--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When I started, there was never a great…" description: "\"When I started, there was never a great history of people doing well in snooker from Scotland. By chance, I got a table for my Christmas. If I hadn't g..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/050/stephen-hendry-5581_chance_when-i-started-there-was-never-a-great-h_1146722.jpg" --- # When I started, there was never a great history of people… ![“When I started, there was never a great history of people doing well in snooker from Scotland. By chance, I got a table for my Christmas. If I hadn't got that, then none of this would have happened.” quote by Stephen Hendry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/050/stephen-hendry-5581_chance_when-i-started-there-was-never-a-great-h_1146722.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/050/stephen-hendry-5581_chance_when-i-started-there-was-never-a-great-h_1146722.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/050/stephen-hendry-5581_chance_when-i-started-there-was-never-a-great-h_1146722.jpg) > “When I started, there was never a great history of people doing well in snooker from Scotland. By chance, I got a table for my Christmas. If I hadn't got that, then none of this would have happened.” [Stephen Hendry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-hendry/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Early exposure and chance can spark a career that defies regional expectations. **In simple terms:** A lucky start can lead to greatness. Key Takeaway Seize opportunities when they appear. Themes chance determination breaking barriers Mood inspired optimistic Type motivational personal growth When to use this quote - starting a sport - seizing unexpected resources - overcoming lack of local tradition Key Concepts self‑fulfilling prophecy role model regional pride Questions to Reflect On - What chance could you create for yourself? - How can you turn a small opportunity into a lasting impact? A Different Perspective Success may still need sustained effort and support beyond the initial chance. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Chance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chance/) [Christmas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christmas/) [Doing Snooker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doing-snooker-3221354/) [Got Table](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/got-table-3221356/) [Great](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/great/) [History](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/history/) [Never](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/never/) [Scotland Chance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/scotland-chance-3221355/) [Snooker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/snooker/) [Snooker Scotland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/snooker-scotland-3221353/) ## Related quotes > [“Scotland head coach Vern Cotter, said: "There's a lot of excitement within the team leading into this Test. "There are players who are going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/scotland-head-coach-vern-cotter-said-there-s-a-lot-of-excitement/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [In snooker, it's very important to keep very still on the shot and allow the cue to do the work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-hendry/in-snooker-it-s-very-important-to-keep-very-still-on-the-shot-and/) [Stephen Hendry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-hendry/) > [I got into poker in the early 2000s. In snooker tournaments, you are always looking for things to pass the time between matches, so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-hendry/i-got-into-poker-in-the-early-2000s-in-snooker-tournaments-you-are/) [Stephen Hendry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-hendry/) > [You cannot underestimate the body blow for a snooker player of having your cue broken. After all, it's an extension to your arm.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-hendry/you-cannot-underestimate-the-body-blow-for-a-snooker-player-of-having/) [Stephen Hendry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-hendry/) > [In all the years I've been playing, I've never considered changing my cue. It was the first cue I ever bought, aged 13, picked…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-hendry/in-all-the-years-i-ve-been-playing-i-ve-never-considered-changing-my/) [Stephen Hendry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-hendry/) > [By the age of 14, I had stopped doing homework and stopped studying - as soon as I had any spare time, I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-hendry/by-the-age-of-14-i-had-stopped-doing-homework-and-stopped-studying-as/) [Stephen Hendry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-hendry/) > [Going into a tournament with 100 per cent belief you will win it - that's how I've always enjoyed snooker.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-hendry/going-into-a-tournament-with-100-per-cent-belief-you-will-win-it-that/) [Stephen Hendry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-hendry/) > [In both snooker and poker, you have to play your best under pressure; I was always able to do that. I don't think it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-hendry/in-both-snooker-and-poker-you-have-to-play-your-best-under-pressure-i/) [Stephen Hendry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-hendry/) > [Snooker is my sanctuary and always has been.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-hendry/snooker-is-my-sanctuary-and-always-has-been/) [Stephen Hendry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-hendry/) > [It's the worst feeling in the world - to lose in the first round at Sheffield and then have to go home - because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-hendry/it-s-the-worst-feeling-in-the-world-to-lose-in-the-first-round-at/) [Stephen Hendry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-hendry/) > [With snooker, having three months off could have a huge long-term effect on your game. It's not like football, where there's a huge margin…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-robertson/with-snooker-having-three-months-off-could-have-a-huge-long-term/) [Neil Robertson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-robertson/) > [If you are a single guy and work in a normal job you can get around it. But you can't win professional snooker matches…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-robertson/if-you-are-a-single-guy-and-work-in-a-normal-job-you-can-get-around/) [Neil Robertson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-robertson/) > [I have always loved playing snooker.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-white/i-have-always-loved-playing-snooker/) [Jimmy White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-white/) > [I like to play snooker, golf as well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-terry/i-like-to-play-snooker-golf-as-well/) [John Terry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-terry/) > [I don't think I suffered with depression, I don't think I'm a depressed type of person - I just think I suffered a depression…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronnie-o-sullivan/i-don-t-think-i-suffered-with-depression-i-don-t-think-i-m-a/) [Ronnie O'Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronnie-o-sullivan/) ## More by Stephen Hendry > [When you have a big lead, you relax and don't concentrate as much.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-hendry/when-you-have-a-big-lead-you-relax-and-don-t-concentrate-as-much/) [Stephen Hendry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-hendry/) > [I always loved playing in front of big audiences; now I'm jittery if one person is in the room watching me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-hendry/i-always-loved-playing-in-front-of-big-audiences-now-i-m-jittery-if/) [Stephen Hendry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-hendry/) > [When I'm practising on my own, my game feels great, but there's a big difference between practising on your own and playing against people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-hendry/when-i-m-practising-on-my-own-my-game-feels-great-but-there-s-a-big/) [Stephen Hendry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-hendry/) > [Ever since I was a kid, I'd imagine that I was making a break to win the world championship.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-hendry/ever-since-i-was-a-kid-i-d-imagine-that-i-was-making-a-break-to-win/) [Stephen Hendry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-hendry/) > [Maybe I wish I could be out there on the big occasions playing like I did at my peak, but I certainly don't miss…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-hendry/maybe-i-wish-i-could-be-out-there-on-the-big-occasions-playing-like-i/) [Stephen Hendry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-hendry/) > [I like cookery programmes: Anthony Bourdain going around the world eating stuff; Rick Stein - he's another favourite.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-hendry/i-like-cookery-programmes-anthony-bourdain-going-around-the-world/) [Stephen Hendry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-hendry/) > [The memories for the missed opportunities are stronger than for the ones I managed to get over the line in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-hendry/the-memories-for-the-missed-opportunities-are-stronger-than-for-the/) [Stephen Hendry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-hendry/) > [When you get a trophy, why go jumping and crying? Winning's a great feeling, but everything else is an anti-climax.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-hendry/when-you-get-a-trophy-why-go-jumping-and-crying-winning-s-a-great/) [Stephen Hendry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-hendry/) > [I remember far more shots that cost me matches than the ones that won me matches. That is maybe the way you think if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-hendry/i-remember-far-more-shots-that-cost-me-matches-than-the-ones-that-won/) [Stephen Hendry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-hendry/) > [There are some people who never get used to losing at anything, and I am probably one of them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-hendry/there-are-some-people-who-never-get-used-to-losing-at-anything-and-i/) [Stephen Hendry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-hendry/) > [It is quite surreal when you go to places up the north, like Inner Mongolia, and you are getting mobbed at the airport.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-hendry/it-is-quite-surreal-when-you-go-to-places-up-the-north-like-inner/) [Stephen Hendry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-hendry/) > [I put on the tuxedo, and it's like putting on overalls - they're my work clothes. Then I go to work. I'm relaxed. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-hendry/i-put-on-the-tuxedo-and-it-s-like-putting-on-overalls-they-re-my-work/) [Stephen Hendry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-hendry/) > [In any sport at the top level, if you don't put in the hard work, you can be sure someone else is. It is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-hendry/in-any-sport-at-the-top-level-if-you-don-t-put-in-the-hard-work-you/) [Stephen Hendry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-hendry/) > [It is just down to confidence. When I haven't got any, I hate playing the game.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-hendry/it-is-just-down-to-confidence-when-i-haven-t-got-any-i-hate-playing/) [Stephen Hendry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-hendry/) > [I find it very difficult when, due to a lack of confidence, I don't produce and lose matches I could have won.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-hendry/i-find-it-very-difficult-when-due-to-a-lack-of-confidence-i-don-t/) [Stephen Hendry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-hendry/) [Explore all 100 Stephen Hendry quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-hendry/) ## More Chance quotes > [Before I debuted, it was my goal to make my debut, and afterwards, I aimed at winning champion titles on television music shows, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hyuna/before-i-debuted-it-was-my-goal-to-make-my-debut-and-afterwards-i/) [Hyuna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hyuna/) > [I understand it's promotion, but no one ever gave me a chance. No one ever thought I'd be the champ, and look where I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stipe-miocic/i-understand-it-s-promotion-but-no-one-ever-gave-me-a-chance-no-one/) [Stipe Miocic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stipe-miocic/) > [I might, by chance, write something just as shoddy; But then I wouldn't show it to everybody.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/moliere/i-might-by-chance-write-something-just-as-shoddy-but-then-i-wouldn-t/) [Moliere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/moliere/) > [When I get a chance to play golf or go on a boat with good people, take the boat out and put some lobsters…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernie-mac/when-i-get-a-chance-to-play-golf-or-go-on-a-boat-with-good-people/) [Bernie Mac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernie-mac/) > [The happy medium is television. And if you find a good suitor, you can do it for years. With movies, you roll the dice.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-campbell/the-happy-medium-is-television-and-if-you-find-a-good-suitor-you-can/) [Bruce Campbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-campbell/) > [I get afraid of the dark if I'm in a great deal of dark, and I have to move around inside of that fear...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emil-ferris/i-get-afraid-of-the-dark-if-i-m-in-a-great-deal-of-dark-and-i-have-to/) [Emil Ferris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emil-ferris/) > [I have heard that if you pull a bent breath through the second hole of a harmonica tuned to the key of Georgia while…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/buddy-wakefield/i-have-heard-that-if-you-pull-a-bent-breath-through-the-second-hole/) [Buddy Wakefield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/buddy-wakefield/) > [There are times when we can feel destiny close around us like a fist around a doorknob. Sure, we can resist. But a knob…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-robbins/there-are-times-when-we-can-feel-destiny-close-around-us-like-a-fist/) [Tom Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-robbins/) > [Pain held no terror for him. Pain was, if not friend, then family, something he had grown up with in his crèche, learning to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paolo-bacigalupi/pain-held-no-terror-for-him-pain-was-if-not-friend-then-family/) [Paolo Bacigalupi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paolo-bacigalupi/) > [Love changes people, for better or for worse. You could look at it as a chance for you to change. The best kind of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/love-changes-people-for-better-or-for-worse-you-could-look-at-it-as-a/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“It's not who, it's when”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alejandro-taubas/it-s-not-who-it-s-when/) [Alejandro Taubas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alejandro-taubas/) > [Childhood is Last Chance Gulch for happiness. After that, you know too much.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/childhood-is-last-chance-gulch-for-happiness-after-that-you-know-too/) [Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) > [I thought my first few jobs would just be off, off, off, off, off broadway. And by chance and how the world works, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tommy-dorfman/i-thought-my-first-few-jobs-would-just-be-off-off-off-off-off/) [Tommy Dorfman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tommy-dorfman/) > [If you’re worrying about the past, you’ve got a good chance of screwing up the future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-a-tullman/if-you-re-worrying-about-the-past-you-ve-got-a-good-chance-of/) [Howard A. Tullman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-a-tullman/) > [To be successful, one must take chances.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willie-stargell/to-be-successful-one-must-take-chances/) [Willie Stargell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willie-stargell/) [Browse all 12,460 Chance quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chance/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When I started, there was never a great history of people doing well in snooker from Scotland. 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