World Open 25 Feb - 3 Mar

[kevshat]

The next ranking event begins on Monday with the second staging of the World Open. Mark Allen defends the title this week and will do so on ITV4 as well as Eurosport and the betting live stream services. Draw and format can be found here: http://www.worldsnooker.com/staticFiles/26/bb/0,,13165~178982,00.pdf

[kevshat]

Re: World Open 25 Feb - 3 Mar Tournament preview: 2pts ew M.Allen to win World Open 12/1 Ladbrokes (1/2 1-2) Mark Allen won this tournament last year and he’ll have the motivation to win it this year too. If there is a weak portion of the draw he might just about have it even though the Welsh Open finalists Stuart Bingham and Steven Maguire are in his half. Given that Allen’s been the distance I’m confident he can go well again this week. He’s been in very good form for a while but has run into one too good for him but I’m not convinced he’ll do that here so at 12/1 I’ll take Allen to defend the title. Full preview here: http://www.punterslounge.com/world-open-betting-mark-allen-can-defend-his-world-open-title-out-in-china

[kevshat]

Re: World Open 25 Feb - 3 Mar [TABLE=class: couponTable]

[TR] [TH][/TH] [TH=class: firstColumn]Monday 25 February 2013[/TH] [TH]Player 1 [/TH] [TH]Player 2[/TH] [TH=class: bppWidth]BPP[/TH] [/TR] [TR=class: row0] [TD][/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn] Bond, N v Yinghui, Z (06:30 GMT) [/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd] 1.44 [/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd] 3.2 [/TD] [TD=class: bppWidth bpp]100.48 %[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [/TR] [TR=class: row1] [TD][/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn] Joyce, M v Saengkham, N (06:30 GMT) [/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd] 1.36 [/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd] 3.5 [/TD] [TD=class: bppWidth bpp]101.90 %[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [/TR] [TR=class: row0] [TD][/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn] McManus, A v Shuai, Lin (06:30 GMT) [/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd] 1.5 [/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd] 3 [/TD] [TD=class: bppWidth bpp]100.00 %[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [/TR] [TR=class: row1] [TD][/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn] Walden, R v Ebdon, P (06:30 GMT) [/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd] 1.8 [/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd] 2.2 [/TD] [TD=class: bppWidth bpp]101.01 %[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [/TR] [TR=class: row0] [TD][/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn] Bedford, S v Haotian, L (11:30 GMT) [/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd] 2.44 [/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd] 1.66 [/TD] [TD=class: bppWidth bpp]100.98 %[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [/TR] [TR=class: row1] [TD][/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn] Cope, J v Yuchen, W (11:30 GMT) [/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd] 1.33 [/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd] 4 [/TD] [TD=class: bppWidth bpp]100.00 %[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [/TR] [TR=class: row0] [TD][/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn] Davis, M v Milkins, R (11:30 GMT) [/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd] 1.72 [/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd] 2.4 [/TD] [TD=class: bppWidth bpp]99.56 %[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [/TR] [TR=class: row1] [TD][/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn] Gilbert, D v Ning, L (11:30 GMT) [/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd] 1.72 [/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd] 2.2 [/TD] [TD=class: bppWidth bpp]103.35 %[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [/TR] [TR] [TH] [/TH] [TH=class: firstColumn]Tuesday 26 February 2013[/TH] [TH]Player 1 [/TH] [TH]Player 2[/TH] [TH=class: bppWidth]BPP[/TH] [/TR] [TR=class: row0] [TD][/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn] Allen, M v Day, R (06:30 GMT) [/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd] 1.36 [/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd] 3.7 [/TD] [TD=class: bppWidth bpp]100.36 %[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [/TR] [TR=class: row1] [TD][/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn] Burns, I v Mohammed, S (06:30 GMT) [/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd] 1.25 [/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd] 5 [/TD] [TD=class: bppWidth bpp]100.00 %[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [/TR] [TR=class: row0] [TD][/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn] Higginson, A v Xintong, Z (06:30 GMT) [/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd] 1.4 [/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd] 3.5 [/TD] [TD=class: bppWidth bpp]100.00 %[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [/TR] [TR=class: row1] [TD][/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn] Murphy, S v Gould, M (06:30 GMT) [/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd] 1.53 [/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd] 2.82 [/TD] [TD=class: bppWidth bpp]100.68 %[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [/TR] [TR=class: row0] [TD][/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn] Robertson, N v Dale, D (11:30 GMT) [/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd] 1.25 [/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd] 4.35 [/TD] [TD=class: bppWidth bpp]102.99 %[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [/TR] [TR] [TH] [/TH] [TH=class: firstColumn]Wednesday 27 February 2013[/TH] [TH]Player 1 [/TH] [TH]Player 2[/TH] [TH=class: bppWidth]BPP[/TH] [/TR] [TR=class: row0] [TD][/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn] Ding, Junhui v Holt, M (06:30 GMT) [/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd] 1.33 [/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd] 3.7 [/TD] [TD=class: bppWidth bpp]102.03 %[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [/TR] [TR=class: row1] [TD][/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn] Maguire, S v Campbell, M (11:30 GMT) [/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd] 1.4 [/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd] 3.25 [/TD] [TD=class: bppWidth bpp]102.20 %[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [/TR] [TR=class: row0] [TD][/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn] Williams, M v Fu, M (11:30 GMT) [/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd] 1.67 [/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd] 2.5 [/TD] [TD=class: bppWidth bpp]99.88 %[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [/TR] [/TABLE]

[kevshat]

Re: World Open 25 Feb - 3 Mar Monday first session previews: 4pts P.Ebdon to beat R.Walden 6/5 William Hill Given his recent form I’m really surprised Ricky Walden is the favourite for this match. Peter Ebdon is an awkward player to play against when you are in form let alone when you’re not and I think he’s the clear value in this match. Conditions overseas tend to suit Ebdon’s game and I would expect him to fancy his chances of a good run this week. At odds against Ebdon looks like a good bet to me. Full preview here: http://www.punterslounge.com/walden-vs-ebdon-betting-ricky-walden-looks-there-to-be-surprised-by-ebdon-in-china 4pts A.McManus (-1.5 frames) to beat L.Shuai 8/11 Apollobet Normally I’m wary about the professional in these wildcard matches because they are in a no win situation but I think Alan McManus has the experience and more importantly the quality to come through this one. He’s been around long enough to know how to deal with young whippersnappers and I think he’ll be glad to be back at another venue rather than have the ‘I’ve already qualified so why do I have to qualify again?’ school of thought which some professionals have in this round. With the confidence of his run to the quarter finals in Newport I expect McManus to come through unscathed here. Full preview here: http://www.punterslounge.com/mcmanus-vs-shuai-betting-alan-mcmanus-has-the-knowhow-to-see-off-the-chinese-wildcard

[kevshat]

Re: World Open 25 Feb - 3 Mar Monday second session previews: 4pts R.Milkins to beat M.Davis 11/8 BetVictor Mark Davis could have done without drawing a confident Robert Milkins in the first round of this tournament. Davis never even qualified for the German Masters or the Welsh Open which shows how vulnerable he can be and Robert Milkins is always a good scorer and will take the chances he is given. Milkins looked in pretty good touch in the Welsh Open and if he can take that form to China with him he’s good value in this one. Full preview here: http://www.punterslounge.com/m-davis-vs-milkins-betting-robert-milkins-can-continue-his-good-form-from-the-welsh-open-out-in-china 4pts L.Haotian to beat S.Bedford 4/6 Paddy Power Although I don’t agree with the wildcard process there is always one who comes through the wildcard round and makes a name for himself in the tournament proper and I expect that to be Lu Haotian here. The youngster showed in the International Championship that he scores well and can beat players ranked above him. Bedford isn’t the greatest player known to man so I think the youngster can win this. Full preview here: http://www.punterslounge.com/bedford-vs-haotian-betting-simon-bedford-looks-to-have-drawn-the-best-of-the-wildcards-in-world-open

[kevshat]

Re: World Open 25 Feb - 3 Mar Tuesday morning TV previews: 3pts M.Allen (-2.5 frames) to beat R.Day 11/10 Bet365 I expect Mark Allen to win this match and if he shows the form he has done in recent times I expect him to win it by a large margin too. Ryan Day isn’t scoring like he can at the minute and that is something Mark Allen really is doing. He won’t need more than one chance to win a frame too many times so I think the defending champion can win this match and win it by no worse than 5-2. Full preview here: http://www.punterslounge.com/allen-vs-day-betting-mark-allen-can-begin-his-title-defence-with-a-routine-victory 4pts S.Murphy vs M.Gould - Over 7.5 frames 10/11 Bet365 I think Shaun Murphy will come through this match but not before Martin Gould has given him a bit of a scare. Murphy has been making heavy weather of matches in recent tournaments and that could mean he has to work a bit harder than he’d like here. Martin Gould is perfectly capable of keeping this tight even without Murphy’s help so the best bet to me looks like over 7.5 frames. Full preview here: http://www.punterslounge.com/murphy-vs-gould-betting-shaun-murphy-might-be-made-to-work-harder-than-he-d-like-in-world-open-opener

[Donkeysupreme]

Re: World Open 25 Feb - 3 Mar nice one kevshat, did a double with L. haotian and robert milkins, milkins v davis was close in the end, i thought davis was going to come back and nick off milkins.

[kevshat]

Re: World Open 25 Feb - 3 Mar Tuesday afternoon TV previews: 4pts M.Joyce (+2.5 frames) to beat J.Trump Evs Stan James I would imagine of all the matches Judd Trump plays this week, this will be the one he’s up for the most. He has a point to prove here and while I think he’ll win the match I’m not convinced it will be in the style he might like. Joyce got his cue arm working on Monday and blew off any cobwebs from the flight and that’s important. He knows he’ll get chances in this match so his good scoring in that wildcard match was important. Trump should win but he might just try too hard to impress here and play into Joyce’s hands. I don’t think Joyce will win but I do think he can win three frames. Full preview here: http://www.punterslounge.com/trump-vs-joyce-betting-mark-joyce-can-annoy-judd-trump-once-again-out-in-hainan-island 4pts D.Dale (+2.5 frames) to beat N.Robertson 5/6 Ladbrokes Not only does Neil Robertson have a poor record in China, he has a poor record against Dominic Dale too with the Welshman winning their last four meetings. Robertson is often a poor starter to tournaments too which might be another thing which doesn’t help his cause so all things considered this looks a tougher assignment than the Australian would like. We saw with Dale against Trump in the Welsh Open that he’s not always the best at getting over the line but it is hard to ignore Dale’s record against Robertson so I’ll take him to win at least three frames if not all five he needs to win. Full preview here: http://www.punterslounge.com/robertson-vs-dale-betting-dominic-dale-likely-to-push-neil-robertson-all-the-way-in-world-open

[kevshat]

Re: World Open 25 Feb - 3 Mar Wednesday 1st session previews: 4pts M.Holt (+2.5 frames) to beat D.Junhui 8/11 Stan James In theory Ding should win this match and win it well but it is clear over the last year or two that he feels the pressure of playing in China and that has to be to Holt’s advantage. Whether Holt can hold himself together to pull off a big win remains to be seen but I do believe he has the quality in him to keep this match tight. Holt made the semi final of a PTC event earlier in the season and he beat Ding along the way so I think he can take three frames here. Full preview here: http://www.punterslounge.com/ding-vs-holt-betting-michael-holt-can-take-advantage-of-the-expectations-on-ding-in-china 3pts M.Selby (-3.5 frames) to beat L.Haotian 11/10 Stan James I think Mark Selby will win this and barring any travel difficulties I think he’ll win this well. Lyu has nothing to lose but his safety was quite lax in the wildcard match and Mark Selby will gobble all over any weakness in this match which Simon Bedford couldn’t do in the previous match. Assuming Selby gets off to a fast start, and there’s no reason why he won’t, I expect the world number one to win this quite comfortably. Full preview here: http://www.punterslounge.com/selby-vs-haotian-betting-mark-selby-should-enjoy-comfortable-passage-into-the-second-round

[kevshat]

Re: World Open 25 Feb - 3 Mar Wednesday's 2nd session previews: 4pts M.Fu to beat M.Williams 11/8 William Hill I like Marco Fu in this match. I’d have liked him purely on form grounds but when you factor in how hard it will be for Mark Williams to be away from his new child for a long time I like Fu even more in this match. He has a bit of pressure to perform for the relatively local crowds but he’s in good touch as we saw in the German Masters and looks a big price to win this match. Full preview here: http://www.punterslounge.com/williams-vs-fu-betting-marco-fu-looks-a-big-price-to-upset-mark-williams-in-world-open 4pts A.McManus (+2.5 frames) to beat J.Higgins 4/5 Boylesports John Higgins is capable of turning the form on and off like a tap, he’s that good, but it has to be a concern just how badly he did play in the Welsh Open and with the confidence of a run to the quarter finals there and a win already this week I think there’s more than enough mileage in suggesting Alan McManus can keep this tight. He might not quite have enough to win but he can certainly take three frames, especially if Higgins’ is as off colour as he was in Newport. Full preview here: http://www.punterslounge.com/higgins-vs-mcmanus-betting-alan-mcmanus-can-run-john-higgins-close-in-the-world-open

[kevshat]

Re: World Open 25 Feb - 3 Mar Thursday first session previews: 4pts J.Trump (-2.5 frames) to beat N.Bond 8/11 Ladbrokes I expect Judd Trump to be too good for the former world finalist here. Bond is still a capable player on his day but he isn’t as consistent as he was and he doesn’t score as heavily as he used to and the one thing you have to do against Trump is score as eventually he’ll take one of the chances he is given. I’d be surprised if Bond scores heavily enough to win more than two frames here. Full preview here: http://www.punterslounge.com/trump-vs-bond-betting-judd-trump-should-have-no-trouble-overcoming-nigel-bond 4pts B.Hawkins vs M.Selby - Over 7.5 frames Evs Bet365 I think this will be a much longer match than both men had their opening round matches. Selby looks in good form but Barry Hawkins isn’t just going to roll over and die so I think we could see plenty of frames and some good quality snooker. I like the idea of both men winning at least three frames here whichever way the match ends up going so over 7.5 frames looks a good bet to me. Full preview here: http://www.punterslounge.com/hawkins-vs-selby-betting-barry-hawkins-can-give-the-uk-champion-a-stern-challenge-in-china

[kevshat]

Re: World Open 25 Feb - 3 Mar Thursday second session previews: 4pts D.Junhui vs M.Fu - Over 7.5 frames 10/11 Paddy Power I think this will be a close match. It might in a way help Ding that he’s playing another player who is from near to China so the crowd won’t be so desperate for him to win but in saying that he’s still their hero. I think Marco Fu will come on for the run against Williams and if he plays like he has he’ll be more than competitive so in what should be a good match I’ll take over 7.5 frames here. Full preview here: http://www.punterslounge.com/ding-vs-fu-betting-chinese-pair-can-produce-a-close-match-in-the-world-open 3pts M.Allen (-2.5 frames) to beat R.Milkins 6/5 Coral I think Mark Allen will come through this. Although Robert Milkins is very much on the up he can still be a little bit loose and the way Allen is playing Milkins will get punished for any looseness he shows in this match. Mark Allen looks like a man at ease with his game around the table and I think he’s worth a small punt on the handicap in this last 16 match. Full preview here: http://www.punterslounge.com/allen-vs-milkins-betting-mark-allen-can-progress-into-the-quarter-final-without-too-many-hiccups

[kevshat]

Re: World Open 25 Feb - 3 Mar Friday morning QF previews: 5pts J.Trump (-1.5 frames) to beat M.Stevens Evs Stan James I think this will be a tough ask for Matthew Stevens and I say that because Judd Trump looked fantastic in the second round on Thursday. The snooker he played there reminded me of the snooker he played in getting to the world final a couple of years ago and while Stevens done well to beat Murphy in the last round it is hard to expect him to play his best without his own cue. I think Judd will win this and do so with a bit in hand. Full preview here: http://www.punterslounge.com/trump-vs-stevens-betting-judd-trump-could-be-way-too-good-for-stevens-in-world-open-quarter-final 4pts M.Selby to beat N.Robertson 5/6 William Hill Selby has already beaten Robertson in the UK Championship quarter finals and the Masters final this season and I think he can make it a hat trick of wins here. He is playing some excellent snooker right now and loves playing in China and has a very good record there. Robertson hasn’t really got a good record in China and part of the reason for that would be the conditions which don’t always suit his style. From what we’ve seen so far Selby looks in the better nick to me and I think he’ll win this quarter final. Full preview here: http://www.punterslounge.com/selby-vs-robertson-betting-mark-selby-can-beat-neil-robertson-for-the-third-time-in-three-months

[kevshat]

Re: World Open 25 Feb - 3 Mar Friday afternoon QF previews: 5pts D.Junhui vs J.Higgins - Over 7.5 frames 4/5 Paddy Power I expect this quarter final to be a close one. Their last two meetings have both gone to a deciding frame and I wouldn’t be at all surprised if this one does the same, especially with Higgins’ resurgence in form so far this week. Ding is playing really well but if there is anyone who can tame Ding in this form it is Higgins. I’m confident whoever wins this they will win it either 5-3 or 5-4. Full preview here: http://www.punterslounge.com/ding-vs-higgins-betting-ding-and-higgins-can-play-out-another-close-match-in-world-open-quarter-final 4pts M.Allen vs R.Walden - Over 7.5 frames 5/6 Paddy Power I think this will be a pretty close match. These two are both good players and they both know their way around a snooker table but when left the chance both men can score well and they can score well in these conditions too which is important. When these two met in the UK Championship semi final last season it was 9-7 to Allen and I think this will be as close, if not closer, than that one was. Full preview here: http://www.punterslounge.com/allen-vs-walden-betting-don-t-expect-too-much-to-separate-allen-and-walden-in-world-open-quarter-final

[kevshat]

Re: World Open 25 Feb - 3 Mar [TABLE=class: couponTable]

[TR] [TH][/TH] [TH=class: firstColumn]Saturday 2 March 2013[/TH] [TH]Player 1 [/TH] [TH]Player 2[/TH] [TH=class: bppWidth]BPP[/TH] [/TR] [TR=class: row0] [TD][/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn] Stevens, M v Robertson, N (06:30 GMT) [/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd] 3 [/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd] 1.5 [/TD] [TD=class: bppWidth bpp]100.00 %[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [/TR] [TR=class: row1] [TD][/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn] Allen, M v Higgins, J (11:30 GMT) [/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd] 2.48 [/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd] 1.66 [/TD] [TD=class: bppWidth bpp]100.32 %[/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE]

[kevshat]

Re: World Open 25 Feb - 3 Mar Semi final previews: 4pts N.Robertson (-1.5 frames) to beat M.Stevens 8/11 Bet365 Both these men had good wins in the last round but this is often where Neil Robertson really kicks into gear and I don’t see him losing this semi final. This is a first semi final of the season for Matthew Stevens and while he won’t want to let himself down, barring some unforeseen event such as the tip problem Judd Trump had, I think the Australian will be too solid for the Welshman here. Full preview here: http://www.punterslounge.com/robertson-vs-stevens-betting-neil-robertson-can-get-stronger-and-stronger-in-world-open-semi-final 4pts M.Allen vs J.Higgins - Over 9.5 frames 11/10 Paddy Power Both these men have good records coming into this semi final. Mark Allen has never lost in this tournament having won it last year and made the semi final this year while Higgins has won his last 11 frames in this tournament which is an incredible run. Clearly something will have to give in this semi final but with both men happy in the environment and both excellent match players who never know when they are beaten I think this could be a close semi final. Full preview here: http://www.punterslounge.com/allen-vs-higgins-betting-second-semi-final-of-the-world-open-should-be-quite-a-close-affair

[kevshat]

Re: World Open 25 Feb - 3 Mar Not been my best run in the last couple of days but half the outright is in. Hopefully Allen can complete the job tomorrow. Final preview: 4pts Over 16.5 frames Evs BetVictor Both players look in good form this week so I think we’ll get plenty of mileage out of this final. Both men look to be scoring well and they are both getting in from distance so I think we’ll see plenty of high breaks and one visit snooker. Those who followed the pre-tournament tip will be sitting on a betting slip for Mark Allen to win at 12/1 but for those who haven’t, or those who want a bet on the final anyway, the even money on us seeing 17 frames or more looks perfectly acceptable the way these two have played this week. Full preview here: http://www.punterslounge.com/allen-vs-stevens-betting-world-open-final-looks-set-for-plenty-of-mileage