What snooker is on TV over Christmas 2024? Details on the Seniors 900 event on Channel 5

Snooker legends Jimmy White and Ken Doherty are amongst those scheduled to compete in the one-day spectacular which will be hosted by the Epsom Downs Racecourse.

Part of the World Seniors Snooker Tour, this is the fourth Seniors 900 event, which features a unique, innovative format (further details below) and began in Epsom last year between Christmas and New Year.

Stephen Hendry claimed this exact title 12 months ago; since then, Ken Doherty was victorious on home soil at the 900 event held in Dublin, and reigning World Seniors Snooker Champion Igor Figueiredo travelled from Brazil to lift the trophy in Hull a few months ago.

Who is playing in the Seniors Snooker 900 Epsom event in 2024?

As has been the case with all the Seniors Snooker 900 events, so far, six players are set to feature in this latest staging in Epsom.

Jimmy White - the most successful player in Seniors Snooker history with four world championship titles to his name - will be one of the headline acts on Channel 5.

White reached the final of all the three previous Seniors 900 events over the past 12 months, but the very popular 62-year-old - who is still plying his trade on the professional circuit, too - is still seeking his maiden crown in this timed format.

Ken Doherty - winner of the World Professional Snooker Championship at the Crucible in 1997 - is also on the programme for Epsom. 'The Darlin' of Dublin' recorded an emotional triumph earlier this year when he denied White in the title match to claim the 900 event held at the iconic Goffs venue in Ireland.

One of snooker's quickest-ever players, Tony Drago, is also in the line-up; these rules will suit the Maltese legend, who reached the semi-finals of the past two World Seniors Snooker Championships.

The remaining contestants are all making their Seniors 900 debuts, but are all very capable of winning this live televised title: former British Open champion Nigel Bond, European Tour event winner Rory McLeod, and 2023 World Seniors Snooker Championship runner-up Alfie Burden.

What is the draw, format and match schedule for the 2024 Seniors Snooker 900 Epsom event?

The six players have been drawn into two round robin groups of three.

All matches in the groups are just one frame; the top two players from each group will qualify for the semi-final knockouts. The winner of Group A will play the runner-up from Group B, and the winner of Group B will play the runner-up of Group A.

The semi-finals are also one-frame matches, although the final will be the best of three frames.

Should all three players be tied on wins in a group, qualification and positioning for the knockouts will be determined by whoever made the highest breaks in their respective group.

Group A

• Alfie Burden - group winner
• Tony Drago - group runner-up
• Rory McLeod - third place

Group B

• Jimmy White - group winner
• Ken Doherty - group runner-up
• Nigel Bond - third place

Match schedule and results (from approximately 14:00GMT):

• 1) Alfie Burden defeated Tony Drago
• 2) Jimmy White defeated Ken Doherty
• 3) Alfie Burden defeated Rory McLeod
• 4) Nigel Bond defeated Jimmy White
• 5) Tony Drago defeated Rory McLeod
• 6) Ken Doherty defeated Nigel Bond

followed by:

• Semi-final 1: Ken Doherty defeated Alfie Burden (one frame)
• Semi-final 2: Tony Drago defeated Jimmy White (one frame)
• Final: Ken Doherty 2-1 Tony Drago (best of 3 frames)

CHAMPION: KEN DOHERTY

What are the playing rules for the Seniors Snooker 900?

Traditional matchplay snooker rules are still used at 900 events, but there are several twists.

Frames can only last a maximum of 15 minutes - 900 seconds, hence the name. If the frame has not been completed when the 15 minutes expires, whoever is leading in points is declared the winner of that frame. In the event of a tied frame, a blue ball shoot out will determine the victor.

As well as the match-clock, there is also a shot-clock, meaning players only have a certain amount of time to strike the cueball. If a player runs out of time, it will be called a foul.

For every shot, a ball must either contact a cushion or be potted, meaning players can’t just roll up to a ball. If this does not happen, a foul will be called.

All foul strokes in the Seniors Snooker 900 Series result in ‘cueball in hand’. This means the approaching player can put the cueball wherever they like for the opening shot of their visit.

The Seniors Snooker 900 Series uses a spotted cueball.

The tournament will be televised live on Channel 5 in the UK. It is expected that both John Virgo and Dennis Taylor will be commentating during the event.