Mark Selby

Mark Selby — the Jester from Leicester — is the most successful World Champion of his generation having won the title four times (2014, 2016, 2017, 2021). Selby’s game is built on attrition — a meticulous safety game designed to force opponents into errors rather than trying to outscore them. His ability to manage long tactical battles over multiple sessions is unique in the modern game and has made him almost unstoppable in the best-of-35-frames World Championship format. For bettors, Selby is the quintessential Crucible specialist — often underestimated in the market relative to more flamboyant players, he regularly reaches the latter stages when others are already eliminated. At 20/1 to 33/1 in the ante-post market he represents consistent each-way value for the World Championship. His style, however, makes him a less attractive selection in shorter-format events — the Masters and UK Championship suit his talents less, making his prices in those events accurately reflect lower probability.