Mark Allen decrees 'this isn't snooker' despite making record Shoot Out break

Mark Allen made the highest break in Snooker Shoot Out history but then declared the event ‘isn’t snooker’ despite an opening-round victory.

Allen made a superb total clearance 142 en route to the second round with victory over Jimmy Robertson but admitted the pizzazz of the event was lacking in Milton Keynes.

The event is being played behind closed doors due to the coronavirus pandemic, with the fake crowd noise unable to replicate the real thing for the world No.10.

“It would be a completely false kick-start because this isn’t snooker,” he told Eurosport.

“I’m not a fan of it since it changed to a ranking event, I think there are a lot more important tournaments in the year.

“They’ve taken a bit of the fun out of this event for me. With no crowd this year, it’s even less fun.

“I don’t enter any events without trying my hardest so I’ve come here to win.

“There’s no noise and it is different. Normally you get the drunks roaring abuse at you, and it’s part of the fun of it.

“It’s too serious at times out there and you want to have a bit of fun, you can’t really do that anymore.

Allen will be back in action on Saturday for the second round before the competition is played to a conclusion on Sunday.

And he’ll be one of the favourites to go all the way with a whole host of top-ranked players, including Judd Trump, Ronnie O’Sullivan and Neil Robertson, choosing not to enter.

He added: “The ones who have played for a few years know what shot and when to play them – it doesn’t mean you’ll play them right but that knowledge comes in handy in the latter stages.”

Watch the Snooker Shoot Out live on Eurosport and Eurosport app. https://www.eurosport.co.uk/snooker/