SUNDAY
Before even contemplating leaving the mansion and giving the butler a few days off, the weekend before the tournament is spent trying to secure any value bets available for the first round. I don't have to wait long.

BetDirect dangle the first carrots: Barry Hawkins at 13/8 to beat Joe Perry and Mark Davis at 11/8 to beat Drew Henry. I've priced all first round matches myself and make the real odds 4/6 Perry, 11/10 Hawkins and 5/6 Henry and Davis. Got to be quick though, as I'm sure the 11/8 Davis won't last. I'm right - most firms go 5/6 each of two, or make Davis favourite. There's even a chance to back both sides and profit - Coral go 11/10 Henry.

However, in my opinion it's best to take the 'wrong' price and hold tight. In the long run you should profit if you're any good. There's no value in the outright market so I ignore it.

MONDAY
I arrive at the venue and, as usual, my good friend and player Ian McCulloch forgets to leave me a guest pass. Luckily, the man on the front desk is used to McCulloch's sieve-like memory and I am able to make my way up to the players' lounge.

I listen as McCulloch drones on about how bad his hotel was. Various hard-luck betting stories are told, and one player asks me the inevitable question: 'Who do you fancy, then?' Well, I can hardly tell them I fancy their first-round opponent to stuff them, can I? Or can I?

Later I head to the arena to watch
play start. Hawkins goes 2-0 down.
Time to leave? Not a bit of it. 4-3 Hawkins becomes 4-4 and my bet at 13/8 is on again. A tense final frame ensues and the money's won as he triumphs 5-4. A good start.

I didn't intend to strike another bet today but I can't resist the 4/6 on Ryan Day to beat Quinten Hann. Day has shown very good form in the qualifiers, while Hann has been distracted by other issues. Day leads 3-1 at the break but the match turns out to be the proverbial game of two halves and Hann wins 5-3.

I spend the evening watching McCulloch get beat but still leave the day ahead.

TUESDAY
Today is D-Day - Davis day. I've had a decent bet on the aforementioned at 11/8 the only other bet I can see is Ali Carter at 4/6 against Alan McManus (I make Carter a 1/2 shot). Both matches are at night so watching brief is in order for the day.

WEDNESDAY

Here are the results of the Brighton Jury: Carter won while Davis, after trailing 1-3, pulled it back to 4-4, only to get chinned 5-4. Oh well, at least I got the value and am still ahead on the tournament. I watch some action on television, listening to the dulcet tones of ex-player Neal Foulds on Eurosport.

Only one bet takes my fancy today - Anthony Hamilton to beat Chris Small at 5/6. Both players like to take their time, so I settle back for a long evening.

Later on, I have just read War and Peace twice and the above match has still not finished. Finally, Hamilton prevails 5-2. All things come to those who wait... and wait...

THURSDAY
The only bet I fancy on today's card is Stephen Maguire to beat Ding Junhui, China's latest teenage sensation. At around 8/11 I think Maguire represents value having seen his displays during the week.

William Hill kindly accommodates my wager and I happily sit back to watch the action.

From 2-2 at the interval, Maguire pulls ahead to win comfortably at 5-2. Thank you for your generosity, William (no relation I hasten to add).

FRIDAY
Quarter-final day. More companies seem to be keen to bet on the first frames of matches. Stan James put up 15/8 against Andy Hicks winning the first frame in his quarter-final match with Ronnie O'Sullivan. Surely 15/8 for one frame of snooker is too big? I certainly think so, and back accordingly. However, Ronnie's break of 67 then justifies the bookmaker's faith and I do my money.

The remaining matches do not throw up any further opportunities, leaving me slightly better off than when I started the week and ready to call it quits for this trip.

There must be easier ways to make a living - now where did I put that McDonalds application form again? Nah, maybe not - I'm off to do battle in York for the UK Championship...

NICK'S BETTING RECORD

3pts at 13/8 Barry Hawkins to beat Joe Perry

3pts at 11/8 Mark Davis to beat Drew Henry

2pts at 4/6 Ryan Day to beat Quinten Hann

2pts at 4/6 Ali Carter to beat Alan McManus

2pts at 5/6 Anthony Hamiltonto beat Chris Small

4pts at 8/11 Stephen Maguire to beat Ding Junhui

1pt at 15/8 Andy Hicks to win first frame vs Ronnie O'Sullivan

TOTAL PROFIT
4.79pts

Stop press!
Nick Hill's two Recommendations in Issue 09 - Ali Carter to beat Jimmy White and Joe Perry to beat Chris Small - would have netted you a 13.3pt profit!