CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR WITH TV TABLES

The choice of which matches make it on to the TV tables is often a subject for heated debate – not least from the players, who have been known to query why their encounter is not rated as a more desirable proposition than some other.

Such decisions are usually made by some combination of the broadcaster, promoter and tournament director. And on the Tuesday evening in Chengdu it was Stuart Bingham asking the question as to why his Wednesday night match against Mark Allen – a repeat of the previous month’s Shanghai Masters final – was not down as one of the two matches to be televised.

At that stage the Ronnie O’Sullivan/Li Hang game had been put on No1 table the following evening, with the winner of Judd Trump/Jamie Burnett v Peter Ebdon slotted in on No2.

As it turned out Trump suffered a shock defeat to the Scot, prompting a rethink and Bingham got his wish of a televised table after all. Unfortunately for the world No10, what went out to the watching millions was a 6-4 defeat to Allen, who gained a measure of revenge for Shanghai.

BINGHAM IN LINE FOR A PINT

With the prize money on offer at the Champion of Champions, Stuart Bingham could be due a drink this week from certainly John Higgins and maybe also Ali Carter.

Bingham’s win at the Haining Open guaranteed Higgins a place at the Ricoh Arena and in an exclusive field of just 16, where the minimum he will earn is £5,000 even for finishing third or fourth in the initial group.

Finishing second in Coventry will be worth £10,000, winning the group £20,000, reaching the final £50,000 and lifting the trophy £100,000.

Bingham had already qualified on more than one count, but a win for his final opponent Oliver Lines would have knocked out Carter and left Higgins at risk of not making it, dependent on results in Chengdu at the International Championship.

Higgins and Bingham will both be in south-west China this week, when the favour could be called in at the bar.

MAGUIRE PULLS OUT OF CHINA OPEN

The withdrawal of Stephen Maguire from the China Open with a bad back, a problem that troubled him at the Welsh Open earlier this year, brought to three the number of players who will not be travelling to Beijing after the draw was made. Maguire had been due to play Dave Harold, who will receive a bye into the last 32 and a guaranteed minimum of £6,500 from the prize-money pot. The same applies to Martin O’Donnell, who was due to play Stuart Bingham (family funeral), and Alfie Burden (Tony Drago, no reason given but has always had a strong fear of flying).