2014/15: Money To Defend, Themes To Follow

Ding

For those of us who like to keep an eye on all things rankings related, during each season there are usually a number of themes to follow just from a look at the various ranking lists.

For example a couple of seasons ago, it was only a matter of time before Judd Trump became number one, given the relative lack of points that he was defending compared to those above him, while last season it was the likes of Neil Robertson and Ding Junhui who were well placed to climb to the top of the list due to lesser performances two years previously.

This year has of course seen a change to a prize-money based ranking list, but the premise of a two-year rolling system remains the same and so below I take a look at a few themes that I will be following as the season progresses.

To assist, @joanneballantyn has also helped to put together the usual ‘money to defend’ lists (available here), which show which points will be coming off at each cut-off point.

Click below for more…

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White Retains Main Tour Place Following Wasley Exit

White

It came down to the wire, but following Michael Wasley’s defeat to Dominic Dale at the 2014 World Championship earlier today, Jimmy White will now definitely remain on tour for at least another season.

As detailed within my tour survival blog, Michael Wasley was the last man in the draw this week who was able to knock Jimmy out of the crucial top 64 places on the latest provisional money list, but his 13-4 defeat to Welshman Dale means that Jimmy is now safe at last.

While Jimmy may have been eligible for ranking event tournaments next season under the recent plans announced by Barry Hearn, remaining inside the world’s top 64 he does at least ensure that he retains his prize money earned during the past two seasons and initially next season at least, will remain among the top 64 for full ranking events.

This will no doubt come as a huge relief for Jimmy, who despite now having been a professional for 34 years, loves snooker as much as ever and has every wish to remain on tour for as long as possible.

Tour Survival 2013/14 – Player by Player (March Update)

With just two tournaments still to be played this season and both the European and Asian Orders of Merit now set, the battle for main tour places next season is now down to the two final events, the China Open and World Championship.

Click below then for an updated look at the current position and in particular those in need of victories further down the rankings if they are to avoid a trip to Q School in May…

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The Polish PTC Preview – Squeaky Bum Time

Drago

Ok so it’s not technically called a PTC any more, but it will very much be squeaky bum time at this weekend’s Gdynia Open event in Poland, with far more on the line for some than might appear at first sight.

Click below for my thoughts on the battles that will be decided this week and for some of the key matches to keep an eye on from the eighth and final event of the 2013/14 European Tour…

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Four Days In Barnsley

Following Neil Robertson’s victory at the UK Championship, the snooker circuit was back in action this week at the Barnsley Metrodome for the final matches of 2013, as the round of 128 of the German Masters and Haikou World Open events were played out.

Click below for my round-up of the events…

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