Snooker picks

Time for some ante-post World Snooker bets I think....

It is hard to pick much value out of the outright winner market, although a back-to-form John Higgins with a pretty easy path to the semifinals is pretty good at 8/1.

Neil Robertson might be worth a cheeky punt to make the highest break of the tournament, at 50/1. He's a top eight player of the next year or so for sure, is a brilliant break-builder, and from watching him practice lately he looks bang in form. Unfortunately he drew Hendry in round one so he may only get one match. 50/1 will do though.

For match betting I like the follwing handicap selections:

5/6 Barry Pinches +2.5 versus Doherty
Pinches could beat Doherty, who has had a poor old time ever since losing in the first round here last year. You can get 2/1 on Pinches, but I'd take the handicap.

5/6 Robert Milkins +3.5 v Mark Williams
OK, I hate Mark Williams and might be biased, but despite a recent upturn he is not the player he was. Again, Milkins could beat him even without the handicap.

EVS Neil Robertson +3.5 v Hendry
Hendry will have been gutted to draw Robertson. It all depends if the Aussie falls foul of Crucible debutante nerves, but he seems the most laid-back character you could meet.

5/6 Jimmy White -2.5 v Fergal O'Brien
Getting onto dodgy ground now, but I do think the Whirlwind will put mediocre O'Brien away. People will tell you that White has no chance in this tournament, but he made two finals last season and can still mix it with the best.

5/6 Peter Ebdon -2.5 v Quinten Hann
I do like watching Hann, even though he is undoubtedly a nob. However, Peter Ebdon is exactly the sort of opponent he won't beat, because Ebdon will mercilessly exploit Quinten's dreadful, impatient temperament. I would love to pick up a ticket for this match. and will try to do so.

So, I am off to Sheffield tomorrow for five days of snooker and other fun. I had loads of other stuff to write about but cannot be arsed right now. Suffice it to say that I have put a few more hours in this evening and it has not gone well. A cocky lack of focus has been partly to blame, plus an inability to hit a damn card.