STUART Bingham says he has a secret weapon to do well in the pressure cooker of snooker’s Shoot Out – sobriety! The 37-year-old from Vange will take his place among the game’s stars at the thrilling one-frame knock-out event at the Blackpool Tower Circus Arena this weekend, writes James Colasanti

World number seven Bingham, who gets underway against 15th ranked Joe Perry on Saturday, said: “It’s on Sky, it’s 10-minute frames and fun – it’s a lottery really!

“A few of the players have a few drinks and they go out there a little bit tipsy, but not me. I get enough of a buzz off the adrenaline because you get more of that than at normal tournaments.

“And you need to keep your cool. Last year I missed two blacks off the spot against Anthony Hamilton and that was it for me. I’d never normally miss shots like that, but with the clock ticking and the adrenaline flowing you can miss anything.

“So I’ll be hoping to get in and settled so I can get comfortable out there as soon as possible.”

The event will see the likes of Mark Selby, John Higgins, Jimmy White and Steve Davis battling for the £32,000 top prize in the tournament which features a shot clock.