Riyad Season World Masters of Snooker: How much stars can win in Saudi Arabia and what new golden ball means
A brand new snooker tournament will take place next week when the Riyad Season World Masters of Snooker gets underway.
Saudi Arabia’s inaugural event sees the world’s top eight players travel to the Middle East to compete for a whopping prize pot.
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Luca Brecel is the top seed but Ronnie O’Sullivan is sure to be aiming for glory with Mark Selby and Judd Trump also playing.
The tournament is something new for players and fans alike and there is even a rule that has never been seen before set to be introduced.
Riyad Season World Masters of Snooker: Date and how to follow
This Riyad Season World Masters of Snooker will begin on Monday, March 4.
It will be played over three days at Boulevard City in Riyad and comes to a close on Wednesday, March 6.
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Start times are yet to be confirmed.
The action will be broadcast live on Eurosport in the UK.
Riyad Season World Masters of Snooker: Rules
Each game at the tournament will be played under the World Snooker rules but there will be a major change added just for this event.
A 23rd ball, named the Riyad Season ball, will be introduced and it will be gold.
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The new ball will be worth 20 points and can only be potted once if a player is set to make a maximum break - taking the maximum to 167 which will be a world record.
There has yet to be any confirmation as to whether it will be on the table throughout a match and what its position will be.
But Mark Allen has given a hint, posting on Instagram: "We've been told it's going in the middle of the baulk cushion. It will be removed once a 147 is no longer possible in a frame.
“If moved legally during the frame, it stays where it finishes.”
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Riyad Season World Masters of Snooker: Prize money
The total prize pool for the tournament has been confirmed to be around £789,000.
Posting on X in January, Eddie Hearn wrote: “Major news for snooker tonight as we confirm the first major TV tournament in Saudi Arabia!
“The Riyadh Season World Masters of Snooker will feature the Top 8 players in the World with two Wild Cards and $1m prize pool!”
Riyad Season World Masters of Snooker: Line-up
The tournament will include the top eight snooker players in the world.
As well as that, two local wildcards will also join the line-up following an invitational event that will take place ahead of this competition.
Here are the current qualified players:
- Ronnie O'Sullivan
- Luca Brecel
- Mark Selby
- Mark Williams
- Ali Carter
- Judd Trump
- Mark Allen
- Shaun Murphy
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