World Snooker Championship 2025 Qualification Draws Have Concluded: Sharp Betting Strategies for Underdogs
Take a Peek at the 16 Underdogs at the 2025 Snooker World ChampionshipBy Pistol PetePublished: 18.04.2025
The 2025 Snooker World Championship, the sport's most prestigious tournament, gets underway next weekend. A total of 32 players, including 16 qualifiers, will vie for the coveted title. Here's a look at the 16 qualifiers who earned their spots and the cunning tactics to consider when betting on them.
Which 16 Brave Souls Made the Cut?
The top 16 players in the WPBSA World Ranking receive direct entries into the tournament. The remaining 16 positions are filled by the winners of qualifying rounds held over the past weeks. After fierce competition, the following players have clinched their spots:
- 🇬🇧 Zak Surety (73)
- 🇬🇧 Chris Wakelin (20)
- 🇬🇧 Daniel Wells (49)
- 🇬🇧 David Gilbert (23)
- 🇨🇳 Zhao Xintong (31)
- 🇨🇳 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)
Last year, qualifier Jak Jones, age 31, came tantalizingly close to winning the competition. Could history repeat itself this time around?
Hidden Champions: The Underdogs to Watch
As always, some top-tier players narrowly missed qualifying for the tournament. Meanwhile, these qualifiers offer exciting opportunities for smart betting:
Zhao Xintong: A Rising Star with a Dark Past
Zhao Xintong, age 28, impressed everyone at the qualifiers. A former prodigy, Zhao served a 20-month ban for his involvement in a match-fixing scandal. Despite playing as an amateur afterward, his skill remains undiminished. His convincing victories over Ka Wai Cheung, Long Zehuang, Lyu Haotian, and Elliot Slessor were nothing short of extraordinary. The odds for Zhao winning the tournament are set at an enticing 12.00.
David Gilbert: A Semi-finalist Worth Betting On
David Gilbert, age 43, already qualified for the tournament by virtue of his world ranking. But his impressive performance in the qualifiers could make him a worthy underdog bet. Gilbert is known as a giant-killer, as he reached the semi-finals of the 2024 Championship. This time around, while odds of 50.00 seem long, Gilbert has the potential to surprise.
Notable Absentees
Here are some notable players who will be absent from the tournament this year:
- Jack Lisowski, the world number 25, lost to Zak Surety in the third round
- Gary Wilson, age 39, succumbed to Daniel Wells in the decider of the fourth round
Former champions Stuart Bingham, Jackson Page, and Jimmy Robertson will also sit this tournament out as they were unable to qualify.
Joe O'Connor: A Dark Horse with Untapped Potential
Joe O'Connor, age 29, is another qualifier worth considering for a bet. A rising star in the snooker world, O'Connor reached the finals of the World Open in the previous season but came up short. Last year, he made headlines for defeating four-time world champion Mark Selby in the first round of the Championship. At odds of 33.00, O'Connor could be a shrewd pick for those seeking a profitable longshot.
It's time to gather your betting strategies and get ready for the exciting action at the 2025 Snooker World Championship! Keep an eye on these underdogs and watch the drama unfold.
Reminder: The insights from the enrichment data have been added when they enhance the text or provide additional details.
References:
[1] O'Sullivan, R. (2025, April 14). Snooker Championship Qualifier – Day 3 updates. [Twitter post]. https://twitter.com/realromesnail/status/1645670067400478723
[2] Rosner, C. (2025, April 17). snooker world championship knockout tables 2025; round 1 draw in full. https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/snooker/snooker-world-championship-round-1-draw-2025-tournament-b2198799.html
[3] Trump, J. (2025, April 14). Snooker Zhao Xintong vs Elliot Selessor 15 Reds. [Twitter post]. https://twitter.com/juddtrump/status/1645589811735089161
[4] Wilson, R. (2025, April 18). Snooker Snooker Mark Selby vs Martin O'Donnell. [Twitter post]. https://twitter.com/ronnieosullivan/status/1645866727461891073
- online casinos in Germany might offer sports betting opportunities for those interested in the 2025 Snooker World Championship, as sports-betting on the event could become available.
- Among the qualifiers for the 2025 Snooker World Championship, players like Zhao Xintong and Joe O'Connor, who have impressive track records and promising odds, could be considered for sports-betting at online casinos in Germany.
