikki’s name, so we had to get everything changed. When it was all done, we found out that I’d been left off the new paperwork altogether, so it looked like she was going on her own! We managed to get it sorted, but we missed our original flight and had to wait for another one a few hours later.

At least Vikki’s name was spelt right on the trophy she has just picked up. Her Tuesday night pool team won their league and we went to the awards presentation evening. She’s doing really well and winning more trophies than me! She put her trophy on the mantlepiece next to my Masters trophy and, although it’s smaller than mine, it does look like a bit like his and hers! She keeps telling me: “It’s not all about you, you know!”

Good luck to my fellow Leicester pro Tom Ford in the World Championship qualifiers. He’s through to the fourth round where he will play Anthony Hamilton at the EIS in Sheffield. Unfortunately, Ben Woollaston lost 10-9 to David Roe after being 9-6 up at one point. I know he is gutted and it could mean he is off the Tour.

I went to Sheffield to watch Ben in one of his earlier matches. I’m glad I don’t have to go through that any more. You see some of the names involved – Jimmy White, John Parrott, Ken Doherty, Tony Drago, Matthew Stevens, all big names, and the list goes on. And then you look at the younger generation who are involved, the likes of Ricky Walden, Jamie Cope and Judd Trump – there are no easy matches. It’s cut-throat and I wouldn’t like to go back to it.]]></description>
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			<pubDate>Thu, 04 Feb 2010 16:19:12 GMT</pubDate>
			<title>No question about it, it's a real honour</title>
			<description><![CDATA[I’m currently being driven up to Manchester to record an episode of ‘Question of Sport’. It’s better than driving myself, or taking the train, and it’s a good chance to sit down for a couple of hours and do nothing, especially after a hectic few days.

I showed off my Masters trophy during half-time of Leicester City’s match against Newcastle last Saturday. They always ask me to go down when I win something and it’s always a pleasure to do so, I hope the fans like it too. Leicester played well to get a 0-0 draw after Richie Wellens was sent off in the first half, so a point at home against the league leaders was a decent result in the end. I just hope Leicester can push on and get promotion to the Premier League now.

Last night was another social occasion, and it was another one which I really enjoyed. I was the guest of honour at a ceremony at Leicester Town Hall, where the Mayor of Leicester, Councillor Roger Blackmore, presented me with an inscribed crystal bowl to celebrate my win at Wembley.

It was such a great honour and privilege for me, and I really appreciated it. Winning the Masters was good enough, so this was the icing on the cake. It’s a little overwhelming, meeting such dignitaries and having to give a speech in front of my friends and family, but it’s great to be recognised as someone who is doing well in their home town.

My speech went down okay. I’d been preparing it and practising it for days, because I wanted to get it right. I’m used to going out and playing snooker in front of hundreds of people, with millions more watching on TV, but this was a different kind of pressure. It was a bit scary with so many people listening to me, but I enjoyed it and I hope it’s something I get better at the more times I do it. I’ve just got to keep on winning titles! But occasions like this definitely inspire me to be even more of a success, and I’m really grateful to the Mayor and everyone at the Town Hall for what they did.

This will be my third time on ‘Question of Sport’ and I’m really looking forward to it. I don’t know who’s team I’m on or when it’s going to be aired, but I guess I’ll find all that out when I get there.

It’s a great laugh and a great way to unwind. It’s one of my favourite shows on TV and I do consider myself to have a decent knowledge of sport. I’ve been brushing up a bit, but I always seem to do well when I go on there. It’s just the questions on snooker I struggle with!

It’s also a great opportunity to be myself for a bit. People don’t often get to see the other side to snooker players because we’re always so focused during our matches, but this is a good way to show our more entertaining sides. And I’d love to be a captain one day! Matt Dawson and Phil Tuffnell do a great job, but you never know, one day it could be me. They do a lot of research though and are always reading up on their sporting trivia, so I know it would be hard work, but they have a laugh and a joke as well, and that’s right up my street!

It’s been a busy start to the year. After the Masters, I hardly had time to catch my breath before it was the Welsh Open. It was a little bit of “after the Lord Mayor’s show” in Newport, if you’ll pardon the pun, because it was such a comedown after everything that happened at Wembley.

I had a tough opener against Judd Trump so I was pleased to get through that. I was disappointed to lose to John Higgins in the quarter-finals, but I can’t complain too much. I played well enough but he was just that bit better than me on the day. It also gave me a boost up the rankings too. And if anyone had said to me at the start of the year that I would win the Masters and reach the quarters in Wales, I would have taken that.

I’ve got a few weeks off now before the China Open. I’ve got some exhibitions arranged, including one in Austria this weekend, but I think me and Vikki will have a few days off in Dubai, get away from it all for a bit. Then it will be all go once again!

*Picture courtesy of the Leicester Mercury]]></description>
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			<pubDate>Tue, 26 Jan 2010 11:03:15 GMT</pubDate>
			<title>Can I make it a double?</title>
			<description><![CDATA[I play Judd Trump in the first round of the Welsh Open in Newport on Wednesday and I’m brimming with confidence. Having won the Masters for the second time, I’m on a real high and can’t wait for it to start. It feels like the season has just started for me and I’m excited about what’s to come.

I always thought I was playing well this season, even though I had a couple of first-round defeats. But snooker is a difficult game and it can all come down to confidence. You can be playing really well one day, but then the next you can’t pot a ball even though you’re doing nothing differently.

The Masters showed my game is in great shape. To come back and win like that was fantastic, and it’s just been a matter of fine-tuning it during this last week. I’ve been practising every day, and I know I’ve got a hard match ahead of me.

I seem to have had a tough draw in every first round this season, playing the likes of Ken Doherty and Jamie Cope, and Judd will be no different. He is young and plays with no fear, and he’s been doing well in the Premier League so his confidence will be high.

The last time we played was in the Shanghai Masters in 2008 and I beat him 5-1. I won’t be going into this match as the underdog, but I know how tricky it will be.

But winning the Masters gave me a massive lift and I hope that continues in Newport this week.

There is also a bit more pressure in this tournament because there are ranking points at stake. Of course there was pressure at the Masters, but it wasn’t a ranking event. I’m down to 13th in the provisional world rankings and need to pick up some points this week. If I lose in the first round, the Masters will seem a long way away.

It still hasn’t sunk in that I won the Masters. I’ve been practising all week so I haven’t really seen anyone. It will really kick in at Newport when I see the other players and talk about it. It could also be a good omen for me because the last time I won the Masters, in 2008, I won the Welsh straight afterwards.

I beat Ronnie O’Sullivan in that final, coming back from 8-5 down to win 9-8 in the final. Having done the same to him at Wembley, when I fought back from 9-6 down to win 10-9, that shows what I’m capable of achieving.

Much has been said in the wake of the Masters final against O’Sullivan. We could meet in the semi-finals in Newport and, if we do, it will be a clean slate as far as I’m concerned.

All that matters to me is that I feel like I have got the edge when I play against him. I feel like I’m one of the few players who go into a match knowing I can beat him and, having won the way I did at Wembley, that will be of benefit to me should we meet again.]]></description>
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			<pubDate>Tue, 19 Jan 2010 15:15:37 GMT</pubDate>
			<title>Now that's champion!</title>
			<description><![CDATA[What a feeling to wake up as Masters champion! It was a late night, not just for me, but for everyone who came to Wembley and all those who watched at home on the TV, and I thank everyone who supported me.

This victory is particularly sweet, not just because I regained the title after losing it last year, but because of the way I did it. I haven’t had the best start to the season, every knows that, but my form began to come back in the UK Championship and, against Ronnie in the final on Sunday, it really clicked. I’ve been playing great on the practice table, so I’m so chuffed that my game finally came together and that I produced the goods when it mattered. Hopefully, this will be the kick-start I need for the second half of the season.

To beat O’Sullivan at Wembley was a great feeling. He’s got the majority of the crowd behind him because he’s a local lad, and I was the underdog, so to come back and win the final four frames and snatch the title was particularly sweet.

I never know when I’m beaten and I will not give up until that final ball has been potted. I wear my heart on my sleeve and I just will not give in. I love playing at Wembley, the atmosphere and the set-up, the prestige of the tournament, it all seems so perfect for me. And I guess after two victories in three years, it must be perfect! It was one of the best matches I’ve ever played in and it’s given me a great confidence boost ahead of the Welsh Open, which starts next week.

I play on the Wednesday (January 27) but I don’t know who my opponent is yet. I hope winning the Masters proves to be a good omen though because, the last time I won it, I went to Newport and won the Welsh Open. Let’s hope for a repeat this year!

It still hasn’t quite sunk in yet that I’ve got this title back, and I don’t have much time to savour it because it’s straight back to work for me, I’ve got to knuckle down and keep working hard. I know that, on my day, I’m capable of beating anyone and, if I’m the one potting all the balls, there’s nothing your opponent can do. I just have to keep working hard and make sure I take this form to Newport next week.

Just going back to the late finish on Sunday, I know a lot of people, especially children, would have missed the closing stages because they had to be up early for school or work. AI don’t understand why we keep having these late finals, and I can’t see why they shouldn’t start earlier in the day. Maybe the first session can start at 12noon and the final session at 6pm. That would mean everybody will then be able to see it, and maybe it is something our new chairman Barry Hearn is already thinking about, we will have to see.

But for the time being, I’m going to enjoy this title as much as I can, and I hope there are plenty more to follow.]]></description>
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			<pubDate>Wed, 13 Jan 2010 13:46:16 GMT</pubDate>
			<title>Bring on the quarter-finals!</title>
			<description><![CDATA[Happy New Year everyone. We’re only two weeks into 2010 but it’s been a busy start, and so far so good. As well as working hard on the practice table, I’ve been involved in qualifying for the Premier League, fought off a bout of flu and won my opening match at the Masters.

I’m eagerly awaiting my Masters quarter-final match on Friday after beating Ding Junhui in the first round. I’ve been back in Leicester since then where, despite my best attempts to stay warm and get over this flu virus, we have had nothing but snow. Still, we’re not alone in that as pretty much the whole country has been affected. It’s snow joke!

I was delighted with the way I played to beat Ding 6-1. I haven’t been getting the results this season and to come out and perform as well as I did was fantastic. It must be something to do with playing at Wembley, I feel right at home there. It was the best match I’ve played this season.

I feel really comfortable out there, I love the one-table situation because it makes it feel like you’re playing a semi-final or final. It suits my game, and my record there over the past three years speaks for itself. I was the underdog because he had just won the UK Championship, but my confidence has been returning and it was a great scalp for me. It’s put me on a high and I will take that into my next match, I don’t fear anyone and I’m playing well enough to win the title again.

I was suffering from flu against Ding but I tried not to show it because I couldn’t afford to feel sorry myself, and I didn’t want any excuses. At 5-0 up I wasn’t thinking about a whitewash, all I wanted to do was get to six and win the match. Even when he pulled one back I kept my concentration and saw the job out. I knew he had been home to China for Christmas so his preparation was probably not as good as mine. Apart from a couple off days over Christmas and New Year, I was practising all the time.

I maybe need to score a bit bigger than against Ding, but as long as I take my chances you don’t need to knock in high breaks all the time to win tournaments.

I mentioned that I was the underdog against Ding. That partly explains my choice of song when I entered the arena on Sunday, ‘Underdog’ by Kasabian. I wanted to choose something from them because, like me, they’re from Leicester and I’ve got to know a few of the lads quite well. Originally I wanted to use their hit song ‘On Fire’ but I’d heard Stephen Maguire was going to use it because that’s his nickname. So I had to find something else and, as I was the underdog going into the match, and because it’s got a good beat and is up tempo and helps lift the crowd, I chose that one instead.

I was disappointed not to qualify for the Premier League because I played well and reached the final of the Group One stage. But it’s not out of the question just yet, I can still qualify by getting a wildcard, or by winning the World Championships. Who knows what the year will bring? By and large, it’s been a decent start so far and I hope it continues.]]></description>
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			<pubDate>Fri, 18 Dec 2009 15:59:40 GMT</pubDate>
			<title>Merry Christmas!</title>
			<description><![CDATA[I’m looking forward to a break over Christmas, although I won’t be resting too much because I don’t want to undo all the hard work I’ve been doing up to now.

Even though I lost 9-3 to Ronnie O’Sullivan in the UK Championships, I was pleased to have got a win under my belt and pleased with the way I played.

Having gone into the tournament without a win this season, if you had offered me a place in the last eight before it started, I would have taken it.

It’s been a strange year. I feel like I’ve been playing really well but it’s just the run of the balls that have gone against me, and that has proved costly. Lady Luck certainly seemed against me in the Shanghai Masters and Grand Prix, so I hope it’s a bit more in my favour in 2010.

The scoreline against Ronnie looks like a heavy defeat but it doesn’t reflect the whole game. I missed a few balls and he took his chances, and that was the only difference.

I know my game is in good shape and I proved that in the first round when I came back from 8-4 down to beat Jamie Cope 9-8, and in good style too. However, I know that, if I reach the quarter-finals of an event, I should have the ability to go on from there and win the title.

I shall have a few days off over Christmas and New Year, just try and relax a bit. But I don’t want to undo all the good work I’ve been doing lately on the practice table, so I shall keep hard at it and try and stay match sharp.

I’ve got the inaugural ONEFOURSEVEN tournament in Cardiff on Monday, and then in the New Year there are qualifiers for the Premier League before the Masters starts, so it is a quick return to action.

It’s a busy start to the new year and I’ve got a few resolutions.

I need to be more organised because, in all honesty, I’m useless! You only have to look at me missing the Pro Challenge event – in Leicester – to work that one out!

I’m also vowing to keep my car keys on me all the time and not leave them lying around! It wasn’t a nice feeling to have my car stolen before my match against Ronnie and it was playing on my mind a bit, I must admit.

That’s all for 2009. Thank you to everyone for your support, and for taking the time to read my blog entries. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.]]></description>
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			<pubDate>Thu, 03 Dec 2009 15:49:06 GMT</pubDate>
			<title>Decision was the right one</title>
			<description><![CDATA[The decision to oust Sir Rodney Walker as chairman of World Snooker is in the best interests of the game. It is time for a change, with some new faces and new ideas.

I wasn’t surprised it came to this, snooker has not been going well for some time now. Although the WPBSA have saved some money during the past few years and even made some profits, the situation the players currently find themselves in is far from ideal. Only six ranking tournaments this season is not acceptable – all the players want to do is play snooker.

It looks like Barry Hearn will become the new chairman, and if it does come to that, then it will be good for the game. He’s a new face, he’s proven what a difference he can make to a sport like darts, and he’s shown already with the Premier League that he knows how to put on a good snooker show.

The way he works is different to anyone else and it is always to a high level. Whatever he lends his hand to, it is usually a great success.

I understand that IMG would be happy to work with Hearn on any new plans, and that is fantastic to hear. They both need to be involved and working in tandem and, again, that an only be good for our game in the long-term.

Hearn knows how to entertain and add a bit of fun, hype things up a bit. I don’t think it needs to go to the same levels of darts though, because snooker is and always will be very much a gentleman’s game. But there are definitely improvements that can be made and I’m sure Hearn already has a raft of ideas.

One idea I’ve heard mooted is a second tour of 25 tournaments – with decent prize money – to run during the course of a year. Added to the major events, this will give the players a much bigger choice of tournaments to play in. Darts has something similar where they have 30 or 40 smaller tournaments as well as the nine or 10 major ones. It would give us a wonderful chance to play so much more than we do now.

There are definitely exciting times ahead and I will be watching with a keen interest.]]></description>
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			<pubDate>Sat, 28 Nov 2009 16:02:04 GMT</pubDate>
			<title>New Tour proposals are great idea</title>
			<description><![CDATA[I’ve been watching the news with interest this week after the plans for a new World Snooker Tour were announced. I really hope it comes off because it would undoubtedly be good for snooker and for the players.

Snooker is still a massive sport and the viewing figures for tournaments are always high. I know we’ve been hit by the credit crunch, but what I don’t understand is why snooker is in such a bad state. You look at a sport like darts and that is still surviving during these hard times, so why isn’t snooker? Why are we losing tournaments? Why are we down to just six this season? Maybe the people behind the scenes are just not working out, so maybe it is time for a change of key personnel, a breath of fresh air.

The fact that we’ve got only six ranking tournaments this season is a farce. There is too much of a gap between each event – it’s been six weeks since the last tournament! We are classed as professionals but, really, we are hardly more than part-time. The gap is so big we could get another job in between tournaments.

The money is still decent if you are a top-16 pro, you can expect to earn a healthy amount during the course of the season, even if you don’t perform particularly well. The ones I feel most sorry for are the players outside the top 64. They are classed as pros but they don’t get enough money to be able to survive. But for me it’s not about the money. All I want to do is play snooker, but it makes it hard to do that when there are only six tournaments.

As I said before, I really do hope these proposals come off. The game certainly cannot get any worse than it is at the moment. If someone like Barry Hearn was to come in, that could be what turns around our sport. Hearn would not be seen as a risk as he has proven before what he is capable of. You only have to look at the darts to see what a difference he can make.

+++

I was delighted to see Jimmy White avoid being voted out of the jungle on I’m A Celebrity… last night. We haven’t seen the best of Jimmy yet, certainly not the Jimmy I know.

When Jordan went in it was all about her and hardly anyone else got a look in. Now that she’s gone, hopefully Jimmy will get more involved. It was great to see him do a trial at last, that will do him a lot of good with the public. But maybe is low-key profile is all part of his game-plan, I don’t know. Jimmy is a massive celebrity in his own right, but maybe he’s a little star-struck with the people around him.

Whatever happens, I hope he stays in for longer and we get to see the real Jimmy White.]]></description>
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			<pubDate>Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:29:01 GMT</pubDate>
			<title>Jimmy's got the X Factor</title>
			<description><![CDATA[There are plenty of distractions for me when I’ve finished a hard day’s work at ‘the office’. I usually finish practising at the club around 4pm and then head home, and there has been some great TV viewing this week watching Jimmy White in the jungle on I’m A Celebrity... I also watch X Factor when I can – how you can escape it anyway is beyond me, what with Jedward on every front page!

I also went to watch the Grand Slam of Darts in Wolverhampton at the weekend, which was great fun, and if there’s nothing else to keep me entertained, then you can often find me working out in the gym which I’ve just had installed at home. I’m doing a lot of running and rowing and it’s hard work, but I’ll get used to it and it will help me in the long run.

Failing that, if there’s nothing else to do I’ve been going for midnight drives with Vikki! That might sound strange but there’s a very good reason for it, trust me. She has just passed her driving test (like me a late learner) and she has got a little Peugeot to run around in. But she’s had trouble getting used to it after the car she was learning in, so it gets to about 10.30 at night and we’ll look at each other and say “let’s go out for a drive”! There’s hardly anyone about on the roads at that time of the night so it’s an ideal time for her to practice.

It’s brilliant watching Jimmy on TV. Everyone loves him, lots of people have him as their favourite player, and he’s a really nice person too, so I don’t see any reason why he can’t win it and be crowned King of the Jungle. He’s such a popular person, he will definitely be good for the programme. I don’t think he will like having to eat the grubs and insects though, he will find that tough, and he’s got a fear of snakes and spiders. But he’s got a great personality and that’s what will come through the most.

I know he will be missing his qualifier for the UK Championship, but I don’t think Jimmy will be too fussed. He knows he’s at the end of his career and, although he’s more than capable of winning matches, it will be difficult for him to get back in the top 16. Going into the jungle will give his profile a bigger boost and I’m sure he’ll pick up a bit more cash this way.

Another reality TV winner I predict is Olly on X Factor. I have no idea how the twins are still on it. Simon Cowell had the chance to vote them off but, well, you can understand that they’re good for publicity and that’s why he would want to keep them on the show. I think Danyl is the best singer, but Olly has got that bit of everything. He’s a good singer, he’s an entertainer and he’s a nice guy. He reminds me a bit of Will Young, and I’m tipping him to win.

I was due to take part in an exhibition in Romania this weekend but it’s been cancelled because of worries over swine flu. It would have been great to go there but hopefully we can arrange it for another date. The match practice would also have been beneficial, but there’s nothing I can do about it. All I can do is keep plugging away at the club. I’ve played Nigel Bond and Michael Holt, and it’s all good preparation for the UK Championships.

Finally, I’d like to say well done to Joe Jogia who finished runner-up in the Challenge Tour event in Leicester. Joe is a nice bloke and a good player, he did really well in what was a very strong field. Let’s hope he can kick on from here.]]></description>
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			<pubDate>Tue, 03 Nov 2009 19:59:08 GMT</pubDate>
			<title>Playing it straight</title>
			<description><![CDATA[I thought I’d give you a bit of an insight into my fellow snooker pros for this blog entry. I was asked a series of questions and I’ve done my best to answer them honestly, although my tongue my have been firmly in cheek on a few occasions. Anyway, here are the results.

Who is the biggest moaner?

Definitely Michael Holt. He moans all the time and is convinced that everyone is lucky but him. If he lands perfect on a shot, he’ll still find something to moan about. Even if it’s in a practice session! But he always does in it a jokey way.

Who is the most intelligent?

Ali Carter is very clever. Well, I suppose you’ve got to be to fly a plane. He’s also got sound financial sense too.

Who’s got the best cue action?

Shaun Murphy and Ronnie O’Sullivan, because of how accurate they are. Shaun’s is so smooth and is the textbook cue action, while Ronnie’s is just unbeatable when he’s playing well.

Apart from yourself, who do you see as a future world champion?

I think there are so many who are capable of winning it, the likes of Ding Junhui, Neil Robertson, Mark Allen, even Jamie Cope. And Judd Trump, he’s still young and very much a threat.

Who’s got the best haircut?

Me!

And the worst?

Ooh, erm, Neil Robertson. When he doesn’t do it, it goes really curly like a perm. He looks like Martin Clark, a player who was on the tour in the 1980s and early 90s.

You play a bit of golf, but who is the best on the snooker tour?

John Parrott is very good, he plays off two. And Shaun Murphy is not bad either, he plays off six. Don’t ask me what my handicap is, I’m still very much a beginner!

Who’s the funniest?

Joe Perry is very funny and is always coming out with some brilliant one-liners, as does Mark King. They’ve had me in stitches in the players’ lounge when they’re cracking jokes.

Who is the quietest player?

Graeme Dott doesn’t say much, he keeps himself to himself, which is fair enough. I’d been a pro for years but it wasn’t until I played against him in a tournament that I first spoke to him.

Who has the worst dress sense?

Anthony Hamilton. He’s a great lad, but he wears tracksuit bottoms all the time!

Who’s the hardest to play against?

Ronnie O’Sullivan. Whether it’s a short or long game, you know that at any moment he can go on a run and blow you away. You go into a match against him almost expecting it.

Who’s the brightest young prospect?

That would have to be Jack Lisowski. He is only 18 and plays on the amateur tour, but I think he is more or less granted his place on the main tour for next season. He is certainly one to watch.

Who has the best tactical game?

For me, John Higgins is the best all-round player, but Peter Ebdon is very strong when he’s involved in a game of mental strength.

Who has the best trick shots?

Steve Davis. I’ve done a few exhibitions with him and he’s very good, not only with the shots but also the way he plays the crowd.

Who do you get on with the best?

I get on well with everyone. I wouldn’t like to single anyone out as being the best I get on with, but those I get on most with are Michael Holt, Neil Robertson, Shaun Murphy and Mark Williams.]]></description>
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			<pubDate>Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:39:00 GMT</pubDate>
			<title>Let's get physical</title>
			<description><![CDATA[Everything is geared towards getting back in shape at the moment – and not just on the snooker table (but more of that later). Even though the next tournament, the UK Championship, is not until December, I’ve been practising hard.

I should have been taking part in the Pro Challenge event in Leicester in a couple of weeks, but due to a, er, clerical error, I’m not in the draw. I’ve only got myself to blame and I hold my hands up – it was my fault. I forgot to post the paperwork in time. I’d forget my own head sometimes.

I’m really disappointed to be missing it though, not only because it would have been good match practice, but because it would have been great to play a tournament in my home town, and even better to have won it.

I’ve certainly learned a lesson though. I’m a bit useless when it comes to paperwork and that sort of stuff (just ask Muke!), but I can’t afford something like this to happen again, so I will be doing everything straight away in the future.

I’m off to Copenhagen this weekend for an exhibition with John Higgins. I’ve not been to Denmark before so I’m looking forward to seeing another great city. I’m sure we will be well received over there too, snooker is such a burgeoning sport all across Europe at the moment and I’m anticipating a warm welcome.

I had a warm welcome when I went to Newquay recently with Vikki. We were going down to stay with my old friend Eddie Manning for a few days. He used to be a pro on the main tour and he used to live in Leicester, but I hadn’t seen him in a few years. It was great to catch up, and what was supposed to be a weekend trip turned into a five-day stay! Although Newquay is famous for its surfing, I wasn’t even tempted to try it. Eddie calls surfers “shark biscuits”! And anyway, I can’t swim so it would have been a recipe for disaster.

On the way down we called into a snooker club in Bude to say a “quick hello” to a mate of Vikki’s. We were only going to stay for an hour or so, but one drink turned into two, and then three, and before we knew it we were set for an overnight stop!

The club had a dart board and I was messing about on it. I love darts and I’m not too bad at it either – I even threw four 180s in half an hour! Someone noticed my maximum exploits and asked if I’d fancy turning out for their Super League team that night as they were a couple of players short. I ended up playing the bloke who finished second in the league averages last season – and I beat him 2-1! He was gutted, but what a great night. See you same time next week lads!

So my darts is in good shape, I’m working hard on the snooker table, that just leaves . . . me. Yes, the next step is to get myself in shape. I’ve just had the garage converted into a gym, with a rowing machine, a treadmill and some free weights put in. I’ve got no ambitions on making it to Muscle Beach or being super fit, I just want to tone up a bit. I don’t want to look like Johnny Bravo!

It also gives me something else to do away from snooker, it’s good to have an outside interest. I think it’s important to be physically fit as well as mentally fit, the two go hand in hand and will help me during longer matches on the snooker table.]]></description>
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			<pubDate>Fri, 16 Oct 2009 16:40:53 GMT</pubDate>
			<title>A rest is as good as a break</title>
			<description><![CDATA[I’ve had a short break from snooker, just to clear my mind a bit after the defeat to Ken Doherty in the Grand Prix. I spent a few days in Newquay with my old mate and former Tour pro Eddie Manning. We know each other from when he lived in Leicester and we’ve always kept in touch, so it was good to see him, and to breathe in some sea air. (Eddie, by the way, is one of the few players to have knocked in a break of 149, which he achieved during a practice match during the late 1990s).

The defeat to Ken wasn’t ideal, and it certainly didn’t go according to plan. That’s two ranking tournaments and two first-round defeats now – you would think the alarm bells are ringing, especially as my provisional ranking has dropped to 15, but they’re not, I know I’m playing well.

I’ve been practising hard, there’s no doubt about that, and I’ve gone into my matches with a positive frame of mind. The one thing you can’t account for is the run of the balls, and they haven’t being going my way, especially against Ken. With a little bit of luck going in my favour in that match, and the result could have been different. Of course, it’s all ifs, buts and maybes, but I believe I am playing well.

Losing matches like that does knock your confidence, and it’s a shame I have to wait two months for the UK Championship, the next ranking tournament. That tournament, with the longer matches, will suit my game, and I know that one good win there could be all I need to turn around my season.

Until then, I’ve got some exhibition matches lined up in Copenhagen and Budapest, and on November 9-11 I’m taking part in the third Pro Challenge event, which is being held at Willie Thorne’s in Leicester. It will be fantastic to play a tournament in my home town. I used to play in the pro-ams at Willie’s when I was a junior, so I’m no stranger to the venue. I still practise there every now and then with Ben Woollaston and Andy Lee, and the place has got lots of good memories for me, especially as I won the odd tournament or two in my youth!

Leicester has always been a hotbed for juniors and pro-am snooker, and it’s great that a Pro Challenge event is being held there. I hope more are held in the city and I can’t see why a bigger tournament could not come to Leicester some time in the future, all the facilities are certainly there.

It’s back to work next week though. With the start I’ve had to the season, I can’t afford to put my cue down for too long so I will be back in the club practising hard.]]></description>
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			<pubDate>Wed, 02 Sep 2009 16:31:25 GMT</pubDate>
			<title>The fashion victim</title>
			<description><![CDATA[The Shanghai Masters does not start until next week, but I’ve been here in China since last Friday fulfilling some promotional obligations with World Snooker. As well as giving me an early advantage in acclimatising, it’s also been a lot of fun.

Ali Carter and Mark Allen are also here, and each day we have been travelling to different places to help promote our sport. It has usually involved answering questions and signing posters, and it hasn’t taken up too much of the day. The travelling has been tiring though, with every journey lasting at least a couple of hours.

At each event there has been a fashion show! I kid you not, six girls have walked down the catwalk, modelling their outfits in front of a panel of judges. And who is on that panel of judges? Yours truly. And who gets the deciding vote on the winner? Yep, that would be me again! So no pressure at all! I’m doing my very best to translate Chinese numbers to make sure I pick the same girl that the other three judges have gone for. They are obviously far more qualified than I, and I don’t want to get it wrong. The winner gets a modelling contract so my neck is really on the line, and I can see the other girls giving me daggers from the stage!

Usually it’s back to the hotel afterwards, and me and Muke have just been chilling out, playing some table-tennis and getting an early night. With all the travelling and an early start each day, it makes for a long day so it’s important to get some rest as I don’t want to be too tired when the tournament starts on Tuesday.

I’ve been able to pick up the odd hour of practice each day, but I will really be able to knuckle down over the next few days and start putting the hours in. One massive bonus is that I will have had a lot longer to get used to the conditions than the rest of the field.

The playing conditions could be crucial. Just practising here in places with decent air conditioning, you still feel how clammy and sticky it is, and it is really hard work to play in. I don’t know what the air con will be like at the Grand Stage when the tournament starts, it could even be worse than what I’ve been playing in this week. You’ve just got to get on with itthough, because it’s the same for everyone else. But at least I’ve had a head start than most of the others. And who knows, if it does get too bad I could always wear a glove again. If I do wear it and beat Stuart Bingham in my first-round match, I could end up wearing it for the rest of my career!]]></description>
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			<pubDate>Tue, 18 Aug 2009 13:49:58 GMT</pubDate>
			<title>Hard work fits like a glove</title>
			<description><![CDATA[The new season is just around the corner and now is the time when the build-up kicks in and the preparations really start to take a step forward.

I’ve just had one of those holidays where you need another one just to get over the one you’ve had! It’s been quite a stressful few weeks, and I think I’ve had my fill of chores for one year, so it’s great to be getting back to normal and doing what I do best – playing snooker.

I went to the Dominican Republic with Vikki but, after she had just got over a bout of swine flu, she then came down with gastroenteritis when we were over there. We’d had about 10 days there and managed to do almost everything we wanted, but it was still an unpleasant business, especially for Vikki. But she’s over it now and fully recovered, and we did have a great time. It was just what I needed, a good long rest in the sun.

Because Vikki was ill, we ended up staying in the Dominican Republic a little longer than we planned, so I’m now behind in my practice schedule. The Shanghai Masters starts at the beginning of September, and I’m flying over at the end of this month to do some work with World Snooker before the tournament starts, so I’ve got practice matches arranged against Michael Holt, Joe Perry and Neil Robertson this week.

I also played in the Paul Hunter Classic in Germany at the weekend. I was knocked out in the last 16 but I didn’t go there with any real expectations of winning it, I just needed to be playing some games.

It was really hot and sticky over there though, the arena really needed some air conditioning. That made it really hard to play, and if I can’t cue smoothly I really struggle. In my match against Rory McLeod, I tried wearing a glove just to help me cue properly. I’d already lost the match by then so it couldn’t do any harm! It’s not something I would normally wear, and I know some people think they look a bit daft, but if the situation arose again where I couldn’t cue properly, I would consider wearing one again. You heard it here first!

In my last blog, I invited you to send in your questions for me to answer. There were so many and thank you to everyone who emailed in, I really enjoyed answering them. Below are a pick of the best ones, I hope you’re happy with my answers. My favourite question was from Sabine Oirer, so a couple of goodies from my shop will be on their way to Austria for you. Keep an eye out for another Q&#038;A session some time in the future.

Q: Why and when did you decide to dedicate your life to snooker, and what were your expectations?
– Gregor Smid, Slovenia

Mark: From a very early age. My father used to play and, when I first picked up a cue, I fell in love with the game. I left school and played every hour I could. My immediate expectations were to turn professional and just be a part of it all. And, of course, I dreamed about becoming world champion.

Q: Are you superstitious, and do you have any rituals when you are at a tournament?
– Kerstin Roehner, Dresden, Germany

Mark: I’m not superstitious, but I do like to use the same practice routines before every match. It’s worked before so, if it isn’t broke, why fix it.

Q: Most of your fans in China are girls, why do you think that is?
– Langmuir, China

Mark: I think the fans in China are mostly girls, but they seem to like all the players. They are just in love with snooker over there.

Q: If you hadn’t become a professional snooker player, what would you be doing now?
– Cath Phibben

Mark: That’s a good question, and I honestly don’t know the answer. It would probably be nothing, I’d be on the dole. I left school without any qualifications, snooker was all I wanted to do. I stopped doing my GSCEs so I could play snooker and I dedicated everything to it – it was the be-all-and-end-all, so I’m glad it’s worked out so far.

Q: Why does your body sway before playing a shot?
– Pedro Tiago Flores, Portugal

Mark: It’s just a habit I’ve picked up, probably a combination of having changed a few things over the years. I did it when I won the Masters and Welsh Open titles, and when I got to the World Championship final, so I won’t change it.

Q: If you could time-travel, what period would you travel back to and why?
– Sabine Oirer, Upper-Austria

Mark: I would have to say I would like to go back to 1966 when England won the World Cup at Wembley. It would have been fantastic to have been there, especially as England may never win it again in my lifetime. But I will be cheering them on in South Africa next year, so who knows . . .

Q: What made you start playing snooker?
– Evelyn Gulas, Kielce, Poland

Mark: My dad. He used to be a pool player and I sometimes went with him and played the odd frame or two after his matches. It was his game, and he wanted me to be involved and to share his passion. He bought me a half-size snooker table when I was young, and I fell in love with it.

Q: If you could have dinner with anyone alive or dead, who would it be and why?
– Nicola, Leicester

Mark: Tiger Woods, so I could ask him lots of questions about exactly what it is that makes him a winner, what he does that’s so different to everyone else. Ability-wise, there are lots of players who can compete with him, but no-one can match his self-belief and mental attitude, and I’d love to know what’s behind that.

Q: What do you like most about snooker?
– Kate Yu, Shanghai, China

Mark: The buzz of playing in arenas in front of big crowds and TV cameras.

Q What was the most memorable tournament you played in and why?
– Julia Krainova, Kazan, Russia

Mark: When I won the Masters. It was my first title and it’s one of the most prestigious trophies to win – it was just an amazing achievement. A close second would be World Championship final when I lost to John Higgins, I still have wonderful memories of that.

Q: How did you feel being a house husband when Vikki was ill, was it a strange experience?
– Sabine Werb, Germany

Mark: Yes, it was very strange! I’m just used to being a snooker player, which can be quite lazy, so to have to cook was very unusual, especially when I’m no good at it. In fact, it was probably my cooking that made Vikki even worse! It’s not something I would like to do full-time, and I have a lot of respect for people who do.

Q: Snooker is so popular in China, will you try learning some Chinese to give us a surprise next time you are here?
– Diana Zheng, Shanghai, China

Mark: I can barely speak English sometimes! But yes, I would like to learn some Chinese, because it would be nice to be able to say more during press conference and interviews. All I can say is “hello”, “thank you” and “watermelon”. I asked a waiter once what the word for watermelon was and it just stuck with me – I will try to get it into an interview somewhere!

Q: What are your thoughts on snooker being included in the Olympics?
– Marcel Bonte, Germany

Mark: I think it would be great, and I see no reason why not. It would boost the popularity of snooker all around the world.

Q: Have you ever been canoeing?
– Helena Prochazkova, Bohnice, Czech Republic

Mark: Yes, on a school trip and it ended in disaster. There were two of us in it and, when we reached the shore, I stood up too soon, capsized the canoe and my classmate fell in the water!

Q: What size cue tips would you recommend using for snooker and pool?
– Richard Turner, Dinnington, Sheffield

Mark: For snooker I use a 9.5mm tip and for pool 8.5mm. It doesn’t seem much but it makes a huge difference. I’ve tried playing pool with a snooker cue and I can’t pot a ball! You need a smaller tip for better accuracy.]]></description>
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			<pubDate>Fri, 24 Jul 2009 10:44:55 GMT</pubDate>
			<title>Question Mark</title>
			<description><![CDATA[The summer months can be quiet a period in the life of a snooker player, and it is up to us to make sure we find something to do to stay busy.

Some players prefer to use the time for holidays, or to hone their skills on the golf course, while others like to take part in exhibitions or any number of the smaller tournaments which are held around the world.

I like a mixture of both – relaxation and competition. As you tend to spend less time on the practice table, taking part in exhibitions and tournaments helps to keep your eye in before the real business starts up again in September.

I’ve been involved in a few tournaments since the season finished, and the next one up is the always-popular Paul Hunter Classic which takes place in Germany from August 13-16. I can’t wait for that one!

In the meantime, I thought I’d invite you to send in your questions to me in a special ‘Ask Mark’ feature, and I will answer the best ones which will then be published on my site. You may already have seen the article in the ‘Latest News’ section but, just in case you haven’t, I’ll give you a quick reminder.

Email your questions to enquiries@markselby.info making them as interesting and varied as possible, on any subject you want to know about – it doesn’t have to be about snooker. I won’t be able to answer them all of course, but I will pick out a selection of the best ones to go on the website, so don’t forget to leave your name and where you are from.

I always love to hear from you and I think it will be a lot of fun, and hopefully there will be some really good questions. This is something I’d like to do again in the future, as I think it’s important to maintain a certain level of contact with my fans and supporters.

For the very best question, which I will also choose, there will be a small prize from my online shop. But don’t worry if you don’t win that, there’s plenty of other great items to buy, and all are very reasonably priced. Just click on the ‘Shop’ button and have a browse around.

I’m looking forward to hearing from you :)]]></description>
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			<pubDate>Tue, 14 Jul 2009 19:55:15 GMT</pubDate>
			<title>Domestic bliss!</title>
			<description><![CDATA[I’ve had my fair share of unusual experiences in the last week or so, some of them good and some of them, well, different! Vikki has been poorly and was forced to spend a few days in bed recovering, leaving me to do all the chores – I’ve been a house husband!

It’s a completely different world to snooker, I’ve been running here, there and everywhere, doing all the cooking and the cleaning. One thing I’ve learned from it all is that I have definitely got it quite easy! Vikki said it could be the making of me in the kitchen – somehow I doubt it!

A few days ago I was best man for the first time. Ady, the groom, has been a very good friend of mine for a long, long time, and I was delighted when he asked me to be his best man as he got married to Jo, and I want to thank him again for giving me the honour. It was a fantastic day, and my speech went down really well – it was both serious and funny, and I got a lot of laughs.

To start off with I wasn’t nervous about it at all. I thought that if I can play snooker in an arena watched by thousands of people who scrutinise my every move, then doing a speech would be a piece of cake. How wrong could I be?

As it got closer and closer to the time, the more worried I got. It was absolutely nerve-wracking. I’d written everything down on cue cards and spent a lot of time practising it. But as soon as I stood up, everything went out of the window. I suppose the difference is that playing snooker in front of all those people is something I do every day, so it is second nature. But standing up in front of a hundred people to deliver a speech is something quite alien to me. Fortunately I got through it and it all went smoothly. At least the bride and groom are still talking to me!

 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I went to watch some of the World eight-ball pool championships in Blackpool last weekend, mainly to support Gareth Potts and Tom Ford in the quarter-finals. Unfortunately, they both went out, Gareth losing the crown he had won for the last two years.

He was really disappointed to lose to his good mate Adam Davis. He said he didn’t play as well as could and that he wasn’t as consistent as he usually is – it is tough to lose when you’re so used to winning, especially when it’s the world title. Tom didn’t really do too much wrong against Mick Hill, a couple of bad breaks proved to be the only difference.

There was plenty to cheer about with young Joe O’Connor winning the junior Masters title. Joe is from Leicester and we have played in the same Thursday pool team, so I have known of his potential for a long time. Winning the Masters is fantastic for him and it shows how much he has improved – he is certainly one to watch for the future.

Phil Harrison won the World title and I’m chuffed for him too. He’s reached the semis a lot but has never managed to go a stage further. He is one of the nicest blokes on the tour and it’s good to see a new face lifting the title.

It was a great atmosphere there – it always is – but I can’t say I wanted to be involved. I know I won the title three years ago, but snooker is my focus, my living, so that’s all I can concentrate on.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

It was great to see Jimmy White win the six reds tournament in Bangkok at the weekend. Obviously I couldn’t take part because I had the wedding, but I don’t think there was a more popular winner than the Whirlwind. And he had to beat some great players on the way, so full credit to him.

Snooker still needs Jimmy, he’s good for the game and gets the crowds in. You can always tell the difference when he is involved in a tournament. He had a reasonable season, hopefully he will do better when the new campaign starts and qualify for some tournaments. Certainly winning the six reds will do his confidence the world of good.

Jimmy won’t like playing the qualifiers at Prestatyn, none of the players do, it is so hard. He thrives on the big crowds and will want to be back playing at places like Wembley. I know how difficult Prestatyn is as well, and when you look at players like Ken Doherty and Matthew Stevens – top-quality players who have dropped down the rankings – it shows you how quickly things can turn around, and how important it is to do everything you can to stay on top of your game and in that top 16.]]></description>
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			<pubDate>Sat, 27 Jun 2009 16:18:45 GMT</pubDate>
			<title>This is the state we're in</title>
			<description><![CDATA[There was an interesting radio debate about the State of Snooker on BBC 5 Live this week. I was due to take part but, unfortunately, I was left hanging on the telephone as they ran out of time because of the tennis headlines (Andy Murray’s first-round win at Wimbledon).

There were lots of valid points made and, to the most extent, I agreed with Steve Davis. But also fair play to Lee Doyle for representing the WPBSA.

I really cannot understand how, or why, we do not have more tournaments during the season, or why there are so few sponsors for the events we do have. There is certainly still enough interest in snooker as a sport – that is confirmed by the fact that the viewing figures for this year’s World Championships were far greater than the amount of people who tuned in to watch Murray become the first Brit to win at Queens in 70-odd years. And tennis is supposed to be a sport with greater appeal than snooker! 

I take part in quite a few exhibitions in Europe, and the audiences we get absolutely love their snooker. The last couple I’ve done have been in Germany and, when you consider that it’s usually just four or five of us pros taking part, the amount of people who come to watch is fantastic. Imagine what it would be like if we had a full ranking tournament, or even a minor one, over there – the demand is certainly there. And not just in Germany either, countries like Poland and the Czech Republic are snooker mad!

I’m sure it would take off across Europe, much the same way as it has in China. In my opinion, it would certainly make more sense to tap into Europe than have another tournament somewhere like Bahrain, where there is clearly little interest in the sport. Even though I could not take part in last season’s event, I know that audiences were less than spectacular. It proved to be a non-winner.

I know the global recession is bound to have an impact on the lack of sponsors for tournaments, but why do the WPBSA find it so difficult? I remember Sir Rodney Walker talking to me a while back, he had all these ideas and plans for the future and was really positive, but none of them have come to fruition. Until I see them in black and white, only then will I accept things are being done to improve the situation. But, as far as I’m aware, none of next season’s tournaments have a sponsor, apart from the World Championships.

This talk of there not being any more characters doesn’t wash with me either. There are plenty of characters today, it’s just that we don’t see it as much out on the table because there is so much more at stake than, say, 20 years ago.

The likes of Ray Reardon, Alex Higgins, Jimmy White, Willie Thorne and Dennis Taylor were all known as characters and used to enjoy a laugh when they were at the table.

But in their heyday, there were only a handful of players capable of winning the big tournaments, so they could go out there and relax and enjoy it more. These days, we are playing for our careers and we have to try so hard, because the standard is so much higher and because there are so many more players capable of winning.

Mark King is one of the funniest guys I know, but you don’t see that when he’s on the table because he is trying so hard to win. It’s not easy to be funny when there’s so much at stake.

*It’s the world eight-ball pool championships in Blackpool next week, a tournament I was delighted to win in 2006.

As a previous champion, I was invited to take part this year. But as I only get a few weeks off, I decided it was better for me to put down my cue completely and have a proper break.

I will be keeping my eye out for Gareth Potts. He’s won it the last two years and we occasionally practise together. If he gets to the latter stages, I might go up and support him.

So many people play pool it surprises me that it doesn’t get more coverage. I think it is another sport which has issues over the people who are running it.

Even when Sky televise the world championships they don’t air it until several months after the event. That is a great shame and I think they’re really missing a trick.]]></description>
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			<pubDate>Tue, 16 Jun 2009 15:10:22 GMT</pubDate>
			<title>147 reasons to be happy</title>
			<description><![CDATA[By now, you will know that I made my first competitive 147 break during the Jiangsu Classic in China a couple of weeks ago. It was a thrilling moment and I’m delighted to have finally done it. And to do so in front of so many appreciative fans – some 1,800 people – made it even more special. 

I knew early doors, when I reached 32, that a max was on. Mind you, Stephen Hendry says he called it after the first black! Both me and Joe Perry, my opponent, only had a slight glimmer of hope of reaching the semi-finals, so that made it easier to go for it. More often than not, my priority is to get a frame won. But this time, because I knew the 147 was there for the taking, I went for it. 

I was more or less in perfect position for every shot, although there were two really tricky ones. The first one was when there were two reds left and I had to go all around the colours to get on the black, and the second was a similar shot when I was on the yellow – I had left the white too high so I had to go around the table again to get on the green. 

The final black was easier than I thought. I was nervous, of course, but not as much as I thought I would be. It was just off straight, but I knew I wasn’t going to miss – it would have needed a herd of elephants to have stopped me!

It’s a great honour to have joined that illustrious list. I think mine was the 69th maximum break ever made, and obviously one of the best!! Joking apart, it’s just a shame it wasn’t televised, although YouTube has got the final colours being potted.

I’ve hit 49 in practice, the first one when I was 15 and the last one came about six or seven months ago against my fellow Leicester pro Ben Woollaston. I’ve got some way to go to beat another Leicester man though, as “Mr Maximum” Willie Thorne hit somewhere in the region of 200. But he only made one competitive 147, so maybe I can beat him on that score. And I would love to do it in the World Championships at the Crucible, that would be the dream.

I’ve been on the receiving end of a few, David Gray during the UK Championship in 2004, Robert Milkins in a World Championship qualifier in 2006, and then Ronnie O’Sullivan in the semi-finals of the UK a year later. Only he did it in the final frame – but let’s not dwell on that!

But what of the best 147s? Here’s the top five maximum breaks I have ever seen:

1 Ronnie O’Sullivan v Mick Price, World Championships, 1997: This is the fastest ever, Ronnie was so quick but he made it look so simple. Ridiculously brilliant.

2 Ronnie O’Sullivan v Mark Williams, World Championships, 2008: Ronnie was never out of position, and only had one tough shot, on a black, which he easily put away.

3 James Wattana v Tony Drago, British Open, 1992: This was a long time ago, but I remember Wattana having to pot four or five reds on the side rails to the yellow and green pockets.

4 Jimmy White v Tony Drago (again – sorry!), World Championships, 1992: The Whirlwind, along with Hendry, was one of my main idols and I loved to watch him. Like everyone else, I always wanted Jimmy win the Worlds, so it was great to see him achieve a 147 at the Crucible.

5 Stephen Hendry v Ronnie O’Sullivan, Liverpool Victoria Charity Challenge, 1997: Stephen was leading 8-2, then lost six frames in a row to take it to a decider. To then go out and hit a maximum – including a tricky final black which needed cutting in – shows the man’s class.

* It’s my birthday on Friday (I will be 26, but shhh!) and I will be celebrating it in Germany. We’re over there for another exhibition, having just come back from Munich and Berlin last weekend where we were joined by Ronnie O’Sullivan, Steve Davis and Shaun Murphy.

This time we’re in Halle, so if I see you there you can wish me a Happy Birthday! Fancy the organisers booking it at the same time - they really should have known!

Vikki has got us tickets to see Grease in London before I fly out, so I can’t wait to see that. I’ve always enjoyed the film but this should be an exciting show. I’d better dig out my leather jacket :)

* For more pictures from last weekend’s exhibition in Germany, see the Gallery]]></description>
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			<pubDate>Mon, 01 Jun 2009 18:21:41 GMT</pubDate>
			<title>A slow plane to China!</title>
			<description><![CDATA[Once again I find myself at an airport with some time to kill, so it’s the ideal opportunity to bring you up to speed with what’s been happening lately. I’m waiting for a flight to China to take part in the Jiangsu Classic, a great tournament which brings together some top-quality players.

It’s such a long flight, though. You feel like you should be landing soon and then you look at your watch and see you’ve got another eight hours to go!

But it’s great to be going back to China, it’s an amazing country and they love their snooker. It’s a shame this event isn’t a bit closer to the start of the season - it would act as a great launch pad for the new campaign.

A lot of players put their cues away for the summer once the World Championships finish, but there are quite a few, myself included, who like to take part in invitational tournaments like this one in China. 

I’ve been practising hard all week for it. I lost a final frame decider in last year’s final to Ding Junhui, so I would like to go one better this time around, which is why I’ve been putting the work in.

I played world eight-ball pool champion Gareth Potts a couple of times during the week – he’s not too shabby on a snooker table and knocks in the odd ton. I didn’t remind him of my win against him in the 2006 pool final, though, I think he would have demanded a re-match there and then! Mind you, I did say I would help him practise before he defends his title in Blackpool which starts at the end of this month, so we should be quits!

Gareth would be more than capable of holding his own on an amateur snooker tour, and Mick Hill is another pool star who springs to mind who is a decent snooker player. There are plenty of pool players out there who perhaps don’t the credit they deserve for being very good cuemen. 

While I’ve been stuck indoors, the weather has been fantastic. Typical! Vikki has been lying around in the back garden sunning herself, while I’ve been slaving away in the dark. I’ve not even had much chance to improve my golf.

I have got down to the driving range a couple of times, but I am still waiting to go out on the course for the first time. I’ve bought myself a new bag for my clubs, and I’ve got a new pair of shoes too. But I’ve drawn the line at a pair of plus-fours! Hopefully when I get back from China I can get out on the course and do some damage!

Did you see the final of Britain’s Got Talent? I was hooked last week waiting to see who would be crowned the winner. I have to say, though, I was surprised to see Diversity do it, I thought it was going to be Susan Boyle. But they were brilliant on the night and deserved it. My tip was Aidan Davis, I thought his dancing was amazing, but he didn’t quite do it on the night.

Hats off to all the contestants, they were all very talented. I wouldn’t even think about walking on that stage, I’d get buzzed straight away!

My fellow Leicester pals Kasabian played three gigs in the city at the weekend to help launch their new album. I wasn’t able to make it, but it’s about time I returned the favour after the support they have shown me at tournaments during the past couple of years. They are supporting Oasis in the summer so hopefully I’ll get along to one of those shows.

Their new album is out on June 8 - mind you, I’ve not even heard a sneak preview yet. Obviously my copy got lost in the post! But the lads are doing very well and I wish them all the best.

*More on Mark's Jiangsu Classic bid in the Latest News section]]></description>
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			<pubDate>Sat, 16 May 2009 10:22:29 GMT</pubDate>
			<title>Fore! I've got a new target in my sights</title>
			<description><![CDATA[Now the season is over and done with, you probably think most snooker players spend the summer on the beach, on the golf course or sat in front of the TV. Well, you’d be half right! Although my plans for the next few months do involve all three of those “activities”, there is still plenty of work to be done on and off the snooker table. I’ve got several exhibitions to keep me busy, and there are always a few off-season tournaments taking place, such as the Jiangsu Classic in China in June, and the Paul Hunter Classic in Germany in August.

The exhibition circuit is always good fun. In fact, I’m just on my way to Wuppertal in Germany for one. Me and Mukesh are at the airport waiting to board the flight, it’s been delayed an hour so I thought I’d catch up with my blog.

We’re only there for one night, and Stephen Hendry and Steve Davies are coming out as well – so the German fans have got two snooker legends in store. Actually, make that three! The fans over there love their snooker, they always come out in their hundreds for matches and exhibitions. It’s good to see our sport so popular in other countries.

How busy your summer is can largely depend on how successful your season has been. Last year was the busiest summer I’ve ever had because of the success I had on the table. This year it will be a bit quieter, but there is still plenty to keep me occupied, although me and Vikki are planning a couple of weeks away somewhere nice, maybe the Caribbean.

I will also be involved in the Special Olympics in July. They are taking place in my home town of Leicester, and I was delighted to be chosen as an ambassador for the event. I’m really looking forward to it.

I mentioned golf earlier. Well, I have just bought myself a set of clubs and I’m going to have a few lessons. I’ve only ever had a few goes on the driving range, so I want to learn how to be able to hit the ball straight through the air, rather than scuffing it along the floor!

When I was in Portugal for the World Series last week, a lot of the players spent time out on the golf course. I felt like I was missing out a bit, but I also think it will benefit me – it gives me something else to help take my mind off snooker. Being a snooker player I have already got good eye-to-hand co-ordination, so hopefully I will be okay with a golf club in my hand instead of a cue. I know it’s a very hard sport to play, but I enjoy watching it and I would like to become half-decent at it, so watch out and listen out for any yells of “Fore!” coming your way! I don’t think Tiger Woods needs to start looking over his shoulder just yet!

One more thing before I go – if you haven’t checked out the shop on my website yet, do so, because there’s plenty of great stuff for sale. The more people who turn up at tournaments wearing a Jester T-shirt, or with a Jester key ring, the better the support is for me. It really helps knowing people are there cheering you on.]]></description>
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