World Snooker Championship 2021

World Snooker Championship 2021 History 

The World Snooker Championship is the oldest, wealthiest and most prestigious tournament the sport of snooker has to offer. First established in 1927, it is one of the three tournaments that make up the Triple Crown Series. 

There was a break in action from 1941 to 1945 due to WWII and between 1952 and 1963, due to a dispute between the Professional Billiards Players’ Association and the Billiards Association and Control Council. During the second break (until 1957), the tournament was held unofficially, as the World Professional Match-Play Championship. The championship was brought back to life in 1964 and was held on a challenge basis.

The Modern era of snooker began in 1969 when the World Snooker Championship went back to a knock-out based format. The tournament endured and the rules remained largely intact since 1982. Of the 32 total players, half qualify automatically by being in the top 16 of the World Snooker Rankings, whilst the other half battle for their spots in a qualifying tournament. Alex Higgins, Terry Griffiths and Shaun Murphy are the only three qualifiers to have ever won the tournament.

The youngest ever player to win the World Snooker Championship was Stephen Hendry, at the age of 21, whilst the oldest player to take the title was Ray Reardon, at the age of 45. 

World Snooker Championship 2021 Previous Winners

Stephen Hendry is the most successful World Championship player, winning the tournament seven times and being the runner-up twice. Steve Davis, Ronnie O’Sullivan and Ray Reardon have won the tournament six times each, but it’s Reardon who has the fewest appearances (19)  and the highest win rate 31,6%. 

Only five other players have managed to win the championship more than once. John Higgins is the most successful of them, winning four times, whilst Mark Williams, John Spencer and Mark Selby each have three titles to their name, followed by Alex Higgins who has two. Judd Trump has won the tournament and been the runner-up one time each of 11 appearances, but it’s Neil Robertson who has left a great deal to be desired, taking the tournament just once out of 16 appearances. The most tragic player of the tournament is certainly Jimmy White, who managed to make his way to the finals six times, only to be halted at the finish line.

This year, the defending champion is Ronnie O’Sullivan, who won his sixth title last year by beating Kyren Willson 18-8 in the final. 

Here is a complete list of all the World Snooker Championship multiple winners in the modern era:

1. Stephen Hendry – 7                             
2. Steve Davis – 6
3. Ronnie O’Sullivan – 6
4. Ray Reardon – 6
5. John Higgins – 4
6. Mark Williams – 3
7. John Spencer – 3
8. Mark Selby – 3
9. Alex Higgins – 2

World Snooker Championship 2021 Venue

The World Snooker Championship will take place at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, England, as has been the case in the last 45 years. The theatre seats 980 people, and although the physical aspects of it are subpar, it is known for creating a unique and exciting atmosphere.

 However, due to the global circumstances, the venue will operate at 33% capacity in the first round and will be increased to 50% in the second. The quarter-finals and semifinals will operate at 75% capacity whilst the final of the tournament promises to bring snooker fans back into the pre-pandemic days, by allowing the theatre to operate in full capacity and provide the exciting atmosphere it is known for.

All fans attending will have to take a COVID-19 test before they arrive, and must show a negative test result upon entering the theater.

The total prize fund is at 2,395,000 pounds which will be allocated in the following way:

• Winner: £500,000
• Runner-up: £200,000
• Semi-finalists: £100,000
• Quarter-finalists: £50,000
• Last 16: £30,000
• Last 32: £20,000
• Last 48: £15,000
• Last 80: £10,000
• Last 112: £5,000
• Highest break (qualifying stage included): £15,000
• Maximum break (main stage): £40,000
• Maximum break (qualifying stage): £10,000

World Snooker Championship 2021 Schedule

Qualifying for the tournament took place between April 5h and 14th, at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield. Out of 128 participants, only 16 will make it to the main stage of the tournament. The main stage will take place from April 17th to May 3rd, where the qualifier will be paired up to face off against the 16 top-ranked players in the world. 

When it comes to the [players who received automatic invitations, Ronnie O’Sullivan earned the first seed by winning the tournament in the previous year, whilst the rest are seeded based on the latest world rankings, released after the 2021 Tour Championship. Follow the results of World Snooker Championship 2021 at bettingexpert and enjoy our free snooker betting tips.

World Snooker Championship Favorites

The World Snooker Championship is one of the most prestigious competitions the sport of snooker has to offer, and the quality it provides is second to none. The biggest names in the snooker world will once again cross paths in Sheffield to put their skills to the test. For them, the monetary value that winning the championship  brings is only secondary, whilst the reputation and glory that come along with being the World Snooker champion are the primary objective. As for the fans, we will surely once again find ourselves in awe of the skills and technique we have the opportunity to witness.

Anything can happen in the world of snooker, and although Ronnie O’Sullivan would love to defend his title, the bookmakers don’t have him as the favorite for winning the tournament. The list of of the top 10 favorites to take the tournament is as follows:

1. Judd Trump – 3.75 odds
2. Ronnie O’Sullivan – 5.00 odds
3. Neil Robertson – 6.50 odds
4. Mark Selby – 8.00 odds
5. John Higgins – 9.00 odds
6. Kyren Wilson – 17.00 odds
7. Shaun Murphy – 23.00 odds
8. Mark Allen – 23.00 odds
9. Ding Junhui – 23.00 odds
10. Yan Bingtao – 23.00 odds

If you feel like trying your luck at choosing the winner, feel free to register and post your tip at betting expert. Check out our section with snooker betting tips for inspiration from the world’s leading snooker tipsters.

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