Alain Robidoux
Encyclopedia
Alain Robidoux is a Canadian
snooker
player; he played on the World Snooker tour from 1988 to 2005 and continues to play in events in Canada.
In September 1988, he became only the sixth player ever to record an officially-ratified 147 maximum break
in the qualifiers for the European Open
.
Robidoux's best ranking event performance was reaching the final of the German Open in 1996 when he lost 7–9 to Ronnie O'Sullivan
. In the first round of the 1996 World Championship, Robidoux was beaten 3–10 by O'Sullivan again, who played some shots, including a number of them in series, left-handed (he is right-handed). This behaviour, described by one commentator as O'Sullivan "taking the mick", annoyed Robidoux, who believed that O'Sullivan was mocking him. The matter came to a crux in the eleventh frame, with a peeved Robidoux, at this point 2–8 down, declining to concede the frame as is usual by custom, instead continuing to despite a 43-point deficit with only the pink and black on the table. Robidoux refused to shake O'Sullivan's hand at the end of the match. The latter responded that he played better with his left hand than the former could with his right. O'Sullivan later satisfied the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association
that he could play to a professional standard with both hands, by playing the former World Billiards
Champion Rex Williams
for three frames left-handed and winning every frame. WPBSA disciplinary charges were dropped as a result.
Robidoux slid rapidly down the rankings following the 1997 season. He blamed his decline on the destruction of his favourite cue
, which he referred to as "the Eel". The incident occurred after Robidoux returned the handmade cue to its maker – an elderly craftsman in Canada – for repairs. But when the cuemaker saw that both the cue's butt had been adorned with the logo of Riley, a leading UK cue manufacturer, he took such grave offence he smashed the cue into pieces and sent the remains back to Robidoux. Several years later, Robidoux was asked whether the passage of time may have eased his anger towards the cue maker; "I want to kill him", was his heartfelt response.
Off the table, Robidoux is well-known for his impressions of fellow snooker professionals, such as Alex Higgins
and Steve Davis
.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
snooker
Snooker
Snooker is a cue sport that is played on a green baize-covered table with pockets in each of the four corners and in the middle of each of the long side cushions. A regular table is . It is played using a cue and snooker balls: one white , 15 worth one point each, and six balls of different :...
player; he played on the World Snooker tour from 1988 to 2005 and continues to play in events in Canada.
Career
Robidoux joined the pro circuit in the late 1980s, playing as a "non-tournament" professional. This entitled him to be listed on official rankings, although he could not play in most competitions. In 1988, Robidoux amassed enough points in the World Championship qualifiers to finish in the top 128 players, and thus allowing him to join the tour full-time.In September 1988, he became only the sixth player ever to record an officially-ratified 147 maximum break
Highest snooker break
The maximum in snooker under normal circumstances is 147. This is often known as a maximum, a 147, or orally a one-four-seven. The 147 is amassed by potting all 15 with 15 for 120 points, then all six for a further 27 points. The maximum break has been achieved 81 times in professional...
in the qualifiers for the European Open
Malta Cup
The Malta Cup was a professional snooker tournament that has been on the World Snooker calendar since the 1988/89 season. It was previously known as the European Open as the sole ranking tournament in Europe, outside the British Isles.- History :Prior to the 1988/89 season, there were no ranking...
.
Robidoux's best ranking event performance was reaching the final of the German Open in 1996 when he lost 7–9 to Ronnie O'Sullivan
Ronnie O'Sullivan
Ronald Antonio "Ronnie" O'Sullivan , is an English professional snooker player known for his rapid playing style and nicknamed "The Rocket". He has been World Champion on three occasions , and is second on the all-time prize-money list, with career earnings of over £6 million, behind only Stephen...
. In the first round of the 1996 World Championship, Robidoux was beaten 3–10 by O'Sullivan again, who played some shots, including a number of them in series, left-handed (he is right-handed). This behaviour, described by one commentator as O'Sullivan "taking the mick", annoyed Robidoux, who believed that O'Sullivan was mocking him. The matter came to a crux in the eleventh frame, with a peeved Robidoux, at this point 2–8 down, declining to concede the frame as is usual by custom, instead continuing to despite a 43-point deficit with only the pink and black on the table. Robidoux refused to shake O'Sullivan's hand at the end of the match. The latter responded that he played better with his left hand than the former could with his right. O'Sullivan later satisfied the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association
World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association
The World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association, often abbreviated to the WPBSA, founded in 1968 and based in Bristol, England, United Kingdom is the governing body of professional snooker and English billiards...
that he could play to a professional standard with both hands, by playing the former World Billiards
English Billiards
English billiards, called simply billiards in many former British colonies and in Great Britain where it originated, is a hybrid form of carom and pocket billiards played on a billiard table. Billiards is less well known as "the English game", "the all-in game" and "the common game".The game is for...
Champion Rex Williams
Rex Williams
Rex Williams , son of Minnie Roberts and William Williams, is a retired English professional snooker and billiards player.Williams was an excellent junior player in both snooker and billiards. His professional career began in 1951, during a period of decline in snooker...
for three frames left-handed and winning every frame. WPBSA disciplinary charges were dropped as a result.
Robidoux slid rapidly down the rankings following the 1997 season. He blamed his decline on the destruction of his favourite cue
Cue stick
A cue stick , is an item of sporting equipment essential to the games of pool, snooker and carom billiards. It is used to strike a ball, usually the...
, which he referred to as "the Eel". The incident occurred after Robidoux returned the handmade cue to its maker – an elderly craftsman in Canada – for repairs. But when the cuemaker saw that both the cue's butt had been adorned with the logo of Riley, a leading UK cue manufacturer, he took such grave offence he smashed the cue into pieces and sent the remains back to Robidoux. Several years later, Robidoux was asked whether the passage of time may have eased his anger towards the cue maker; "I want to kill him", was his heartfelt response.
Off the table, Robidoux is well-known for his impressions of fellow snooker professionals, such as Alex Higgins
Alex Higgins
Alexander Gordon "Alex" Higgins , also known by his nickname of Hurricane Higgins, was a Northern Irish professional snooker player who was twice World Champion and twice runner-up. Higgins earned the nickname The Hurricane because of his speed of play...
and Steve Davis
Steve Davis
Steve Davis, OBE is an English professional snooker player. He has won more professional titles in the sport than any other player, including six World Championships during the 1980s, when he was the world number one for seven years and became the sport's first millionaire...
.