Stan Moody Exclusive Interview: World Snooker Championship Analysis & More

Where would you like to see the World Championships go while the Crucible is under construction?

I don’t know where the thinking is going to be honest. Maybe Saudi is a good idea, but I don’t know. Maybe it’s better if it stays in the UK, I’m not sure—but that’s for the powers that be to decide. I don’t really mind as I just want to win wherever it is, so we’ll see.

The number of young Chinese players on the Tour is growing year by year. What do you think Britain can learn from China when it comes to promoting the future of the sport in the UK?

China’s just on a different level to England with promoting the sport and getting young players in. It’s in their school curriculum. They’re playing every day for hours and hours, starting from young. England’s not doing that.

There’s a lot more players coming through from China. There’s a few from England, but not to the level of the young Chinese lads. I think we’ve got maybe 30, 40 pros on tour now, and all of them are very dangerous. So, yeah, England needs to.

From banning playing for snookers to introducing shot clocks and spotted cue balls, many players have different ideas about how to grow snooker’s appeal. What change would you make to the game if you had the power?

I think if I were in power the first thing I’d change is the three miss rule. It just doesn’t make any sense to me—it’s one of my pet hates. I don’t see why it’s a thing. So that’d be the first thing I’d change.

But to add something, it’s a sport. I’d probably say you’re only allowed maximum three safety shots per frame, and then it’s just all out attack. I just think it’d make it more fun, although I don’t know if that’s even possible—but I think it’d be a good idea for certain tournaments.

Speaking from a snooker fan’s perspective, who is your favourite player on tour, and why?

Don’t really have a favourite player on tour. I’m close to quite a lot of people—I speak to basically everyone, say hello.

Do you think there is room in the season for a Ryder Cup style competition between Europe and Asia?

I think that would be a great idea. They do it in 9 ball now—Europe and Asia—and Europe and America like the Mosconi Cup. That’d be great for snooker, it’d be a good tournament and hopefully Europe would come out on top!

This season, some players, like Judd Trump, have commented on the differences in table conditions while playing in China. Do you agree—are pockets bigger at competitions in China compared to the UK?

Yeah, the tables definitely play bigger in China. I don’t know why that is—different fitters, different types of tables—I’m not sure. But yeah, it definitely makes a difference. There’s a lot more scoring in China. Players don’t miss much anyway, so if you leave them a chance they’re just going to clear up. But yeah, I don’t really know what it is.

Do you think snooker should become an Olympic sport, and would you represent Team GB if called up?

I hope it does one day. I think it’d be great for the sport. And if Team GB called me up, I’d be straight there!