17/10/2025
THE FOUR PHASES OF SPECTATOR ENLIGHTENMENT
The enthusiastic, packed crowd in Antwerp has undeniably added to the success of this year’s World Cup and World Championship.
And if you find yourself seated among the spectators, you’ll notice it’s not just the players putting on a performance. There’s a whole parallel game happening in the stands.
Spectators follow the games intensely and their commentary often follows a very familiar four-act drama:
-
PHASE 1: “That looks hard... or maybe easy?”.
--------------------------------------------------
First, the armchair analysis begins.
Typical quotes include:
• “Oh, that’s a brutal position.”
• “This one’s easy. I could make that. Well, maybe on a good day.”
• “He should score this one with his eyes closed.”
Confidence level: 100%. Accuracy: still pending.
-
PHASE 2: Tactical predictions (a.k.a. educated guessing).
-------------------------------------------------------------
Before the player even moves, the shot is basically already played. At least in the minds of the crowd.
• “He’s going thin off the red. No question.”
• “This is a rail-first. Gotta be.”
• “He has to go short-long-short here. It’s the only way.”
Spoiler: It’s almost never the only way.
-
PHASE 3: Live shot commentary (with rising panic).
--------------------------------------------------------
Once the cue hits the ball, things escalate quickly:
• “Is that enough speed?”
• “Ohh, that’s perfect!”
• “Too much english! Why would he do that?”
• “No no no. Too thick!”
Everyone becomes a physicist and of course an expert in 3-cushion billiards. For about three seconds.
-
PHASE 4: Applause and amnesia.
------------------------------------
After all three predictions prove gloriously wrong, there’s a brief moment of silence... followed by applause.
“Heh. Well played.”
Everyone claps like they totally saw it coming and/or in admiration of the player.
And then, naturally, phase 1 begins again, as confidently as ever.
-
Needless to say, I am often one of these spectators. In fact, maybe more often than not.
