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 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.
WPBSA Faces Players at Sheffield EGM as PSPA Push for Formal Engagement
The WPBSA held an Extraordinary General Meeting in Sheffield on 22nd May 2026 after the Professional Snooker Players Association requisitioned a formal gathering to raise concerns with the governing body.
Efe Acikalin: The Turkish Trailblazer Putting Snooker on the Map in a New Market
Efe Acikalin is putting Turkish snooker on the map, and a recent episode of the Framed podcast tells his story in compelling fashion. Here's why this trailblazer deserves your attention.
The Class of 92 at 50: Why Backing O'Sullivan, Higgins and Williams Is Still Smart Money
Ronnie O'Sullivan turns 50 at this week's UK Championship — and with Higgins and Williams also hitting the milestone in 2025, the Class of 92 remain genuine betting propositions at the very top of the game.
Snooker's 147 Revolution: Why Maximum Breaks Are No Longer the Stuff of Legend
Snooker has recorded 25 maximum breaks in 2025 alone, shattering all previous records — we look at what's driving the 147 boom and what it means for the sport.
Moments of Brilliance: The Best Shots From the 2025 UK Championship
The 2025 UK Championship has delivered some stunning snooker, with Ronnie O'Sullivan, Mark Selby and Judd Trump all producing moments of genuine brilliance in York.
The Sheriff Rides Again: Anthony Hamilton Set for Seniors British Open Return
Anthony Hamilton is six months into retirement but the Sheriff of Pottingham is already back in action, set to compete in the Seniors British Open at Derby's Vaillant Live arena from Boxing Day alongside reigning World Seniors champion Alfie Burden and former world champion Stuart Bingham.
Kyren Wilson Wins First Masters Title With Victory Over John Higgins at Alexandra Palace
Kyren Wilson has claimed his first Masters title at Alexandra Palace, defeating snooker legend John Higgins in the final on 18 January — and the result has major implications for the betting markets ahead of the Crucible.
John Virgo's Final Gift to Snooker: The Night He Introduced the World to Ronnie O'Sullivan
John Virgo, who passed away aged 79, once introduced a 16-year-old Ronnie O'Sullivan to the nation on BBC's Big Break — a moment that feels all the more poignant now.
Hull Open Turns Ten in Style: Nine Champions Crowned at Landmark WDBS Anniversary Event
The Wilson Interiors Hull Open celebrated its tenth anniversary with nine champions crowned at the Tradewell Snooker Club, headlined by Mahomed Abubaker's wheelchair title defence and a history-making 59 break from Gary Swift.
Thepchaiya Un-Nooh Stuns O'Sullivan With 147 to Claim World Open Glory
Thepchaiya Un-Nooh produced a stunning 147 break en route to a 10-7 victory over Ronnie O'Sullivan in the 2026 World Open final in Yushan, claiming the biggest title of his professional career.
Un-Nooh's World Open Triumph Completes Tour Championship Field — And Here's Why He Could Shake Up the Betting
Thepchaiya Un-Nooh's stunning World Open victory — which included a maximum 147 break and three consecutive total clearances — has sealed his place in the Tour Championship and sent the snooker world buzzing.
Crucible Confirmed Until 2045: The Best News Snooker Has Had in Years
The World Snooker Championship is confirmed at the Crucible Theatre until at least 2045, with a £45 million redevelopment also planned for the iconic Sheffield venue.
WPBSA Bans Trans Athletes from Women's Snooker in Landmark Policy Overhaul
The WPBSA has published a landmark new Eligibility Policy confirming that only biological female players may compete in women's snooker tournaments, following the Supreme Court Ruling of April 2025 and a subsequent legal case involving the English Blackball Federation.
Ng On Yee Completes Hat-Trick of British Women's Open Titles With Final Revenge Over Bai Yulu
Ng On Yee claimed her third successive British Women's Open title in Walsall on Sunday, defeating world number one Bai Yulu 4-2 in the final to take her career tour victories to 24.
2026 Tour Championship Preview & Betting Tips: Zhao Xintong Can Complete the Players Series Sweep
The 2026 Tour Championship gets underway at Manchester Central on 30th March, with Zhao Xintong bidding for a historic Players Series clean sweep — here's our full betting preview and top pick.
Ding Junhui Secures 16th Seed as World Championship Picture Comes Into Focus
Ding Junhui is confirmed as the 16th seed for the 2026 World Snooker Championship after Thepchaiya Un-Nooh's Tour Championship exit ended any lingering doubt about the Chinese star's place at the Crucible.
Trump Survives Murphy Scare in 19-Frame Thriller to Reach Tour Championship Semis
Judd Trump battled past Shaun Murphy 10-9 in a nail-biting final-frame decider to secure his place in the Tour Championship semi-finals in Manchester.
Murphy's Luck Runs Out Against Trump — But The Magician Has Nothing To Regret
Shaun Murphy bowed out of the Tour Championship 10-9 to Judd Trump on Wednesday, bemoaning a missed double in the deciding frame that summed up a season of painful near-misses for The Magician.
Jason Francis Fires Back at World Seniors Critics: 'You'd Think I'd Murdered Someone'
Jason Francis has defended his handling of the 2026 World Seniors Snooker Championship controversy, firing back at critics who targeted him online after a table failure at the Crucible forced a match to be relocated to a practice room.
Higgins Digs Deep Again to Down Selby and Set Up Zhao Semi-Final at Tour Championship
John Higgins fought back from 8-5 down to beat Mark Selby 10-8 at the Tour Championship in Manchester, setting up a semi-final against world champion Zhao Xintong on Saturday — and the defending champion looks well worth backing at 4/1.
The Rocket Does It First Time: O'Sullivan Clinches World Seniors Title With Dominant Display
Ronnie O'Sullivan marked his World Seniors Snooker Championship debut in the most emphatic fashion possible, defeating Joe Perry 10-4 in the final at a sold-out Crucible Theatre to claim the JenningsBet title at the very first attempt.
2026 Global 900 Snooker Championship: Draw, Schedule & Betting Preview
The inaugural Global 900 Snooker Championship gets under way in Reading on Tuesday 12th May, and Ronnie O'Sullivan — fresh from Seniors glory in Sheffield — looks the standout betting proposition.
Snooker 900 Global Championship 2026: Draw, Schedule & Betting Preview
The inaugural Snooker 900 Global Championship begins on Tuesday in Reading, with Ronnie O'Sullivan headlining a 20-player field fresh from his World Seniors title — here's the full draw, schedule, and our betting preview.
O'Sullivan vs He Guoqiang: Back the Rocket to Kick Off His Record Hunt at the Crucible
Ronnie O'Sullivan opens his bid for a record eighth world title against Chinese debutant He Guoqiang at the Crucible — here's how to back the Rocket sensibly.
Four Crucible Debutants Who Could Steal the Show at the 2026 World Snooker Championship
Stan Moody, Liam Pullen, Antoni Kowalski, and He Guoqiang all make their Crucible debuts at the 2026 World Snooker Championship — here's why each of them could cause a stir in the early rounds.
Why the Crucible Still Gives the World's Best Players Nightmares — 50 Years On
Sheffield's Crucible Theatre stages the World Snooker Championship for the 50th time in 2026 — and understanding why it still terrifies the world's best players is essential knowledge for any serious punter.
Allen Backs Moody to Flourish After WST Pressure 'Did Him No Favours'
Mark Allen has praised teenage Crucible debutant Stan Moody while suggesting World Snooker Tour's heavy promotion of the youngster in recent years may have hindered rather than helped his development.
Wilson Digs Deep to Deny Teenage Sensation Moody in Crucible Classic
Kyren Wilson produced a stunning seven-frame winning streak to overturn a 7-3 deficit and beat teenage debutant Stan Moody 10-7 in one of the finest first-round matches the Crucible has seen in years.
History-Making Kowalski Crowned April Player of the Month After Crucible Breakthrough
Antoni Kowalski has been voted the WPBSA Players' Player of the Month for April after becoming the first ever Polish player to compete at the Crucible Theatre, saving his tour card in the process.
Vafaei at the Crucible: Backing a Man Playing for More Than Snooker
Hossein Vafaei faces Si Jiahui in the first round at the Crucible on Wednesday, carrying the weight of a difficult personal year — and we think the odds underestimate him significantly.
Wu Yize Wins the 2026 World Snooker Championship: Full Draw, Results & Prize Money
Wu Yize has been crowned the 2026 World Snooker Champion after defeating Shaun Murphy 18-17 in a dramatic final at the Crucible — here's the full draw, results, and prize money breakdown.