The first big snooker tournament of 2019 begins on Sunday when the leading 16 players in the world head to Alexandra Palace in London to compete in The Masters, one of the most prestigious tournaments in the sport.
Mark Allen had the biggest night of his career so far 12 months ago when he outlasted Kyren Wilson to win the title and he will look to defend the Paul Hunter Trophy. The best in the business will oppose him in that quest though.
Recent Winners
2018 – Mark Allen
2017 – Ronnie O’Sullivan
2016 – Ronnie O’Sullivan
2015 – Shaun Murphy
2014 – Ronnie O’Sullivan
2013 – Mark Selby
2012 – Neil Robertson
2011 – Ding Junhui
2010 – Mark Selby
2009 – Ronnie O’Sullivan
The Format
It is a pretty simple format this week. We are straight knockout from the outset and every match is the best-of-11 frames from the opening match up until the final. The champion is crowned on the second Sunday of the tournament in a best-of-19 frame final which is played over two sessions to determine the winner.
Top Quarter
As the defending champion Mark Allen is the number one seed this week and as such he is in the top quarter of the draw. He doesn’t look to have the most difficult immediate route through to the semi-final. Ding Junhui is the next highest seed in the top quarter and the other two members of the section are a fast fading Luca Brecel, and the tournament debutant Jack Lisowski, who could be dangerous if he settles down quickly.
Second Quarter
This is the part of the draw from where Ronnie O’Sullivan will look to regain his title from. He is the standout player in the second quarter but faces stiff opposition in the first round from former world champion Stuart Bingham, who doesn’t have the greatest record in this event it must be said. John Higgins has a good history in the tournament and he is the other big name in this quarter. He too faces a tricky opening game as he plays the Welsh star Ryan Day.
Third Quarter
World number one Mark Selby is the standout man in a tasty third quarter of the draw this week. The former Masters champion hasn’t had the best campaign to date but the cream rises to the crop in this tournament and he is numero uno for a reason. Judd Trump is another big name looking to escape this quarter. Both men will have to work hard to come through because Stephen Maguire and Kyren Wilson make up a hugely competitive section.
Bottom Quarter
The world champion Mark Williams goes into this tournament as the number two seed and that makes him the leading man in the bottom quarter of the draw. The standard of this tournament is evidenced by the fact that the Welshman will face Neil Robertson in the opening round while the other two men in the section are the former champion Shaun Murphy and the previous finalist Barry Hawkins. It doesn’t get any more competitive than this part of the bracket.
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Betting
The quality is going to be high throughout this tournament but with the form in the top half of the draw there looks to be some terrific value in the bottom half of it and I’m happy to take two bets in that section as my outright bets for what should be a fantastic week of snooker.
I backed Shaun Murphy in the Scottish Open just prior to Christmas and he delivered a place pay out with a run to the final and given that he is in a competitive, but not necessarily impossible, quarter of the draw I think the 25/1 on him to win the tournament is something that is hard to ignore. Murphy has won at Ally Pally before so he knows how to go all the way here. He found form in Glasgow and has had plenty of time to sharpen up his game a little to have a right good crack at this. I see no reason why Murphy won’t be involved on the second Sunday.
I was going to be happy with one bet on the event but I can’t ignore the 66/1 on offer on Stephen Maguire to win the tournament. He has a good record against Judd Trump so there is a chance that the draw could fall in line nicely for him. He’ll have to play well to beat Mark Selby, but the Leicester man isn’t in fantastic nick at the minute. Williams is the other big man in the bottom half of the draw but he’s barely won a match this season. In recent years we’ve seen unfancied finalists in the form of Joe Perry, Barry Hawkins and Kyren Wilson. Maguire has the game to be another.
Tips
Back S.Murphy to win The Masters (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 26.00 with Betfred (1/2 1-2)
Back him here:
Back S.Maguire to win The Masters (e/w) for a 0.5/10 stake at 67.00 with BetVictor (1/2 1-2)
Back him here:
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