Andrew Blakely
At 35, Andrew Blakely stands as a seasoned expert in both snooker and its betting intricacies. A dedicated player and analyst, he offers keen insights derived from years in the field. Through his writings, Andrew aspires to guide enthusiasts navigating the captivating world of snooker betting.
Articles by Andrew Blakely
2026 Shenzhen Open Qualifiers: Draw, Schedule & What to Watch at Leicester
The 2026 Shenzhen Open qualifiers begin on Sunday 19th July at the Mattioli Arena in Leicester, with players ranked 17–32 required to come through the tiered draw to reach the venue stages in Shenzhen.
Snooker's Integrity Chief Takes Match-Fixing Fight to the House of Lords
WPBSA Vice Chair and Head of Integrity Nigel Mawer QPM gave evidence to the House of Lords International Agreement Committee on 14th July 2026 as peers scrutinise the Macolin Convention on sports match-fixing.
Snooker's Integrity Chief Takes Match-Fixing Fight to the House of Lords
WPBSA Vice Chair and Head of Integrity Nigel Mawer QPM gave evidence before a House of Lords committee on Tuesday as Parliament begins scrutiny of the Macolin Convention on sports competition manipulation.
2026 Shenzhen Open Qualifiers: Draw, Schedule & What to Watch in Leicester
The 2026 Shenzhen Open qualifiers get underway at the Mattioli Arena in Leicester from 19th–22nd July, with players ranked 17–32 required to compete before the venue stages in China this autumn.
Vafaei and Lei Peifan Book Stage Three Spots With Unbeaten Records Intact
Hossein Vafaei and Lei Peifan have both booked their spots in Stage Three of the 2026 Championship League Snooker, with the Iranian looking particularly dangerous after another unbeaten group stage display in Leicester.
Zhao Xintong Stunned in Stage One as Championship League Stage Two Line-Up Takes Shape
Zhao Xintong, the pre-tournament favourite and world number three, has been eliminated from Championship League Snooker after a dramatic final-day twist in Leicester, as Stage Two takes shape.
New Zealand Open 2026: 45 Players Chase Q Tour Glory in Auckland This Weekend
The New Zealand Open Snooker Championship gets underway at the Papatoetoe Club in Auckland from 10–12 July, with defending champion Cody Turner among 45 players chasing Q Tour Asia-Pacific glory and vital ranking points.
Zhou Yuelong Breezes Through Group 13 as Bingham Suffers Shock Championship League Exit
Zhou Yuelong advanced to Stage Two of Championship League Snooker with an unbeaten run through Group 13, while former world champion Stuart Bingham suffered a surprise group-stage exit in Leicester.
Maguire and Carter Advance at Championship League as Pedigree Shows in Leicester
Stephen Maguire and Ali Carter both advanced from their Championship League Snooker groups on Saturday, with Carter squeezing through on frame difference in a gripping Group 12 finish.
Dennis Taylor's Heartfelt Farewell to John Virgo: 'He Had It All'
Dennis Taylor has paid a deeply moving tribute to the late John Virgo, describing the 1979 UK Champion and beloved TV personality as a man who 'had it all'. Virgo passed away earlier this month at the age of 79.
Ferguson Eyes 2032 Brisbane Olympics as Snooker Bids for Its Biggest Stage Yet
WPBSA Chairman Jason Ferguson has set his sights firmly on Brisbane 2032, outlining why he believes snooker is the biggest sport not yet in the Olympics and what it will take to change that.
Jak Jones Scrapes Through in Championship League Thriller as Boiko Advances Unbeaten
Jak Jones survived a dramatic three-way tie in Group 22 to advance to Stage Two of the Championship League Snooker on frame difference, while Iulian Boiko came through Group 4 unbeaten in Leicester.
Calabrese Makes It Ten: Q Tour Asia-Pacific King Reigns Again in Perth
Vinnie Calabrese claimed his tenth Q Tour title with a 5-3 victory over Hassan Kerde in the West Coast International final at the Pot Black Snooker Centre in Perth, Australia.
Free Balls Explained: The Rule That Let O'Sullivan Score 153
Ronnie O'Sullivan's world record break of 153 brought the free ball rule into the spotlight. Here's exactly how it works and why it matters.
50 Years at the Crucible: Why Snooker's Greatest Stage Still Devours the Best in the World
Sheffield's Crucible Theatre stages the World Snooker Championship for the 50th time in 2026 — and five decades on, the sport's greatest venue shows absolutely no signs of loosening its extraordinary grip on players and fans alike.
Higgins vs O'Sullivan: 30 Years On From The Crucible Quarter-Final That Still Haunts The Wizard
John Higgins reflects on the 1996 Crucible quarter-final against Ronnie O'Sullivan — a match he was one frame from winning at 20 years old — ahead of their latest meeting on Saturday 25th April.
Dean Young Stuns Championship League Field to Top Group 8 Despite Amateur Status
Dean Young went through Group 8 of the Championship League Snooker undefeated on Saturday, topping the group and eliminating eighth seed Thepchaiya Un-Nooh despite competing as an amateur top-up player.
100-Minute Frame of Shame: Allen vs Wu Crucible Stalemate Changes Nothing — and Everything
Mark Allen and Wu Yize are locked at 7-7 after a second session that produced the longest frame in Crucible history — 100 minutes and 21 seconds — and reignited debate about snooker's re-rack rules.
Wilson and He Guoqiang Storm Into Stage Two at Championship League
Gary Wilson topped Group 14 and He Guoqiang swept through Group 28 without defeat as Championship League Snooker continued on Friday in Leicester. Both players advance to Stage Two of the season-opening ranking event.
Allen's Agony: The Miss That Ended a World Championship Dream
Mark Allen suffered one of the most heartbreaking exits in recent World Championship memory after missing a match-winning pot on the black in his semi-final against Wu Yize at the Crucible.
Wu Yize Reaches World Final: Can You Name Every Crucible Finalist Since 2000?
Wu Yize has become the 21st different player to reach a World Snooker Championship final at the Crucible since 2000 — but how many of his predecessors can you name?
Murphy's Break-Off Revolution: The Tactical Masterstroke That Could Win Him a Second World Title
Shaun Murphy's third-red break-off technique has left John Higgins and Neil Robertson in awe — and it could be the decisive factor as he bids for a second World Championship title against Wu Yize.
Crucible Final Chaos: Spectator Jumps Barrier in TV Licence Protest as Murphy vs Wu Yize Disrupted
The 2026 World Snooker Championship final was briefly halted when a female spectator jumped the Crucible barrier to protest against the TV licence, the latest in a series of crowd incidents to mar this year's tournament in Sheffield.
Wu Yize: World Champion at 22 — The Story Behind Snooker's Hottest New Property
Wu Yize is the 2026 World Snooker Champion after a stunning 18-17 victory over Shaun Murphy — and at just 22, this extraordinary talent from Lanzhou looks like only the beginning.
West Coast International 2026: Calabrese Returns to Defend as Q Tour Asia-Pacific Kicks Off
The 2026/27 Q Tour Asia-Pacific season begins in Perth this weekend with the West Coast International, as defending champion Vinnie Calabrese returns to the Pot Black Snooker Centre looking to start the new campaign where he left off.
Wu Yize Wins 2026 World Championship in 18-17 Thriller — What It Means for Future Betting Markets
Wu Yize claimed the 2026 World Snooker Championship with an 18-17 victory over Shaun Murphy in a breathtaking final at the Crucible, becoming the second-youngest champion in the tournament's history.
Wu Yize Returns a Hero: What China's Back-to-Back World Champion Means for the Future of Snooker
Wu Yize returned to his home city of Xi'an to a hero's welcome after becoming the second-youngest world snooker champion ever — and China's back-to-back Crucible triumph has huge implications for the sport's future.
Mark Allen Opens Up on Crucible Heartbreak: 'It Hurts Too Much to Watch It Back'
Mark Allen has opened up on the missed spotted black that cost him a place in the 2026 World Snooker Championship final, admitting the heartbreak still lingers but vowing his best days at the Crucible are not behind him.
Ken Doherty Hangs Up His Cue: A Tribute to the Dublin Dream-Chaser Who Beat the Greatest
Ken Doherty has retired from professional snooker after 36 years, ending a career that included the 1997 World Championship title — won with a cue that cost just £2 — and a place in the sport's folklore as Ireland's greatest ever player.
Eight Finals Set to Light Up Thailand as World Disability Snooker Championship Reaches Its Climax
The 2026 World Disability Snooker Championship reaches its final day in Thailand on Sunday, with eight title matches set to be played at the SPADT Convention Centre in Nakhon Ratchasima across nine competing nations.
World Disability Snooker Championship 2026: How to Watch Live from Thailand
The 2026 World Disability Snooker Championship is live from Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, with free streaming available via the WPBSA YouTube channel and real-time scores on WPBSA SnookerScores.
Hussain Would Have Picked 'Outstanding' Lawrence for Second Test — But England Selectors Disagree
Nasser Hussain has called for Dan Lawrence's Test recall after the Surrey batter struck 319 runs across two innings against Hampshire, labelling him 'outstanding' in the County Championship this season.
Serena Williams' Queen's Club Comeback Ends Early as Doubles Partner Mboko Withdraws Injured
Serena Williams' return to competitive tennis at Queen's Club has ended prematurely after doubles partner Victoria Mboko withdrew with a knee injury, though Williams has already added the Berlin Open to her comeback schedule.
Gaethje Stuns Topuria at White House UFC Spectacular — What a Night for Combat Sports
Justin Gaethje pulled off one of the biggest upsets in UFC history by defeating lightweight champion Ilia Topuria at a White House event hosted by President Donald Trump, with Ciryl Gane also claiming the interim heavyweight title on a truly remarkable night for combat sports.
Sweden 5-1 Tunisia: Gyokeres and Isak Fire Potter's Side to the Top of Group F
Sweden opened their World Cup campaign in style with a 5-1 demolition of Tunisia, as Viktor Gyokeres and Alexander Isak combined to devastating effect under Graham Potter.
Catalans Dragons Sizzle Past Castleford in Six-Try Super League Thriller — What the Result Means for the Betting Markets
Catalans Dragons put six tries past Castleford Tigers in a 34-28 Super League win on Sunday — and the performance has real implications for the outright betting markets.
The Magician Gets His Honours: Shaun Murphy Awarded OBE in King's Birthday Honours
Shaun Murphy has been awarded an OBE in the 2026 King's Birthday Honours for services to snooker and charity, with the 2005 World Champion admitting he was left shaking when the letter arrived.
Kretinsky Set to Take Control at West Ham — What It Means for the Club's Premier League Push
Daniel Kretinsky is set to become West Ham United's largest shareholder after agreeing to purchase an additional stake from the Gold family, taking his holding to approximately 43 per cent. The move comes amid significant turmoil surrounding former joint chairman David Sullivan.
Gilchrist Delivers Six-Century Masterclass to Reclaim Walter Lindrum Australian Open Crown
Peter Gilchrist reclaimed the Walter Lindrum Australian Open title at the Yarraville Club in Melbourne, defeating Michael Pearson 899–709 with six century breaks across a hard-fought 180-minute final.
Football's World Cup Circus Kicks Off — But Sport's Greatest Shows Always Find a Way to Shine Through
The 2026 World Cup has kicked off in Mexico amid controversy and celebrity noise — but as always, the sport itself found a way to take centre stage from the very first whistle.
Holt Makes History With First 147 of the 2026/27 Season at China Open Qualifiers
Michael Holt compiled the first 147 break of the 2026/27 snooker season at the China Open qualifiers in Leicester — and crucially, it was his first-ever maximum on the World Snooker Tour.
WPBSA Q Tour Asia-Pacific 2026/27 Schedule Confirmed — Five Events Across Australia and New Zealand
The WPBSA has confirmed five Q Tour Asia-Pacific events across Australia and New Zealand for 2026/27, with defending series champion Vinnie Calabrese set to headline a circuit where WST tour cards are the ultimate prize.
Tour Survival on the Line: Brecel, Walden and the Players Fighting to Stay Professional in 2026/27
Luca Brecel is among the established names currently projected outside the top 64 in provisional 2026/27 end-of-season rankings, with Ricky Walden also on the danger list.
Record-Breakers and Historic Champions: Spring 2026 WPBSA International Round-Up
Kevin Hanssens breaks the Belgian national championship record with a seventh title, Ashley Carty wins snooker's oldest competition, and Robin Hull reaches 17 Finnish crowns in a packed spring of international amateur action.
2026 China Open Qualifiers: Everything You Need to Know as a New Season Kicks Off in Leicester
The 2026/27 snooker season gets underway this Wednesday with the China Open qualifiers in Leicester — here's everything you need to know about the draw, the schedule, and the huge prize fund on offer.
End of an Era: Ken Doherty Retires After 36 Glorious Years on the Tour
Ken Doherty has retired from professional snooker after 36 years on the World Snooker Tour, bringing an end to a career that included the 1997 World Championship title and three Crucible final appearances.
Causier Does the Double in Vienna with Crushing European Open Final Win
David Causier completed a stunning Vienna double by defeating Peter Gilchrist 6-1 in the World Billiards European Open final — his second ranking title at the same venue in as many weeks.
End of an Era: Ken Doherty Hangs Up His Cue After 36 Remarkable Years
Ken Doherty, the 1997 World Champion and the only player from the Republic of Ireland ever to lift snooker's biggest prize, has announced his retirement from professional snooker after 36 years on the tour.
Ken Doherty Retires: A Career That Defined an Era of Professional Snooker
Ken Doherty has retired from professional snooker after more than three decades on tour, bringing the curtain down on a career that included a world title, six ranking event victories, and a peak ranking of world number two.
Causier Dominates in Vienna to Retain Austrian Open Crown
David Causier retained the World Billiards Austrian Open title in Vienna with a dominant 864-227 final victory over Peter Gilchrist, producing a tournament high break of 850 along the way.