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
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.
Four New Tour Cards Handed Out At Q School Event Two As Higginson, Mann, Carrington And Gong Seal Their Spots
Andrew Higginson, Mitchell Mann, Stuart Carrington and Gong Chenzhi have all earned two-year tour cards after coming through the final round of Q School Event Two in Leicester.
O'Sullivan Pulls Out Dusty Old Cue — And Immediately Looks Like an Eight-Time World Champion
Ronnie O'Sullivan swept past He Guoqiang 10-2 at the Crucible after switching to an old cue dug out from under his bed in Ireland — and now faces John Higgins in what looks like the second-round tie of the tournament.
Murphy Demolishes Xiao to Reach Crucible Last Eight — Back Him to Go All the Way
Shaun Murphy produced four centuries in a ruthless 13-3 demolition of Xiao Guodong to reach the Crucible quarter-finals — and at 10/1 for the title, the 2005 champion looks well worth backing to go all the way.
Trump's World No.1 Spot Under Serious Threat — Three Players Ready to Pounce
Judd Trump starts the 2026/27 season as world number one, but close to £580,000 in ranking points is set to drop off his tally before August is out — leaving Zhao Xintong, Neil Robertson, and Wu Yize all capable of overtaking him.
Murphy vs Higgins: World Championship Semi-Final Tips & Best Bets
Shaun Murphy ended Zhao Xintong's title defence with a commanding 13-10 quarter-final win at the Crucible — and at 11/4, the 2005 champion looks genuine each-way value against John Higgins in the semi-finals.
Wu Yize Stuns Allen With Brilliant Decider Clearance to Reach World Final Against Murphy
Wu Yize produced a stunning 71 clearance in a last-frame decider to beat a devastated Mark Allen 17-16 and set up a World Championship final against Shaun Murphy — here's why the 22-year-old looks the right side of the market.
Wu Yize Leads 10-7 But Don't Write Off Murphy Yet — World Final Betting Preview
Wu Yize leads Shaun Murphy 10-7 heading into the final day of the World Snooker Championship — here's how to bet the conclusion of a final packed with history on the line.
SnookerHQ Turns 15: A Milestone Worth Celebrating for Independent Snooker Media
SnookerHQ.com marks its 15th anniversary this week, having grown from a small personal blog in 2011 into one of the sport's most trusted independent news sources, with over 5,250 articles published and millions of readers worldwide.
Wu Yize Wins World Snooker Championship in Final Frame Thriller to Become a Legend at 22
Wu Yize held his nerve in a final-frame thriller to defeat Shaun Murphy and become the 2025 World Snooker Champion at just 22 years of age — an extraordinary achievement that signals the arrival of a generational talent.
Huang Jiahao Bounces Back With Q School Glory to Secure Two-Year Tour Card
Huang Jiahao has battled back from relegation to secure a fresh two-year World Snooker Tour card after defeating Liang Xiaolong 4-2 in the Asia Oceania Q School Event Two final in Bangkok.
Big Break Is Back: Hendry and McGuinness Set to Relaunch BBC's Beloved Snooker Gameshow
Big Break is returning to BBC Two after 24 years away, with seven-time world champion Stephen Hendry on trick-shot duties and Paddy McGuinness hosting alongside him in a 20-episode reboot of the classic snooker gameshow.
Allen's Crucible Heartbreak: The Miss That Will Haunt a Career — And What It Means for 2027
Mark Allen is putting a brave face on his 2026 World Championship heartbreak, but the missed black off the spot that gifted Wu Yize a reprieve — and ultimately the title — will define his Crucible story for years to come.
Allen Opens Up on Crucible Heartbreak: 'It Hurts Too Much to Watch It Back'
Mark Allen has opened up on the missed black that ended his World Championship semi-final, admitting the heartbreak is still too raw to watch back — but insisting his Triple Crown dream is very much alive.