The 2025 Halo World Snooker Championship - the 49th consecutive year the event has been held at Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre - is less than two weeks away.
First held in 1927, it is the longest-running and most prestigious tournament in professional snooker, with a prize fund of £2,395,000, of which the winner will receive £500,000.
Last year saw Kyren Wilson defeat Jak Jones 18–14 in the final and Wilson will be back to defend his title.
He’s amongst the favourites this year - along with these other 10 players who the bookies reckon have a chance at lifting the famous trophy.
9. Zhao Xintong - 18/1
Zhao Xintong is an 18/1 shot to become the first Chinese player to be crowned world champion. His biggest win to date came in the 2021 UK Championship. He received a 20-month ban from the sport after committing offences relating to betting on snooker in 2023 - returning to competition last September. | AFP via Getty Images
10. Si Jiahui - 25/1
China's Si Jiahui enjoyed a remarkable run at the 2023 World Snooker Championship, winning three qualifying matches before reaching the semi-final where he lost to eventual winner Luca Brecel, despite leading the match 14-5. He's 25/1 to go two better this year. | Getty Images
11. Barry Hawkins - 25/1
Four-time semi-finalist Barry Hawkins, who lost in the last four of the World Championships in 2014, 2015, 2017 and 2018, is also priced at 25/1 for the 2025 title. | Getty Images