Tuesday's Masters predictions and snooker betting tips: Antrim Ace can star

Free snooker tips, best bets and analysis for day three of the Masters at Alexandra Palace on Tuesday.

Where to watch

BBC & Eurosport, 1pm & 7pm Tuesday

Best bets

Mark Allen -1.5 frames
1pm Tuesday
2pts 10-11 Hills

Over 9.5 frames in Mark Williams v David Gilbert
7pm Tuesday
1pt 11-10 Betfair, Power

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Day three preview

Barry Hawkins reached the final of the European Masters in August but since then there has been a string of early exits for the Hawk.

The Kent cueman has failed to make it past the third round of any ranking event he has contested since that runners-up spot in Germany, and there have been defeats to moderately-ranked players such as Michael White, Steven Hallworth and Li Hang.

Hawkins is a former World Championship runner-up and he has twice made the final of the Masters. However, hopes of a repeat of an Ally Pally final are likely to be extinguished in the first round by Mark Allen.

The Antrim Ace has been in excellent form this season, winning the Northern Ireland Open on home soil and the UK Championship, as well as making the final of the British Open.

Allen won this title in 2020 and the Pistol can be backed to make a comfortable start to this year’s event.

This evening’s contest between Mark Williams and David Gilbert is likely to be a more closely fought affair. Gilbert has spoken openly about issues away from snooker affecting his form but those problems appear to be behind the Tamworth man and we may get an improved showing.

Gilbert has been good enough to make the semi-finals of the World Championship and 41-year-old is an exceptional break-builder when on song.

Williams made the semi-final at Alexandra Palace last year and the Welshman’s three Masters matches were tight tussles. The Welsh Potting Machine beat Yan Bingtao 6-4 and John Higgins 6-5, before losing to 6-5 to Neil Robertson, and the total frames line could be crossed again.

It’s 11-10 that this first-round contest goes over 9.5 frames and that appears a prudent punt.

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