Timetable | 19th-25th Feb |
Prediction | Trump to Win |
Odds | @ 3.25 |
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We are quickly running out of snooker events to place bets on, but there are still some big ones left, with one such competition being the Players Championship. This snooker tournament will take place between the 19th and 25th of February at the Telford International Centre in, you guessed it, Telford. In this betting guide, I will provide you with my prediction as to who I think will go on and win the trophy.
🎱 Players Championship Betting Preview
There were no qualifiers for the 2024 Players Championship as the top 16 ranked players at the end of the Welsh Open, which finished on the 18th of February qualified for this competition. There was also no need for a draw to be done because each player's opponent is based on ranking - so number 1 will play number 16, number 2 will play number 15, and so forth.
All of the matches up until the final will be the best of 11 frames, while the showpiece match will be the best of 19. This competition comes with a knockout format, meaning players cannot afford to lose even one match. With 16 of the world's best players taking part, it is not an easy competition to predict, but I am going to take a closer look at four players who I feel are in with the best shout. Under these players, you can find the outright odds that some of the best betting sites are offering.
1️⃣ Judd Trump
Judd Trump is one of the finest snooker players that the world has seen, and the fact that he has won a total of 27 ranking titles is a testament to just how good he is. When he is playing at the top of the game, which he has been doing recently, there are not many players on the circuit who can overcome him. He is aiming to win his fifth title of the season, which would make it the second most successful season in his career. He is the slight favourite to win the 2024 Players Championship, and it is pretty easy to see why at present.
- 3.25 at Betway
- 3.15 at LeoVegas
- 3.25 at Unibet
2️⃣ Ronnie O'Sullivan
Even if you are pretty new to the world of snooker, I am pretty sure that you have heard of Ronnie O'Sullivan. With a total of 41 ranking titles to his name, which includes being a 7-time World Champion, there can be no debate as to who the greatest snooker player of all time is. He is one of the most exciting players to watch on the circuit, even when he is not playing at his best. This is because he will always back himself and go for a shot rather than play it safe. He has won four titles this season, so it is fair to say that he has been in form lately.
- 3.25 at Betway
- 3.35 at LeoVegas
- 3.50 at Unibet
3️⃣ Ali Carter
Ali Carter is known as "The Captain" because he has a plane license, but he has not been flying high recently in terms of titles won. However, although he has not picked up any extra titles this season, he has not been playing badly at all. He made it to the final of the Wuhan Open in 2023 and this year's Masters, so he should be somewhat happy with his game at the moment. He currently has five ranking titles to his name, so he will not be counting himself out of the running to go on and win this one. He plays Tom Ford first up, so he will be favoured to make it through to the last eight, where he will likely come up against Trump.
- 19.00 at Betway
- 18.00 at LeoVegas
- 19.00 at Unibet
4️⃣ Gary Wilson
You might be surprised to see Gary Wilson on my list of contenders for the 2024 Players Championship, but he will be full of confidence heading into this tournament thanks to his win in the 2024 Welsh Open. He has now collected his third-ranking title, and he will now believe that he deserves to be playing with the big boys. He picked up some good wins against Lisowski, Higgins, and Milkins in Llandudno, so he will not fear anyone. He has Hossein Vafaei first up, and then either Mark Williams or Mark Allen, so there is no reason why he cannot make it to the semis, and then who knows what will happen.
- 29.00 at Betway
- 23.00 at LeoVegas
- 23.00 at Unibet
N.B. If you would like to find out more about any of these sportsbooks before you dive in and register with one, then take a visit to our bookmakers reviews page as here you can find out all you need to know about Betway, Unibet, and LeoVegas.
📊 Players Championship Winners
When you are considering betting on a sporting event, no matter what it is, it is wise to see who has excelled in the competition previously. For example, if you were to check out the Shanghai Masters history, you would realise that it is foolish to back against O'Sullivan as he has won the previous four editions of that tournament. Below are the winners of the Players Championship from 2017 onward:
Date | Winner | Runner-Up | Score |
---|---|---|---|
2017 | Judd Trump (ENG) | Marco Fu (HGK) | 10-8 |
2018 | Ronnie O'Sullivan (ENG) | Shaun Murphy (ENG) | 10-4 |
2019 | Ronnie O'Sullivan (ENG) | Neil Robertson (AUS) | 10-4 |
2020 | Judd Trump (ENG) | Yan Bingtao (CHN) | 10-4 |
2021 | John Higgins (SCO) | Ronnie O'Sullivan (ENG) | 10-3 |
2022 | Neil Robertson (AUS) | Barry Hawkins (ENG) | 10-5 |
2023 | Shaun Murphy (ENG) | Ali Carter (ENG) | 10-4 |
As you can see from the table above, Trump and O'Sullivan have won this event twice, and I think that one of them will go on to make it three wins this week.
🏆 Players Championship Prediction
Out of the four players that I mentioned above, I think this title will be won by either Trump or O'Sullivan as they have been the two form players this season. I could sit on the fence and leave it at that, but I am not the type of tipster to do that. I am going to suggest that you back Trump to win because I feel like he will be more motivated than O'Sullivan.
The Rocket is still a quality player, but he seems to prefer causing controversy nowadays than giving his all in each event. Although, he can still win when not giving his very best since he is so talented. Trump will be zoned in on the prize, and I think it will take a special performance to stop him from lifting the title.
My Players Championship Prediction: Judd Trump to win.
⭐ Players Championship Betting Tips
I am now going to finish up by giving you some top betting tips for the 2024 Players Championship. I recommend that you give these a good look before you go and put down any wagers using free bets or your own hard-earned cash.
Bet on a 147
A 147 in snooker is the highest possible break in a frame, and it is achieved by sinking 15 reds, 15 blacks, and then all of the colours in order. It can be considered to be like a hat-trick in football or a nine-dart finish in a leg of darts. It is a tricky feat, and the crowd always start to buzz when there is a chance of a 147. You can bet on whether a 147 will be scored or not, and the odds will usually be pretty enticing.
Top Tip 1: This tournament involves the top 16 players in the world, so I would not be at all surprised if there were at least 147 across the week. Although, it will probably not be O'Sullivan as he recently said he will go on a 147 strike until they increase the bonus money for hitting one. Nevertheless, the remaining players still have the talent to do so - Wilson hit one last week in the Welsh Open.
Who Are the Dark Horses
What makes snooker such a great sport is the fact that an unfavoured player can have a top week and go on and win this title. I am not sure that many would have bet on Wilson to win last week or for Luca Brecel to become the first Belgian world champion last year.
Top Tip 2: If you are not too enticed by the odds that are being offered for a Trump or an O'Sullivan win, and want to take a punt on a dark horse, then I suggest that you opt for Wilson. He has shown his talent over the last couple of seasons and has a pretty favourable run to the semi-finals. With his odds, you will not even need to stake much money in order to see some decent potential returns.
The Highest Break
One other entertaining market that snooker bettors enjoy putting their money on is trying to predict the player who will go on and hit the highest break in the tournament. Due to how hard it can be to get this type of market right, there will usually be some enticing odds available. There is an extra jackpot for the player who scores the highest break, so they have plenty of incentive too.
Top Tip 3: With regard to the 2024 Players Championship highest break, I would suggest that you think about betting on Trump or O'Sullivan. Both players are two of the best break builders in the game and are in some top form, so it would not surprise me if one of these players went on to hit the highest break of the tournament - maybe O'Sullivan will opt for a 146 just to rub home his strike.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions About the Players Championship
What Are the Best Betting Sites for the 2024 Players Championship?
Some of the best websites that I recommend for betting on the 2024 Players Championship include LeoVegas, Betway, and Unibet.
Who Will Win the 2024 Players Championship?
Many of the 16 participants will be confident of going on to win the trophy, but my money is on Judd Trump as he has been in wonderful form and is a top-quality player.
Who Has the Most Players Championship Titles?
Judd Trump and Ronnie O'Sullivan have both won this title two times. Trump won it in 2017 and 2020, while O'Sullivan won it 2018 and 2019.
What is the Prize Money for the 2024 Players Championship?
The total prize fund for the 2024 Players Championship is £385,000, with the winner walking away with a cheque for £125,000.
✒️ Sheldon Muchmore - iGaming and Sports Betting Enthusiast
This Players Championship prediction was written by Sheldon Muchmore.
Sheldon is a tipster and betting expert from the United Kingdom who has a passion for a whole range of sports, particularly football, rugby, and cricket. He is an avid Aston Villa fan, so feel free to feel a bit of pity for him. He has been involved in the online gambling industry for a number of years now and has written a large number of predictions for a variety of sports including GAA, so he has built up a lot of sporting expertise over the years.