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Tournaments[ The 2010/2011 Season | Features | Archives | Facts ]
The 2010/2011 Season
Features
ArchivesThis is the place for times gone by. The World Championship was first contested in 1927. This section includes a list of all the finals since then. Season ResultsResults by season FinalsLists of finals for a number of tournaments. SummariesMatch-by-match summaries of the 1994 and 1995 World Championships. MedalsMedal table.
FactsA bit outdated, I'm afraid. Here are some facts about the tournament circuit. There are professional tournaments (organized by the WSA) and Pro-Ams (for professionals and amateurs alike). Some of the tournaments have dedicated pages. Professional tournamentsRanking tournamentsThere are currently nine ranking tournaments. The top players in the world rankings are automatically qualified, but the rest of the players have to struggle through the qualifying tournaments to earn one of the places up for grabs. These take place during the summer and just after New Year. The better your ranking - the fewer matches you have to play to reach the main circuit. The rookies have to start in round one. They often need to win lots of matches just to reach the first round in the final phase. Invitational tournamentsInvitational tournaments are, as the name implies, reserved a priviliged group of players. Usually the best ranked players automatically receive invitations. In addition the organizers like to invite the most promising talents and some local players. The Benson & Hedges Masters in London is the second most prestigeous tournament of the season. Only outranked by the World Championship itself. The Regal Masters in Scotland and the Benson & Hedges Irish Masters are two other well-known masters tournaments on the snooker calendar. The 1999/2000 saw the introduction of a new tournament, the Champions Cup. This short-lived event was only open for the winners of the previous season's tournaments. OtherThe Benson & Hedges Championship is a tournament for professionals outside the top 16. The winner receives an invitation to the prestigious Benson & Hedges Masters. The World Cup is a team event.Pro-AmsThese championships have recently been opened for professional outside the top 96. Previously they were strictly for amateurs.LadiesThe ladies have a ranking tournament circuit of their own. Unfortunately they are overshadowed by the men's circuit and don't receive very much coverage. Each year there is a separate world championship for the ladies. The Women's European Championship is staged along the men's championship.
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