The 2024 Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters commences on August thirtieth with large prize cash accessible for the 144 taking part gamers.
The sphere will likely be cueing up at Inexperienced Halls in Riyadh to compete within the sport’s latest rating occasion.
Prize cash for the inaugural Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters was introduced by the World Snooker Tour earlier in August.
It features a jackpot champion’s cheque which matches the winner’s reward on the World Snooker Championship.
What’s the prize cash for the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters?
The entire prize pool of simply over £2.3 million is larger than any match aside from the World Championship.
Of that, a whopping £500,000 slice will likely be awarded to the champion – the identical quantity that Kyren Wilson pocketed for triumphing on the Crucible Theatre in Could.
All 144 gamers within the match will likely be taking part on the venue, which is mirrored in the truth that even first-round losers will likely be awarded prize cash.
This goes towards the norm for rating occasions on the schedule.
Following the non-ranking World Masters of Snooker in March, it additional displays Saudi Arabia’s ambitions to assist develop snooker within the area.
The brand new match in Riyadh, dubbed by WST because the “fourth main”, moreover features a doable £50,000 bonus for a 147 most break.
The occasion will rely in the direction of a possible £147,000 bonus, which will likely be awarded to any participant who makes two most breaks throughout 4 counting occasions.
Final season, the bonus was solely in operation for snooker’s Triple Crown tournaments – the UK Championship, Masters and World Championship.
This dangling carrot has now been prolonged throughout the game’s 4 majors, to incorporate maximums made within the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters.
2024 Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters
Prize cash breakdown:
Winner: £500,000
Runner-up: £200,000
Semi-finals: £100,000
Quarter-finals: £50,000
Final 16: £30,000
Final 32: £20,000
Final 48: £11,000
Final 80: £7,000
Final 112: £4,000
Final 144: £2,000
147 Break: £50,000
Complete: £2,302,000
The large complete fund offers the whole snooker circuit an opportunity to earn important prize cash and rating factors early on within the season.
What has the response from the gamers been?
Whereas the transfer to compete in Saudi Arabia has proved controversial for some, most gamers have been brazenly happy with the choice.
Decrease-ranked gamers, specifically, will likely be hoping to make the most of the monetary enhance whereas extra established gamers will likely be searching for to avail of the large riches on provide.
Australia’s 23-time rating occasion winner Neil Robertson is a type of who’s aiming to take full benefit.
“We have to break into new territories,” the 2010 world champion, who will look to regain his spot among the many world’s high 16 this season, mentioned.
“Saudi Arabia is investing in sport to assist encourage its younger inhabitants to get energetic and lead wholesome lives and it’s nice that snooker is now a part of this technique.”
“We’re getting extra tournaments, with extra prize cash, extra rating factors and incomes alternatives for all the tour.
“The truth that all of the gamers will likely be out in Saudi Arabia from spherical one is fairly thrilling.
“I can’t consider too many tournaments the place we now have achieved that earlier than.
“I’m wanting ahead to that and I’m certain they aren’t going to spare any expense ensuring it’s a nice expertise for everybody.”
What’s the format?
The Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters will run from August thirtieth to September seventh in Inexperienced Halls in Riyadh, that includes 144 of the world’s high gamers.
It’s a part of a legacy dedication with the Ministry of Sport for Saudi Arabia and the Saudi Arabian Billiard & Snooker Federation, aiming to develop snooker and pool within the area over the following decade.
The draw will look very very similar to those adopted for the UK and World Championships, with the highest 16 gamers from the world rankings seeded by means of to the final 32.
The remaining rivals will enter the fray in staggered rounds based mostly on their rating.
Matches would be the better of seven frames within the first three rounds, the very best of 9 within the following two, and the very best of 11 thereafter till the best-of-19 body closing.
President of the Saudi Billiard and Snooker Federation Nasser Al-Shammari mentioned: “We’re excited to associate with Matchroom and the WST to host the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters.”
“The prize fund displays our dedication to assist develop snooker in Saudi and all through the Center East, inspiring our younger inhabitants to take up the game.
“Internet hosting worldwide occasions is only one factor of our technique, which additionally consists of grass roots amenities, occasions and promotions.
“We glance ahead not simply to an thrilling occasion, but additionally the long-term impression it’ll have.”
The total draw for the 2024 Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters remains to be to be introduced.
Featured picture credit score: WST
