Preview of the Snooker World Championship
Trump Best Value to Win at the Crucible
In 2011 Judd Trump became the youngest player to reach the final of the snooker World Championship since Stephen Hendry in 1990. That potential as a 21 year old has never been realised at the highest level but this is the year that Trump can go one better and win the world title for the first time. Ronnie O’Sullivan is the perennial favourite but he has become unreliable in failing to claim a sixth title in the last two years when favourite.
The Rocket is the most gifted player in the game and could have overtaken Hendry with seven titles as the player with the best win rate in the modern game. O’Sullivan has threatened to quit on several occasions and backing him has the added risk of not being certain of his state of mind. Ahead of the championship at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield he is sixth in the rankings and will be seeded accordingly. Only Hendry, Steve Davis and Ray Reardon have won more titles in the current knockout era which began in 1969. The title was previously decided in a challenge match.
No first time winner in Sheffield has successfully defended the title so that counts against Stuart Bingham. He won the title last year aged 38 and after 20 years in the game. As the holder he is automatically the number one seed for this year’s championship. However, he is second in the latest rankings behind Mark Selby who has won most money for the latest calculations. That player could not break the curse of the Crucible by winning back-to-back world titles after his first win.
The top 16 players in the standings qualify automatically but if the world champion is not in that bracket the player at 16 drops out to make way for that player. The other 16 places in the 32 man draw are determined by a qualifying tournament. The number of matches required to get through is determined by a player’s position in the standings. All living former world champions can take part in qualifying process if they wish.
Trump won the China Open at the start of April which was the last ranking event before the World Championship. He beat Ricky Walden in the final 10-4 to win the his second China Open and fifth major ranking event in total. In four matches up to the final Trump won 21 frames and lost just five. His run included a 6-0 whitewash of Stephen Maguire in the last four and a final in which he had four breaks of 50 or more but no centuries.
Selby could be the biggest threat to Trump as he attempts to win the world title for the second time in three years. His position at the top of the rankings is based on consistency. He has not won a ranking event this season but won two in 2014-15 and has won seven in total including the most important one two years ago. Selby has shown he can stay focused over the 17 days of the event but Trump is preferred.
Betting Tip: Judd Trump to win the World Championship at 7/1 with Betfred.
Free Bets
Online bookmakers should have some decent promotions during the tournament but these are the free bets ahead of the snooker World Championship:
Boylesports
Money Back as a Free Bet if Judd Trump Wins the World Championship
Boylesports have included Judd Trump in their offer which means you can back him with another bookmaker and have a saver on another player with them. There is no point backing Trump solely with Boylesports as this would negate any benefits from their snooker World Championship free bet promotion. The money back offer only applies to bets placed before the tournament in the outright market. The maximum refund is £25 and this will be credited in the form of a free bet. The refund will be made within 24 hours of the final ending and applies to win only bets and the win element of each way bets.
William Hill
Cash In My Bet
Snooker is one of the sports for which customers of William Hill can cash in their bets during in-play coverage of the World Championship. Snooker matches can have many price fluctuations when one player gets the upper hand and wins a frame. Matches are suited to trading and closing bets as at various stages either player can be the favourite or underdog. William Hill customers can close snooker match bets before expiry to ensure making money regardless of the outcome or limiting potential losses. Once the bet has been placed it will have a Cash In value depending on price movements and will increase if a snooker match pans out in line with a customer’s predictions.
Betfred
Free Bet for the Average Stake After Placing Three In-Play Bets
Betfred are the title sponsors of the snooker World Championship so will be at the forefront of offers and promotions during the tournament. We can expect daily price boosts and special offers in the correct score and handicap markets. Usually they have a betting facility at the venue so spectators should be able to take advantage of enhanced odds on site. Ahead of the tournament Betfred are offering new and existing customers who place three in-play bets during qualifying a free bet for the average stake. The free bet can be used for matches over the weekend when the tournament begins and the maximum amount credited in the form of a free bet is £25.
bet365
Up To £200 Deposit Bonus For New Customers
bet365’s deposit bonus of £200 at most can be used on snooker matches in the World Championship. These bets will count towards the staking requirement of three times the initial deposit and bonus as long as the player backed is at odds of 1.5 or bigger. New customers must deposit at least £10 for a matched bonus which can be immediately staked on snooker matches but withdrawals are only allowed once the rollover conditions have been met.