I watch this every year and have had some success in punting it, but this year they changed the format to winner breaks, which has made a big difference.
The TV table has shown an easy side with the wing ball finding a pocket 99% of the time. Some big names have been knocked out already and last night was a great result for the UK with Daryl 'the dazzler' Peach knocking out the current world champion, Ronnie Alcano, 10-6.
Brilliant to watch, so it was.
Anyway, now that we are down to the last 16 I'm prepared to get involved
Tournament Outright In-Running
World Pool Championship
Live on
EW:1/3 1,2
| Selection | Price |
|
| Bustamante, Francisco | 4/1 | |
| Pagulayan, Alex | 11/2 | |
| Gomez, Roberto | 8/1 | |
| Kuo, Po Cheng | 10/1 | |
| Immonen, Mika | 10/1 | |
| Lu, Hui Chan | 12/1 | |
| Kawabata, Satoshi | 12/1 | |
| Stepanov, Konstantin | 14/1 | |
| Deuel, Corey | 14/1 | |
| Peach, Daryl | 16/1 | |
| Feijen, Niels | 16/1 | |
| Bustamante, Joven | 16/1 | |
| Foldes, Vilmos | 20/1 | |
| Stolka, Harry | 33/1 | |
| Martel, Alain | 33/1 | |
| Boyes, Karl | 40/1 |
Now, I really don't see there being a real, true favourite here, as the format and tables have been so influential, plus the form of those this year has been quite up and down.
First glance at these odds and I'm straight in for .......
Immonen @ 10.00....he's such a solid break and run player, and when he's zoned in he's superb. Had a relatively quiet run up to this point, not attracting too much attention as the local filipino press has been spent most of the time on their own players progress. World Champ 2001, so knows the score and has the mindset to deal with the pressures.
Stepanov @ 14.00...he knocked out Efren Reyes, an all time great of the game. Reyes is nowhere near what he was, but still a tough player to beat. Stepanov has played very solid pool all the way through and again is one who hasn't had the spotlight on him. Good break and excellent shot making abilities, although I feel his safety is a bit slack....worth a punt, but be advised, his relative inexperience at these stages of the Championships is a factor to consider.
Of the local talent I like
Gomez @ 8.00. Found a nice soft break to work with and it's been paying off. Got the local support, but that's also pressure when things don't go your way.
I'd lay the top 2 as I don't feel they've got the game this year. Done well to get this far, but a just something about them that doesn't give me a positive vibe....man.
Of the 2 UK players I'd fancy Peach, as that win over Alcano will have done him a big favour.
Of those priced at 33 and 40, I really don't see anyone being that far off the rest, so speculative punts are not bad bets.
Immonen is my tip for the winner. Stepanov and Gomez as back up punts, with a look at the match betting tomorrow.
I haven't seen as much as I usually do this year, plus the last 16 draw passed me by...which isn't the best way to go about punting here , but my fancy remains the same.
So, bear in mind I'm posting 'blind to the draw' but I'm in China so access to the results both on TV and the web is often poor.
off to sleep now, will check in early tomorrow.
cheers
ed