World Snooker Daily Tips: Ding over-rated against Bingham

Snooker / Paul Krishnamurty / 23 April 2011 / Leave a Comment

Should Ding be as short as 1.16?

"Value-hunting is the name of our game, and these odds are too one-sided."

Bullish Bingham can give Ding a run for his money, says Paul Krishnamurty

We've barely seen a notable upset in this World Championship, with the biggest winning price so far just [3.0] when Judd Trump knocked out the defending champion Neil Robertson, but it was hardly a huge shock. None of the very short-priced favourites have even been given a scare. Nevertheless, big-hitters should be wary of overconfidence before wading into the [1.15] about Ding Junhui against Stuart Bingham.

To be clear, the fact Ding has never previously gone beyond this stage in four Crucible visits is not an issue for me. Victory at the Masters illustrated how his game has matured, and he remains a genuine contender for the title. However, value-hunting is the name of our game, and these odds are too one-sided. Apart from Wembley, the only other semi-final he's made this season came in his own country at the China Open. Ding is by no means bombproof.

Nor is Bingham incapable of top-class snooker. He didn't show it when beating Peter Ebdon in the first-round, but the Essex man has had his moments at the Crucible. He pulled off one of this tournament's greatest ever shocks back on his debut in 2000 by eliminating Stephen Hendry, and this is the third time he's reached the last-16. Indeed, this experienced campaigner seems better suited to longer formats, twice making the quarter-finals of the UK Championship including last December.

Of course the favourite will probably win, but I doubt this will be too one-sided. Bingham has given a bullish interview about this match, and will certainly fancy his chances of winning the nine frames required to beat the handicap. Another plan is to lay Ding at [1.16], with a view to closing out for profit mid-match if the odds swing in our favour. A similar strategy worked when laying Marco Fu against Martin Gould, so I'm setting the same target of [1.6] at which to bank profit.

Recommended Bets
Stuart Bingham (+4.5 frames) @ [2.12] (vs Junhui)

In-Play Trading Plan
Lay Ding Junhui 20 units @ [1.15]
Place order to back 10 units @ [1.6]