Picking any of the Top 8 qualifiers at Saturday’s eagerly awaited Pockets Pro Challenger is no easy task. Picking the outright winner is much harder. TopSport have produced their odds, and Victorian hot shot, Temujin Dixon currently holds the outright favouritism at $5.00.
Pool is a 50/50 game at any level, but cream will float to the top. Marc Robertson, inaugural Pro Series champ, won just 57% percent of his frames over the entire series, yet was a definitive winner. Champions bring out their best when the chips are down, and matches are there to be won. So, who will “bring it” on Saturday?
Respected SA and WA aces, Cacciola and Foster currently share the second line of betting at $7.00. Domeika and Bowen next best at $8.00. David Rothall the only other challenger under $10.00.
One could be forgiven for thinking it is going to be a 5-horse race. Not so.
The list of competitors here is deep and full of warriors, old and new. There is going to be some upsets under the heat of International Rules, timed matches and the pressure cooker atmosphere that will prevail.
Let’s take a look at a few players and their early match ups to see if the bookies might have been caught napping.
Value is the word that comes to mind when analysing odds. The top 5 in the betting perhaps deserve their tight odds but this entire field is white hot and on a mission. Not all of the players are well known but many have solid nationwide reputations. They didn’t get to this stage by luck.
Arguably the most experienced and decorated trio is Clack $17, Harmon $26 and Brown $34. Is Clacky twice as good as WA legend Alan Brown? You decide.
Many of the favourites are in the top half of the draw. This will provide upsets and opportunities. Temujin has local experience on the Supremes and has results on the board, he deserves his top billing.
At least half of this field would be at home in any National team.
Sitting lower down the betting and providing enticing odds are a few seemingly under rated players. This is where each way betting comes into play.
Nathan McMahon, Adam List and Chris Beagley are all great value. There are many others with great chances. Nathan is a proven big match player who has no fear. His game is perfect for this format. A strong showing will not surprise.
How can you leave out Kurt Dunham or Richard Williams? You can’t.
Next, we have the young guns who are yet to make their full presence felt; Alex Pace, Jayme White & Danyal Porter. Very exciting players who are well thought of in the betting. One player that may have the bookies running for cover is Marc Bingham
Good luck to everyone who are all capable of producing what it takes on the day. There’s plenty not not mentioned who will be taking up the challenge. Guys like Trent Mason who was pretty to watch in recent streams, Jakk Phillips an Australian team player and Josh Gorski the star snooker player convert.
It doesn’t get much better than what is in store for us this weekend. GAMBLE RESPONSIBLY!
Catch all the action live on www.pockets.com.au for $9.99
