Potting science: Cueists cashing in on big pockets

MUMBAI: Bigger the pockets, better the score. Players participating in the inaugural LIC-sponsored Snooker Premier League being played at Churchgate's Garware club house are making the most of the decent-sized pockets of the table.
In three days of this mixed format tournament, two century breaks and three over half century breaks have already been recorded.
So while, most players are happy with the snooker tables being used in the tournament, some professionals such as Manan Chandra who represents the Break builders and is one among the ones to have logged a century break, feels the tables are receptive and playing true.
His only grouse, though, is that the tables could have been a tad quicker.
“The table is playing true. Just that they are bit slow for my personal liking. Overall, I am pretty satisfied with the tables,“ Chandra, an eminent cue sport exponent of the country , told TOI on Thursday. Laxman Rawat, a former junior national champion, too, feels the tables are a shade slower but because the pockets are big, some decent breaks are being logged.
“Let me make one thing very clear at the outset. Sure, the pockets are slightly bigger so potting becomes a bit more comfortable. But this competition has a participation of some great players. Irrespective of the size of the pockets, these greats are capable of century breaks. But for some others it is definitely a blessing,” Rawat, who turns out for the RR Rockets, said.
Team owner of the Saffron Army, Saumil Karkera, throws in another perspective. “These tables are really brilliant. But they are high-maintenance. They (baize) have to be changed regularly and each time you change them, a lot of cost is incurred. But if we ignore the cost bit, these tables are simply fantastic.”