World Snooker Championship 2011

As an exciting finish is being played out between defending champion Neil Robertson and China Open winner Judd Trump, I just wondered who people think are good tips to win amongst other things. My predictions are: Winner - John Higgins. Dark Horse: Graeme Dott. Highest break: 147, I think Ding Junhui will make a maximum.

I'm going for a Robertson comeback. I'm going to support Neil after Stephen Hendry calls it a day

It,s a pity Trump and Robertson had to meet so early, two entertaining players and one of has to go in the first round. For me Shaun Murphy is looking good and would be a good outside bet but you can never count out Ronnie.

Good to see that this thread was started by a man with an appropriate name.

As for Shaun Murphy, lancealot790, I fookin hate the guy. Don't know why completely irrational but he's just one of the people who gets on my nerves. Stupid I know, never met the fella.

I hope Ding wins it because if he does all of the snooker players will suddenly become much richer.

World Championship in Beijing by 2020?

Everybody has sportsmen who they just don,t like but don,t know why. When it comes to snooker i can,t stand Stephen Hendry. I,m not a Murphy fan i just think he might win it.

And no the world championship will not leave the crucible.

Been to the Crucible many times and I would hate to see the championship relocate. Its a special place that generates a fantastic tension and atmosphere, especially in the one table situation. I do not see Ronnie being a factor at all. He has played so few tournaments and won so few matches this season I would not be surprised if he lost early on. Ding could be a contender if he can last the course. Its a long slog of a tournament to win. Experience is often key which is why I would tend to favour Higgins, Dott or maybe Murphy as potential winners. Mind you bearing in mind my atrocious sport prediction form at the moment they will probably all sink without trace

I`d like to see Allen or Selby push for a finals place, but if Ronnie has his game head on, he may be to hard to beat. If Murphy beats Ronnie then the competition is thrown wide open in my opinion.

CMON RONNIE,hes the only reason youd watch snooker theese days.
although I have had a bet on Allen

(17-04-2011 12:18 )Captain Vimes Wrote:  I hope Ding wins it because if he does all of the snooker players will suddenly become much richer.

World Championship in Beijing by 2020?

I know what you mean Vimes, because if a Chinese player won the World Championship then the game would explode even more over there. However, as a traditionist I'm with Snookered147 and feel The Crucible is - and should remain - the permanent home of the World Championships - dammit, I still refer to it as the Embassy!

As for my own pre-tournament tips/bets, I managed to get a staggering 8/1 about Ronnie O'Sullivan. I know you have to take his mood swings into account, but reading that the Olympic Cyclists' mind coach has been helping Ronnie and his first-round form and subsequent positive comments ("I'm back in love with snooker") I'm very cautiously optimistic that the man might add to the three World titles that his outrageous talent barely reflects.

My other bets are Marc Allen at 25/1, Jamie Cope at 50/1 and - based on an exhibition I saw in January where he looked like he might never miss another ball as long as he plays - Ricky Walden at 100/1.

Today Walden went out in the first round.

I will stick with Higgins and Dott. Ronnie has a nightmare potential run to attempt winning the title i.e Rd 2 Murphy, QF Higgins, SF Williams and FINAL either Selby or Ding Junhui. Bearing in mind his lack of matchplay this season it would be asking a lot for him to suddenly hit and maintain form for the marathon tournament at the Crucible against that quality of opposition.