What is it?
The World Snooker Championship is the most prestigious men’s event on the snooker calendar. The inaugural edition, christened the Professional Snooker Championship, was held at Thurston’s Hall (London) in 1927. The first winner, Joe Davis, took home six pounds and 10 shillings. The phenomenal popularity that the sport has gained over the years can be gauged from the fact that Mark Selby, the 2017 world champion, received a handsome £375,000.
So, it’s kind of a big deal?
This title is the most coveted of the ‘Big Three’ — the UK Championship and The Masters, the other two. It is the ultimate addition to a player’s resume. Just ask English icon Jimmy White, who despite all his successes, is still rankled that he has never managed to win the World Championship (White has finished runner-up a heartbreaking six times).
Where is it played?
After the Second World War did considerable damage to Thurston’s Hall, the event moved to various locations before settling at the Crucible Theatre (Sheffield) in 1977. Legend has it that Carole Watterson, wife of snooker promoter Mike Watterson, saw a play at Crucible Theatre, and was impressed with the venue. She casually mentioned this to her husband, which prompted Watterson to book the venue.
The small Crucible Theatre has a seating capacity of 980, which makes for an intimate, and sometimes daunting, match atmosphere. There have been calls to shift the championship to a bigger venue, as ticket demand is far higher than supply, but World Snooker chairman Barry Hearn recently signed a contract which will keep the tournament at ‘The Crucible’ until 2027.
Who start favourites?
Mark Selby, the defending champion, is gunning for a fourth crown in five years. Eternal fan favourite and World No. 2, Ronnie ‘The Rocket’ O’Sullivan, is in good touch, having won five titles this season. Past masters John Higgins and Mark Williams have what it takes to turn the clock back.
What about the Indian players?
India’s sole professional player, Aditya Mehta, lost to 21-year-old Chinese sensation Zhao Xintong in the first round of qualifying.
HIGHLIGHT REEL
A selection of memorable World Championship moments from the Crucible era
1982 | An emotional Alex Higgins
Champion Alex Higgins famously broke down during the presentation ceremony, crying inconsolably while insisting on having his baby daughter Lauren join him on stage. His wife Lynn and Lauren were ushered in, allowing Higgins to juggle his daughter, the trophy and the winner’s cheque in his arms. Higgins’ hard-drinking, drug-fuelled ways led to his demise in 2010, at the age of 61.
1983 | Cliff Thorburn’s historic maximum
The first-ever 147 at ‘The Crucible’ — the highest possible break in snooker — is best remembered for a classy bit of commentary from the BBC’s Jack Karnehm. As Canada’s Thorburn got into cueing position for the final black, Karnehm broke from the BBC’s trademark impartial maxim and whispered, “Oh, good luck, mate.”
1985 | Black ball finish
The seemingly unbeatable Steve Davis and Northern Irishman Dennis Taylor produced the most exciting match in the championship’s history, their summit clash boiling down to the black in the deciding 35th frame. After over an hour of nerve-wracking action in the final frame, Davis cut the black too thin and missed the corner pocket. Taylor stepped up, sealed the deal, and broke into a cue-waving celebratory dance. It is said that there were no reports of crime or emergency calls in Northern Ireland during the final few hours of this fixture.
1997 | The O’Sullivan blitz
In a whirlwind five minutes and 20 seconds, Ronnie O’Sullivan notched up a 147 against Mick Price in the first round. This demolition job, done i
