Editing Snooker (section)

====World rankings====
{{Main|Snooker world rankings}}
Every player on the World Snooker Tour is assigned a position on the WPBSA's official world ranking list, which is used to determine the [[seed (sports)|seedings]] and the level of qualification each player requires for the tournaments on the professional circuit.<ref name="WPBSA Rankings FAQ" /> The current world rankings are determined using a {{nowrap|two-year}} rolling points system, where points are allocated to the players according to the prize money earned at designated tournaments.<ref name="RankingPointsSchedule" /> This "rolling" list is maintained and updated throughout the season, with points from tournaments played in the current season replacing points earned from the corresponding tournaments of two seasons ago. Additionally, "{{nowrap|one-year}}" and "{{nowrap|two-year}}" ranking lists are compiled at the end of every season, after the World Championship; these {{nowrap|year-end}} lists are used for {{nowrap|pre-qualification}} at certain tournaments and for {{nowrap|tour-card}} guarantees.<ref name="WPBSA Rankings FAQ" />

The top 16 players in the world ranking list, generally regarded as the "elite" of the professional snooker circuit,<ref name="top16-1" /> are not required to {{nowrap|pre-qualify}} for some of the tournaments, such as the [[Shanghai Masters (snooker)|Shanghai Masters]], the [[Masters (snooker)|Masters]] and the World Snooker Championship.<ref name="top16-2" /> Certain other events, such as those in the [[Players Series]], use the {{nowrap|one-year}} ranking list to qualify; these use the results of the current season to denote participants.<ref name="news_Cora" /> There are approximately 128 places available on the World Snooker Tour each season.<ref name="WPBSA tour1" /> As of the [[2024–25 snooker season|2024–25 season]], players in the top 64 on the official ranking list are guaranteed a tour place for the next season, as well as a maximum of 31 players who are currently on the first year of a {{nowrap|two-year}} tour card, and the top four prize money earners during the most recent season who are not already qualified; this being assessed after the World Championship.<ref name="WPBSA tour2" />
[[File:World Snooker Championship Trophy edited.jpg|thumb|upright=0.75|alt=A silver cup-shaped trophy with a trumpet base, a Greek shepherdess finial on top, and two deco square-section handles at the sides with green sponsor ribbons tied to them; the trophy is sitting on a green cylindrical plinth|The World Snooker Championship trophy]]