Sport, like most other aspects of life, must move with the times and snooker is no exception to the rule.

The ever-increasing need to attract and, perhaps more importantly, retain a fan base means innovation is pivotal in the saturated market of live televised sport.

Think T20 cricket or the European Tour’s quick-fire Hero Challenge and you begin the get the idea.

The Coral Shoot Out, which is taking place at Watford Colosseum, provides snookers equivalent.

Far from the break-building epics served up at the Crucible, shoot outs deal in frenetic shot playing as competitors face off in one 10 minute frame.

The opening five minutes of which allow each player 15 seconds per shot and just 10 for the remainder of the match.

It is a format which Dominic Dale, who secured safe passage to the last 32 with a win over Hossein Vafaei yesterday and won the competition in 2014, enjoys.

“I love this tournament and it is brilliant. It is a great tournament and it is great fun. Everyone who is playing in it is really enjoying it, that is a fact,” he said.

“I am a natural extrovert, so love the big stage, love interacting with the crowd. If you have seen any of my matches I take it seriously at the beginning and will have fun if I am winning fairly easily.”

Add to the mix a £32,000 prize fund and the reward of ranking points for the first time in the competition’s history, and it is clear to see the appeal to both fans and players alike.

The fact the event has a say in world ranking points has caused some unrest among players and Dale, while saying he is happy to benefit from the change, feels the decision was misplaced.

“It is a big benefit. If you do well in this event you can get a bit of a bonus in terms of your ranking,” he said.

“I don’t think I know of any players who agree with this being a ranking event just because of the nature of the tournament, but anybody who does well is thankful for the points.”

Already the competition has thrown up surprises, with defending champion Robin Hull crashing out at the second round stage last night.

The theme continued on Saturday as Barry Hawkins suffered a defeat in the night’s opening match against Eden Sharav.

The Scot eased to an early advantage after making a break of 49, before weathering a slight comeback from the 2012 champion, who missed a difficult red to allow Sharav to claim the win.

There were no such worries for Anthony Hamilton and he denied Fang Xiongman the chance to score in a dominant display which saw him win the frame 115-0.

Further wins for Zhang Yong and Ashley Hugill saw the last 32 begin to take shape before the final day of action tomorrow.

Dale is hopeful of continuing the form which has seen him make steady progress so far and believes this will give him the best chance of success.

He said: “I have played two matches and won them comfortably. I don’t want anything to change.

“I will remember what sort of shots I have played and the speed I have played at. It is hard to walk out there and be calm.”