ThunderDan9

Frankly, I don't have strong "longshot" leanings this time... I can't get over the dominance Humphries showed in ET 13 last week... and his recent major tournament results are also outstanding... and then Littler and MVG also fired in big 100+ averages last week... add the strange fact that there are no 150/1 standouts this time (bookies are getting smarter? I mean, there are more dominant players now, the two Lukes primarily, and still, players like Ross Smith are around only 30/1...). Two players I kind of like is Wade and Noppert. Both in the "Luke" half though, and especially Wade seems to have a harsh draw... most probably he would need to beat Cross+Dobey+Humphries+Littler to get to the finals... ouch. So Noppert... well, he hits very good averages, he usually goes some rounds... but never wins a tournament... still, I think I'm rolling the dice on Noppert at 50/1 (I don't have sky unfortunately) - and will once again regret it. 😁

By the way... we need good timing in betting too... last year I was on De Decker to win the Worlds (was a huge price obviously), but he was well beaten by Michael Smith if I remember right... now this time around he must be one of the hot ones (if he does not cool off completely in the next weeks), but I guess at a much, much, much reduced price.

Humphries back to world champion form.

But... he is Wattimena.😄😄😄

When he equalized at 4-4, I was so sure he would finally win... yes, quite shocking.

So... who will make the Finals from the upper half?😆

Nottingham Forest

And survives with a 141 checkout.😀 Yes, he is... not too consistent, lol.

If I remember right, he was 150/1. And frankly, he was not on my shortlist this time, as I didn't consider him a real threat in this major tournament. What a win for him, this should ignite his career.

Well, it was hard to watch, but Cullen finally got the job done!

Is he DONE as a top tier player?

I'm leaning towards Cullen and Wade at plus odds. But I'm not sure.

GL Of those three I would pick Aspinall, and I think he wins tonight. Smith/Clayton I don't have a clue... but yes, maybe Clayton shouldn't be so much longer than Ross.

If only we ever knew before every tournament which Cullen would show up. 😁

I like Joyce here, doubles are his forte, and it's a short game relatively.

Not much to add, nice analysis, guys. I also went with Chisnall and Dobey. Let the best man win that half. (I remember last year, when I also picked Chizzy... he was eliminated in the very first round by Woodhouse... now there is a potential Chizzy-Woodhouse tie in the 2nd round, lol.) Wade would have been a nice pick, he made the SF in the World Matchplay, and he's known for his steady doubling, but his draw is kind of harsh... The other outsider I have considered was Searle, but maybe that lost ET final might be in his head, AND he is in the Luke-half of the bracket.

West Ham

I missed today's action, I just hope, I really hope Kist does not win, lol!

Not much time, J went with: DVD, DE decker. Wattimena, Scutt, Taylor and Kist.

Yes... the Grand Prix will be interesting... last season this was the time of the year when Humphries really started to dominate... now he is not winning tournaments, and we might say he is not in best form. Littler is aldo a bit off compared to the start of the season... so right now (!) the Worlds seem more open than we thought in January.

Congrats for the Nijman-backers! (I missed the event - and Nijman's maiden Pro Tour win - too.)

Nope. Bookies are still having a hangover after celebrating their Swiss Trophy profits. 😛

Rock makes the semifinal, AND he is pretty much the best player of the four... OF COURSE he chokes against Schindler.

Arsenal

I kind of missed Chizzy, yesterday he was 23/1, he is now 17/1, so in the end I went with: Rock 28/1 Van Veen 40/1 ------ Cullen 100/1 De Decker 125/1