Champion of Champions 2021

[Fader]

This gets underway today. It's a shame that the defending champion (Mark Allen) has pulled out but I think that's largely due to his issue with Childcare and his Mrs and bankrupcy and purely not playing because it means somebody else gets the money but that could be pure speculation. Who knows?

It's a shame because Allen does well in this event. Another man that does well here is Neil Robertson. Just coming back from winning the English Open, he comes into this with ranking points to protect after making the final last year. He also won it the year previous and I think he looks the prime candidate to continue his form. He would be my choice from the top half of the draw. The price isn't pretty but I'll take him on a single instead of an each-way play.

In the bottom half, I'll take a punt on Shaun Murphy. Since winning this in 2017, Shaun hasn't really performed in it but maybe that will be drive him on here with nothing to fear in losing any ranking points. He faces Yan Bingtao in round 1 of whom he has a good head-to-head record against and then he would face Gilbert or Selby. Selby has a decent record against Shaun but Selby never seems to perform very well in this event (semi-final the best he has made, last year).

Higgins was tempting me but his price is far too small for a guy that is likely to be very tired right now. Higgins may be able to take care of Ronnie in the other Quarter Final though to pave the way for somebody else.

4pts N.Robertson to win Champion Of Champions 11/2 bet365
1.5pts e.w S. Murphy to win Champion Of Champions 18/1 paddypower

 

[Fader]

4pts Selby to beat Gilbert & Murphy to beat Bingtao 7/4 paddypower
2pts Ronnie to beat Bingham and Higgins to beat Ding and both to hit the most centuries in their matches 5/1 paddypower

[Fader]

1pt 4-fold on group winners [1/2/3/4] - Trump / Murphy / Higgins / Robertson 34/1 paddypower

[Foo_Fighter]

9 hours ago, Fader said:

Selby has a decent record against Shaun but Selby never seems to perform very well in this event (semi-final the best he has made, last year).

 

Yeah, it's always very risky to count on Selby on this format (best of 7). Selby remains quite reliable when the format is Best of 17, Best of 19 etc. On this format, and against Gilbert, I'd rather go with Gilbert or bet on the prospect of a deciding frame (approximately 7/3 at most betting companies). I believe Mark has a tendency of playing many matches going to the deciding frame, no?

Edited November 15, 2021 by Foo_Fighter

[Fader]

I remember reading that his b07 record was actually quite good but I've always thought of Selby as a long format player, too. I think he probably beats Gilbert but he does tend to "give a few frames away" always, Selby. You rarely see him win a b07 easy if I recall. 

Trump looked very average against Lilley but Day was a doddle in the final 6-0 win and the first Semi-finalist is Trump. 

[owenclass]

How does this tournament work with being called Champion of Champions

Edited November 17, 2021 by owenclass

[Fader]

It's the winner of each tournament and then the rest of the tournament is made up in terms of ranking positions.

[charliepie]

It is strange that Allen withdrew, thought he was bankrupt and desperate for any scraps of money? Gilbert blew his chance this afternoon, should defo have beaten Selby who might go on to win the whole thing now:-) Looking forward to tomorrow's group of death!

[Foo_Fighter]

On 11/15/2021 at 9:23 PM, Foo_Fighter said:

Yeah, it's always very risky to count on Selby on this format (best of 7). Selby remains quite reliable when the format is Best of 17, Best of 19 etc. On this format, and against Gilbert, I'd rather go with Gilbert or bet on the prospect of a deciding frame (approximately 7/3 at most betting companies). I believe Mark has a tendency of playing many matches going to the deciding frame, no?

Hmm.. Spot on? ??

Edited November 17, 2021 by Foo_Fighter

[Fader]

After backing Bingtao recently I suppose it was standard that he would do well this week. Trump, K.Wilson and Bingtao 3 semi-finalists then and just one more to be decided. I think Higgins beats Ding today and Ronnie to beat Bingham. The final will depend on which Ronnie turns up as usual. I have an open bet on Higgins and Ronnie to win with most centuries so I will stick with that. 

[dcurry1]

I’ve gone in big on Trump to beat Wilson

[ElPrincipito007]

1 hour ago, dcurry1 said:

I’ve gone in big on Trump to beat Wilson

Why? I don't see the value to be honest.

[charliepie]

4/7 is about right but might be better waiting for in-running and hoping Wilson wins the first frame or gets ahead at some stage.

[Fader]

Yeah, personally I would rather be on Kyren Wilson looking at the prices.

[Fader]

I will take small stakes on Kyren and to hit the highest break. 9/1 offering with the most 50s too. Keeps me interested.

2pts K. Wilson to have the highest break, Most 50 breaks and win 9/1 paddypower

[Foo_Fighter]

13 minutes ago, Fader said:

I will take small stakes on Kyren and to hit the highest break. 9/1 offering with the most 50s too. Keeps me interested.

2pts K. Wilson to have the highest break, Most 50 breaks and win 9/1 paddypower

Wow. Already got the exact opposite bet lol. 

[Fader]

20 minutes ago, Foo_Fighter said:

Wow. Already got the exact opposite bet lol. 

don't worry. My 9/1 isn't likely to win haha. I think he has a chance of highest break.  He hit 3 centuries against Robertson and Trumps highest break is 104 against Day. I think Wilson has played the better stuff in this tournament but we will see. Atleast he can stop moaning that he doesn't get enough TV time now he's on a main table  

[charliepie]

3 hours ago, dcurry1 said:

I’ve gone in big on Trump to beat Wilson

Looking like it's gonna be a winner! Trump 2-0 up and playing well.

[dcurry1]

1 hour ago, charliepie said:

Looking like it's gonna be a winner! Trump 2-0 up and playing well.

 

[dcurry1]

Played well tonight, safety was good and limited the risky shots, looked good amongst the balls

[charliepie]

Hope the final is a bit more of a contest, 6-1 last night and a 6-0 tonight! Tomorrow's semi should be closer.

[dcurry1]

16 hours ago, charliepie said:

Looking like it's gonna be a winner! Trump 2-0 up and playing well.

 

[dcurry1]

Backing Higgins to win tonight

[Robaldo]

4 hours ago, dcurry1 said:

Backing Higgins to win tonight

I like Bingtao odds more. It seems a coinflip to me. Dont forget hé took 3 frames back and should have gotten a decider last meeting after being 4-0 down

[charliepie]

could be a late night , 2 hours in and still playing frame 3!

[charliepie]

That was a grind! 00:15 and Higgins finally wins 6-5!

[dcurry1]

Hard to watch that match, final should be better, will hopefully do Higgins if he’s at least 2-2, at first interval, close match fancy Higgins, got a massive outsider for the U.K. tournament, will post it when UK comp us up

[owenclass]

Higgins still playing great at his age

[charliepie]

It was a good final, up to 5-4. Trump has the measure of Higgins these days but to make 3 finals in a row is quite something even if he does nothing else for the rest of the season!