Snooker - Match fixing?

Question

Does anyone else think that Peter Ebdon's win over Mark King was a bit suspect?

I've never seen such a load of missed easy pots in my life. Yesterday's performance was questionable, but tonight's was dire beyond belief. There were missed shots from both players that I could have taken with my eyes closed.

Was it rigged? or were those guys so tired that they couldn't even shoot straight? God help us all if Ebdon is driving back to his hotel tonight!

What do you think??

Answer 1

I can't see it happening in the World Championships to be honest as it's the championship they ALL want to win - for their reputation and popularity even more so than the money. But is it possible that matches could be rigged? Well read on and you decide ...

Former players Quinten Hann and Peter Francisco have been recipients of bans for matters relating to match-fixing.

Francisco received a five-year ban while Hann got an eight-year sentence.

In 1995, South African Francisco received his punishment after an investigation into his World Championship match against Jimmy White.

There were an unusual number of bets on a 10-2 win for White, which was the eventual outcome.

Meanwhile, Hann was handed his term in 2006 after a WPBSA investigation into a story by The Sun which alleged that the Australian agreed to lose a game at the 2005 China Open in return for money. Hann denied the charges.

Then there was -

Snooker is under investigation by the betting regulator, the Gambling Commission, because of suspicious betting patterns during last week's Malta Cup. The tournament, whose round-robin format produced some matches with nothing at stake, came under scrutiny when bookmakers were alarmed by unusual flows of money during in-play markets.

The commission said it had received tip-offs about suspected match-fixing, which is a criminal offence which can carry a prison term of up to two years.

Anyway interesting question but my own opinion is that it's unlikely - probably just pressure/tiredness etc, as you said.

Answer 2

there's been a few rumours about over-betting on some unexpected results. It's no different from any other sport, just easier to lose at without it being so obvious.

Peter Ebdon in a fixed match, though? can't see it my self.

Answer 3

I think the table was salted!!

Answer 4

Ebdon and King are as straight as they come! no way was their match fixed

Answer 5

Well I just think he's just having a hard time concentrating!

Also, sometimes when you see a shot is so easy, you think its already in the bag! and then..... you miss!

Like O' Sullivan's shot on the pink in his last game!

I mean come on! he potted a ball right before the pink.. that was almost impossible.. then he misses the pink!

plus why would they want to loose on purpose?

i mean it is their career and they get more money if they are better!