Club Snooker

Thought I'd try something a little different on the snooker page.

Rather than the usual never ending "Who's the greatest, Ronnie or Hendry" question I thought I'd canvass some UK wide opinion of local snooker and snooker clubs.

I've played some very low level snooker and had good and bad experiences as I'm sure most people do. There's still a vibrant amateur game everywhere I go and many leagues too but are they everywhere?

I worry about the decline of this beautiful game in favour of 9 ball, especially with kids. Most clubs I visit have an ever increasing number of pool tables and often in the same space too. Am I the only person shocked to have pool tables in the same space as snooker tables? TV screens have also invaded (and don't get me started on fruit machines) to such a point that the atmosphere of many clubs has now gone.

There are some excellent places to play snooker as well. Often they have the name of an ex-pro attached or else are only one or two tables in a private members club. This is great but not the same as a dedicated club with multiple tables and many serious players.

What are your thoughts about the current state of the amateur game?
Do you agree with my criticisms or do you prefer the noise?

Maybe I'm just getting old.