The Best Tough Table Challenge Yet? (Barry Hawkins & Michael Holt)

Michael Holt and Hawkins attempt the Tough Table Challenge to try and finally beat Stephen's high score and they might be the best attempts yet! Let us know what you think in the comments.
Also, make sure you're following us on the social platforms below for even more content.
_________________________________________________________________________
Buy 'Me and the Table - My Autobiography' - amzn.to/3Urqb3o
Follow Stephen on Social:
Facebook: / cuetipsofficial
TikTok: / stephenhendryscuetips
Twitter: / shendry775
Instagram: / s_hendry775
#cuetips #snooker #stephenhendry

[@Juventinos]

unreal how good Michael Holt is, for someone that isn't performing. he's a top player that never got there. must be so frustrating.

[@DeathNTaxes304]

I know right…. No space on the tour with the likes of Reanne (Ryan) Evans outperforming him 🙄

[@jama211]

There's still time! Here's hoping. Great break on the tough table challenge though!

[@bountyhuntermk2520]

Bottle merchant….simples

[@lanternman13]

He's playing well on the Q Tour actually. Could be his way back to the main tour. He's a fantastic player.

[@mrc8985]

Grow up @@bountyhuntermk2520

[@corallaroc2946]

If only Holt could talk continuously while playing in tournaments. He'd be unbeatable.

[@robmiller2811]

Is there any rule that prevents you from talking through your shots while at the table (obviously talking while your opponent is out)

[@sanmiguel4019]

@@robmiller2811 No rule, but he'd look like a nutter!!!

[@stewartmcrae8007]

@@robmiller2811 no I don't think so as I have been in the audience when Ronnie Selby Kyren Mark Allen Anthony Mcgill Gary Wilson Stuart Bingham and Robertson have made a comment or turned around and said something to the crowd i have never seen a player talk continously throughout compiling their break except Dennis Taylor and Ken Doherty at exhibitions but they do occasionally say something during tournament play

[@brook316]

You know what they say. Those that can, do, those that can't, teach. I'm sure he's a great coach now... lol

[@sharpvidtube]

@@brook316 Great player too, not many get in the top 32, it isn't easy.

[@carlkamuti]

Unbelievable efforts from both Hawkins and Holt. That cannon from Holt was a thing of beauty.

[@ahmetgrcn2663]

How about the long red! That was brilliant

[@PlayMoreGolf-RipOff]

STEPHEN LEE refers to a double quarter pounder with bacon as a thing of beauty!

[@CasperLD]

"Tell me it goes..." "Nope! Sorry" The smile on Stephens face when he said that 😂

[@dangermouse8466]

That was the best episode of the Tough Table Challenge yet. Stephen, please continue to put these guys off. It's funny to watch their reactions. 😛

[@juchetony1910]

he needs to put a jack in the box hidden in one of the pockets with a remote control release.

[@dangermouse8466]

@@juchetony1910 😛

[@aleksm.1863]

If Michael Holt could make his games informal in his mind, he'd be flying into quarters, semis and finals.

[@craigdavidmack]

agree, hope he has another crack at tour

[@jameslake-mentalgamecuespo9010]

So if this is true what do you think the root problem?

[@Rising.consciousness]

@@jameslake-mentalgamecuespo9010 attachment to the fruits of your action. He should read the bagavad Gita.

[@Ex-Pear-Rocker]

Thats the attitude Brecel had at the crucible this year.

[@snookershorts3044]

​@@Rising.consciousnessyou don't rise consciousness by simply reading a book

[@tattoogoon]

Holt is a fantastic player. would be great to have him back on tour

[@Theo-ul8qm]

That long red from Michael was incredible! Great efforts by both players!

[@seiyulyu4854]

I was rooting hard for Barry. Seems like a great guy and I think he’s a little underrated he doesn’t often get mentioned as a top ten player but I don’t think anyone wants to draw him at the Crucible.

[@JohnJaySnookerChannel]

Yea big time he’s a nice lad and maybe too nice. Needs that killer instinct sometimes. Nice to see him win a title again recently

[@sjake8308]

I was rooting for the pair of them, they both seem like great guys.

[@juchetony1910]

he's not that ugly, be fair.

[@musicbro8225]

He's always got a bit of a smile going like he's amongst friends. I think I respect that more than if he was a world champ and ruthless.

[@Cybertron-cs7sk]

Michael Holt is cueing so sweetly would love to see him on the main tour again.

[@HadToChangeMyName_YoutubeSucks]

Had high hopes for the Hawk, one of my favorite players, the guy just seems nice as heck. That red down the rail by Holt was excellent.

[@MalcolmMXTaylor]

2 great attempts!! Holts red down the cushion impressive

[@EVil-ob8in]

The only ball I expected the hitman to miss was that final black. Needed to take a moment longer to see it in before he played it.

[@LIVERNIL723]

Michael Holt has been my fave of the tough table challengers; punchy-speedy, navigates his way through and positive no-nonsense. Unlucky Barry; thought you would ecplise 82.

[@thepunisher1951]

Please don't forget to show the leaderboard in the end!

[@bountyhuntermk2520]

Stephen - always trying to talk people out of their game

[@daveywhyte6254]

People criticise me for taking to players throughout, then proceeds to talk throughout 😂

[@Host4l]

Great lads

[@phill183]

Watching Stephen smile when they don't break his record.....classic....top effort though

[@rikgay857]

Really enjoyed that...holt is a class act and id love to see him back on tour.

[@787Speedbrakes]

Really appreciate and look forward to these videos. Please keep them coming if you can.

[@alastairwilson457]

Love this channel, thanks Stephen

[@ju.snooker]

Love watching Hitman Holt play - fast paced snooker! Thanks Stephen!!

[@justynbarnes7895]

The thing we've learnt from the two Michael Holt videos is that he is exceptionally gifted. You can understand why he's so frustrated with his career (a career that most players can only dream of).

[@stewartmcrae8007]

Why what has he won other than the shootout

[@teddyreid9055]

@@stewartmcrae8007 Most players who have even been on the tour have never won any.

[@stewartmcrae8007]

@@teddyreid9055 true but I still find it hard to believe they dream about having a career like Michael Holt surely they aim a bit higher than that I'm sure Jack Lisowski for example isn't sitting there going oh I hope by the end of my career I have won a single tournament like Michael Holt especially something that shouldn't even be a ranking event as it is basically just luck and a load of drunks screaming and shouting

[@Jimminy812]

@@stewartmcrae8007 I think it's more the position he's got too, another professional would probably look higher as Holt himself does. But the likes of you and me the average player, yeah bro I'm not even that good in my dreams.

[@stewartmcrae8007]

@@Jimminy812 same i thought I was good because I could make a break of 90 but when I played against selby and then a frame against Stuart Bingham at a exhibition i realised that i didn't have a safety game couldn't play left handed shots am able to get long pots maybe three times out 20 etc these guys are a different level and can pick apart the guy on the street i did manage to get one frame against selby in a best of 11 match and I beat Stephen Maguire 4-3 in a best of seven but against Bingham graeme dott Matthew Stevens Fergal O,brien Nigel Bond Alan Mcmanus and all the others it has basically been whitewash after whitewash or at least very one sided games basically with the exception of Stephen Maguire I have suffered a heavy defeat to every pro I have ever played against

[@lilchris26]

Brilliant guys, what performances, good to watch.

[@tomwalsh6655]

Two great attempts.

[@snookerstones]

Hendrys mind games 😂

[@sjake8308]

The competetive flame will never be fully extinguished. It's one thing that separates the best from us mortals. 😆

[@doesntmatter3963]

Nice to see some decent attempts for a change 😅

[@juchetony1910]

I want to watch Davis have another go.

[@shaymayo6]

great effort!

[@SnookersBurdenTrophy]

Two brilliant attempts there… it’s so nice to watch them caress the cue ball - beautiful to watch 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@eamo7946]

Love this snooker channel and look forward to the weekly videos

[@ewankenobi22]

really enjoyed that, both because it was 2 great efforts, but also because the players themselves seemed to be really enjoying it too

[@taoism117]

This is thoroughly entertaining. What impressive breaks!

[@SmokeandSteam]

Two fabulous breaks, two top attempts by Stephen to put them off 😂😂 Holt’s ball striking was absolutely phenomenal by the way. Wow!

[@samimhashemi147]

Oh great effort by Barry🎉

[@chrispayne1824]

Would quite like to see tough table challenge become an alternative route to a tour card 😂

[@matthewchilds1862]

Mad how I used to stay up watching hendry win all those titles on a tv you had to tune with an aerial and now I get a notification on my portable computer to watch the best channel on the you tube’s . Form is temporary, class is permanent.

[@stumpymacbagpipes16]

Class TTC from Hawkins and Holt! Insane how comfortable Holt is talking when effortlessly potting and getting into position! Nice touch from Holt as well when he's vocal about where he's cueing on the white ball.. cracking cannon from the black to get the red out from the cush Class video 👌 Cheers Stephen 🤜🤛

[@wadelogisticsltd]

Could count on one hand the amount of people with more talent than Michael Holt, really hope he gets one more opportunity on tour and can play without his demons and show exactly what he can do!

[@MGZ63]

I'm suprised Stephen didn't react like: "mmmmm that's a bit clumsy" 😂

[@enkaan1676]

Love to see holt at more tournaments. Great guy .

[@mrgolftennisviolin]

Hey Steven, I’ve been loving these videos! Personally I’d love to see you play a few frames with Jan Verhaas.

[@juchetony1910]

2 refs play a frame, Stephen referees it. Great idea.

[@mrgolftennisviolin]

@@juchetony1910 Jan vs Michaela?

[@sjake8308]

@@juchetony1910 Have you seen how Hendry respots balls? 😆

[@juchetony1910]

put it this way, I wouldn't want him doing my prostate exam.@@sjake8308

[@mrgolftennisviolin]

@@sjake8308 he could use a lesson from the pros!

[@TheoPl4y]

Like you said Very impressive

[@tanmay9268]

Big mind games going on here 😂 i love it

[@ryanstockley9495]

The way holty is hitting the ball he should be competing for tournaments let alone not even on the tour

[@weldabar]

Two very good entries into this challenge. I'm always rooting for every player to break the record. Maybe someday we'll see a total clearance.

[@easy4x4]

I totally agree that Michael Holt is a brilliant potter. He's shown that in both videos. That long red at 09:44 was top-class. A clue as to why he hasn't done better is in his long video where he admits getting nervous. So, as well as being a coach himself, he'd benefit from one himself who could help him with that part of his game. I think it'd make a huge difference. Ding is another player who should've won more. Once players get to a similar level, it's things like mental resilience and control that differentiate them. Probably why White never beat Hendry in the finals.

[@99estoc99]

Not positive with Ding as he is so rich, he has not the motivation as before.

[@GTiR23]

Michael 'Oh no' Holt! What a guy!

[@washurhandnow1347]

Very enjoyable to watch ! Thought both of them would clear up look at those cannons one by one

[@BrianPinas9]

Saw Michael Holt out in Notttingham. Seems a top bloke

[@LPManic]

The hardest part of the tough table challenge is Hendry talking to you.

[@augustbobby8888]

I want to see some American pool players. Like Fedor gorst or SVB. Itnwould be awesome to see that side of cue sports.

[@leep1667]

Yup. Joshua Filler, Jayson Shaw, Earl. So many cool names which would be amazing to see on this channel. The Gareth Potts' videos already have loads of views so I think people would dig it

[@augustbobby8888]

@leep1667 that's what I'm saying let's get some American pool players. 👍👍👍👍

[@stewartmcrae8007]

@@augustbobby8888 they can create their own channel we don't need them on here

[@stewartmcrae8007]

@@leep1667 we have already had a number of people on this channel who shouldn't have been we don't need any more appearing

[@seiyulyu4854]

The one problem I see with that is Stephen probably knows very little about pool and pool players. So the interview quality might not be very good.

[@shaunwhite2081]

Love how all the pros want it so much we'll done steven

[@benrichards399]

Does this mean there's a Dennis Taylor cliff Thorburn double header in the can for future upload? Also, why didn't they take a second go at it??

[@betweenthreeislands]

Yeah some players got second tries, why not these two? I'd prefer it if it was a bit more consistent that way, and also less talking. The interview format over an informal game of snooker is great, but the tough table challenges should be taken more seriously as they're entertaining to watch on their own without chatter.

[@leemcqueen500]

Think it's if they don't get a decent first score they get another go.

[@sjake8308]

My guess is that just the best efforts were uploaded to keep the video a respectable length.

[@fromwithinuk]

It can't be coincidence that the leader of the board is the only person who didn't have Stephen talking at him. ... player lines up for tough shot.. Stephen: I heard that you drink 8 cans of Fanta every day. Player: What? No. ...misses by miles

[@culopeloso383]

lol

[@AidanMillward]

Problem is Stephen has to keep talking, cos if he says “alright I’ll stop” people will be wanting Ronnie back on to do it again. 🤣

[@jasonlaverty6074]

Cmon Barry !!

[@varunrhj]

MH was born to play snooker!! Can’t believe he pots balls while talking haha my hero!

[@jackbuff_I]

Well done Michael! Another great effort! I still think it should be score keeping ONLY when the TTTC is attempted!

[@secondlife0260]

Great michael holt

[@davidcurrie9045]

Stephens smile when Barry twitched on the green 😂😂😂

[@Bobobobobob741]

Brilliant efforts, but you just gotta love the lads' reactions to the near-fluke at Holt's last black. "HOO!!" "HOO?!"

[@johntoth1264]

Michael Holt seems like a good guy to have a beer with

[@einstein0808]

Normally we got shown the list of all the scores and then where the player in the video got ranked. Why isn't that in the video anymore? The editor shouldn't forget that. Then we've got to see Barry and Michael their place on the TTC ranking list.

[@danieladaniel2004]

Congratulations to both players! Impressive!

[@vxrdrummer]

Perf!

[@timcrook2231]

Top draw gents 🖖🔝😉🏆

[@AMOSLZY]

There's definitely a secret rule: Don't you dare to break my record- Stephen . XD

[@jackbuff_I]

great effort from the Hawk there! Lets see if Holt manages to stay _positive_ .... hehe

[@exec771]

Hendry sharking both of them :)

[@JJmoony]

Michaels fast I’m blown away by that. Awesome

[@bchant19]

I really thought Barry was gonna clear up. Definitely the best head to head so far. I think the pressure of having Stephen watching over your shoulder is what's making these top player crack 😅

[@hennas87]

Fabulous. Now let's go back to all the other players and have their's in quiet too 😛

[@danshewell8746]

Barry was really close. If he hadn't have twitched he'd have probably cleared up. Hitman had been preparing for that by talking all the way through his frames with Stephen before. He knows Hendry's tactic of putting people off.

[@justynbarnes7895]

Barry has a great Sid James laugh.

[@Barberdon2022]

So pleased Hawkins is still doing great at this stage of his career.

[@Takerfanatic]

I thought Barry would do it, and he's probably the most studious to be able to navigate the table but couldn't finish it off

[@ryanstockley9495]

Oh Barry

[@easy4x4]

Two really great break for a change! No spoilers. 😉😊

[@taoism117]

Please get Jimmy White to come on the show and talk about old times!

[@Ironsmiler]

Stephen "piling it on" reminds me of playing my mate as a youth, and any sort of vaguely pottable colour you could hear the scrape of him putting the points on the board in advance as I cued up.

[@juchetony1910]

mate of mine used to poise to go and get the colour just as I was about to hit the shot. Put me off every time.

[@Ironsmiler]

@@juchetony1910 Yes, sounds a very similar 'tactic'.

[@leboeuf05]

thought barry was gonna get top score. i watch michael's channel and wonder why he isnt a top player. he should be

[@kevinknollman4299]

Great video. Both top top players. Holt probably just lacks a bit of consistency. That long red was absolute quality 👌 Hawkins has been a class act for years now I hope he starts to win more

[@malayzeroseven]

Holt being so good still not considered as a top top player tells how hard snooker is .. 😢

[@sjake8308]

I think he'd be first to admit his main problem was between his ears. Hopefully he can win the Q Tour and get back on the main tour. 👍

[@VonBlade]

Both brilliant efforts. No "two goes"? Or were those the best of the two. Either way, really thought Barry had it, and Michael's long red was sublime.

[@trew1061]

My goodness

[@ju.snooker]

Is it just me or where the top two reds in baulk a lot harder for Michael than they were for Barry?

[@GMeazza]

Barry's cue seemed to be squeaking a lot. When I play I always end up chalking my bridge hand, but you never see the pros do it. Do they put up with it, not sweat despite the TV lights, treat the cue somehow to prevent it or something else?

[@JakeMay]

It wasn't squeaking it was rubbing against the microphone under his t-shirt

[@user-zl7vu6kp9h]

Go on Barry 😂 that was awesome!! Stephen loves putting everyone off 😂😂 did anyone hear Barry’s cue making that high pitched noise ? Like a fork against a plate 😂🙈 gave me goosebumps 😂

[@danhyde7501]

Maybe we will see more KZbinrs, break from life, Barton snooker, Barry stark etc showing up on this channel soon?

[@Ex-Pear-Rocker]

Michael Holt is the most successful player of all time at the shootout, so basically he is the GOAT of the shootout

[@alexclemence8685]

On the surface, Hendry might sound supportive but he is willing every shot to stay out of the pocket! He's going to cling to the record for dear life. If some player gets to 83, Hendry will probably start battle rapping.

[@AlexGillon]

I still want to know how many attempts Stephen took to get his 80 odd 😂

[@duncanbell315]

What material is Barry's cue made out of? It sounds very different!

[@nickllama5296]

Did Barry ever chalk?! 😁 SO CLOSE!

[@juchetony1910]

Michael's too good not to be on the tour.

[@doug_1489]

imagine Stephen Hendry (non stop) in your ear while you're trying to beat his score? 😅

[@1965deebee]

Two great breaks….just not quite there…✊✊

[@banezivaljevic]

It would be awesome to se Stephen host the Break From Life in one of his episodes

[@JohnJaySnookerChannel]

Few people looking for that now. Me included

[@flapdrol]

I don't think Stephen is a fan of the channel. Stephen suggested that in an earlier video with Holt: that there are lots of snooker channels that over-coach, put too much thought into unimportant stuff, like stance.. Putting tape on the ground to know where and how to stand, and putting marks on the table to set up shots the same every time... I think Break from life is one of such channels.

[@jedross2136]

When he did the tough-table he had the reds about a foot out from the cushions, I’m not sure he’d cope with Steve’s set-up where they are actually pretty tight.

[@dazuk1969]

I watched Holt smash 82 on his channel. I don't know if it's all he cameras n stuff or what. Bring forth Sir Jimmy Whyte Mr Hendry and let's see what he can do. I have waiting so long to see Jimmy on this channel.

[@nickmiller3319]

So funny to see a top player like Barry who can hold it together for match ball in a major final twitch when he’s coming close to Hendry’s record in a meaningless competition!