Premier League Snooker

Matchroom Sport's Premier League Snooker celebrated its 23rd successful season in 2008 as world number-one Ronnie O'Sullivan added an eighth title to his tally.

With the snooker calendar shrinking by the year, this unique event is a real treat: it’s an excellent chance to see the game’s top players go head-to-head. The round-robin tournament always features a number of world champions plus some of the game's up-and-coming stars.

The players get two points for a win and one for a draw, with the top four competitors advancing into the play-offs. The semi-finals and final, coupled with the 21 league matches, are shown as 24 two-hour-long TV programmes.

Aside from Ronnie O’Sullivan - who has made the event his own – previous winners include Stephen Hendry, who has won it six times, and Steve Davis, who has picked up the title on four occasions. Irishman Ken Doherty has won it twice and John Higgins, Marco Fu and Jimmy White complete the roll of honour.

There’s a lot at stake for the players: they pick up £1,000 for every frame they win and an additional £1,000 for every century break they make. The League is played out over 10 nights from September to November with the play-offs taking place on 28th and 29th November, 2009.

The League also features snooker's first-ever shot clock which gives the players just 25 seconds to execute their shot, with a five-point penalty awaiting transgressors.