The 2013 Betfair.com World Snooker Championships

Snooker - I've never been much good at betting but I really didn't expect my tip for this years World Snooker championship to fall at the first hurdle.  Although John Higgins has been struggling for form since his win in Shanghai last year I really felt he may have had reasonable chance under the Sheffield lights.

One of the real characters of the Championship was Thailand’s Dechawat Poomjaeng. He certainly brought plenty of energy and life to the arena. He was also the first person I have ever seen lose a frame due to three successive misses of the ball. No matter what he certainly had fun and the crowd thoroughly enjoyed watching.

The Tournament as we speak is nicely hotting up. There are still plenty of big names left in at the quarter final stage. Shaun Murphy Vs Judd Trump is a real battle of the Englishmen. Barry Hawkins is also having a superb tournament. After knocking out one of the favourites Mark Selby he currently leads China's Ding Junhui by 7 frames to 4.

Of course one name still dominates the event. The return of the rocket really has added the glamour the Championship needed. O'Sullivan is very much needed on the biggest stage and I was certainly delighted with his return. The sport is much criticised these days for a lack of personality amongst the players. There is a lot of truth in this but I personally feel that players have just taken professionalism to the next level. This however can make some players come across as being quite bland and hard to support. Ronnie O'Sullivan however is quite the opposite. He has more natural ability than anyone to play the game and he also knows how to entertain. He plays fast, plays left and right handed, and always on the edge. The longer he stays in the event the better for everyone.

The 2013 World finals are nicely warming up and could well be a classic. Who will win? Can Murphy or Trump make the breakthrough or will it be a triumphant double winning return for O'Sullivan. The final will be played on Sunday 6th May and everyone here at Pool Tables Online will certainly be watching.