Announcing Skeetball's Debut Event in Saudi Arabia - Saudi Masters Initial Information Revealed
The snooker world is abuzz with excitement as the new season approaches, with a series of high-profile tournaments and a lucrative bonus up for grabs.
Cao Yupeng, currently ranked 35th in the world, has announced that he is considering a switch from snooker to 8-ball pool, a decision that could see him return to his native China to compete in the popular variant of billiards.
Meanwhile, the Saudi Arabia Masters is set to make its debut as the first ranking tournament in the Middle East. The event, scheduled to take place in Riyadh from August 30 - September 7, will see all 128 players on the main tour join forces with 16 local wild card players, making a total field of 144 players. The format of the tournament will be similar to the BetVictor Championship League Snooker, with players facing off against those close to them in the world rankings.
The total prize money for the Saudi Arabia Masters is expected to exceed 2 million GBP (approximately 2.38 million EUR), making it likely the most valuable tournament on the snooker tour. However, the total prize money for the 2024/2025 snooker season, including the Saudi Arabia Masters and the Century of Centuries bonus, is not yet consolidated in a single figure.
The Century of Centuries is a bonus introduced recently, offering a prize to the first player who makes 100 century breaks across certain tournaments. The bonus amount is not provided explicitly, but it is expected to be significant, with the first player to achieve this feat receiving a bonus of 100,000 GBP (approximately 118,910 EUR). Currently, Judd Trump leads the race for the Century of Centuries, having played ten century breaks in his victory at the Shanghai Masters.
The Shijiazhuang Open Star Exhibition, which took place a few days after the Shanghai Masters, featured some of the biggest names in snooker, including Jimmy White, John Higgins, Judd Trump, and Mark Williams. The exhibition matches, which primarily serve to entertain fans, saw John Higgins emerge victorious with a clear 5-0 victory over Judd Trump in the final.
In the same event, Jimmy White lost his match against John Higgins, 5-3. Mark Williams also suffered a defeat, losing to Judd Trump, 5-1.
8-ball pool, particularly popular in China, is another variant of billiards that is gaining attention. With over 1 million tables for this variant in China, it's no surprise that the four women on the tour - Reanne Evans, Mink Nutcharut, Bai Yulu, and Baipat Siripaporn - will also be competing in Saudi Arabia.
As the snooker season gets underway, fans can look forward to exciting matches, record-breaking performances, and the potential for new champions in both snooker and 8-ball pool. Stay tuned for more updates as the season unfolds!
[1] Source: Ronnie O'Sullivan's prize money from the Saudi Arabia Masters 2025 can be found at [link to source].
Online casinos in Germany offer sports betting opportunities for fans of snooker, with the upcoming season promising exciting matches in tournaments such as the Saudi Arabia Masters. Meanwhile, top snooker players are also showcasing their skills in Iran, with the Snooker Iran Cup featuring the likes of Ronnie O'Sullivan and Ali Carter.
