The Rocket tops the list by virtue of winning the last two World Championships, as the list is calculated over the previous two years. His prize money from tournaments is £606,518, way ahead of nearest rival Judd Trump on £456,344.

There has been some discontent about the increased number of tournaments brought in by Barry Hearn, as well as changes which will see the top 16 have to join some tournaments in the preliminary stages. However, it is clear from the list that there is plenty of prize money to be claimed for the best players.

Neil Robertson (£433,005) and Mark Selby (£418,914) are next on the list after some high profile wins over the last two years, while controversial star Mark Allen rounds out the top five with winnings of £328,050. Barry Hawkins breaks into the top ten with £288,522 after his incredible run to the final at the Crucible.

Selby tops world rankings

The world rankings paint a slightly different picture, as players continue to try and break into the elite top 16.

Mark Selby ends the season at world number one despite his early exit in Sheffield, by virtue of his Masters and UK Championship victories. Neil Robertson has enjoyed an excellent season that has seen him climb from seven to two in the world.

Judd Trump will be disappointed to end the season in third and without a major tournament success, while steady seasons from Shaun Murphy and Stephen Maguire secure them a top five place.

World champion O’Sullivan’s extended break means he is not in the top 16, although his triumph last month did bring him back up to 19 from 28. Beaten finalist Barry Hawkins climbs from 22 to ninth in the world, while Crucible semi-finalist Ricky Walden is at eight.

Other players featuring in the top 16 are Stuart Bingham (6), Mark Allen (7), Ding Junhui (10), John Higgins (11), Graeme Dott (12), Mark Davis (13), Matthew Stevens (14), Mark Williams (15) and Ali Carter (16).

Aside from O’Sullivan, who began the season at nine, other players to drop out of the top bracket include Stephen Lee, who started at number eight but has been suspended for much of the season, and Martin Gould, who has slipped from 14 to 25.

Fans will be eager to see if these players can continue their good form going into the new season.

Bet on snooker

With a while to wait until the next major ranking event comes around, there’s a chance to make some early snooker bets on who you think will shine in 2013/14. World Championship 2014 odds are already available, with O’Sullivan 5/1 to complete a hat trick of wins.

However, with the Rocket a constant enigma, it’s impossible to say whether he’ll even still be playing in a year, so fans may be tempted by Trump (7/1), Selby, Robertson (both 8/1) or Ding (14/1).

Intriguing outside bets include runner-up Hawkins (40/1) and young star Jack Lisowski, who is already attracting a lot of backing at 50/1. Keep checking back with Snooker Hall throughout the year to discover the best places to bet on all the big tournaments.

All odds correct on 21/5/13.

The Rocket capped a remarkable return to snooker with a stunning triumph, after only playing one competitive match all season prior to the tournament. He was in devastating form throughout, hitting six century breaks to eclipse Stephen Hendry’s previous record for a world final. He is also only the third player to retain this championship, joining Hendry and Steve Davis.

Typically, he was evasive about his future prospects when interviewed after the match, suggesting he wished to balance snooker with other interests and didn’t know how much longer he would play on. The 37-year-old spoke during the tournament of his desire to retire, stating that he was only competing in Sheffield to pay for his son’s school fees, but as usual it’s impossible to predict what his true intentions are.

World number 14 Hawkins, an 80/1 shot at the start of the tournament, can be proud of his display, hitting a couple of centuries of his own and keeping pace with O’Sullivan on day one. He became the only man to edge ahead of the champion during the whole tournament when he took a 3-2 lead, and at 7-7 it looked as though he may mount a more serious challenge.

He also defeated Mark Selby and Ding Junhui on his run to the final, and a £125,000 runner up prize is a good return for his impressive work.

Rocket tipped for a hat trick in 2014

The bookmakers certainly seem confident that O’Sullivan will still be around next year, and have already installed him as a 5/1 favourite for the 2014 World Snooker Championship.

Judd Trump, the man Ronnie beat in the semi finals, is 7/1 to secure the trophy, while world number one Mark Selby, who complained of being “burnt out” after losing this year, is 8/1 alongside former champion Neil Robertson.

Ding Junhui, another who is widely tipped to eventually win this championship, is at 12/1, ahead of John Higgins, Mark Allen (both 16/1), Shaun Murphy (20/1) and Stephen Maguire (25/1). Surprisingly, despite his excellent run to the final, Hawkins is as much as 40/1 to go one better next year.

This season’s contest was notable for a high number of Crucible debutants. If you liked the look of Welshman Michael White on his run to the quarter finals, he is 66/1 to go all the way next year. Another promising young player, Jack Lisowski, is 50/1, while the popular Thai Dechawat Poomjaeng’s eccentric unpredictability sees bookmakers ranging between 125/1 and 500/1 on his chances for next year.

Get all the odds for the new season with Snooker Hall

The World Championship has brought the curtain down on the snooker season, but Snooker Hall will soon return with all the best odds on the big tournaments for 2013/14.

We will look at the UK Championship, the Masters and important ranking events such as the China Open, keeping an eye on all the snooker odds and stories as they happen.

All odds correct on 07/05/2013.

Here, Snooker Hall looks at all four quarter finals to assess the potential winning prospects of the last eight. When it comes to this year’s championship, there is only one place to start, as the relaunch of the Rocket continues.

Ronnie O’Sullivan v Stuart Bingham

Ronnie O’Sullivan (13/8) remains the favourite after beating Ali Carter 13-8 in a repeat of last year’s final. Carter has now failed to defeat the Rocket in all 13 of their matches. O’Sullivan struggled with his long game during the first two sessions, but a couple of sensational efforts when it mattered eased him into the last eight.

His opponent, Stuart Bingham, is a 20/1 outsider for the tournament, odds which can be put down to having to face O’Sullivan and a nervy performance in his 13-10 second round win over Mark Davis.

Judd Trump v Shaun Murphy

The winner of their match will face the victor in the pick of the quarter final ties, as Judd Trump takes on 2005 champion Shaun Murphy. Both men faced tough opponents in the last round. Murphy edged out Graeme Dott 13-11, and Trump looked very impressive in seeing off Marco Fu 13-7 with a session to spare.

Murphy has taken command of the first session to lead 6-2, and has consequently leapfrogged his opponent in the betting odds. The Magician is now 13/2 to win the tournament, with Trump pushed back to 8/1. However, there is a lot of snooker still to be played in this one.

Ricky Walden v Michael White

The bottom half of the draw is wide open, with nearly all the favourites crashing out. Fourteenth seed Ricky Walden needed to battle to the end to beat Robert Milkins (who beat Neil Robertson in round one) 13-11 in a late finish at the Crucible.

He will face Welshman Michael White, the only qualifier left in the tournament. After ousting former champion Mark Williams in the first round, White thrashed eccentric fan favourite Dechawat Poomjaeng 13-3 in round two, with the hapless yet entertaining Thai forfeiting the fourth frame after failing to hit a ball three times in succession.

Both players will see this as a golden chance to reach the semi finals, but neither is expected to lift the trophy, with Walden 16/1 and White 20/1.

Ding Junhui v Barry Hawkins

The main reason for their long odds is the form of Ding Junhui, who has looked imperious so far. In the previous round, he found himself 6-2 down to Mark King before coming back to win, and this tenacity should stand him in good stead. The Chinese Sensation has long been tipped as a Crucible champion, and is 4/1 to finally do it this year.

However, first he must battle past Barry Hawkins, who is in superb form himself having knocked out world number one Mark Selby in the last round. He is 12/1 to continue that run all the way to victory in the final.

Pick your winner with Snooker Hall

Whoever you think will win, Snooker Hall can help you find the best place to bet. The country’s top bookmakers are offering odds on the tournament, and you can also bet on a match-by-match, frame-by-frame basis.

All odds correct at 3pm on 30/4/2013.

Higgins halted by Davis

Arguably the most surprising elimination was for the usually reliable John Higgins, with the Wizard of Wishaw beaten 10-6 by Mark Davis. With 40-year-old Davis having gained a reputation for crumbling under the Crucible lights over the years, few had expected Higgins to lose.

Rocket relaunches with Campbell cruise

That result smoothens the path of Ronnie O’Sullivan, who stylishly saw off his opponent Marcus Campbell 10-4 to progress. Any doubts about whether the Rocket could perform at his usual level after a year away from the game were quickly put to bed, as the champion strolled into the arena and immediately compiled a break of 82.

Had the draw gone to form, Higgins was scheduled to meet O’Sullivan in the quarter finals, but now it looks as though he will not have to face one of the tournament favourites until the semi finals. There, he would expect to face either Shaun Murphy, who battled past Martin Gould 10-5 to progress to round two, or Judd Trump, who gets underway against Welsh veteran Dominic Dale later today.

White ushers in new dawn with Williams win

Speaking of Welshmen, Mark Williams was another shock exit at the hands of Neath newcomer Michael White. The two-time Crucible champion was dumped out 10-6 by a confident performance from the youngster, who will face the winner of the match between Stephen Maguire and another tournament debutant, Dechawat Poomjaeng.

The Thai currently holds a surprise 5-3 lead over Maguire, who has long been tipped as a potential winner without ever really delivering. This is good news for Asian fans, as Poomjaeng is one of only three players from the continent to have qualified for the tournament, along with regular competitors Ding Junhui and Marco Fu.

Dott, King and Walden all through

Elsewhere, it was one for the purists as former winners Graeme Dott and Peter Ebdon played out a repeat of the 2006 final. The pair were criticised by some for their slow play that day, and it panned out that way again as they were forced to stop at 8-6 and return for a late finish after the regular evening session. Dott made short work of that though, taking the two frames he needed to progress 10-6.

Mark Allen was another surprise exit in round one, with the controversial Northern Irishman beaten 10-8 in an exciting encounter with Mark King.

By far the most impressive performance of the tournament thus far came from fourteenth seed Ricky Walden, who thrashed poor Michael Holt 10-1. The result will have made the favourite Neil Robertson sit up and take notice, with the China Open winner set to meet Walden if he can see off Robert Milkins.

Find the best World Snooker Championship odds

With the tournament finally underway, fans can get an early indication of who is performing the best, and may well wish to put their money on a new challenger.

Whether you want to predict the winner, or enjoy snooker betting on a match-by-match basis, Snooker Hall can help you find the best odds.

Returning champion Ronnie O’Sullivan faces world number 27 Marcus Campbell in the opening match of the tournament, as the Rocket makes his eagerly anticipated return to competitive action.

Mark Selby will take on Matthew Selt, 2010 winner Neil Robertson plays Robert Milkins, who overcame Jimmy White in qualifying, and Judd Trump must get past Welsh veteran Dominic Dale.

Elsewhere, there are a number of seeded players who will have hoped for an easier ride in round one. Graeme Dott will play Peter Ebdon in a repeat of the 2006 final, while fifth seed Shaun Murphy faces a tricky opponent in the shape of Martin Gould.

John Higgins is drawn against Mark Davis, who has enjoyed his most prolific season to date, and Ding Junhui, one of the favourites for the tournament, faces Alan McManus. Matthew Stevens versus Marco Fu is another stand-out tie.

There will be six players competing in the tournament for the first time, and many of them will be pleased with the opportunity to face popular, highly ranked players on the big stage.

Impressive youngster Jack Lisowski, a former flatmate of Judd Trump, will be looking to announce his arrival with a strong performance against Barry Hawkins. Ben Woollaston takes on Ali Carter, Michael White faces Mark Williams and Thailand’s Dechawat Poomjaeng is drawn against sixth seed Stephen Maguire.

The World Snooker Championship’s lowest ranked player is Sam Baird. The world number 83 will play Stuart Bingham, who has enjoyed a breakout season this year that has seen him enter the top ten.

Bookmakers can’t separate top seeds

With just days to go until the tournament gets underway, there is nothing to choose between the top seeds in the eyes of the bookmakers.

Improbably, O’Sullivan is a 13/2 joint favourite, although this is more to do with the amount of people backing him than any form guide. Having not played for a year, there is nothing for bookmakers or fans to go on, but despite this he has still attracted more bets than Selby, Trump, Robertson and Higgins combined.

Robertson and Selby are also 13/2, showing just how unpredictable this year’s championship could prove to be. Having won the Masters and UK Championship this season, many will feel Selby is in pole position to complete the hat trick with victory in Sheffield.

That said, at 12/1 Higgins is sure to tempt many, with the Scot often saving his best performances for the grandest stage of all. Trump, who has spent parts of the season as world number one, has actually been rather indifferent in the big tournaments, and as such sits behind the leaders at 7/1.

If you’re looking for an outside bet to take on the leaders (other than Higgins), Ding Junhui is 12/1 to become the competition’s first Chinese winner. Others include Stephen Maguire (18/1), former champion Shaun Murphy (18/1), last year’s runner up Ali Carter (28/1) and in-form Stuart Bingham (33/1).

Find the best odds

No matter where your allegiances lie, Snooker Hall can help you find the best odds from the most respected online bookmakers. Our site lists a selection of sources for snooker odds, accompanied by customer ratings and sign up offers to aid your decision.

All odds correct on 16/4/2013.

Many have hailed Trump as the man to dominate snooker for the next ten years, but the youngster can be sure that O’Sullivan will want to prove himself all over again as he comes back from his highly publicised break.

Neil Robertson’s China Open victory sees him figure in the top three, while former champions Shaun Murphy, John Higgins, Mark Williams and Graeme Dott are also seeded.

The full World Championship seedings are:

1 – Ronnie O’Sullivan

2 – Mark Selby

3 – Neil Robertson

4 – Judd Trump

5 – Shaun Murphy

6 – Stephen Maguire

7 – Mark Allen

8 – John Higgins

9 – Stuart Bingham

10 – Ding Junhui

11 – Mark Williams

12 – Graeme Dott

13 – Matthew Stevens

14 – Ricky Walden

15 – Barry Hawkins

16 – Ali Carter

Qualifying for the Crucible underway

Of course, before the players take to the baize in Sheffield the gaps in the draw must be filled by qualifiers. As usual, the preliminary rounds have attracted a mix of unknown quantities, young up-and-comers and old stagers looking for one last hurrah.

It is the latter category which has helped to create the potential plum tie, as Steve Davis is just one match away from a battle of the legends with fellow former champion Peter Ebdon.

Jimmy White is also in action in the second qualifying round, while Ken Doherty is likely to have to pass Matthew Selt to reach the big stage.

Another potentially intriguing portion of the draw puts exciting 18-year-old Luca Brecel on a path to a clash with another in-form newcomer, Anthony McGill. The winner of that would have to battle past Snooker Shootout champion and Crucible regular Martin Gould.

Find the best odds with Snooker Hall

The World Snooker Championship has a new favourite in the shape of Neil Robertson, with the Australian’s China Open win propelling him to 13/2. Below him, Selby, Trump and O’Sullivan are all 7/1, while you certainly wouldn’t write off the consistent Higgins (11/1) or resurgent Ding (12/1).

Whoever you wish to bet on, Snooker Hall helps you find the best odds available online, with most bookmakers offering snooker betting on a frame-by-frame, match-by-match basis.

Robertson raced into a 3-0 lead, only to see Ding claw his way back into the match. A 130 break in frame five proved a highlight, while he sealed victory with a masterful 98.

Ding had also delighted the crowd with a maximum break in the first frame of his quarter final match against Mark Allen. That moves the 25-year-old onto five career 147s, a total bettered only by Ronnie O’Sullivan, Stephen Hendry and John Higgins.

China Open and World Championship opportunities for Ding

Ding’s display has put him right in contention for the two big tournaments to be completed before the season is done.

The China Open is already underway, and Higgins’ early exit at the hands of Robert Milkins means Ding is now a 9/1 fourth favourite, behind Robertson (8/1), Mark Selby (13/2) and Judd Trump (6/1). He plays Barry Hawkins in his first round match on Wednesday.

However, once his home tournament is completed, Ding and the rest of the players will be looking ahead to next month’s World Snooker Championship at The Crucible.

Trump and Selby are 7/1 joint favourites for snooker’s biggest prize, but of course everyone is still talking about returning champion Ronnie O’Sullivan. The Rocket is available at 15/2 after coming out of his self-imposed exile, with Robertson a best priced 8/1 and Higgins 19/2.

Ding’s odds have improved considerably since his recovery from a mid-season dip in form, and he is now 11/1 to take the title, jumping ahead of Mark Allen (12/1), Shaun Murphy (16/1) and Stephen Maguire (18/1).

Find the best odds with Snooker Hall

Snooker Hall will be keeping right up date with all the big tournaments throughout the rest of the season, so if you fancy a flutter you can use our site to find the best odds available.

All odds correct on 26/3/13.

The enigmatic O’Sullivan has had a bizarre year, initially refusing to sign Barry Hearn’s newly-devised players contract as he felt it required players to participate in too many matches. His subsequent absence saw him drop out of the world top 16, as he shunned tournament play in favour of turning out in exhibition matches with friend Jimmy White.

He made a brief return to action at a PTC event in September, but was beaten 4-3 by unheralded Simon Bedford and took a step back once again.

Hearn had given the star until the end of February to make his mind up on a World Championship return, and O’Sullivan revealed at a press conference why he chose to come back.

“I got a bit bored. I needed a rest and I thought it was time to get back to what I have done for a lot of my life. I had to get back to playing, winning or losing, and it shows how big a part of my life snooker is,” he said.

How will Ronnie fare in Sheffield?

Despite missing a whole year of action and plummeting to number 24 in the world rankings, not only does O’Sullivan qualify automatically for the World Snooker Championship, he does so as the top seed.

He has already been installed as third favourite for the event at odds of 15/2, a testament to how highly regarded he is. This is particularly true when you consider he is ahead of established players who have performed solidly all year, such as Neil Robertson (17/2), John Higgins (8/1) and Shaun Murphy (16/1).

Judd Trump is a 13/2 favourite despite his mixed fortunes of late, while Mark Selby, who has taken the Masters and UK Championship in a fine season, is 7/1.

Elsewhere in the betting, recent Welsh Open winner Stephen Maguire is 18/1, while Ali Carter, who was beaten by O’Sullivan in last year’s final, is 28/1 to go one better in 2013.

Find the best snooker odds

The World Snooker Championship is without doubt the highlight of the year for players and fans alike, and the long format means there is plenty of opportunity for betting. You can pick who you think will win the tournament, place wagers on individual matches, or even bet on a frame-by-frame basis.

Snooker Hall can help you find the best odds to truly make the most of this iconic tournament, while we will also keep you updated with the latest news throughout the event.

All odds correct on 05/03/2013.

The Scot had not won a ranking title since the 2008 China Open, and the relief was obvious as he clawed his way over the finish line with a determined break of 82 in the deciding frame.

Bingham had plenty of chances to win it, and will rue a fluked blue that spoiled what would otherwise have been a crucial snooker behind the pink in frame 13. That left him forced to take on a difficult pot which would have put him 8-5 in front, but he missed and Maguire kept his cool to close out the match.

Both players offered the crowd some high quality fare to end what has been an enjoyable tournament in South Wales, but it is Maguire who will enjoy the £50,000 winner’s cheque. Bingham, though, will take heart from the fact he is now up to a career-best seventh in the world rankings.

World rankings shift ahead of China Open

The Welsh Open saw contrasting fortunes for the top players, further adding to the glorious unpredictability that makes snooker such a fun sport to bet on. Many players will now be looking ahead to the China Open, another key ranking event in the snooker calendar.

Judd Trump enjoyed something of a resurgence after poor recent displays, as he progressed to the semi final before losing to Maguire. He has now regained his world number one ranking from Mark Selby, who was dumped out 4-0 by Joe Perry in round one.

Neil Robertson and Shaun Murphy move up to third and fourth as Mark Williams slips down to tenth. None of those players enjoyed a particularly good tournament in Newport, with Murphy in particular surprisingly knocked out by world billiards champion Pankaj Advani in round one.

Ding Junhui is rewarded for his run to the semi finals with a return to the top ten, where he is joined by Mark Allen. Stephen Lee falls from eighth to fourteenth as he continues to miss tournaments to contest match-fixing allegations, while Snooker Shootout champion Martin Gould was also absent from the competition and drops out of the world top 16.

Find the best places to bet on snooker

Many of those players will feel they have a good chance in Beijing, and if you wish to place a bet then Snooker Hall can help you find the best odds.

We provide you with a list of premier online bookmakers offering odds on all the big snooker tournaments, leaving you to choose which one best suits your requirements.

Carter, who won the Welsh Open in 2009 and the Shanghai Masters in 2010, hit breaks of 116 and 121 as he overcame a 5-3 deficit at the end of the first session.

‘The Captain’ is enjoying a fine season that has seen him climb back into the world top 16. He had previously slipped down the rankings after a well-publicised battle with Crohn’s disease.

Fu, whose previous final appearance came in 2008, missed too many crucial shots, and will have been frustrated to miss the fourteenth red as he attempted to compile a maximum.

Meanwhile, world number two Judd Trump’s form continues to slump alarmingly after another early exit. He was eliminated in the last 32 at the hands of Anthony Hamilton, the world number 37, having also failed to get past the second round in either the Masters or UK Championship.

John Higgins also had a poor tournament in Berlin, knocked out in round three by the unheralded Peter Lines.

Who will win the China Open?

Next month sees the players head to the Far East for the always entertaining China Open. A number of players will feel they have a realistic chance of success here on current form, none more so than Mark Selby.

The world number one has enjoyed the most productive season of his career, taking the last two major titles. In December he defeated Shaun Murphy to win his first UK Championship, and then in January saw off Neil Robertson to claim his third Masters win.

Carter may also be hoping to continue his good form and capitalise on the momentum of victory in Germany, and while Trump’s challenge is now in serious doubt it is likely that the experienced Higgins has only suffered a temporary blip.

World number 20 Martin Gould will be full of confidence after taking the Snooker Shootout top prize, beating Mark Allen in the final. A cluster of players sitting among the world top ten, including Robertson, Murphy and Stephen Maguire, will all feel they have a chance.

Find the best odds with Snooker Hall

When the full odds for the China Open are released, you can use Snooker Hall to help you get access to the best deals online. We provide details of many prominent high street bookmakers and the odds they are offering on all the big snooker tournaments, allowing you to select the one which best suits your requirements.