Stuart Binghman is one of the hottest
pro-snooker players right now. It´s been a great month for him: Champion of
Champions runner-up and semi-final in UK Champs. Bingham was kind enough to
take some time out of his busy schedule to answer some questions from Cue Power
Snookerblog, and from enthusiastic Finnish snooker fans.
1. You are not
an old player, but you´re no rookie either having played as a professional
since 1995. Still, your career seems to have somewhat of an upward trend.
You´re getting more and more success as you get older, last season was probably
your best one ever, and the current season is starting to look really strong as
well. How do you feel about this, how do you explain this?
Yes, the last couple of years have been the best of my snooker career and I think there's a number of reasons why. A happy and content life off the table, im married now and have 2 kids, a 10 year old step-daughter and a 2 year old son. 3 years ago I started to work with Stephen Feeney (SightRight) and my game has come on leaps and bounds. I'm so much more accurate and more disciplined with my snooker. The last and not least, experience. The years have gone by but i've learnt a lot every time I play.
The last couple of weeks have been good for me, final of Champions of Champions and semi final of the UK Championships but I did set a few goals this season and still haven't reached all of them yet. Of course, I want to win another tournament this season (preferably a ranking event) but if it isn't I wouldn't moan! Also try and get into the top 4 or 5 in the world.
2. How much do you practice these days?
I still practice a little in between tournaments but not as much as I use to. Most probably a couple of hours a day on my own or a couple of best of 9s playing someone else.
3. Tell us a little bit about how you practice. What kind of practice routines do you have? Have the routines changed over the years? Who do you practice with?
Still do the line up (most common practice routine) and some other routines but mostly practicing on my break building and some safety routines. My routines have changed slightly but try to get situations like I'd get in a match.
I've always had good players to practice with coming from Essex, I use to practice with Ronnie but haven't done for a few years now and Steve Davis but these days I practice with Mark King, Barry Hawkins, Gerrard Greene, Matt Selt. Allan Taylor is new on the tour and has moved down from Liverpool and practices at the same club so I'm trying to teach him how hard the tour is, he's a good player but has a lot to learn.
4. The pro-tour has changed a lot over the years, especially since the 90´s. Barry
Hearn is in charge, there´s a lot more tournaments now, and many of them are
being played outside the Britain. Also, there is a constant flow of new
talented players coming out of many corners of the earth. Has the atmosphere on
the tour changed as much as one might think? Is it better to be a pro-player
now than what it was in the 90´s and 2000´s?
I wish I was 20 again with the tour the way it is! I love the tour the way it is these days, I was always entering tournaments in Europe just to keep playing but there's no need now with the way the tour is. The players that have been at the top of the game for years are not too happy with the schedule of todays game because we're away all the time but I don't mind it! I'm envy of the new talented guys coming on the tour.
5. We have a Finnish pro-player again on the tour, Robin Hull, who is trying to make a serious comeback after a difficult patch in his life. Do you know Robin? I know you were supposed to play against him in the International Championship, but that didn´t happen...
I've known Robin from the amateur days and I rate him very highly. I played him a few times as a pro and he's hardly missed a ball against me! (laughing)
Sometimes I see his results against other players and think “how has he lost to him”!
He's had a tough time with his health but hopefully thats all better and he can get back to where he was in the top 32!
6. As a father of two childen, im always interested to know how easy/difficult it is to find the balance between all the travelling, practice and family life? Life must get quite hectic at times for a snooker professional?
Yes, its very hard but at the end of the day this is my job! All I can say it thank God for FaceTime because I can see and speak to my family everyday where every I am in the world! I still practice most days but only a little so I can spend more time with the family.
In addition, few questions from my readers:
Yes, the last couple of years have been the best of my snooker career and I think there's a number of reasons why. A happy and content life off the table, im married now and have 2 kids, a 10 year old step-daughter and a 2 year old son. 3 years ago I started to work with Stephen Feeney (SightRight) and my game has come on leaps and bounds. I'm so much more accurate and more disciplined with my snooker. The last and not least, experience. The years have gone by but i've learnt a lot every time I play.
The last couple of weeks have been good for me, final of Champions of Champions and semi final of the UK Championships but I did set a few goals this season and still haven't reached all of them yet. Of course, I want to win another tournament this season (preferably a ranking event) but if it isn't I wouldn't moan! Also try and get into the top 4 or 5 in the world.
2. How much do you practice these days?
I still practice a little in between tournaments but not as much as I use to. Most probably a couple of hours a day on my own or a couple of best of 9s playing someone else.
3. Tell us a little bit about how you practice. What kind of practice routines do you have? Have the routines changed over the years? Who do you practice with?
Still do the line up (most common practice routine) and some other routines but mostly practicing on my break building and some safety routines. My routines have changed slightly but try to get situations like I'd get in a match.
I've always had good players to practice with coming from Essex, I use to practice with Ronnie but haven't done for a few years now and Steve Davis but these days I practice with Mark King, Barry Hawkins, Gerrard Greene, Matt Selt. Allan Taylor is new on the tour and has moved down from Liverpool and practices at the same club so I'm trying to teach him how hard the tour is, he's a good player but has a lot to learn.
4. The pro-tour has changed a lot over the years, especially since the 90´s. Barry
Hearn is in charge, there´s a lot more tournaments now, and many of them are
being played outside the Britain. Also, there is a constant flow of new
talented players coming out of many corners of the earth. Has the atmosphere on
the tour changed as much as one might think? Is it better to be a pro-player
now than what it was in the 90´s and 2000´s?I wish I was 20 again with the tour the way it is! I love the tour the way it is these days, I was always entering tournaments in Europe just to keep playing but there's no need now with the way the tour is. The players that have been at the top of the game for years are not too happy with the schedule of todays game because we're away all the time but I don't mind it! I'm envy of the new talented guys coming on the tour.
5. We have a Finnish pro-player again on the tour, Robin Hull, who is trying to make a serious comeback after a difficult patch in his life. Do you know Robin? I know you were supposed to play against him in the International Championship, but that didn´t happen...
I've known Robin from the amateur days and I rate him very highly. I played him a few times as a pro and he's hardly missed a ball against me! (laughing)
Sometimes I see his results against other players and think “how has he lost to him”!
He's had a tough time with his health but hopefully thats all better and he can get back to where he was in the top 32!
6. As a father of two childen, im always interested to know how easy/difficult it is to find the balance between all the travelling, practice and family life? Life must get quite hectic at times for a snooker professional?
Yes, its very hard but at the end of the day this is my job! All I can say it thank God for FaceTime because I can see and speak to my family everyday where every I am in the world! I still practice most days but only a little so I can spend more time with the family.
In addition, few questions from my readers:
Nickname RZ asked:
In your opinion, is there a lot of difference in technical talent between ranking 1-32 players?
No, I don't think there's a lot of difference in technical talent between the top 32.
- If not, what is it down to (ie. mental stability less feeling, killer instinct a lot of feeling...)?
I think it comes down to mental ability and believing that you can actually win a tournament. I always believed that I was good enough to win something but until you do, you don't know for sure!
- After almost 20 professional years of playing, do you still play "for fun"?
I still love the game! I love practicing and I always seem to play my best when I'm enjoying it!
- When you are closing in on frame ball, does it raise any feelings for you?
Yes, I still get nervous or the adrenaline starts pumping. I think I'll always be the same.
Nickname Kirja asked:
Who do You think are the most promising/talented junior up and coming players?
There's a load of Chinese players coming through that are very talented, to many to name! But the ones that are doing well now are the likes of Jack Lisowski, Michael White, Luca Brecel.
Nickname Patrik Asked:
- Do You have a mentor or a coach? Do You speak with him during the long games?
My coach is Stephen Feeney (SightRight) and been working with him for about 3 years. He's at most of my games and yes, we talk in between games. I also talk to my manager (Gary Purkiss) who I've been with since turning pro. He normally gives me a kick up the backside if I'm not performing well! ;-)
In your opinion, is there a lot of difference in technical talent between ranking 1-32 players?
No, I don't think there's a lot of difference in technical talent between the top 32.
- If not, what is it down to (ie. mental stability less feeling, killer instinct a lot of feeling...)?
I think it comes down to mental ability and believing that you can actually win a tournament. I always believed that I was good enough to win something but until you do, you don't know for sure!
- After almost 20 professional years of playing, do you still play "for fun"?
I still love the game! I love practicing and I always seem to play my best when I'm enjoying it!
- When you are closing in on frame ball, does it raise any feelings for you?
Yes, I still get nervous or the adrenaline starts pumping. I think I'll always be the same.
Nickname Kirja asked:
Who do You think are the most promising/talented junior up and coming players?
There's a load of Chinese players coming through that are very talented, to many to name! But the ones that are doing well now are the likes of Jack Lisowski, Michael White, Luca Brecel.
Nickname Patrik Asked:
- Do You have a mentor or a coach? Do You speak with him during the long games?
My coach is Stephen Feeney (SightRight) and been working with him for about 3 years. He's at most of my games and yes, we talk in between games. I also talk to my manager (Gary Purkiss) who I've been with since turning pro. He normally gives me a kick up the backside if I'm not performing well! ;-)
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