The Snooker vs Pool Debate - Judd Trump's 2021 U.S. Open Journey

Snooker and pool have had a sort of a rivalry for years, and the 2021 U.S. Open became something of a proving ground when Snooker star Judd Trump joined the field. After a few successful games, the real tester came up and difficulties abounded.

[SonOfTheSoil]

I wish to see the pool players on a snooker table 😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣

[flyabusa]

As a snooker fan, it was fun watching Judd try something outside of his wheelhouse. It would be equally interesting to see a 3-rail player like Dick Jaspers or Semih Saygıner enter the US Open and see how they fare.

[daveolifent]

I grew up playing pool and switched to snooker in my 30s. There is nothing more humbling than being a guy who can run a table at 8-ball to struggling to make a 20-point break in snooker. I love both games, but I think one of the best things you can do to improve your pool game is to practice snooker. The level of focus you need and accuracy of your cueing motion to make a long pot across a snooker table really teaches you how to get in the zone.

[PresidentScrooge]

The thing is. Pool is objectively the easier game. Table is smaller, pockets are bigger, less rules on what you are allowed to do. That being said - being a simpler game doesn't matter at the peak of skill. Because there players are so incredibly good that their sheer skill is making it just as difficult as Snooker. Thats just the nature of the beast when you compete at the highest level. Then everything becomes difficult.

People like Steve Davis, Jimmy White, Mark selby or Ronnie OSullivan grew up playing Snooker but also at least some Pool while Trump is a pure Snooker player. Hence everyone with half a clue knew he would eventually struggle against the top players.
I wouldn't be surprised seeing Trump next year again, though. He is probably competitive enough that it bothers him to lose like that.

[edmann]

I was searching for Pool player tries Snooker. This was the top result. If pool players aren't even attempting snooker, just in a fun way, I think the debate is settled.

[Chris-bmqd]

I'm a huge snooker fan, but never thought Judd would pose a threat. Truth is, the pool players today are far better than they were when Jimmy, Ronnie, and Davis played, and crossing over was bound to be more difficult.

[evilzzzability]

I love knocking balls around a pool table as much as the next guy but Snooker is devilishly difficult in comparison

[iainnic]

They're different games, absolutely. Was nice to see a bit of crossover. Snooker is still top of the cue sport tree for me but I enjoy both. Maybe worth pointing out that Jayson Shaw himself was a snooker player at junior level, so it's definitely easier for a snooker player to crossover and be a good pool player than it is in reverse - but it's never going to be like for like.

[bennylloyd-willner]

Good video, I love the respect you have for both sides and we should all just appreciate the players amazing abilities in both sports. It's very much like Indycar and Formula 1, why cant we just enjoy and respect both?

[kosembnihat]

I love videos like this. You were really cool and fair on the analysis of the situation. Couldn't said any better, great vid!

[iamaced]

Snooker is harder, it shouldn’t even be a discussion! It’s like saying mini golf is harder because real golf players aren’t the best at it

[robinthebobin]

As a snooker fan, yes, I do think a lot of the aspects of snooker, safety etc ARE harder than pool. However I respect that there is a lot more to pool than potting balls: bank shots, jump shots, carams, combos, kicks perfect safety shots that prevent trickshot escapes, having to run the whole rack or lose despite maybe potting 8 out of 9 of the balls.
The fact is, pool players are better than snooker players at pool, and no, I'm not a delusional snooker fan who thinks any snooker player can waltz into a 9 ball tournament and crush everyone.

HOWEVER, I do want to see a 9 ball player compete in a pro snooker tournament at one point (a bit of a pain with the strange ranking system), because yes, I do believe theyd find it harder to play snooker rather than the other way around. Fact is, Steve Davis, Jimmy White, Ronnie O'Sullivan etc have all competed in 9 ball and done incredibly well, but I havent seen it the other way round.

[klausolekristiansen]

2:45 That is Brendan more. Very well known in the snooker world. Has refereed more than one world championship final.
3:45 Marcel Eckard, has also refereed a snooker world championship final.

[Caplaw]

Didn't read through all the comments, and I'm sure someone else has posted a similar sentiment. Excellent video, excellence commentary, and perfect tone / insight into Judd and the snooker v. pool debate. Judd showed great respect, and class. The guy is a fantastic cue sport athlete.

[Kierron]

Great approach to this vid Rollie! You put it eloquently, comedically and respectfully. Not an easy feat!

[kierontreanor]

Decent cover of the story - but Judd was put up against it coming up against Shaw in R4. Would have been fascinating to see him play a top 30 player, as opposed to a guy that quite simply is the best when he’s playing/breaking well. (I play 9-ball but I’m also a big snooker fan)

[Englandsbestlover]

I love how you can miss the pot by 3 feet and still pot it

[cauliflowerpete]

The fact you're American and say snooker correctly is enough for me. Good vid!

[sirdetmist]

Top level snooker players often can mix it with the best pool players at pool, the best pool player cannot mix it with the best snooker players at snooker.

[ianjamiesonmusic]

I still wonder how much pool players would struggle on a snooker table - I know i do, everything is so far away.