It’s been a while since this article in a series cropped up!

Since the UK Championship is a long tournament, it’s about time there is something else to read to pass the time. As of before, five random snooker shots that I really like, either because of the shot itself or if there is some kind of backstory to it. If you want to see more of these articles, they are at the bottom of the article.

Can’t let these #snookergifsunday clips go to waste, can I?

Alex Higgins vs. Jimmy White (1982 World Championship)

There are many things that Alex Higgins is famous for. The flamboyance. The rebellious. His wit. The passion. His unapologetic behaviour. But if you can pick any shot that was ‘his’ shot, this would be it.

It’s not just his special and unorthodox cue action that makes the shot, it is also the precarious position he was in. It was the World Championship semi-final against Jimmy White, where at this stage, White was 15-13 frames up and 59-0 ahead in the frame. Alex needed all reds, high colours and a clearance to keep his hopes alive. And he went full bloodied.

It was a magical 69 break and this blue was the best of the break. Commentators to this day described it as ‘crazy’ and ‘extraordinary’, not knowing how he got so much backspin on that cue ball. He went on to win the match and of course to lift the trophy as the 1982 World Champion. Considering he only became a father that year, after all he had been through, it was a special moment. He showed the he wouldn’t give up and can come back from the brink.

Mark King vs. Barry Hawkins (2016 Northern Ireland Open)

Another rather special shot. Mainly because it was such a clever safety, but also from a snooker player who I don’t regard as a safety player.

It’s the final of the Northern Ireland Open. Barry Hawkins plays Mark King, who was searching for his first ranking title. Barry Hawkins drew first blood and raced to a 5-1 lead but King won six frames on the trot to make the match more interesting! He forced a foul out of Hawkins with that shot, despite the black being so close to the pocket. King got the foul he needed but ended up losing the frame.

Mark King ended up winning the decider and won his first ranking title. Following the conclusion of the match, King gave an emotional interview where he gave his thanks to his family and those who have supported him during his battle with gambling addiction. Click here to see it!

Ali Carter vs. Graeme Dott (2012 Masters)

Not much story here since this was a first-round match at the Masters. This is probably one of the best and well-constructed snookers you could wish to see (slowly turning into Dennis Taylor here).

Unfortunately for Carter, he still went on to lose the frame and later the match at 6-3. Graeme Dott went on to lose to John Higgins.

Jamie Cope vs. Joe Perry (2009 World Championship)

Another excellent shot with limited backstory. This is, however, another opportunity to see Jamie Cope at his prime before he had the yips.

He is only one on two players who have beaten seeded players that World Championship. The other one being Nigel Bond, who beat Peter Ebdon 10-5. Cope played John Higgins in the Last 16 and even though he was leading 12-10, the Wizard of Wishaw won the final three frames to move into the quarter-finals. Higgins lifted the World Championship trophy for the third time that year, convincingly defeating Shaun Murphy 18-9.

Steve Davis vs. John Higgins (2010 World Championship)

“This could put him into the next round, the quarter-finals of the World Championship, one good shot – ONE GOOD SHOT. WHAT A SHOT! – Ken Doherty

“Can you believe it? That will be up there with the best shot he’s ever played in his career.” – Willie Thorne

It was an unbelievable performance to hold himself together from Steve Davis to beat defending champion, doing what was described as ‘the unthinkable’, according to Willie Thorne. By doubling the brown as well as bringing the blue into play and potting the last pink, he wrote his name down in history once more. He reached the quarter-finals of the World Championship for the first time since 2005, and at 52 years old became the oldest player to reach the quarter-finals in 27 years, since Eddie Charlton, who was 53, in 1983.

In terms of individual performance and pride of performance, Steve Davis at the time ranked that match as second only to his Masters victory against Ronnie O’Sullivan in 1997. However, it wasn’t long before news broke out about John Higgins. A tabloid paper released a video of him and his former manager that led to one of the biggest modern controversies of match-fixing in snooker history. It’s a tricky subject to talk about, but tha-