Snooker World Championship 2013

The 2013 Betfair.com World Snooker Championships

Snooker—I've never been very good at betting, but I really didn't expect my tip for this year's World Snooker Championship to fall at the first hurdle. Although John Higgins has been struggling for form since his win in Shanghai last year, I really felt he may have had a reasonable chance under the Sheffield lights.

This year's Snooker tournament is producing some thrilling matches. Although I would imagine a fair few bets have been ruined already with the early exits of some of the favourites. Neil Robertson went out in the first round, as did Matthew Stevens and Stephen Maguire. Graeme Dott and Mark Selby soon followed in the second round.

One of the real characters of the Championship was Thailand's Dechawat Poomjaeng. He certainly brought plenty of energy and life to the arena. He was also the first person I have ever seen lose a frame due to three successive ball misses. No matter what, he certainly had fun, and the crowd thoroughly enjoyed watching.

The Tournament is hotting up nicely as we speak. There are still plenty of big names left in the quarter-final stage. Shaun Murphy vs. Judd Trump is a real battle of the Englishmen. Barry Hawkins is also having a superb tournament. After knocking out one of the favourites, Mark Selby, he currently leads China's Ding Junhui by 7 frames to 4.

Of course, one name still dominates the event. The return of the rocket has added the glamour the Championship needed. O'Sullivan is very much needed on the biggest stage, and I was delighted with his return. The sport is criticised these days for a lack of personality amongst the players. This has a lot of truth, but I feel that players have just taken professionalism to the next level.

This, however, can make some players seem like they need to be more varied and challenging to support. Ronnie O'Sullivan, however, is quite the opposite. He has more natural ability than anyone to play the game and also knows how to entertain. He plays fast, left and right-handed, and is always on the edge. The longer he stays in the event, the better for everyone.

The 2013 World Finals are warming up nicely and could be a classic. Who will win? Can Murphy or Trump make the breakthrough, or will it be a triumphant double-winning return for O'Sullivan? The final will be played on Sunday, May 6th, and everyone here at Pool Tables Online will certainly be watching.