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Snookerbacker
August 18, 2020
It’s The World Seniors! The Curse is Back.
Filed under: Snooker Betting Snooker News — snookerbacker @ 8:18 pm
Jimmy’s back. But can he beat this version of The Curse? Don’t be silly.
OK, I’ll be the first to admit that when all the Snooker Legends stuff started off I just thought it was a bit of a pantomime money spinner for those at the end of their careers who couldn’t hit a bull’s arse with a shovel anymore but were still mildly recognisable to nursing home residents.
But as regular readers know, I’m always happy to admit when I’m wrong.
Because now despite the UK Government ensuring that a lot of said nursing home residents have gone to the Great Billiard Hall in the Sky prematurely these past few months, those who are left can this week join the rest of us in enjoying the World Seniors Championship from The Crucible on the Red Button on the BBC (Channel 981 on Sky – send me the other quick links for the ones who still press the Red Button).
This is a testament to how strong this initial idea by Jason Francis to save a few skint and failing greats from obscurity has led to an excellent standard of play in qualifying events all over the world.
Jimmy White won it last year at The Crucible (that sentence in itself should have your attention), so this also immediately arouses the interest of The Snooker Gods, whose radar is always alerted at the phrase ‘First time Crucible winner defending the title’.
Rumour has it that The Gods, fresh from their absolute hatchet job on Judd, made a U-Turn at Cloud 147 on their way to the annual Curse Celebration break in Kiev to meet a few mates on hearing the news this was going ahead and was being covered by the BBC.
Sorry Jimmy, it’s kind of a rule. Nothing personal.
Other notable or recognisable names taking part are Ken Doherty, Dennis Taylor, Bolton Stud Tony ‘The Shagger’ Knowles, Joe Johnson, Nigel Bond and Darren Morgan, who famously, at least to me and my mates, once turned up in a red sports car at Pontins, Prestatyn with the roof down and the registration ‘H1 BABE5’.
Talking of Pontins, there’s some other jammy Scottish player there called Stephen Hendry who spawned a yellow against me on his way to a deciding frame victory in 1983 in the juniors. But I don’t like talking about it and wish him all the best in his future career.
The winner may come from that crop, in particular Bond who I’d say is a half decent bet to lift the trophy. But you also have to factor in the likes of Peter Lines, Michael Judge and former winner Aaron Canavan who faces Leo Fernandez who played very well at Q School recently into your calculations.
There won’t be a crowd in The Crucible this time but it’s a good chance for those of us nursing a World Championship comedown to go back to the venue virtually and watch a bit of action. Most of the bookies have odds on both the outrights and the matches. Obviously don’t go mad as these are very short matches, but very TV friendly so if you have a few quid you can afford to lose, have a little go on the recommended acca below.
Recommended First Round Bet: Doherty to beat Goggins, Canavan to beat Fernandez, Morgan to beat Wallace, Filtness to beat Cooper, Bond to beat Hendry pays around 12/1 in most places.
Recommended Outright: Nigel Bond to win the World Seniors (9/2 generally). Each Way on Gary Filtness at 100/1.
You can view the full draw for the World Seniors here.
BBC Coverage
Wednesday, 19 August
13:00-16:00 & 19:00-22:00 – BBC Red Button, BBC Sport online, BBC iPlayer
Thursday, 20 August
13:00-16:00 & 19:00-22:00 – BBC Red Button, BBC Sport online, BBC iPlayer
Friday, 21 August
13:00-16:00 & 19:00-22:00 – BBC Red Button, BBC Sport online, BBC iPlayer
Saturday, 22 August
12:00-15:00 & 19:00-22:00 – BBC Red Button, BBC Sport online, BBC iPlayer