Players taking too much time on a shot has often been a point of tension among potters – but Mark Selby acknowledges there will always be a range of times on the circuit.

Selby averaged 17 seconds a shot in his Northern Ireland Open second-round victory over Jimmy Robertson to progress to the last 16.

But while the likes of the Jester for Leicester and Rocket Ronnie O’Sullivan are brisk operators around the cloth, others have come under fire for slow play.

But Selby understands the importance of deliberation – and the long-term consequences missed shots can have on the lower-ranked players.

“It’s tough – not everyone is talented as someone like Ronnie – he sees the shot so quickly while other players sometimes need the pre-shot routine to get into it," he said.

“Sometimes my shot time is up at 26-27 seconds but when I’m doing OK I get on with it.

“There are some players out there who are struggling to stay on the tour and haven’t got much money financially, they’re going out there playing for their careers, so it’s difficult to just get on with it and just think it’s a game of snooker.”

Watch the Northern Ireland Open live on Eurosport and Eurosport Player, with analysis from Ronnie O’Sullivan, Jimmy White and Neal Foulds