What Is 2019–20 snooker world ranking points

Overview

The 2019–20 snooker world ranking points system governed player standings across the World Snooker Tour, reflecting performances in official ranking tournaments. These points determined seedings, tournament qualifications, and prestige within the professional circuit.

Unlike a one-season reset, the rankings used a rolling two-year cycle, meaning points from the 2017–18 season were replaced by those earned between June 2019 and August 2020. This ensured consistency while allowing players to improve their positions through sustained performance.

• Judd Trump led the rankings with 900,500 points, propelled by five ranking title wins, including the International Championship and World Grand Prix.
• The World Championship awarded the highest points: 500,000 to the winner, 200,000 to the runner-up, and 100,000 to semifinalists.
• Rankings were updated after each designated ranking event, with points from the corresponding event two years prior being removed.
• Players earned points based on how far they advanced, with early exits receiving as few as 500 points for a last-64 loss.
• At least 10 ranking events contributed to the standings, including the UK Championship, Masters (invitational), and China Open.

How It Works

The ranking system operated on a performance-based accumulation model where results from the previous two seasons determined current standings. Points were not awarded per match but per stage reached in eligible tournaments.

• Ranking Events: Only designated tournaments counted. Events like the Champion of Champions were invitational and did not contribute to rankings.
• Points Distribution: Winners received the most points—200,000 for most majors, rising to 500,000 at the Crucible.
• Rolling Cycle: The system dropped results from June 2017–May 2018 and replaced them with 2019–20 performances.
• Seeding Implications: Top 16 players after each update earned automatic seeding in subsequent tournaments, avoiding early-round matchups with elites.
• Minimum Participation: Players needed to compete in ranking events to maintain or improve standings; inactivity led to point decay.
• Prize Money Conversion: In some seasons, rankings used prize money totals instead of points; 2019–20 reverted to the traditional points model.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of points awarded across major ranking tournaments during the 2019–20 season:

This tiered structure emphasized the World Championship as the most valuable event, while other majors offered substantial but lower points. The variation ensured top players prioritized specific tournaments based on ranking goals and travel logistics. Additionally, consistent performance across multiple events was necessary to challenge for the top ranking, as no single win guaranteed dominance.

Why It Matters

The 2019–20 ranking points system had far-reaching implications for player careers, tournament access, and financial opportunities. Maintaining a high ranking was essential for long-term success on the tour.

• Seeding advantages: Top 16 players avoided early matchups with other elites, increasing chances of deep tournament runs.
• Tournament qualification: Higher-ranked players received automatic entry into events, reducing reliance on qualifiers.
• Sponsorship appeal: A strong ranking made players more attractive to sponsors and media partners.
• World No. 1 status: Holding the top spot brought prestige, media attention, and historical recognition.
• Survival on tour: Players outside the top 64 after two years could lose professional status.
• Grand Prix Series access: Rankings determined eligibility for the series of events culminating in the Players Championship.

Ultimately, the 2019–20 ranking system balanced achievement with consistency, rewarding both peak performance and durability across a disrupted season. It remained a cornerstone of competitive fairness in professional snooker.