World Snooker Championship 2022

What do we think folks?

At this stage I'm finding it hard to look beyond Selby/Trump/Robertson/O'Sullivan. And I'm not sure I fancy Ronnie to get it over the line even if he turns up in a good frame of mind. Williams would have to get past Hawkins and Selby to make a semi-final, and he'd likely have to face Wilson/Bingham/Trump if he did. Higgins looks to have to overcome Robertson to make the semis.

On recent form I'd have to have Robertson as the likeliest winner, and he is best-priced 4/1 (20% chance - whereas I would give him a better-than 25% go). But my eye is taken by the 9/1 with Baldfred for Selby to win. That rates him a 10% chance, even though he has won four of the last eight 'worlds', and three of the last six. The Jester and Robbo are on opposite sides of the draw and you can 'dutch' them for around 2.3/1. Those odds suggest a c.30% chance, whereas I think the chances of one or the other winning may be slightly better than that. Anyway, having part of my stake on Selbs may make the ordeal of watching him with Kaht Junior on Saturday morning slightly more bearable!

 

john higgins

 

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz, I will go for Kirk Stevens, about time we had a Kirk win it , imagine it 35 frames of snooker zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

 

Don't think Ronnie's heart is in it anymore, Trump for me

 

Hoping Ding does it this year. Wouldn't bet against Judd or Selby though Looking forward to going again, it's great living so near to the Crucible.

 

Ding draws Kyren Wilson.

 

I like Kyren, wouldn't mind him winning either!

 

Tough draw for Ronnie with Dave Gilbert!

 

So many former champions involved but I think we might get a new name on the trophy. Robertson is the form player but his Crucible record is dire apart from the one off year over a decade ago when he won it. Selby hasn't played for nearly two months due to mental health issues. Trump has had his worse season in years and is on about taking a break. Guys like Ronnie the young lads aren't as scared of facing these days.

 

I'm not so sure about that. The eight former winners of the tournament are distributed evenly between the top and bottom halves of the draw. If the matches were to go according to rankings (seldom that simple, I know), Selby and Trump would not meet until the semi-final. Ditto Robertson and O'Sullivan in the bottom half. Be interested to know though who you would put up if you expect a new winner? For the reasons stated above I expect a strong showing from Selby and Robertson. But if I had to nominate an outsider I think I'd probably go for Luca Brecel. He is available at 40/1 (you may get 50's on the exchanges) with all firms going half the odds to make the final. I wouldn't write off Selby though. He has been receiving expert help for those issues and may even be turning up from a good place in terms of his wellbeing.

 

Wilson, Bingtao and Junhui. Wilson is a consistent player who knows how to get to later stages of tournaments. Bingtao won the Masters last year and you don't win a triple crown event if you're not good. Junhui is currently only the 4th best Chinese player when he was the best for years. He will want to get that position back.

 

I'm usually tipping a dark horse for the World Snooker Championship.

I backed Ali Carter both times he reached the final at 80/1 & 40/1.

But this year, I think only Ronnie O'Sullivan can stop Neil Robertson. But it all depends which Ronnie shows up. He usually needs a couple of rounds to get into his rhythm, but he's got a very tough first round tie with Dave Gilbert, who's no mug.

 

So excited to be going to see the Jester this morning! Kaht Junior and I have sleeping bags and Thermos flasks at the ready!

 

Enjoy! We're going next Sunday.

 

Higgins has reached final 3 out of last 5 so he’s the initial bet for me

 

Interesting snippets. This will be Ronnie's 30th appearance at the Crucible, equalling the record set by Steve Davis.

Second one is that Ronnie is 7-0 up in H2H meetings with Dave Gilbert.

 

I take it all back, Helen. Selbs was excellent. Two very tidy century breaks! And a great atmosphere!

 

The bits I watched after a nervy start looked good. Will watch the conclusion tonight.

 

As you said it turned out to be a good session to get.
I heard once that Selby takes his hairdresser with him to tournaments to do his hair every day … and also trim his beard.
He’d gone heavy on the tan crème today as well !

 

No chance of an early night when Mark's playing!