UK Snooker Championship 2024: Favourites and Underdogs

Trump and O’Sullivan Lead Pre-Tournament Betting 

Heading into the 2024 UK Snooker Championship, bookmakers seem to be in agreement that the player to beat at this year’s tournament is none other than the world number-one Judd Trump. Renowned for his pinpoint accuracy and sharp tactical play, ‘The Ace in the Pack’ has already notched up the 2024 Shanghai Masters and the newly added Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters titles this year, while also reaching the final of the Xi'an Grand Prix. The 35-year-old from Bristol will also feel that he has a point to prove in this competition after he was left fuming by the 6-4 defeat he suffered against Neil Robertson in the quarter-final at the Champion of Champions tournament a couple of weeks ago. Trump is currently priced at 4.00 with Bet365.

Next is the legend, and widely considered the greatest ever to play the game, Ronnie O’Sullivan continues to command attention as a major contender, even though his recent form has been somewhat inconsistent. ‘The Rocket’ beat Ding Junhui to be crowned the oldest player to ever win the tournament in 2023, a full three decades after he became the youngest. The Essex potter holds an unparalleled record of eight UK Championship titles, along with the joint-most World Championship wins (7), most Triple Crown titles (23), and the most ranking titles (41), while he is also the highest earner in the sport, raking in over £14 million since turning pro in 1992. O’Sullivan is currently available at odds of 4.50 to win a record-extending ninth UK Snooker Championship title.

Wilson and Selby Set to Challenge for Top Honours in York

Leading the chasing pack according to the latest bookmaker odds for the 2024 UK Snooker Championship is Kyren Wilson, who said in the lead-up to this competition that he aims to “strike while the iron is hot” and follow his world title success with more glory at this year’s UK Championship. ‘The Warrior’ was knocked out in the first round of this competition last year by qualifier Jamie Clarke, but he has already claimed two ranking events this term in what is turning into his best-ever start to a season. Notably, Wilson’s titles this year - the Xi'an Grand Prix and the Northern Ireland Open - both came at the expense of the world number-one Judd Trump, and you can lock in odds of 7.00 for him to add the 2024 UK Snooker Championship title to his collection.

Mark Selby’s remarkable resurgence has been one of the standout narratives of this season. The world number five beat fellow four-time world champion John Higgins to his first British Open crown in September - also his first ranking title since the WST Classic in March 2023 - but he squandered a 4-1 lead in the Champion of Champions quarter-final to lose to China’s Xiao Guodong. Still, the ‘Jester from Leicester’ is known for his unwavering focus and knack for grinding out hard-fought victories which makes him a major threat heading into the York spectacle. Selby is currently priced at 7.00 with most bookmakers while odds of 9.00 are available at Unibet. 

Murphy and Brecel Poised to Upset the Odds 

On to the dark horses of the 2024 UK Championship, and it is hard to look past Shaun Murphy - a player who thrives in high-stakes matches and tournaments. ‘The Magician’ has shown consistency this season, featuring in the quarter-final at the Northern Ireland Open and the Wuhan Open, as well as suffering a semi-final loss to Judd Trump in a deciding frame in Saudi Arabia. It has taken a few exceptional performances to stop the Harlow native this season and at odds of 16.00 and better, he could represent tremendous value as a lurker in the pack. 

Next up is a player who based on recent form will likely not be given much of a chance - Luca Brecel. The Belgian’s performances and subsequent rank have plummeted since winning the World Championship last year, BUT, if there is one thing that the 29-year-old does have a knack for, it is producing bursts of standout runs, evidenced by earning ranking titles in each of the last three years and two final-match appearances. If ‘The Belgian Bullet’ finds his rhythm early here and knocks over his opponents in the first couple of rounds, backers of his 33.00 odds could be in for a massive payday.

Format and Odds for the 2024 UK Snooker Championship 

A total of 128 of the world’s best snooker players have arrived at the York Barbican to compete for their share of the £1,205,000 prize fund at the 2024 UK Snooker Championship, which will kick off on November 23 and runs until December 1. 

The UK Snooker Championship follows a simple but competitive structure that will test the skills and temperament of the world’s best players across several rounds of competition. Players will compete in a knockout format with no second chances or wildcards, and the top 16 ranked players gain direct entry into the main draw. Here is the breakdown of the tournament format: 

• First Round: 64 Matches - Best of 11 (First to six wins)
• Second Round: 32 Matches - Best of 11 (First to six wins)
• Third Round: 16 Matches - Best of 11 (First to six wins)
• Fourth Round: 8 Matches - Best of 11 (First to six wins)
• Quarter-Finals: 4 Matches - Best of 11 (First to six wins)
• Semi-Finals: 2 Matches - Best of 11 (First to six wins)
• Final: 1 Match - Best of 19 (First to 10 wins)

Odds taken from Bet365

1. Judd Trump - 4.00
2. Ronnie O'Sullivan - 4.50
3. Kyren Wilson - 7.00
4. Mark Selby - 7.00
5. Neil Roberton - 9.00
6. Mark Allen - 11.00
7. Ding Junhui - 12.00
8. Mark Williams - 14.00
9. Shaun Murphy - 16.00
10. Zhao Xintong - 16.00

Bet on the 2024 UK Snooker Championship