Why are Ronnie O'Sullivan, Judd Trump and Neil Robertson missing Shoot Out? – 'It's snooker Jim, but not as we know it'

Updated 24/01/2023 at 18:52 GMT

The Shoot Out remains a unique part of the snooker calendar with players arguably subjected to the greatest green baize lottery of their lives. Amid noise more akin to darts, a chaotic 10-minute match can slip away with one unlucky shot, good or bad. So who is in and out of the 14th edition of the organised mayhem in Leicester? Stream the 2023 Snooker Shoot Out live and on demand on discovery+.

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Judd Trump told a bustling Alexandra Palace in London earlier this month he would prefer to get "smashed" than play his next tournament after lifting a second Masters title with a riveting 10-8 win against Mark Williams.

He would probably still take up that option rather than subject himself to some smashed locals at the frazzled and wonderfully frantic snooker Shoot Out in Leicester this week.

Far from the madding crowd, Trump – who agonisingly lost 10-9 to Mark Allen in the World Grand Prix final on Sunday in Cheltenham – is more concerned about time out rather than the Shoot Out, the sport's inimitable rabble-rousing ranking event.

Shoot Out

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10/12/2023 at 10:44

It's snooker Jim, but not as we know it. Jimmy 'Whirlwind' White will join Mark Allen, Mark Selby, Mark Williams, Hossein Vafaei, Ding Junhui and 'Jackpot' Jack Lisowski as genuine crowd-pleasers live on discovery+ and Eurosport this week.

“There are a lot of players who have a good opportunity to play under the lights and against the pros," said White, who has participated in every Shoot Out since the event was re-launched in 2011 after a 21-year absence.

“It’s a great tournament all-round, and a good one for people who are struggling for ranking points.

“Go deep here and you get a lot and it’s a good bit of fun.”

A few notable headline acts have decided the chaotic nature of the event is not for them.

It has certainly never cleansed the potting palate of Trump, Ronnie O'Sullivan, Neil Robertson or John Higglns, four world champions who will all be elsewhere when the balls begin flying at a teeming Morningside Arena on Wednesday afternoon at (1pm GMT) before speeding to a conclusion on Saturday night.

Every session feels like Mr Saturday night at the Shoot Out. Animated diehards giddy on the green baize bring the noise to quickfire 10-minute frames as players confront cloths apparently as quick as ice rinks. A shot clock reducer of 15 to 10 seconds limits time-wasting, but not ambition.

It is ripe for magical shocks by the hour from an open cup draw and unpredictable audience engagement with Mitchell Mann memorably warming to the occasion last year as the main man rampaged around the table with arms flapping furiously and more movement on shots than Alex 'Hurricane' Higgins.

The Shoot Out is snooker's version of 20/20 cricket before a darts crowd, but the manic one-frame nature of the event makes it a sporting lottery without compare in cue sports.

Trump has not been seen in the vicinity of the Shoot Out since 2016, the year before the tournament was controversially given ranking event status amid much wailing and gnashing of teeth from the purists.

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"Absolutely nuts," said Neil Robertson on Twitter. "A huge slap in the face to any player who has actually won a proper ranking event."

It was a view shared back then by Allen, who commented: "Ridiculous decision. 10-minute shock clock frames count on ranking list, but the Masters doesn't!! WOW"

Winning three titles at the Northern Ireland Open, UK Championship and World Grand Prix and over £500,000 in prize money this season has probably soothed the Antrim man's mindset as the frames roll by. He meets Lisowski in the standout match of the first round on Wednesday evening.

Trump made the last 32 six years ago, Robertson's solitary appearance saw the Aussie reach the last eight 11 years ago in Blackpool while John Higgins has never gone beyond the second round from several attempts.

World champion O'Sullivan did compete in the 2020 event after a five-year absence, but promised never to return after losing to world number 104 Billy Castle in the second round.

“I will never play in the Shoot Out again. I love it as an event, but as a player there is no value," he said. "I played it this year, the first time in five years, because everyone said they were enjoying it and I thought ‘I have got to see what it’s all about’.

"As a player I don’t like playing in it, but I can step back and see as a spectator – which is the most important thing at the end of the day – it is enjoyable to watch."

Not everybody is disgruntled by the Shoot Out shenanigans. It was food and drink to Iran's potting 'Prince of Persia' Hossein Vafaei last year as he earned £50,000 with a maiden ranking title victory against Mark Williams that saw him finalise the trophy with a delightful closing run of 71.

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It came after the death of his grandmother almost prompted his withdrawal.

"I was in a different world that week," he said ahead of his tournament opener against Shaun Murphy.

"I will try my best to defend my title. I don’t give up. It’s one of the most exciting tournaments of the calendar. The fans love it and we love it too.”

Michael Holt claimed the Shoot Out in 2020 a year after reaching the final. Could Vafaei become the first man in history to successfully defend the title? History suggests not.

The Shoot Out was not built for snooker dynasties.