World Snooker Championship 2025 Qualification Complete: Top Betting Strategies for Underdogs
Just a Couple of Days Until the 2025 Snooker World Championship Kicks Off!
Grab your cue sticks – the most important snooker tournament of the year is upon us!
16 players fought tooth and nail to claim their spot in the Snooker World Championship of 2025 through the grueling qualification rounds.
But which daring underdogs managed to sneak their way into the tournament? Let's take a look at the eligible competitors.
Which 16 Players Secured a Spot in the 2025 Snooker World Championship?
The 2025 Snooker World Championship is right around the corner, and the top 16 players from the WST World Ranking[EN] are pre-seeded for the tournament.
An additional 16 players emerged victorious in the qualification rounds and snatched their positions in the prestigious event.
Here are the lucky 16 qualifiers:
- Zak Surety (73)
- Chris Wakelin (20)
- Daniel Wells (49)
- David Gilbert (23)
- Zhao Xintong ()
- Zhou Yuelong (32)
- Ryan Day (36)
- Ben Woollaston (44)
- Matthew Selt (34)
- Pang Junxu (27)
- Ali Carter (18)
- Lei Peifan (39)
- Wu Yize (22)
- Fan Zhengyi (46)
- Hossein Vafaei (24)
- Joe O'Connor (30)
Even though these players are qualifiers, there's a good chance they could present a real threat to the top dogs. Last year, Jak Jones, 31, a qualifier, made it all the way to the 2024 Snooker World Championship final.
While Judd Trump, 35, Mark Selby, 41, and Ronnie O'Sullivan, 49, are the bookies' favorites, let's explore some intriguing underdogs who could be the perfect pick for a sports bet.
Zhao Xintong: A Strong Contender to Watch
Zhao Xintong, 28, should be familiar to any snooker fans who watched the qualification games. Zhao is thought of as one of China's most promising prospects, though he had to face a 20-month ban due to his ties to a match-fixing scandal[EN].
Since his return, he's impressed with his powerful performances. As an amateur after his ban, Zhao had to play the qualification from the first round. He stunned audiences with outstanding performances, including four century breaks in his first match against Ka Wai Cheung, 26.
He then took down Long Zehuang, 28, Lyu Haotian, 27, and Elliot Slessor, 30[EN video]:
Joining Zhao at the Crucible – Another Elite contender
David Gilbert, 43, also managed to squeeze his way into the 2025 Snooker World Championship. Gilbert is remembered by snooker fans for reaching the semi-finals of the tournament last year.
Gilbert had a rather quiet season, missing out on any major titles. His qualification for the Snooker World Championship went smoothly as the low world ranking required him to win only two games.
Gilbert beats Gong and Hill, but expectations for a tournament win are low
Gilbert clinched an impressive 10-6 victory over Gong Chenzhi, 18, and subsequently toppled Aaron Hill, 23, in a marathon 9-9 decider which he snatched.
However, bookmakers aren't placing high bets on Gilbert to win the tournament. Gilbert's sports betting odds are currently set at 50.00.
Notable Absences
While players like Zhao and Gilbert have managed to score their way into the 2025 Snooker World Championship, several high-caliber players were surprisingly left out of the competition and will not be gracing the Crucible Theatre stage this year.
Among them are Jack Lisowski, 33, who lost 8-10 to Zak Surety, 33, in the third round, and Gary Wilson, 39, who lost the decider to Daniel Wells, 36, in the fourth round. Both players have missed the World Championship since 2022.
Other noteworthy players who didn't make it include Stuart Bingham, 48, Jackson Page, 23, and Jimmy Robertson, 38.
Joe O'Connor: A Rising Talent
Joe O'Connor, 29, has also qualified for the 2025 Snooker World Championship. He defeated Iulian Boiko, 19, in the third round and Jackson Page in the fourth.
O'Connor is considered a rising talent on the verge of reaching his full potential. In the 2024/2025 season, he made it to the finals of the World Open but fell to John Higgins, 49. In the 2024 World Championship, he caused a stir by knocking out four-time champion Mark Selby in the first round.
Those willing to bet on O'Connor to win can secure a 33.00 odds.
Could We See Another Qualifier in the Final?
With several impressive qualifiers in the mix, sports betting enthusiasts have the opportunity to back an underdog. History suggests that a qualifier could once again advance to the final.
The news team from OnlineCasinosDeutschland.com will deliver comprehensive coverage of the Snooker World Championship in the coming weeks.
What about the chances of sports-betting on these qualifiers? With players like Zhao Xintong and Joe O'Connor securing their spots, could we see another qualifier in the final of the 2025 Snooker World Championship?
Considering Zhao Xintong's impressive performances in the qualification rounds and his rebound after a 20-month ban, might he present a real threat to the top dogs? Also, Joe O'Connor, a rising talent and recent qualifier, has already shown knockout potential by defeating four-time champion Mark Selby in the first round of the 2024 World Championship. If the trend continues, could we see sports-betting pay off with another qualifier in the 2025 Snooker World Championship final?
