Abu Dhabi: India’s top cueist Pankaj Advani feels that the unpredictability of the 6 Reds format has given the sport of snooker a new dimension all together and has added more excitement.
“Snooker is traditionally played over the 15-ball format which gets more tactical. In Six Reds, it’s more hit and run format, where luck plays an important part and how you’re playing on that day,” said Advani, who is currently on a roll at the ongoing 6 Reds and Team Asian Snooker Tournament in Abu Dhabi with an all-win record so far to stay at the top of Group B.
“There are a lot of factors in 6 Reds. It’s kind of a lottery and anyone can win this tournament,” revealed the two-time Asian Games gold medallist.
Advani, 30, who is also India’s youngest national snooker champion and the youngest to win the world amateur titles in both snooker and billiards a record eight times, said that the demand of the shorter format is different.
“You just have to make sure you finish the frame and for that your game has to be very solid. It can get a bit tactical at times but at the same time, you know you have to finish the game off with one hit. You can’t afford to make many mistakes in this format,” revealed Advani, who won the IBSF World Snooker Championship title in 2003.
Another reason why 6 Reds will be the in thing and here to stay is because it is spectator-friendly, says the Padma Shri awardee, India’s fourth-highest civilian award.
“I believe if you want to make this sport more enjoyable for the spectators, then 6 Reds is the way to go. The 15 Reds really involves a lot of skills and the better players come out on top but I feel it can get very long and can get boring,” Advani, who is yet to win any tournament this season and was keen to end his drought with victory here at the capital, said.
“Not played too many events. I haven’t won yet but that’s the nature of the game. If you play well, do the right things, but still you may not end up winning the tournament. This is a tournament I’ve not played before so it would be nice to win this,” Advani, who crashed out in the semis in the last tournament in Qatar, added.
“To be honest, in Qatar I had a slight neck problem which I wouldn’t say was an excuse but that kept me out of practice for 10 days. I only had three or four days to practice that wasn’t before the tournament began. Preparation wasn’t great but I was beaten by a better player on the day, who eventually won it. It wasn’t frustrating and accepted that I wasn’t at my best that day,” recalled Advani, who felt that there are many in the ongoing tournament who can give him a run for his money.
“Pakistan has some good players like Mohammad Asif. Aditya Mehta is good and the other Indian players are also in good touch. So there’s a strong bunch here whom you have to be wary off,” said Advani.
