November represents another busy month on the snooker calendar with plenty of events to watch and follow.
The 2023/24 campaign felt like it gained a lot of momentum during the month of October, with snooker played on a daily basis practically all the way through.
Judd Trump thoroughly dominated the 31-day period, becoming only the fifth player in snooker history to win three ranking titles on the spin.
The Englishman triumphed at the English and Northern Ireland Opens either side of a lucrative success at the inaugural Wuhan Open.
A 20-match winning streak has seen him rise back to number three in the world, and he could be on the cusp of reclaiming top spot in the rankings in the coming weeks.
There are several important snooker events during November, so it’ll be interesting to see if he can sustain his incredible form.
International Championship
November 5-12
The next ranking event on the schedule is the International Championship at the Tianjin People’s Gymnasium in China.
The tournament hasn’t been played since 2019 before the pandemic, when somewhat fittingly it was Trump who landed glory.
Following such an impressive run of victories, the 34 year-old will obviously be the favourite to get his hands on more silverware.
World champion Luca Brecel and world number one Ronnie O’Sullivan are among the other heavy hitters expected to be involved, in addition to the likes of Mark Allen and Mark Selby.
Champion of Champions
November 13-19
The International Championship will provide the last opportunity for players on the circuit to gain an invite to the Champion of Champions.
A prestigious invitational that’s been a regular fixture on the calendar since 2013, the Champion of Champions takes place in the week immediately after the seventh ranking event of the season in China.
All but one of the 16 invitations are set in stone, including Shoot Out champion Chris Wakelin who safeguarded his debut by reaching the final in Belfast at the weekend.
Ding Junhui is provisionally on course to receive the last invite on the back of his victory in the Six Red World Championship.
But the likes of Neil Robertson, Kyren Wilson, and Jack Lisowski will all be hoping to steal that place away from Ding by claiming the International Championship title.
Reigning champion Ronnie O’Sullivan headlines the Champion of Champions lineup.
Fellow former winners John Higgins, Shaun Murphy, Mark Allen, and Judd Trump are also all in the draw.
UK Championship
November 25 – December 3
Towards the end of November and into December will be the biggest tournament of the 2023/24 snooker season so far.
The UK Championship is a tournament steeped in history and prestige, with the inaugural staging dating all the way back to 1977.
As was the case last term, the top 16 seeds from the official world rankings list will automatically qualify for the first round at the venue stages.
They will be joined at the Barbican Centre in York by 16 qualifiers, who must come through a preliminary competition (November 18-23) akin to the format adopted for the World Championship.
Mark Allen is the defending champion – the Northern Irishman producing a remarkable comeback from 6-1 down to beat Ding Junhui in the 2022 final.
What other snooker events are on in November?
There is also plenty of action on several other snooker tours during the month of November.
The Eden Women’s Masters is being played from November 17 to 19, with Mink Nutcharut representing the defending champion.
There is no information about the draw yet, but this tournament at the Frames Sports Bar in London usually boasts a strong lineup.
It represents the fourth event on the Women’s World Snooker Tour this season, with Nutcharut, Reanne Evans, and Ng On Yee having shared the spoils from the previous three.
Q Tour 4 will additionally take place from November 10 to 12 at the Landywood Snooker Club in Walsall.
Once again, amateurs will jostle for important victories that could result in them receiving professional tour cards at the end of the campaign.
The Scottish Open qualifiers, meanwhile, have been taking place this week and will conclude on Thursday at the Morningside Arena in Leicester.
Another series reaching its climax is The 900, a late-night tournament for amateurs run by promoter Jason Francis and aired live on SportyStuffTV.
There have already been seven weeks of The 900, with next week’s eighth weekly winner joining the previous seven at the Grand Final on November 22.
Featured photo credit: WST
I find it hard to even find the results for the 900.
Agree.
Is the Snooker on “PROPER” TELE ?
It is on a freeview channel called Sporty Stuff TV. I’ve not actually got it but possibly would if I retuned.