Will Ronnie O’Sullivan be on his best form at the Crucible?

Our friends at spread betting firm extrabet.com preview the WSC

“Even the most ardent of channel-hoppers will struggle to resist the urge to linger a little longer on the BBC over the next fortnight or so as the World Snooker Championship gets underway this weekend. Like it or not there is something mesmeric about snooker. Indeed baize-watch draws you in much like Baywatch did in the 90s - must be something to do with the colour red!

Once again this year it’s all about Ronnie. Will he turn up? Does he care anymore? Will he concede a frame after missing an easy red with 147 still available on the table?  Despite all the question-marks he is of course the jolly with extrabet.com, who price him at 39-42 on their 80 Index, (80 win, 60 runner-up, 40 losing semi-finalist, 20 losing quarter finalist, 10 lose last 16).

Stephen Maguire is second favourite at 28-31.  For those who just like watching the break builders and aren’t that fussed who wins, extrabet.com have a ‘total tournament centuries’ quote of 67-69.”

Posted: April 16th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

Which Ronnie will turn up at the UK Championships?

Our friends at spread betting firm IG Sport preview the snooker

(Photo Credit: Nick Potts, PA Wire)

The Maplin UK Championships kick off on Saturday with Ronnie O’Sullivan attempting to defend his title and the spread betting giants IG Sport have kindly provided a preview of this year’s event:

“Telly addicts will tell you the Two Ronnies was a comedy sketch show which ran from the early 1970’s to the late 1980’s. Snooker fans, will disagree! The UK Snooker Championships gets underway in Telford this weekend, and it’s widely accepted that there are few in the tournament who can beat the ‘Great’ Ronnie O’Sullivan. Most of the remaining 31 would fancy their chances against the ‘apathetic’ or ‘distracted’ Ronnie O’Sullivan, and its no laughing matter for spread traders pricing the market up trying to determine which of the two Ronnies will compete. IG Sport run an 80 Index on the tournament with 80 points awarded to the winner, 60 to the runner-up, 40 for losing in the semi’s, 20 losing in the quarters, 10 losing in the last 16 and nothing for a first round defeat. Ronnie is priced at 38-41 with second favourite Mark Selby at 24-27. Teenager Judd Trump who is finally looking like he may live up to the hype is available at 12-15.”

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Posted: December 11th, 2008 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment