Michael ‘The Hitman’ Holt was once known for punching tables and swearing during matches. He’s calmed down a bit now and currently ranks 22nd in the world. We caught up with him while on a break at the 2014 Welsh Open...
What are you up to today?
I’m not playing today so I’ll probably just have a practice, have a few cups of tea and a gossip with the other players.
How much practice do you do every day?
When I’m at home I probably play between four and six hours but at tournaments we can only get on the practice table for an hour spot and that’s it. To be honest when you get to a tournament the work’s been done anyway; it’s just about ticking over and getting yourself mentally prepared for the match.
Are you feeling confident in the Welsh Open?
Yeah, I’ve always felt quite confident I can play a bit. If I can get a bit of luck you never know what might happen.
What’s the atmosphere like among everyone?
All the players get on. We’ve been on tours quite a lot, we’re away from home quite a lot and spend a lot of time together so you build some quite strong bonds with some players. I’ve known some of the lads for, like, twenty years, since they were juniors. We have a good giggle, to be fair, it’s a bit of a laugh. Yeah, we’re lucky in that respect but obviously when we play we wanna kill each other. When it’s finished we just shake hands and make friends again.
Do you reckon you’ll be able to beat Ronnie again?
I think I will hopefully, yeah. You never know. It’s quite a short format, so I can win things pretty quickly. It’d be great to beat him in the final because he’s the best player. Obviously to win any tournament’s great but to beat the best player in the world in the final would be fantastic, but I’ve got a few matches before then so I’ll have to cross that bridge when I come to it.
How have you developed to such a high standard as a snooker player?
It starts with you playing just because you love it and you play as much as you can, you do anything to play. Then you go into junior tournaments and then progress to professional. I’m lucky to do what I do, I’m blessed. It’s not hard work, it’s not hard labour, but mentally it’s quite hard and stressful at times. It’s just effort. It’s blood, sweat and tears. You just keep trying as hard as you can to keep yourself in pole position.
You can be quite hard on yourself during matches…
I think I’m better now, I used to be a little bit hard on myself. I used to be silly, really. As a matter of fact, stupid. So yeah, them years are behind me now, I enjoy it a lot more so hopefully I’ve got a better chance of winning. Hopefully I can win soon, that’d be good.
Do you remember your first big break?
My first 147, yep. I can remember my first 147. I can remember my first 100 break as well, that was when I was about seventeen. I made 103 after potting a long black, I was dead nervous.
Who came up with 'The Hitman'?
An old commentator called Alan Hughes; he used to do the announcements when the professionals came out to play. I was only young, probably only twenty. He came up with that and I thought “Ooh, that’ll do me.” It’s stuck ever since. I feel a little bit of a fraud really because there’s a long list of good hit men. I’ll take it anyway.
Are you mates with Carl Froch?
He likes his snooker. We got in touch, had a game and became quite friendly. He’s a top lad. He’s a champion and an inspiration for any sportsperson to basically keep plugging away to get what you want to achieve. Getting to know him, he’s a gentleman. It’s a pleasure to know him, top lad.
Does he advise you against punching tables?
Yeah, he does. If you’re gonna punch something, punch something softer than a wooden cushion. I’ll leave the punching to him in the future, I’m just tryna pot balls.
We heard that you’re a DJ…
About ten years ago, when I was young and I used to go away to Malia and Kos to work the summers. I didn’t actually DJ, I was one of them annoying people that stood outside the door trying to drag you in. We had a great time, absolutely fantastic. Just a 24 year old running about being daft, it was great. So yeah, I didn’t DJ but I did sort of work in bars. The snooker season finished in May and started in October, so I had the summer off. Whereas now we just have two weeks off in May and then we’re back on it, so it’s not possible. But, yeah, I did that a few years ago, I’m too old for it now. I’ve got to be grown up.
Do you go out in Nottingham?
Not so much as I used to, gone with the days of the Lost Weekend - I used to love that, but I still go to Ibiza once a year. I love Ibiza, I’m going in July with a few of my mates. I always try and get my little slip offs and act daft for a week.
Got to be done…
You know it. No danger.
We’ve also heard you play at Pegasus…
I do, yeah.
Do you rate any other clubs in Nottingham?
I mean as an amateur I used to play in a lot of the clubs but it’s funny because as I’ve turned pro, I only play in Pegasus. I practise in Pegasus and then I go home. I haven’t been in another club for I don’t know how long… Stapleford Cue Club is a good one, a friend of mine runs that. Obviously Pegasus is good but after I’ve practised there, I just wanna get home, do something else and get my mind off it.
Do you ever think about going out hustling at pool?
I’ve not really thought about it. I don’t play a lot of pool, to be honest. I used to as a kid because my dad used to run pubs as a landlord. I used to play a bit of pool but I haven’t played for years so I’d probably get hustled myself.
How’s your relationship with your cue?
I think all snooker players have got a little bit of a special relationship, depending on how special that relationship is… That’s for them. We’ve all got one cue, you get used to it because all cues are different even if they’re the same make. You just pick one you like, keep playing with it and hopefully pot as many balls as you can. There are better cues but it is very personal. If you like the feel of it you just play with that one.
If you could trade in your snooker talent for something else, what would it be and why
I’m a great dancer, so I don’t need any help there. I’d probably be a footballer so I could play for Forest.
Nice…
You know it.
Have you ever been approached for spot fixing?
Nothing. No, never. We have to report it if we get approached. I don’t know if it’s a good or bad thing that they’ve not asked me. I’ve never, ever been approached. I think it’s publicized as if there’s a lot of it in the game but there isn’t. A lot of the press make stories out of nothing really, the gossip just sells papers. Even though there have been a few things down the years, I know a lot of the lads and all of them are good lads. It’s the same in everything, isn’t it? Where there’s money, there’s always a bit of corruption somewhere. The tour, as a whole, is as honest as they come really.
Are you snooker loopy?
I’ll let you decide that one.
Anything else you want to say for LeftLion?
My brother’s in a band called Spotlight Kid. They’ve played Glastonbury and stuff, you should check them out.
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