Bookies need a favour
Mark Selby is the short-priced favourite to beat Stephen Lee as the favourites keep on the delivering in the first round of The Masters.
By Andy Thorp
Last Updated: 19/01/12 10:39pm
Mark Selby is the short-priced favourite to beat Stephen Lee as the favourites keep on the delivering in the first round of The Masters.
The world number one is 2/7 to advance to the next stage and with the favourites six out of six from the opening games of the first round Sky Bet head of snooker trading, Andy Thorp, is hoping Lee can pull of a shock victory.
Thorp said: "The punters are killing us at the moment and we need one or both favourites beaten today to recoup some of the losses of the first three days.
"Unfortunately, I am struggling to see Stephen Lee beat Selby in his current form and am hoping Lee produces some of the top class snooker that I know he is capable of to do us bookies a favour."
Lee is 12/5 to come out on top although more realistic could be the handicap betting with Lee getting 2.5 frames at 8/11. The best bet in the match though could be over 1.5 centuries at 6/4 as Stephen Lee is more than capable of making a big break or two.
The evening's match could prove a turning point in the career of Ali Carter who has been suffering from health problems which have contributed to a loss of form in the last year.
Carter has been talking of retirement and the result of this match could be a big factor in his decision.
There is not much in the betting with Graeme Dott edging favouritism at 4/5 and Carter even money.
Those fancying Dott, who has been playing fairly well of late, to take advantage of Carters negative state of mind will fancy backing Dott at -1.5 frames at 6/5 rather than the outright match price.
With both players having suspect temperaments when things don't go according to plan a bet on the unders could be the way to go here - total frames under 9.5 at 4/5 and under 5.5 fifty breaks at 5/6 appeal most with additional bets on Dott 6-1 at 12/1 and 6-2 at 8/1 worth a dabble too.
O'Sullivan still tops the outright market at 7/2 with Trump second favourite at 4/1 and punters will be looking forward to their quarter final clash tomorrow with the betting reflecting the outright odds with Ronnie 4/5 and Trump evens.
Higgins heads the "To Reach the Final" market at 11/8 and a classic O'Sullivan-Higgins final can be backed at 6/1 or a new generation Trump v Selby final at 10/1.