The big one has finally arrived, as the World Snooker Championship rolls back into Sheffield. We have previewed the event and given you our suggested bets.
World Snooker Championship Tips
History
The World Snooker Championship is the longest running and by far the most prestigious event on the professional snooker calendar.
Dating back to 1927, the title, along with the UK Championship and the Masters, forms part of the Triple Crown.
The first final was first held at the Camkin’s Hall in Birmingham and took four days. It was won by Englishman Joe Davis, who went on to dominate snooker’s early era.
By the time he retired in 1945, he had won 15 straight World Championships and remained undefeated.
In 1969, the modern era of snooker was ushered in and the tournament changed to a straight knockout event. By 1977, the Championship was moved to it’s current home – The Crucible Theatre in Sheffield.
The tournament has had many multiple champions including Joe Davis (15 times), Fred Davis, Joe Pulman (both 8), Stephen Hendry, Ronnie O’Sullivan (both 7), Steve Davis, Ray Reardon (both 6), John Higgins, Mark Selby (both 4), Mark Williams, John Spencer (both 3), Alex Higgins and Walter Donaldson (both twice).
The defending champion is Englishman Ronnie O’Sullivan, who defeated Judd Trump 18-13 in the final last year.
Ronnie O'Sullivan vs Judd Trump | 2022 @Betfred World Championship Final Highlights#ilovesnooker pic.twitter.com/NCVNOxcuQM
— World Snooker Tour (@WeAreWST) May 2, 2022
The tournament runs from Saturday 15th April to Monday 1st May and will be broadcast live on the BBC and Eurosport.
| Stage | Prize |
| Winner | £500,000 |
| Runner-up | £200,000 |
| Semi-final | £100,000 |
| Quarter-final | £50,000 |
| Last 16 | £30,000 |
| Last 32 | £20,000 |
| Last 48(qualifying) | £15,000 |
| Last 80(qualifying) | £10,000 |
| Last 112(qualifying) | £5,000 |
| Highest Break | £15,000 |
| Total Prize Fund | £2,395,000 |
Mark Selby to win – 11/2
The ‘Jester from Leicester’ is reaching peak form at just the perfect time, as he attempts to win his 5th World Championship and move eighth on the all time list.
After a disappointing season last year, the 39-year-old has steadily improved his performances and then picked up two more titles, with the English Open and then the WST Classic just under a month ago.
No one can doubt Selby’s class and he tends to save his best stuff for the big televised events, winning nine Triple Crown events in total.
Selby’s win in Leicester and semi-final loss in Hull at the Tour Championship have seen him rise back up to no 2 in the world and it will certainly help him with the draw in Sheffield.
Matthew Selt awaits in the first round before potential match up’s with Wilsons, Gary and Kyren. If he gets through the quarters, it could be Mark Allen in the semi, before a blockbuster final against Trump, Ronnie or Murphy.
Shaun Murphy to win – 9/1
Speaking of Murphy, he is another man who is back to his very best form at the end of the snooker season.
The 40-year-old picked up his second title of the year with the Tour Championship in East Yorkshire, to add to his Players Championship, earlier in the season.
‘The Magician’ won the title back in 2005 but has been the nearly man since, reaching and losing three more finals, most recently back in 2021.
His long potting is better than ever and should he get past Judd Trump out of his quarter, he could go all the way to another final and possibly his second World Championship.
*All prices correct at the time of writing.
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