Nick Hill makes a living betting on snooker. When he told us he was heading to the British Open in Brighton, we tagged along to pick up some tips.
SUNDAY
Before even contemplating leaving the mansion and giving the butler a few days off, the weekend before the tournament is spent trying to secure any value bets available for the first round. I don’t have to wait long.
BetDirect dangle the first carrots: Barry Hawkins at 13/8 to beat Joe Perry and Mark Davis at 11/8 to beat Drew Henry. I’ve priced all first round matches myself and make the real odds 4/6 Perry, 11/10 Hawkins and 5/6 Henry and Davis. Got to be quick though, as I’m sure the 11/8 Davis won’t last. I’m right – most firms go 5/6 each of two, or make Davis favourite. There’s even a chance to back both sides and profit – Coral go 11/10 Henry.
However, in my opinion it’s best to take the ‘wrong’ price and hold tight. In the long run you should profit if you’re any good. There’s no value in the outright market so I ignore it.
MONDAY
I arrive at the venue and, as usual, my good friend and player Ian McCulloch forgets to leave me a guest pass. Luckily, the man on the front desk is used to McCulloch’s sieve-like memory and I am able to make my way up to the players’ lounge.
I listen as McCulloch drones on about how bad his hotel was. Various hard-luck betting stories are told, and one player asks me the inevitable question: ‘Who do you fancy, then?’ Well, I can hardly tell them I fancy their first-round opponent to stuff them, can I? Or can I?
Later I head to the arena to watch
play start. Hawkins goes 2-0 down.
Time to leave? Not a bit of it. 4-3 Hawkins becomes 4-4 and my bet at 13/8 is on again. A tense final frame ensues and the money’s won as he triumphs 5-4. A good start.
I didn’t intend to strike another bet today but I can’t resist the 4/6 on Ryan Day to beat Quinten Hann. Day has shown very good form in the qualifiers, while Hann has been distracted by other issues. Day leads 3-1 at the break but the match turns out to be the proverbial game of two halves and Hann wins 5-3.
I spend the evening watching McCulloch get beat but still leave the day ahead.
TUESDAY
Today is D-Day – Davis day. I’ve had a decent bet on the aforementioned at 11/8 the only other bet I can see is Ali Carter at 4/6 against Alan McManus (I make Carter a 1/2 shot). Both matches are at night so watching brief is in order for the day.
WEDNESDAY
Here are the results of the Brighton Jury: Carter won while Davis, after trailing 1-3, pulled it back to 4-4, only to get chinned 5-4. Oh well, at least I got the value and am still ahead on the tournament. I watch some action on television, listening to the dulcet tones of ex-player Neal Foulds on Eurosport.
Only one bet takes my fancy today – Anthony Hamilton to beat Chris Small at 5/6. Both players like to take their time, so I settle back for a long evening.
Later on, I have just read War and Peace twice and the above match has still not finished. Finally, Hamilton prevails 5-2. All things come to those who wait… and wait…
THURSDAY
The only bet I fancy on today’s card is Stephen Maguire to beat Ding Junhui, China’s latest teenage sensation. At around 8/11 I think Maguire represents value having seen his displays during the week.
William Hill kindly accommodates my wager and I happily sit back to watch the action.
From 2-2 at the interval, Maguire pulls ahead to win comfortably at 5-2. Thank you for your generosity, William (no relation I hasten to add).
FRIDAY
Quarter-final day. More companies seem to be keen to bet on the first frames of matches. Stan James put up 15/8 against Andy Hicks winning the first frame in his quarter-final match with Ronnie O’Sullivan. Surely 15/8 for one frame of snooker is too big? I certainly think so, and back accordingly. However, Ronnie’s break of 67 then justifies the bookmaker’s faith and I do my money.
The remaining matches do not throw up any further opportunities, leaving me slightly better off than when I started the week and ready to call it quits for this trip.
There must be easier ways to make a living – now where did I put that McDonalds application form again? Nah, maybe not – I’m off to do battle in York for the UK Championship…
NICK’S BETTING RECORD
3pts at 13/8 Barry Hawkins to beat Joe Perry
3pts at 11/8 Mark Davis to beat Drew Henry
2pts at 4/6 Ryan Day to beat Quinten Hann
2pts at 4/6 Ali Carter to beat Alan McManus
2pts at 5/6 Anthony Hamiltonto beat Chris Small
4pts at 8/11 Stephen Maguire to beat Ding Junhui
1pt at 15/8 Andy Hicks to win first frame vs Ronnie O’Sullivan
TOTAL PROFIT
4.79pts
Stop press!
Nick Hill’s two Recommendations in Issue 09 – Ali Carter to beat Jimmy White and Joe Perry to beat Chris Small – would have netted you a 13.3pt profit!
