The World Championships is the highlight of the snooker calendar, and success in the event is often seen as the ultimate goal for the large majority of professional players.

It is the number one tournsament in terms of prize money and prestige, and is competed on annual basis, usually at the end of April. Since 1977, it’s been staged at the legendary Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, and is scheduled to remain at the iconic venue until at least 2027.

The tournament is staged over 17 days, and is one of many ranking events on the calendar.

The format of the tournament has remained unchanged for many years, with 32 players entering the event, although only 16 will get the chance to play in the tournament proper. The World Championships begins with the qualifying stages, and this often leads to relative unknowns and wildcards making it through to the main draw.

The top 16 players gain direct entry to the main event, with the reigning champion assigned number 1 seed. The games are split into two sessions, and are played in a best-of-19 frames format. This is extended to a best-of-25 frame format in the second round.

Once the tournament is whittled down to just four players, it is competed in a best-of-33 frames, with an additional two frames added for the final.

The tournament has understandably attraced a number of household names in recent years, with Stephen Hendry still the most successful player of the modern era, with seven titles, and two runner-up medals. He also plundered three 147s during his time at the crucible.

Steve Davis managed six titles in the World Championships, making thirty appearances in total with Ray Reardon acheiving the same feat in just 19 outings.

Ronnie O’Sullivan,  John Higgins and Mark Williams are the next best performers in the tournament, and as of 2019, they are still going strong on the circuit.

No first time world champion has managed to retain their title the following year since 1977, and this is often referred to as the “crucible curse”.

Where and When?

The World Snooker Championship are staged at the end of April, and are scheduled to finish on the first Bank Holiday Monday of May. It has been held at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield since 1977.

Why is the World Championship so Popular?

The World Championship is the ultimate test of skill, stamina and character, and with such a significant prize purse available, it is always a suitably competitive showdown. Players will prepare for this event extensively, and with the top 16 players in the world automatically gaining entry to the competitions, it’s the perfect chance to see a number of household names going head-to-head.

The World Championship is also broadcast on terrestrial tv in the UK, with extensive coverage easy to locate.

What Betting Opportunities are Available?

The World Championship is always a significant betting event, with punters able to enjoy an ante-post wager, or an in-play bet.

There are always a significant number of betting markets available throughout the event, and it is the most-wagered on snooker competition in the world.

Key Betting Markets

Tournament Winner – By far the simplest of all markets, but easily the most popular. This is the chance to predict which player will lift the trophy at the crucible, and come out on top. Each way betting is available, and this will pay out if your player makes the final. Pre-tournament, there are hundreds of players in the ante-post betting, but this will be significantly whittled down once the qualifying process gets underway. Reigning champions often begin the following year in the top three of four of the betting.

To Reach the Final – Although each-way betting is available, it would only pay-out at 1/2 the odds, so this market is a much better way of finding value. Some players routinely reach the last four, but often fall short at the final hurdle, and this market acts as a safety net for that eventuality.

To Reach the Semi-Finals/Quarter-Finals – Same above, but with more prohibitive odds available on top players to reach the final eight of the competition.

1st/2nd/3rd/4th Quarter Betting – With the top 16 players automatically gaining entry to the competition, these will be drawn ahead of the tournament, and separated into quarters. The semi-final will consist of the four top players in each quarter. Punters are able to predict which competitor will finish top of their respective quarter.

Match Winner – Once the final field has been decided and the draw has been made, each match will be priced up by the bookmakers. This market is simply a case of which players will be victorious in their respective match-up. Odds can often be fairly prohibitive during the first couple of rounds with established expected to beat qualifiers.

Will There be A 147? – As simple as it sounds. 147s are not particularly common, but the top players have been known to do this at the World Championships. Big prices are available for anyone who correctly predicts this.

Frame Handicap – This is ideal for one-sided matches. If Ronnie O’Sullivan is up against a qualifier, punters can predict that he will win comfortably. This comes in the shape of the frame handicap. -7.5 frames would require the Rocket to finish the game eight frames clear of his opponent. As the tournament progress, these handicap markets become smaller.

To Win their Mini-Session – As previously mentioned, these games are separated into mini-sessions with morning, afternoon or evening play scheduled at the Crucible. The bookies offer odds on each player to be ahead at the end of each mini-session.

Total Centuries Market – How many centuries will be scored during the course of the match? This is often difficult to determine, but it gives the punter an outlet without having to correct predict the outcome of the contest.

Total Frames – Another decent way of betting without having to decide which player will progress to the next round. One-sided matches will often be contested over fewer frames than closely-contested competitive affairs. This is a decent option for cagey, trappy contests. The bookmaker will set the line ahead of the match, but this will alter throughout the game.

To Win the Next Frame – This is usually a decent in-play option with punters getting the opportunity to predict which of the two players will be victorious in the upcoming frame. The player who breaks is usually heavily odds-on for this.

Bobby’s Big Betting Tips for the World Championship

Crucial Crucible Form – The Crucible is a superb venue, and a great place to visit for Snooker fans, but it does have the ability to help and hinder particular players. Psychology plays a huge part in solo pursuits, and established veterans tend to play the occasion better than up-and-comers. Players like Barry Hawkins aren’t neccessarily a good bet to reach the final, but he does have a superb record at this venue. On the contrary, players who have recorded victories elsewhere can often struggle to find their groove on the big occasion. Always study previous records at this tournament before committing to a wager.

Head to Head – As with all solo sports, there is often a head-to-head bias. Some players just can’t cope with their opponents, and they should be opposed. Who has the stronger mindset? Has this player lost to his opponent at this venue previously? These are questions that need to be answered. Some players cannot cope with the antics of Ronnie O’Sullivan, whilst others just simply block it out.

Explore Other Markets – With this event being the pinnacle, and also being sponsored by bookmakers, there are always hundreds of different markets available at any given time. This is often in the punters interest. Traders will be keeping across these odds, but some of the lesser markets may be created by algorithms, and if you’re following the game, and can see an opening, take it! You don’t have to just stick to traditional outrights/handicap markets.

Cream Always Rises to the Top – First timers or qualifiers often establish a bit of momentum, and their tailwind can often see them through the first couple of rounds, but they are unlikely to sustain it. The World Championship is relentless, and the games come thick and fast. With just one table used for the latter stages, it can often lead to plenty of thinking time, and that isn’t always neccessarily a good thing for inexperienced players.

Where Can I watch the Snooker World Championships in the UK?

The tournament is broadcast across two different platforms with both the BBC and Eurosport sharing the rights to the event. There is often additional content on their online channels, and they both can boast an array of expert pundits.