The first-ever World Masters of Snooker event takes place in Saudi Arabia this week as snooker becomes the latest sport to head to the country.
Back in 2019, the World Snooker Tour announced a colossal 10-year deal with Saudi Arabia to hold multiple events in the country including ranking tournaments.
The beginning of that was delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic but now the World Masters takes centre stage as the first professional snooker event to take place in the country.
It’s a non-ranking tournament, which includes the top-ten ranked players and two local wildcards, with the reigning world champion Luca Brecel starting as the top seed.
All matches are the best-of-seven frames until the final being the best of nine. Regular rules apply but a brand new golden ball twist has been introduced.
You can find all the World Masters of Snooker odds on the Paddy Power website and Paddy Power app, otherwise, here’s everything you need to know about the new twist.
What is the golden ball at the World Masters of Snooker?
The golden ball is worth 20 points but can only be potted after a player has reached the maximum break of 147. It’s placed at the centre of the baulk cushion directly in line with the brown, blue, pink and black balls.
As soon as a maximum break is no longer possible it’s removed from play, and if a player pots it too early or hits it before the object ball then four points will be awarded to their opponent.
World Masters of Snooker schedule
Players will enter the tournament at different stages. The top six don’t play until the quarter-finals, with the players ranked ninth and 10th starting in round one against the two local wildcards. The seventh and eighth seeds join the action in round two.
Semi-Final
Luca Brecel v Mark Allen
Judd Trump v Ronnie O’Sullivan
Final
TBC v TBC
World Masters of Snooker odds
World Masters of Snooker odds are on paddypower.com and prices for the leading contenders can be seen on our snazzy widgets below.
Ronnie O’Sullivan is Paddy Power’s favourite to pick up the £250,000 prize of winning the tournament.
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
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