New ‘power Snooker’ Format Revealed

World Snooker has unveiled a new Twenty20-style shortened format of the game entitled ‘Power Snooker’ with the first competition to take place in October at The O2.

The revolutionary 30-minute snooker competition has been created by Rod Gunner and endorsed by recently appointed World Snooker chief executive Barry Hearn and will see players battle for points instead of frames.

The inaugural tournament, to be shown on ITV, will see the world’s top stars going head-to-head at London’s Indigo O2 on 30th October with matches lasting half an hour and involving a variety of innovative new rules.

Ronnie O’Sullivan has confirmed his participation, with new world champion Neil Robertson, China’s hottest star Ding Junhui, Mark Selby, Ali Carter, Shaun Murphy, Belgian wonder-kid Luca Brecel and six-time world championship finalist Jimmy White being lined up to play.

Gunner, the competition’s brainchild, said: ‘It had struck me for some time that the game of snooker needed a new and exciting transfusion.

‘Having seen how Twenty20 cricket has revitalised that sport, I am delighted to have come up with the concept of Power Snooker and seen the positive reaction from within the game.’

Hearn, who was handed control of World Snooker after a player vote in June, has helped to regenerate interest in the sport with the introduction of a number of new tournaments.

The 62-year-old, who also chairs the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC), expressed his delight at the latest addition to snooker’s calendar for the new season.

‘We are 100% behind Power Snooker. In this new time for World Snooker, it is important for us to embrace new formats and new ideas.

‘World Snooker welcome the Power Snooker event which we hope will bring new audiences and new fans to the sport.’

The plan is also to have players wearing microphones during the action to encourage more interaction with the crowd.