It is a quiet period for the game, but there is some snooker to look forward to later in August.
There hasn’t been a ball potted on the main tour since the European Masters qualifying stage concluded during the last few days of July.
Prior to that at the Morningside Arena in Leicester, the 2023/24 campaign launched with Championship League Snooker.
Shaun Murphy emerged with the first ranking title of the new term following a 3-0 victory over Mark Williams in the final.
More recently, there was an event sanctioned by the Chinese Billiards and Snooker Association that featured several main tour stars.
The CBSA competition in Guizhou province was won by Judd Trump last weekend.
The Englishman overcame John Higgins in the final courtesy of a 5-1 triumph to land the top prize near the famous Huangguoshu Waterfall.
European Masters
August 22-27
Aside from that, we’re in the midst of a quiet spell on the snooker calendar with not much else happening during the first two weeks of August.
However, the venue stages of the European Masters will take place towards the end of the month in Nuremberg, Germany.
The season’s second ranking event begins on August 22nd and runs for six days at the Kia Metropol Arena.
In addition to the players who have already qualified, the top eight seeds will enter the fray with their held over preliminary-round encounters.
That is set to include Murphy and Trump, world number one Ronnie O’Sullivan, and world champion Luca Brecel.
O’Sullivan, who like Brecel hasn’t played this season yet, is the 5/1 favourite in the sport betting at Lottoland to win the 2023 European Masters.
British Open Qualifiers
August 14-19
Before the trip to Germany, there will be another batch of qualifiers with the early stages of the British Open at the Morningside Arena.
This time, the top 16 seeds have their matches held over to the TV stage of the tournament in September.
Still, the likes of Stuart Bingham, Si Jiahui, and Stephen Maguire – who faces Jimmy White – will be participating at the qualifiers.
British Open qualifying runs from August 14th to August 19th.
Q Tour 1
August 25-27
During the same weekend as when the European Masters concludes, the first tournament in this season’s Q Tour will take place.
Once again amateurs will be competing on the feeder tour, which ultimately grants opportunities to gain promotion to the professional circuit.
The Q Tour will be expanded for the 2023/24 campaign, with an increased number of international events and four main tour berths available.
Q Tour 1 will be at the North East Snooker Centre in North Shields from August 25th to August 27th.
US Women’s Open
August 11-13
Finally, the first tournament of the season on the World Women’s Snooker Tour is scheduled for later this week.
The US Women’s Snooker Open will be contested in Seattle from August 11th to August 13th.
Featured photo credit: WST
Hi David
There’s also snooker the WPBSA doesn’t run . Grass roots snooker . The Bob Mason Open for example @ Woking Snooker Centre . Bob was a huge supporter of grass roots snooker, a director of the then EASB, England team manager for many years as well as founding Woking Snooker Centre . He recently passed away and were holding this event in his memory . Everyone is welcome . Info on website quoted below . Any chance of a mention ?
Ps…. Bob Mason Open ; Aug 26 & 27 ; Discounts for U16s and WDBS players . Q School place up for grabs & other prizes . Info http://www.snookerz.co.uk or contact Woking Snooker Centre .