It’s been a while since we have had some sporting action on the green baize, but today the revamped Championship League snooker tournament gets underway, with games shown live on ITV4 on terrestrial TV, as well as on live streaming services with some online sports betting sites. With the World Championship set to start in 60 days, this is the first tournament for many of the top players to try and get back to some degree of form ahead of the event in Sheffield starting on July 31^st. However, it is a tough tournament, based on a league format and with matches played over the best of four frames initially, it is a tournament which can and does produce plenty of shock results. If you would like to have a wager on the Championship League snooker this week, then I have provided you with some solid tips below, but if you need somewhere to bet then I would advise you to take a look at the current bet365 New Customer Offer available on the site. Not only do you get a great value deal when you join, but you can also access the excellent bet365 Live Streaming service, which is carrying all the action from Milton Keynes in the Championship League, which you can enjoy if you placed a bet within the preceding 24 hours, or if you have a credit balance in your account. If you are based in the United States then you can find betting on snooker and other baize sports, such as 9-ball, at a number of high-quality sportsbooks across the country. Iowans, Coloradans and West Virginia customers can access the quality service of DraftKings Online Sportsbook, while in Pennsylvania, a quick look at the latest playsugarhouse bonus code offerings will have you set up in no time. Similarly, the latest BetRivers Affiliate Code “HOOSIERBONUS” is a great option if you are based in Indiana.

Championship League Snooker Tournament Organisation

This year’s tournament boasts £200,000 in prize money with £30,000 of that going to the winner, almost £10,000 more than last year’s winner, Scott Donaldson received when he won the trophy back in 2019. For this year, 64 players will compete in the first round in 16 groups of four. Each match is a best of four contest with three points for a win, one for each player in a draw and zero for a defeat. Only the top player in each of the 16 groups qualifies for the Second Round. In the Second Round the 16 players will play in four groups of four, again over four frames with once again, only the top player making it into the Tournament Finals. This is another group of four players with the winner of the group being crowned the tournament champion. Let’s now take a look at some of my tips for the tournament, starting with my tips for each of the 16 opening round groups.

Champions League Snooker Tips

I have given you my quick tips for each of the 16 First Round Groups below, naming which player I feel will make it through as the group winner and into the Second Round of the tournament. Group A – Stuart Bingham (4/6), Ricky Walden (2/1), Jordan Brown (8/1), Jamie Clarke (14/1) Tip – A close call between Walden and Bingham but back Bingham to progress. Group B – Judd Trump (2/9), Eliiot Slessor (8/1), Daniel Wells (9/1), David Grace (11/1) – Tip – Easiest pick of the tournament, Trump should win this easily. Group C – Michael Holt (7/4), Mark Davis (2/1), Mark Joyce (13/5), Louis Heathcote (7/1) – Tip – A tough group to call, but I just feel Davis has the slight edge here. Group D – Joe Perry (4/5), Mark King (2/1), Sam Baird (7/1), Harvey Chandler (10/1) – Tip – This could be Sam Baird’s chance to shine in what is a winnable group for an outsider. Group E – Mark Selby (8/13), Liang Wenbo (12/5), Joe O’Connor (9/1), Lee Walker (10/1) – Tip – Straight pick between Selby and Wianbo. Selby just has the edge in quality though. Group F – Ali Carter (13/10), Matt Selt (3/1), Sam Craigie (7/2), Dominic Dale (4/1) – Tip – Carter’s the favourite, but I feel he is not suited to shorter matches. Back Selt to land the win here. Group G – Barry Hawkins (10/11), Anthony McGull (7/4), Craig Steadman (11/2), Hammad Miah (14/1) – Tip – This should be an easy progression into the second round for Barry Hawkins. Group H – Jimmy Robertson (13/8), Ben Woollaston (7/4), Liam Highfield (12/5), Thor Chuan Leong (14/1) – Tip – A tough group to call, Robertson is the slight favourite but I feel Woollaston has the edge in shorter games. Group I – Jack Lisowski (5/4), Luca Brecel (13/8), Robbie Williams (9/2), Oliver Lines (10/1) – Tip – A very tough group to call, Lisowski is talented but Williams and Brecel will push him all the way and I fancy Brecel to just about clinch it. Group J – Ronnie O’Sullivan (2/7), Chris Wakelin (5/1), Michael Georgiou (7/1), Kishan Hirani (25/1) – Tip – Easy. O’Sullivan should win this group without moving out of second gear if his mind is focused solely on the tournament. Group K – Mark Allen (8/13), Martin O’Donnell (4/1), Michael White (5/1), Nigel Bond (15/2) – Tip – If he plays to his best Mark Allen should win this group at a canter. Group L – Kyren Wilson (4/6), Ryan Day (9/4), Alfie Burden (13/2), Chen Feilong (16/1) – Tip – Wilson is the quality pick here, and even out of form, should do enough to claim the win. Group M – David Gilbert (4/6), Stuart Carrington (5/2), Jak Jones (7/1), Jackson Page (10/1) – Tip – Gilbert is the class act in this group and should ease past Carrington to win it. Group N – Gary Wilson (Evens), Matthew Stevens (7/4), John Astley (13/2), Mitchell Mann (8/1) – Tip – Wilson is better over longer games, so for me the experienced Stevens could land the group win. Group O – Tom Ford (11/8), Robert Milkins (7/4), Ian Burns (4/1), Mike Dunn (7/1) – Tip – Some quality emerging talent in this group and I back Ford to just pip Mlkins to top spot. Group P – Neil Robertson (3/10), Kurt Maflin (9/2), Ken Doherty (17/2), Ashley Carty (18/1) – Tip – Ken Doherty will have his fans, but Neil Robertson is the clear pick here.

Who Wins the Championship League Outright?

Of course, the tips above are just for the first round of the tournament and there is plenty of interest who will lift the trophy at the end of the tournament too. Bet365 offers a range of bets on the winner with Judd Trump the clear favourite at the moment as you can see from the screenshot. For me, Trump is the obvious pick given his form over the earlier part of the season. He is also well suited to shorter matches than some of the other top players. For an outside pick, Kyren Wilson at 16/1 could be worth an each way bet.  

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