TRADER CHAT Q&A: Snooker World Championship with JOHN BRACKENRIDGE

TRADER CHAT: We caught up with starsports.bet Head of Sports John Brackenridge (JB) for a special Trader Chat Q&A session ahead of the 2024 Snooker World Championship!

🎱 OUTRIGHT PREVIEW WITH DANIEL PUDDICOMBE

---

🗣️ What makes the World Snooker Championship unique compared to other tournaments played?

💬 “It’s the big one, the one everyone remembers and played at the spiritual home of Snooker, the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield. It is by far the longest tournament on the calendar lasting 17 days as well as almost a fortnight of qualifying which has just concluded. All matches are at least best of 19 frames with sessions split which makes it unique compared to all the other tournaments which are played.”

🗣️ What will it take to win this year’s World Championship?

💬 “Simply, getting Ronnie O’Sullivan (9/4) knocked out. The Rocket has won the first two Triple Crown events of the season (UK Championship & The Masters) and has looked a level above in these big events, despite stating on numerous occasions that he’s “struggling for a cue action”. He’s the current favourite as he goes for a record 8th World Championship and the one to beat.”

🗣️ What about the others at the top of the market?

💬 “If Ronnie has been the player of the season, then Judd Trump (9/2) is not far behind. Winner of five Tournaments this season, including a remarkable three in a row, he looks back to his best. Some might argue that he has underperformed at the World’s having won just one title, but he may well be on course for a Semi-Final meeting with the Rocket, although his first-round opponent Hossein Vafaei (60/1) was one of the qualifiers the seeds all wanted to avoid and that should be one of the ties of the 1st round.”

🗣️ We haven’t spoken about the defending champion Luca Brecel, how do you expect him to go?

💬 “Brecel (22/1) has had a disappointing season after winning his maiden World Championship last year, but he has shown some glimpses of that form in the past month or so. Very much a player to side with when he is on a roll so it could be a watching brief to see which Luca shows up early on, especially given a tricky 1st round match with former semi-finalist David Gilbert which opens up proceedings on Saturday morning.”

🗣️ Are there any outsiders that you think could go well this year?

💬 “Not a complete outsider but former finalist Ali Carter (22/1) has had a resurgence in his career over the past 18 months or so and I fancy ‘The Captain’ to mount a challenge. Last year saw Chinese youngster Si Jiahui (45/1) two frames away from the final on his Crucible debut having been a 200/1 shot after qualifying, these stories often don’t materialise but maybe keep an eye on fellow Chinese player Pang Junxu (100/1) who lost nothing in defeat going down 7-10 to O’Sullivan on debut last year and has a nicer looking round 1 tie against ‘The Milkman’ Robert Milkins (150/1) this time around.”

🗣️ Alternatively, do you think any big names may struggle?

💬 “The qualifiers this year look a strong bunch, former champ Neil Robertson didn’t even make it through so there will be some “shocks” early on with the qualifiers having got there eye in the past week or so. At the prices I’d be against Shaun Murphy (25/1) & Ding Junhui (28/1). Since winning the first event of the season Murphy has done very little all season, whilst Ding has been playing well but remains a patchy player and it feels like his best chances to become a World Champion are behind him.”

🗣️ Are there any noteworthy storylines heading into this year’s Championship?

💬 “Ronnie going for a record 8th World Championship & attempting to win the Triple Crown in the same season is the story that everyone will be following. At the other end of the spectrum Snooker legend “The Spaceman” Dominic Dale (300/1) qualified for the first time in a decade and has shown good form all season, wouldn’t be the biggest surprise to see him push Kyren Wilson (25/1) close in Round 1.”

🗣️ What are some unique promotions & markets that Star Sports offer this year?

💬 “As well as all the usual markets we are also betting the tournament winner each way 4 place ¼ as well as standard 2 places ½. This proved popular last year with the extra place angle, especially for some of the bigger priced selections. We will have boosts & specials up throughout the fortnight. Finally we are also are running our ‘Miscue’ promotion whereby you will get 50% of your stake back as a free bet up to £50 if your Tournament Winner selection fails to reach the Quarter-Finals.”

---

STAR PROMOTIONS