Like all great sports snooker is nothing without the fans – and there’s little that gets them chatting more than the Crucible.
With the countdown to the World Championship now well and truly on, Snooker System quizzed half a dozen fans about their plans for the tournament, their thoughts on the great venue and who they think will be world champion after the 17-day marathon.
@AndyJ147
How are you following the action this year?
Share your favourite Crucible memories with us.
Having attended the Crucible most years since the early 1990s, one of my favourite memories would be the Ronnie v Carter "shoulder barge". Sitting in Row C was fun. Other highlights would be famous comebacks. Neil Robertson beating Martin Gould from 11-5 down and Marco Fu beating Luca from 7-1 down. I haven’t ever been to the Crucible for the one-table set up, but it remains on my bucket list.
The Crucible is the Wembley of snooker. It has wonderful history since 1977 and is the perfect venue for fans to watch snooker close up with just 900 seats. The stage only just squeezes in two tables; it’s perfect.
Who will win this year's event and why?
A player that loves the format of longer matches, has done well in the World Championship in the past and arrives here in great form. Ali Carter.
How are you following the action this year?
I usually attend the venue most years, but have no plans to yet. It’s my birthday during the final though so maybe the family have bought me a ticket!
This year, I’ve decided to go to Judgment Day for the first time and I’m really looking forward to the dramas of the final qualifying round.
This year, I’ve decided to go to Judgment Day for the first time and I’m really looking forward to the dramas of the final qualifying round.
Share your favourite Crucible memories with us.
Having attended the Crucible most years since the early 1990s, one of my favourite memories would be the Ronnie v Carter "shoulder barge". Sitting in Row C was fun. Other highlights would be famous comebacks. Neil Robertson beating Martin Gould from 11-5 down and Marco Fu beating Luca from 7-1 down. I haven’t ever been to the Crucible for the one-table set up, but it remains on my bucket list.
What do you think makes this event and venue so special?
The Crucible is the Wembley of snooker. It has wonderful history since 1977 and is the perfect venue for fans to watch snooker close up with just 900 seats. The stage only just squeezes in two tables; it’s perfect.
Who will win this year's event and why?
A player that loves the format of longer matches, has done well in the World Championship in the past and arrives here in great form. Ali Carter.
@kellietext
This year will be my 26th consecutive visit to the Crucible! I first came for a few days in 1998 aged 17. It was the first year after I'd left school and started work. I completely fell in love with the place and it’s been the highlight of my year ever since! This year I'm doing 14 days and skipping the semi-finals but over the years I’ve often attended every session across the 17 days.
Share your favourite Crucible memories with us.
Of my 25 years attending the tournament, 1998 was very special. It was my first year there and the Crucible really is the holy grail for a snooker fan. But 2015 was possibly my favourite ever year though. The snooker was amazing. I remember having some great nights out in Sheffield with friends and it was kind of a fairytale winner in Stuart Bingham.
It’s become such a special venue over the years. It looks iconic on TV and it’s so small that even getting a ticket is an achievement these days. I love thinking about all the history that has taken place in that little room and the fact that Sheffield really goes to town for the event. This all makes it such an amazing experience.
Who will win this year's event and why?
My tip for this year is Mark Selby. He knows what it takes to win and now he's back to something like his best, he'll be difficult to stop over the long distance.
How are you following the action this year?
This year will be my 26th consecutive visit to the Crucible! I first came for a few days in 1998 aged 17. It was the first year after I'd left school and started work. I completely fell in love with the place and it’s been the highlight of my year ever since! This year I'm doing 14 days and skipping the semi-finals but over the years I’ve often attended every session across the 17 days.
Share your favourite Crucible memories with us.
Of my 25 years attending the tournament, 1998 was very special. It was my first year there and the Crucible really is the holy grail for a snooker fan. But 2015 was possibly my favourite ever year though. The snooker was amazing. I remember having some great nights out in Sheffield with friends and it was kind of a fairytale winner in Stuart Bingham.
What do you think makes this event and venue so special?
It’s become such a special venue over the years. It looks iconic on TV and it’s so small that even getting a ticket is an achievement these days. I love thinking about all the history that has taken place in that little room and the fact that Sheffield really goes to town for the event. This all makes it such an amazing experience.
Who will win this year's event and why?
My tip for this year is Mark Selby. He knows what it takes to win and now he's back to something like his best, he'll be difficult to stop over the long distance.
@Pav_147
My Crucible ritual is mentally preparing for the tournament by discussing all the relevant topics about the World Championship with the snooker family on Twitter. I tend to follow all the action on the BBC. I am quite nostalgic and it holds great memories for as I have watched it on the BBC since I was aged 13.
Share your favourite Crucible memories with us.
This event and venue has so much rich history, and for that reason the World Championship should always remain at the Crucible. When we think of the prestigious sports venue in the UK, we think of Wimbledon, Lord’s, Wembley, Twickenham, Silverstone and the Crucible.
Who will win this year's event and why?
I personally think it’s wide open this year with no player really hitting the heights, but I am going to go with O'Sullivan. When he won his seventh, the tears he showed us were all that weight lifted off his shoulders because of years of pressure and expectation. He’s not been firing this season but I do suspect he may be saving his energy for a push at number eight. If he plays anything like he did last year, he’s the man to beat.
How are you following the action this year?
My Crucible ritual is mentally preparing for the tournament by discussing all the relevant topics about the World Championship with the snooker family on Twitter. I tend to follow all the action on the BBC. I am quite nostalgic and it holds great memories for as I have watched it on the BBC since I was aged 13.
Share your favourite Crucible memories with us.
I became a snooker fan in 2004 when a long-haired Ronnie O'Sullivan caught my eye with a dazzling display on the baize against Stephen Hendry beating him 17-4 in the semi- finals. I then attended the Crucible spontaneously in 2016. I randomly woke up at 7am and drove to Sheffield, and to my surprise I got to watch Judd Trump v Ding Junhui as well as snapping up the last ticket for Barry Hawkins v Ronnie O'Sullivan after queuing for 4 hours. I sacrificed my dinner to watch my hero and, although he lost 13-12, it’s still my favourite memory as not many can say they have watched Ronnie at the Crucible.
What do you think makes this event and venue so special?
This event and venue has so much rich history, and for that reason the World Championship should always remain at the Crucible. When we think of the prestigious sports venue in the UK, we think of Wimbledon, Lord’s, Wembley, Twickenham, Silverstone and the Crucible.
Who will win this year's event and why?
I personally think it’s wide open this year with no player really hitting the heights, but I am going to go with O'Sullivan. When he won his seventh, the tears he showed us were all that weight lifted off his shoulders because of years of pressure and expectation. He’s not been firing this season but I do suspect he may be saving his energy for a push at number eight. If he plays anything like he did last year, he’s the man to beat.
@Daniela_FDaniel
I’m using a streaming service called DAZN to watch the World Snooker Championship. I usually watch most of the evening sessions while updating the scores on snooker.org. Sometimes I get to watch part of the afternoon sessions during lunch time when I’m working from home.
Share your favourite Crucible memories with us.
I was just a casual snooker fan up until 2018. So the first time I found myself really looking forward to the World Championship was in 2019. It’s not fair to say I have a “favourite memory” because I’ve never been to the UK! However, the Crucible does seem special. The audience is so close to the action that I feel like some players are intimidated by its atmosphere. Personally, the 2020 tournament will live forever in my memory. The world had gone crazy and I was working in the US at the time (more than 5,000 miles away from my hometown) and I remember waking up at 4am to watch the matches. That tournament proved to be very enjoyable and a powerful distraction.
What do you think makes this event and venue so special?
The event is different from any other tournament because of its format. I have come to love the multi-session matches. This is the only tournament that puts the players to the test not only technically, but mentally. A player has to win 71 frames to be champion.
Who will win this year's event and why?
It is really tough to pick a winner because everyone is so good. But to give you an answer, Mark Selby is a strong contender this time considering his current form. I also feel as though his snooker and temperament is suited to the Crucible.
How are you following the action this year?
I’m using a streaming service called DAZN to watch the World Snooker Championship. I usually watch most of the evening sessions while updating the scores on snooker.org. Sometimes I get to watch part of the afternoon sessions during lunch time when I’m working from home.
Share your favourite Crucible memories with us.
I was just a casual snooker fan up until 2018. So the first time I found myself really looking forward to the World Championship was in 2019. It’s not fair to say I have a “favourite memory” because I’ve never been to the UK! However, the Crucible does seem special. The audience is so close to the action that I feel like some players are intimidated by its atmosphere. Personally, the 2020 tournament will live forever in my memory. The world had gone crazy and I was working in the US at the time (more than 5,000 miles away from my hometown) and I remember waking up at 4am to watch the matches. That tournament proved to be very enjoyable and a powerful distraction.
What do you think makes this event and venue so special?
The event is different from any other tournament because of its format. I have come to love the multi-session matches. This is the only tournament that puts the players to the test not only technically, but mentally. A player has to win 71 frames to be champion.
Who will win this year's event and why?
It is really tough to pick a winner because everyone is so good. But to give you an answer, Mark Selby is a strong contender this time considering his current form. I also feel as though his snooker and temperament is suited to the Crucible.
@TheBiancaFox
I’ve just bought my own home in London so sadly I’ll not be attending this year. I’ll be renovating the place in between televised sessions! My broadcaster of choice has to be the BBC. I think Virgo is unparalleled in comms, but I do sometimes wish their coverage was more consistent.
I always watched the snooker as a little girl on TV and was fascinated at the clapping for shots I couldn’t see (on the second table out of sight) so when I went to Sheffield to study Maths at university, I bought tickets with some friends and so began my addiction to live snooker! My favourite memory there is probably when I arrived late for a session and while I was waiting to go in, I met Michaela Tabb and got a photo with her.
What do you think makes this event and venue so special?
There’s a magical quality about the Crucible that everyone who has visited will tell you cannot be replicated anywhere else. Intimate, soulful, historic and irreplaceable. It’s revered by snooker fans around the world and anyone suggesting it should ever be moved needs to give their head a wobble.
Who will win this year's event and why?
Shaun Murphy. He’s the best. A legend in his absolute prime without even realising it. Once he starts stomping round that table with his Rolls Royce cue action and his glittering suit, it’s over for his opponent.
How are you following the action this year?
I’ve just bought my own home in London so sadly I’ll not be attending this year. I’ll be renovating the place in between televised sessions! My broadcaster of choice has to be the BBC. I think Virgo is unparalleled in comms, but I do sometimes wish their coverage was more consistent.
Share your favourite Crucible memories with us.
I always watched the snooker as a little girl on TV and was fascinated at the clapping for shots I couldn’t see (on the second table out of sight) so when I went to Sheffield to study Maths at university, I bought tickets with some friends and so began my addiction to live snooker! My favourite memory there is probably when I arrived late for a session and while I was waiting to go in, I met Michaela Tabb and got a photo with her.
What do you think makes this event and venue so special?
There’s a magical quality about the Crucible that everyone who has visited will tell you cannot be replicated anywhere else. Intimate, soulful, historic and irreplaceable. It’s revered by snooker fans around the world and anyone suggesting it should ever be moved needs to give their head a wobble.
Who will win this year's event and why?
Shaun Murphy. He’s the best. A legend in his absolute prime without even realising it. Once he starts stomping round that table with his Rolls Royce cue action and his glittering suit, it’s over for his opponent.
@dannysnooker
I won’t be at the Crucible but I did go last year with my Dad and another family friend. It was probably my best ever visit. I am a big Ronnie fan and him winning the seventh was the icing on the cake. As always, I’ll be watching as many of the matches live and as much of the coverage as possible – especially the Ronnie sessions. I love this time of year.
I always remember going in 2008. We watched the second-round match between Ronnie and Mark Williams. Ronnie was so far in front that we went for a quick wander and Ronnie made a 147. Exactly the same happened at the Masters when Marco Fu made a maximum while we were talking to Terry Griffiths.
What do you think makes this event and venue so special?
The intimacy of the venue stands out for me. You realise when you go how close you are to the players and you could actually reach the back of the cue when you’re in the front row. I also love how the venue starts out like this and then completely transforms for the semi-finals and becomes cathedral like. They say nothing lasts forever but for as long as possible, the tournament needs to stay at the Crucible. It would be a huge loss to snooker and the event would never be the same again.
Who will win this year's event and why?
I can’t look past O’Sullivan winning an eighth title this year. To win one more and stand alone with the record is the biggest incentive he could possibly have. He might even think he can get to 10 after that. He’s such a genius and that’s why he looks after himself to give himself as much chance as possible to maintain his level of play at the elite level. I also think Murphy will be a big threat and I would love to see that as the final. It would be a really attacking match and the fans would love it.
How are you following the action this year?
I won’t be at the Crucible but I did go last year with my Dad and another family friend. It was probably my best ever visit. I am a big Ronnie fan and him winning the seventh was the icing on the cake. As always, I’ll be watching as many of the matches live and as much of the coverage as possible – especially the Ronnie sessions. I love this time of year.
Share your favourite Crucible memories with us.
I always remember going in 2008. We watched the second-round match between Ronnie and Mark Williams. Ronnie was so far in front that we went for a quick wander and Ronnie made a 147. Exactly the same happened at the Masters when Marco Fu made a maximum while we were talking to Terry Griffiths.
What do you think makes this event and venue so special?
The intimacy of the venue stands out for me. You realise when you go how close you are to the players and you could actually reach the back of the cue when you’re in the front row. I also love how the venue starts out like this and then completely transforms for the semi-finals and becomes cathedral like. They say nothing lasts forever but for as long as possible, the tournament needs to stay at the Crucible. It would be a huge loss to snooker and the event would never be the same again.
Who will win this year's event and why?
I can’t look past O’Sullivan winning an eighth title this year. To win one more and stand alone with the record is the biggest incentive he could possibly have. He might even think he can get to 10 after that. He’s such a genius and that’s why he looks after himself to give himself as much chance as possible to maintain his level of play at the elite level. I also think Murphy will be a big threat and I would love to see that as the final. It would be a really attacking match and the fans would love it.
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