The Snookerbacker Blog

Australian Culture

The latest addition to the snooker ranking list calendar is the Goldfields Australian Open and the qualifying rounds for this event will be played over the course of the next few days in that well known Australian territory of Sheffield.

Yes, before the baize boys can don a corked hat, throw another shrimp on the barbie and drink copious amounts of the amber nectar whilst indulging in bar sports such as ‘belching’, ‘projectile vomiting’ and ‘slap the sheila’, they must first qualify from back here in Blighty.

There is actually one match scheduled for tonight between Kurt Maflin and Lucky Vatnani. Lucky to me is both this by name and nature. Nothing that I can see merits his awarding of a wildcard into the ranks this season and it would be an upset if Maffers didn’t dispense with him in time to catch the headline act at Glastonbury later on.

UPDATE: Kurt Maflin has been awarded a walk-over, so no snooker tonight.

The main action starts tomorrow with three sessions scheduled to play the first qualifying round. This round features all the ‘new’ or in some cases returning professionals and those that narrowly clung onto a tour spot by the skin of their teeth last season. As I write only one firm, Paddy Power, have priced the matches up.

So let’s have a look at what is on offer.

The first match that catches the eye is the one between Sam Baird and the (WARNING; Taylorism alert) 16 year old Belgian sensation Luca Brecel. It will be interesting to see how Luca takes to the professional stage having been waiting patiently in the wings for his 16th birthday while seemingly winning everything the European amateur game had to offer since the age of about 4. Sam will provide a stiff test and has earned his place back on the tour after a strong season at amateur level last year. Sam is the more experienced of the two and amazingly is 7 years older than Luca. Whilst Luca beat Anthony Hamilton 4-0 in the PTC last week, without knowing how the Sheriff is approaching the season it is hard to gauge if this was indeed a good performance by the winner or a surrender by a rusty loser. But Sam was similarly walloped by Graeme Dott, so I would marginally favour Luca to make a winning start, but not one I’d bet on personally.

In terms of a bet tomorrow on these there are three matches that I would describe as ‘bank jobs’ with one match that I think should be looked at with a serious view to a bet for however much you might be able to get on. Now, it may seem naive to think about having a really decent bet given the very early point of the season, but unless certain players have experienced a complete turnaround in their games I would say that the combined treble of David Morris, Li Yan and Dave Gilbert is nailed on.

This pays just over 11/10 and I’d recommend a 3 points treble on these three.

The Penguin

They all face weak opponents and all have solid recent form to call upon. Morris made it through Q-School and faces Northern Ireland’s Joe Meara who comes back to the professional ranks after a 7 year break. Li Yan is another Q-School graduate who beat Mark Williams last week in the PTC and should make short work of his inexperienced Polish opponent. Dave Gilbert is a man in form and has played more snooker over the summer than anyone, he also had three good wins in the PTC including playboi Judd Trump. I just can’t see any of them losing.

If you are feeling a little more ambitious you might think about adding Tian Pengfei to that treble. Regulars will know that I really rate Tian and I think he is one to keep on your side in these early rounds. He faces Aditya Mehta from India, Mehta has beaten decent players so is not quite as weak as the opponents of the above three players but I’d still fancy Tian to do the business here. Let’s also start tomorrow with a 2 point accumulator on all four which pays just under 11/4.

They are the only bets I will be having on tomorrow’s matches, but there are two tempting odds against shots in there too. Adam Wicheard is capable of landing the 5/4 against Crucible qualifier Andrew Pagget, just based on the fact that Adam has been the busier of the two over the summer and his confidence will be high. Another one worth keeping an eye out for is Sam Craigie, a player who I know Matt at ProSnooker Blog rates very highly. He takes on friend of the blog David Grace and that one could go either way. Making the 11/8 on Craigie potentially tempting.

I’ll update the scores as they come in tomorrow. The best of luck if you are having a bet.