Mark ‘The Pistol’ Allen (right) with Hurricane Room manager Sean McCollum

AMATEUR snooker aces put their cash where their cues were on Saturday when they took up the rare opportunity to battle UK champion Mark “The Pistol” Allen on the green baize.

Some of the best players from across the capital turned out at the Hurricane Room in King’s Cross after paying £100 per frame to challenge the world No 5. In the end, The Pistol showed his calibre as he remained unbeaten, even chalking up a few well-taken centuries along the way.

But it wasn’t all about the potting, as Allen also brought along his UK trophy to share with the next generation of wannabe professionals from children’s snooker club, Gone2Pot.

Hurricane Room manager Sean McCollum said: “Mark was really generous with his time. He was here for a good few hours, and took pictures with all the kids and signed autographs for everyone. It was a fun event and everyone really seemed to enjoy themselves.”

As it turns out the showcase was surely the highlight of Allen’s 2023 so far as on Tuesday he was beaten 6-0 by Barry Hawkins in the first round of the Cazoo Masters at Alexandra Palace.