Mark Selby answers your questions

Eurosport - Wed, 21 Oct 19:48:00 2009

Mark Selby answers questions from Eurosport-Yahoo! readers, and gives an insight into the different forms of pool.

galeria SNOOKER mark selby - 0

DerMoment: Last month I saw some '10 Ball' pool billiards matches on Eurosport. While watching I noticed that a lot of pool players were standing more upright and that their chin wasn't in contact with their cue. What's the reason for the different "cue-holding" in snooker and pool?

Mark Selby: I think it is because in snooker the table is so much bigger and the pockets are smaller that you really want to get down as low as possible to make sure you are accurate with your shots. In pool the pockets are a lot bigger and more forgiving so you do not need to be as precise.

Elaine.8888 asked: In the UK Championship you've got either Jamie Cope or Ken Doherty for your first round match. Who would you prefer?

MS: I can't really say. Either way it will be a very tough match. Ken still has to win one game to get to play Jamie but the way he is playing this season you would back him to win that. It will be tough to get through and my results have not been great so far this season, but I'm confident that I can turn things around. I don't think I'm playing that bad, I've just had a bit of bad luck and hopefully I can beat whoever I play.

Ryan: Hi Mark. Do you play much nine-ball? What do you think of it and how do you compare it with eight-ball pool?

MS: I don't play nine-ball much. I did play in the nine-ball World Championships when it came to Cardiff a few years ago. The top four in each group went through but I finished fifth and lost out by a single frame! Other than that I have just played it socially with friends. I think English eight-ball pool is a much more tactical and complex game. You are dealing with a very small table and there is not much room to manoeuvre. Nine-ball is much more about the break and then just trying to get through the balls from one to nine - there is not as much to think about when you are playing.

M22rten: I would like to ask if in the future some tournament might move to London or, as the Masters is held there already, maybe they might change the schedule of Masters?

MS: It is quite possible, but for me where the tournaments are is irrelevant. It is just frustrating at the moment that there are so few tournaments - but it is difficult with the recession. Sponsors just do not want to plough large amounts of money into any sport. Hopefully things will turn around.

Kristijonasdundulis: Who has been your greatest opponent?

MS: I think I would have to go for Ronnie O'Sullivan. It is just a shame that I never got a chance to play Stephen Hendry in his prime. I would have absolutely loved to have played him when he was at his peak in the mid-to-late 90s because he was my idol growing up. I have had some great matches against Ronnie though when he has been playing at his very best.

Have a question for Mark? Just leave it in the comment box and he will try and answer it next week.

Eurosport

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  1. good luck to you mark

    From seginho23, on Mon 26 Oct 5:04PM
  2. Hi Mark! I'm thinking about buy a new cue. Can you­ give me some advice that what details should I pay­ attention? Is it important to hold the cue in hand­ before buying it? (because ordering on internet) How­ can I find out what lenght/weight/butt size/tip/ferruel­ size suits for me? Do you think that custom cue is­ important? How many percentage of the professional­ players have coustom cue?
    thanks
    a fan from Hungary

    From edemrulez, on Sun 25 Oct 8:28PM
  3. Hi Mark! Does it influence your game if the match is on­ TV or not? I mean, are you more stressed then or is it­ the same? By the way, is it allowed to drink coffe­ before the matches? And do they do some kind of doping­ test?
    Thank you and good luck for the UK Championship­ :)

    From eszterdusza, on Sat 24 Oct 8:17PM
  4. I just watched a video of you playing @#$% @#$%. Have­ you actually had a chance to talk to him a bit? Maybe­ with a help of interpreter? How's he like? And,­ have you seen some other players young like him­ (playing that good)?

    From Tomislav, on Fri 23 Oct 8:33PM
  5. What utterly boring questions

    From NW36HS, on Fri 23 Oct 5:41PM
  6. Hi Mark! Since I saw you play Snooker the first time in­ TV, this sport (and your game too) is a kind of­ fascination for me and it would be a great pleasure for­ me to learn it. My first steps I did by play pool,­ because there is nowhere a snookertable in my hometown.­ But last week I found out, where I could play.
    So Mark,­ what do you mean: I´m now 35 years old. Will it be­ difficult for me to learn snooker to some extent? How­ long did you need to play fairly good? Can you­ remember?
    Wish you a lot of fun in Copenhagen and­ looking forward to see you soon in Germany!!!

    From Snooki, on Fri 23 Oct 4:52PM
  7. After Jimmy White's victory in Prague, do you think­ he is capable of getting back into the top 16 or even­ 32?

    From andy.bartrum, on Fri 23 Oct 2:49PM
  8. Hi Mark! You mentioned in your previous article that­ you were supposed to play in Romania but it was­ cancelled. Do you happen to know why? Also, is there­ any hope of you coming to Romania any time soon?

    From First L, on Fri 23 Oct 9:41AM
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