The European Tour has been largely disbanded in the snooker world now but there is still one event which uses the old format and it carries a name which everyone connected with snooker is fond of. That is the Paul Hunter Classic and the main draw begins on Friday as 128 snooker stars head to Germany to battle it out for a title which every player in the game will want to win to do justice to the sadly departed icon of the game.
Recent Winners
2015 – Ali Carter
2014 – Mark Allen
2013 – Ronnie O’Sullivan
2012 – Mark Selby
2011 – Mark Selby
2010 – Judd Trump
As you can see the roll of honour for this tournament is pretty strong in keeping with the regard that Hunter is held on the snooker circuit.
The Format
Just like the European Tour events we have been used to over the last few years the tournament is a best of seven frame event throughout from start to finish. The draw is pre-determined with half the field playing down to the last 16 on Friday and the other half on Saturday.
The tournament concludes on Sunday when the event is played to a conclusion from the last 16 to the final which means in the space of two days of playing the champion will have won seven matches so you have to be pretty on it and have the right mindset.
Top Quarter
Of all the quarters in the draw this one might just be the toughest with Mark Selby, Liang Wenbo, Ricky Walden and Mark Davis all being housed in it. Ryan Day, Sam Baird, Luca Brecel and the Chinese stars Zhou Yuelong and Zhao Xintong make this a very competitive little section it has to be said.
Second Quarter
In terms of world ranking this group is all about Michael White. He is the only top 16 player in the quarter with the withdrawal of Robert Milkins and in truth there aren’t too many other dangerous names either although Ben Woollaston and Michael Holt could be a couple. Dominic Dale and Rod Lawler can be competitive on their day.
Third Quarter
This is the other hugely competitive part of the draw and some really big names and form horses are in here. In terms of names they probably don’t come much bigger this weekend than Mark Allen and Joe Perry but Kyren Wilson and Anthony McGill have both won tournaments in the last 12 months and they are in this section too.
Jack Lisowski, Thepchaiya Un-Nooh, Jamie Cope, Matthew Stevens and Robin Hull are just some of the other names who line up in this quarter who will believe they can do some damage so whoever comes out of this quarter will certainly have played well.
Bottom Quarter
Stuart Bingham is the standout name in this section of the draw and in fairness he won’t believe his eyes when he sees his route to the semi-final. The only other moderately ranked player in the section is Alan McManus while Dave Gilbert, Jamie Jones, Mark King and Tom Ford aside there aren’t even any players who you could call overly dangerous.
Betting
Whenever these European Tour type events come around I always take a player in each quarter in the hope we get a couple through to Sunday where an inspired day from one of them should deliver us some kind of return. Sadly bookmakers are only paying each way to the final this week which isn’t ideal.
While there are some big names in the top quarter they tend to be in the bottom half of it so someone from the top half of the section could have a smooth ride to the last eight. That man could be Luca Brecel. The Belgian may have to overcome Ricky Walden at some point but if he can come past him he will be disappointed not to make the last eight and from there this tournament is anyone’s. At 80/1 the price is nice enough to see how he goes.
Michael White looks to have a plot draw in the second quarter while Ali Carter will be quite happy with his route through to a potential title defence but the value in the quarter could well be Michael Holt. Holt has already been to the final of a tournament this season and is in decent form. This format should suit him and at 80/1 he is a lovely price to go deep again.
The third quarter is a minefield and anyone could come out of it in truth so siding with the form guide might be the best tactic and judging on the World Open last month the form horse would appear to be Joe Perry. Perry was brilliant that week but found Ali Carter too good in the final. Perry is a former winner of the PTC Finals so we know this format is up his street and at 20/1 there’s still some value in his price.
Finally in the bottom quarter I always have a soft spot for Tom Ford especially in events of this nature. The aggressive, quick fire style needed to come through these things is right up his street and a three figure price is very welcome. He won’t face Stuart Bingham until the quarter final which is an added bonus so backing him seems a no brainer.
Tips
Back L.Brecel to win Paul Hunter Classic (e/w) for a 0.5/10 stake at 81.00 with Coral (1/2 1-2)
Back him here:
Back M.Holt to win Paul Hunter Classic (e/w) for a 0.5/10 stake at 81.00 with Bet365 (1/2 1-2)
Back him here:
Back J.Perry to win Paul Hunter Classic (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 21.00 with Betfred (1/2 1-2)
Back him here:
PLACED – Back T.Ford to win Paul Hunter Classic (e/w) for a 0.5/10 stake at 126.00 with Ladbrokes (1/2 1-2)
Back him here:
