Racked for the World Snooker Championship
The Crucible Theatre in Sheffield is once again racking the tables to host the 2025 World Snooker Championship. This year’s World Championship takes place from the 19th of April. The event takes place over three weeks and finishes on the 5th of May.
The Crucible has been the official venue and hosting the best snooker players from around the world since 1977. The Snooker World Championship has always been held in England. Established in 1927, it is therefore the oldest professional snooker tournament. In the early days, the G.O.A.T. Joe Davis dominated the tournament, also winning it 15 times in a row. He retired unbeaten in the tournament in 1946.
History of Snooker
Snooker’s roots go back to 1875 when British officer Neville Chamberlain invented the game while stationed in Jabalpur, India. The name “Snooker” comes from the term used for new cadets, who were called “snookers.” The sport then spread to England and grew into a globally played game.
World Snooker Format & Qualification
This year’s Snooker World Championship will feature 32 players from around the world all shooting to be the crowned the 2025 World Champion. There are also two ways of qualifying to be able to participate in the event. The top 16 players on the World Snooker Rankings all automatically qualify. Furthermore players that do not rank in the top 16 have a chance to qualify at the Halo 2025 World Championship qualifiers. The qualifier event is currently taking place and will wrap up on the 16th of April. Therefore the top 16 players of the qualifier event have gained a spot in the Snooker World Cup.
Rounds at the World Snooker Championship
First Round
Each player will play 16 matches in the first round. A match consists of 19 frames. Also a frame is one game in a match. The first player that reaches 10 frames wins the match.
Second Round
The second consists of eight matches against opponents. A match in the second round consists of 25 frames. First player to reach 13 frames also wins the match. Players progress to quarter finals if they win five matches in the second round.
Quarter finals
The matches decrease down to four in the quarter finals. Players will still play 25 frames in a match with the first to 13 frames taking the win.
Semi finals
The remaining four players will now play two matches but the frames increase to 33. The first players to win 17 frames wins the match.
Final
The final match consists of 35 frames has the most frames of the tournament. The first player to reach 18 frames will win the Snooker World Championship.
What do the pundits say?
Only one South African has made it through to the final. Fred van Rensburg made it through to the final in 1966. He unfortunately lost the match to Englishman John Pulman.
Kyren Wilson became the World Champion in 2024. The number two ranked is one of the favourites coming into the Championship. Kyren became World Champion in 2024. Pundits and Kyren are fully aware of the Crucible’s curse, especially since no first-time winner has successfully defended the title since the Championship moved to the Crucible.
Judd Trump is currently ranked number one and is considered a strong contender in this year’s competition. He came second after losing against Ronnie O’Sullivan in 2022.
Mark Selby is coming full circle and stands out as a top bet in the upcoming Championship. Mark has won the title four times and finished second in 2023.
Fourteen-year-old Michal Szubarczyk is one of the most exciting players nominated for a card to the event. The Polish player has made waves in the snooker community and is the youngest ever professional Snooker player.
Can the Crucible curse be broken? Why not tune in to see if the youngest ever World Champion will emerge as the Snooker World Cup Champion this year. Bets on who will sink the final black ball are already open. You can find the best odds on the 2025 SWC from our preferred bookies below.
Best Snooker Betting Sites
There are quite a few snooker events running throughout the year for fans to keep an eye on. The World Snooker Championship 2025 is another fan favourite and have plenty opportunity to place some bets. Here are also some of the top betting sites we recommend:
- Great, competitive odds
- Generous, regular promotions
- Live In-Play, BetGames, Lucky Numbers
- 100% Bonus up to R1000
- Live In Multi Play View
- Slots, Live Casino & Aviator
- Betgames, Slots & Live Games
- Lotto & Lucky numbers
- Trusted, reliable platform
- Exclusive Power Bet Bonus
- Great features, including Cashout and Bet Builder
- Bet Vegas Live Games
- Wealth of promotions
- Varied games portfolio
- Fun and friendly
Furthermore for other great events this month have a read through our April Sport Preview where we highlight the top events. Another excellent online bookie in South Africa is 10bet, they also recently launched Horse Race Betting.
