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
Saengkham Stuns Trump in China Open First Round — and the World Number One Ranking is Now Under Serious Threat
Judd Trump's world number one ranking is under serious threat after a stunning 6-3 first-round defeat to Thailand's Noppon Saengkham at the China Open in Taiyuan on Sunday.
Wu Yize Survives China Open Scare But Seeds Fall All Around Him in Taiyuan
Wu Yize survived a dramatic fightback from Yao Pengcheng to reach the China Open last 16, but the bigger story was three top seeds crashing out on day one in Taiyuan.
Hassan Kerde Finally Breaks His Finals Curse to Win Q Tour Asia-Pacific Title in Albury
Hassan Kerde ended a run of five consecutive final defeats by whitewashing Alan McCarthy 4-0 to win the third WPBSA Q Tour Asia-Pacific title of the 2026/27 season in Albury, Australia.
Trump Denies Wilson Again to Claim 2026 Shanghai Masters Crown
Judd Trump claimed the 2026 Shanghai Masters title with an 11-6 victory over defending champion Kyren Wilson at the Luwan Gymnasium on Sunday, pocketing the £210,000 top prize.
Trump Dominates Wilson to Claim Second Shanghai Crown — And He's Worth Backing for the China Open Too
Judd Trump claimed his second Shanghai Masters title with an 11-6 demolition of Kyren Wilson — and the world number one looks an outstanding bet for the China Open starting 8th August.
Shanghai Masters Final Tip: Back Wilson to Defend His Crown Against Trump
Kyren Wilson meets Judd Trump in the 2026 Shanghai Masters final on Sunday, with £210,000 on the line — here's our tip and full match analysis.
2026 Shanghai Masters Quarter-Final Betting Guide: Four Tasty Ties to Dissect
All eight seeds have come through to the quarter-finals at the 2026 Shanghai Masters, setting up a mouth-watering Thursday session in China. Here's our full betting breakdown of every tie.
Wu Yize Sets Up Murphy Rematch as World Champion Fires Three Centuries at Shanghai Masters
Wu Yize fired three centuries including back-to-back 140s to beat Si Jiahui 6-2 and set up a Shanghai Masters quarter-final rematch against Shaun Murphy — a repeat of their thrilling 2026 World Championship final.
Fred Osbourne Snooker Classic 2026: 82-Player Field Set for Albury Showdown
The Fred Osbourne Snooker Classic gets under way in Albury, Australia on 31 July, with 82 players contesting Event 3 of the 2026/27 Q Tour Asia-Pacific season — and last year's finalists Steve Mifsud and Hassan Kerde leading the seedings.
Robertson Reveals Break-Off Inspiration Behind Stunning Shanghai Comeback
Neil Robertson has credited an aggressive new break-off approach — inspired by Shaun Murphy — for his stunning 6-5 comeback victory over Xiao Guodong at the Shanghai Masters, overturning a 5-2 deficit despite his opponent making a 147 maximum break.
Highfield Nails Maiden 147 as British Open Qualifying Delivers the Goods
Liam Highfield potted his maiden competitive 147 break during a 4-1 British Open qualifying win over Stephen Maguire, becoming the fourth player to hit a maximum this season.
Shanghai Masters 2026: How To Watch, Who's Playing & Why Wilson Is The One To Beat
The Shanghai Masters 2026 runs from 27th July to 2nd August with Kyren Wilson defending his title. Here's your full guide to watching every session live, wherever you are in the world.
Murphy Has World Number One in His Sights — And the Numbers Back Him Up
Shaun Murphy has publicly declared his intention to reach world number one, and the ranking mathematics suggest it is far from an idle boast.
Chang Bingyu Fires 147 and Hammers Nasa 5-0 in Shenzhen Open Qualifier
Chang Bingyu fired his third career maximum break in a stunning 5-0 demolition of Chatchapong Nasa at the Shenzhen Open qualifiers — and the 23-year-old looks like a player to follow all the way through this event.
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.