Emma Richards
Emma Richards covers the stories behind the snooker. From tournament drama to player profiles, she brings the human side of the sport to life. A NCTJ-qualified journalist with a passion for growing the game.
Articles by Emma Richards
Murphy and Ebdon Part Ways: The End of a Partnership That Took the Magician to the Crucible Final
Stephen Hendry has revealed that Shaun Murphy and coach Peter Ebdon have parted ways — a surprise given the success the pair enjoyed together, including a Masters title and a Crucible final appearance.
Golden Days in Finland: WDBS Stars Shine at Inaugural Guttmann Games
Four gold medals, a landmark 11th title for Dave Beaumont, and a heart-stopping comeback from Adam Wilk — WDBS players delivered a spectacular debut for snooker at the inaugural Guttmann Games in Finland.
Wuhan Open 2026: Five Men Can Leave as World Number One — and That's Just the Start of It
Five players could leave Wuhan as world number one, while defending champion Xiao Guodong chases a feat achieved by only Ray Reardon, Steve Davis, Stephen Hendry, and Judd Trump.
Steadman Whitewashes Galbally to Claim Season-Opening World Seniors Title
Craig Steadman whitewashed Dean Galbally 4-0 to win the opening World Seniors Tour event of the 2026/27 season, coming through a record field of 68 players at The Crucible Club in Reading.
Selby's China Triumph Blows the World Number One Race Wide Open
Mark Selby's record fourth China Open title has blown the world number one race wide open, with five players separated by less than £100,000 on the provisional rankings ahead of the Wuhan Open.
Selby Chases History Against Giant-Killer Saengkham in China Open Final
Mark Selby faces Thai qualifier Noppon Saengkham in the 2026 China Open final in Taiyuan, with a record fourth title and a potential return to world number one both on the line.
Record Field Descends on Reading as World Seniors Tour 2026/27 Gets Under Way
A record 68 players compete at The Crucible Club in Reading this weekend as the 2026/27 World Seniors Tour season gets under way, with Ryan Day making his seniors debut alongside former champions Aaron Canavan and David Lilley.
Quarter-Final Line-Up Confirmed for the 2026 China Open — And It's Wide Open
The China Open quarter-finals are set for Friday in Taiyuan, with Neil Robertson, Mark Selby, Stuart Bingham and Zhang Anda among those fighting for a £250,000 prize — and a leaderboard suddenly free of its biggest names.
Zhao Xintong admits he 'didn't deserve to win' after black-ball heartbreak at China Open
Zhao Xintong was knocked out of the China Open in a dramatic 6-5 black-ball defeat to Zhang Anda, admitting afterwards that he 'probably didn't deserve to win' after a below-par display in Taiyuan.
Mark Allen Withdraws From China Open and Wuhan Open for Personal Reasons
Mark Allen has withdrawn from both the China Open and the Wuhan Open for personal reasons, confirming he will miss all three major Chinese ranking events this summer.
China Open Returns to the Calendar With a £250,000 Prize and a Point to Prove
The China Open returns to the World Snooker Tour after a seven-year absence, bringing a £250,000 winner's prize and a stellar field to Taiyuan from 8–16 August.
Class of 2026: How Snooker's New Tour Players Are Being Prepared for Life Beyond the Table
Twenty-three members of snooker's Class of 2026 gathered at Lilleshall National Sport Centre this week for the WPBSA's annual Player Support Programme — two days of education covering everything from mental health to financial management.
Awad Clinches All-Africa Crown — and a Tour Card — in Thrilling Five-Set Finale
Mina Awad defeated Charl Jonck 6-5 in a dramatic final to win the 2026 All-Africa Snooker Championship and earn a two-year World Snooker Tour card for the first time.
Five acts, one perfect story: why the 147 break never gets old
Xiao Guodong's 147 against Neil Robertson was the 246th maximum in snooker history — and yet nobody switched off. Author Chris Shaw explains why the perfect break never loses its power.
Wu Survives Murphy Scare to Set Up Trump Showdown in Shanghai
World champion Wu Yize survived a dramatic fightback from Shaun Murphy, edging through 6-5 to reach the Shanghai Masters semi-finals where he will face a formidable Judd Trump.
Trump Crushes Higgins 6-0 to Reach Shanghai Semi-Finals: 'It's an Incredible Performance'
Judd Trump produced a stunning 6-0 demolition of John Higgins at the Shanghai Masters quarter-finals, setting up a semi-final showdown with world champion Wu Yize.
Wilson Turns the Tables on O'Sullivan in Shanghai Thriller
Kyren Wilson came from behind to beat Ronnie O'Sullivan 6-4 at the Shanghai Masters, overcoming three successive O'Sullivan centuries to defend his title hopes — and doing it with his children watching from the stands.
The Rocket Ignites: O'Sullivan Opens 2026/27 Season With Shanghai Victory
Ronnie O'Sullivan made a measured winning start to the 2026/27 season at the Shanghai Masters, defeating amateur wildcard Liu Linhao to set up a second-round clash with reigning champion Kyren Wilson.
Six Champions, One Stage: Disability Snooker's Finest Descend on Shanghai
Six champions were crowned at the 2026 WDBS International Disability Snooker Invitational in Shanghai, with Dave Beaumont, Thanapol Seekao and Songkiat Raebankoo among the gold medallists in a landmark event for the sport.
Shanghai Masters 2026: The Season's Most Glamorous Prize Is Up for Grabs
The 2026 Shanghai Masters gets under way on Monday, July 27, with a star-studded 24-player field competing for a £210,000 top prize at the Luwan Gymnasium in China.
Highfield's historic 147, Lisowski bounces back, and White bows out: British Open qualifying round-up
Liam Highfield compiled his first career 147 break as Leicester's Mattioli Arena hosted a week of British Open qualifying drama, with Jack Lisowski, Jak Jones, and Chang Bingyu also booking their places in the last 64.
Seven Chances to Dream: Q Tour Europe Confirms 2026/27 Schedule
The WPBSA has confirmed a seven-event Q Tour Europe schedule for 2026/27, running from Leeds in August to Sheffield in February, with a World Snooker Tour card on the line.
Chang Bingyu Makes Third Career Maximum as Shenzhen Qualifying Produces Stunning 147
Chang Bingyu compiled the 244th maximum break in snooker history during a stunning 5-0 win in Shenzhen Open qualifying — his third career 147 and third of the last twelve official maximums in the professional game.
British Open Qualifiers 2026: Leicester Lottery Throws Up Unmissable Early Ties
The 2026 British Open qualifiers get underway at Leicester's Mattioli Arena on Thursday, with Stuart Bingham facing in-form Chang Bingyu among several eye-catching ties ahead of the Cheltenham venue stages.
Commentary Returns to the Qualifying Tables: How to Watch the Shenzhen, British and English Open Qualifiers
WST PLAY brings live commentary to the qualifying tables for the first time this season as the Shenzhen, British and English Open qualifiers get underway from Sunday 19th July.
Sixteen Years in the Making: Jak Jones Finally Gets His Hands on a Title
Jak Jones ended a sixteen-year wait for professional silverware with a 3-2 victory over David Gilbert in the 2026 Championship League final, claiming the £33,000 top prize in Leicester.
Eight Remain, One Will Reign: The Final Day of the 2026 Championship League Takes Shape
Zhang Anda and Elliot Slessor sealed the final two spots in the Championship League last eight on Tuesday, setting up a final day in Leicester that could crown a first-time ranking event champion.
Dylan Emery Ends Maguire's Championship League Defence as Stage Two Takes Shape
Reigning champion Stephen Maguire was eliminated from the 2026 Championship League in Leicester on Saturday, with Dylan Emery's clinical display proving decisive in Group C.
Lisowski and Brecel Hit the Ground Running as Championship League Enters Its Final Straight
Jack Lisowski and Luca Brecel both posted perfect records on Wednesday in Leicester, topping their respective groups as the Championship League Snooker Stage One approaches its conclusion.
Si Jiahui's Perfect 147 Can't Save Him From Championship League Exit
Si Jiahui compiled a stunning 147 maximum — the 243rd in professional snooker history — but back-to-back draws against Sean Maddocks and Marco Fu brought an early Championship League exit for the Chinese star.
Fifty and Fearless: Why Snooker's Class of '92 Refuse to Grow Old
Ronnie O'Sullivan turns 50 this week — and he is one of three top-six world-ranked players to reach that milestone in 2025. We look at why snooker's Class of '92 refuse to slow down.
Wakelin Bounces Back From Amateur Shock to Reach Championship League Stage Two
Chris Wakelin recovered from a shock opening defeat to French amateur Brian Ochoiski to advance from Group 5 at Championship League Snooker in Leicester, with Lei Peifan also progressing after a tense final-round victory.
Shenzhen Steps Into the Spotlight as WST Announces New Ranking Event for 2026/27
The World Snooker Tour has confirmed the Shenzhen Open as a new ranking event for 2026/27, replacing the Xi'an Grand Prix with a £850,000 tournament set to be held in the home city of world champion Zhao Xintong.
Slessor Steps Forward: Unbeaten Group Winner Eyes Long-Awaited Ranking Breakthrough
Elliot Slessor emerged unbeaten from Group 9 at the Mattioli Arena in Leicester, while Jimmy Robertson edged a tightly contested Group 23 by a single point to advance to Stage Two of the Championship League.
Vafaei Holds Nerve While Saengkham's Century Does the Talking in Leicester
Hossein Vafaei topped Group 18 unbeaten while Noppon Saengkham advanced from a three-way tie on the highest break rule, as Championship League Snooker's Stage One drama continued in Leicester.
Championship League Snooker 2026: Everything You Need to Know as the New Season Gets Under Way in Leicester
The 2026 Championship League Snooker is under way in Leicester, offering the first ranking silverware of the new season with 128 players in the draw and defending champion Stephen Maguire among those bidding for glory.
The Shot That Stopped the Crucible: Robertson's Genius Moment Against Higgins
Neil Robertson produced a contender for shot of the tournament in his World Championship quarter-final against John Higgins, playing a red off the cushion and into the yellow to divert the ball into the middle pocket in a moment of breathtaking audacity.
Half a Million Reasons to Win at the Crucible: The 2026 World Championship Prize Money Explained
The winner of the 2026 World Snooker Championship will pocket £500,000 — a figure unchanged for eight straight years. Here is the full prize money breakdown, from the champion's cheque to the qualifying round losers.
Snooker Is Thriving at the Top — So Why Are Its Grassroots Still Struggling?
Snooker is experiencing a genuine boom at the elite level, but the grassroots clubs where champions are made have been disappearing for years. Can the sport's golden moment finally reverse the decline?
Gilbert Shows His Class as Donaldson Also Books Stage Two Spot at Championship League
David Gilbert advanced unbeaten from Group 21 at Championship League Snooker on Thursday, while Scott Donaldson edged a tense group decider against Yuan Sijun to join him in Stage Two.
Wu Yize Wins the World: A 22-Year-Old's Nerve, a Nation's Pride, and the Crucible at Its Finest
Wu Yize became the second-youngest World Champion in Crucible history, defeating Shaun Murphy 18-17 in only the fourth deciding-frame final since 1977.
Chang Bingyu Is Making His Move — and the Rest of the Tour Should Take Note
Chang Bingyu maintained his perfect start to the 2026/27 season by topping Group 27 of the Championship League, dropping just a single frame across wins over Ryan Day, Jamie Clarke, and Phil O'Kane.
Burglar Steals £2,000 Children's Cancer Charity Fund from Kyren Wilson's Home
Kyren Wilson has withdrawn from the Championship League Snooker event after burglars broke into his home and stole personal items — including £2,000 set aside as a donation for a children's cancer charity.
Emery and Xu Si Make Winning Starts as Kyren Wilson's Championship League Campaign Ends Before It Began
Dylan Emery and Xu Si advanced from their opening groups on day one of the 2026 Championship League Snooker, though the dominant story was the withdrawal of former world champion Kyren Wilson after a burglary at his home.
Where to Watch the BetVictor Championship League 2026: Your Complete Broadcast Guide
The BetVictor Championship League 2026 is a full-ranking event with global coverage — here's exactly where to watch every frame, whether you're in the UK or tuning in from across the world.
Burglars Steal £2,000 Cancer Charity Cash from Kyren Wilson's Home While He Competed in Leicester
Kyren Wilson withdrew from the Championship League in Leicester after burglars broke into his home and stole three watches, jewellery, and £2,000 in cash that had been set aside for a children's cancer charity.
Eight Champions, One Spectacular Day: The 2026 World Disability Snooker Championship Delivers in Thailand
Eight world champions were crowned in Nakhon Ratchasima on Sunday as the 2026 World Disability Snooker Championship delivered a stunning conclusion, with Thailand claiming four gold medals and England's Carl Gibson producing a remarkable comeback to retain his title.
Championship League Snooker 2026: Leicester Calls as a New Season Begins
The 2026/27 snooker season gets its first taste of silverware as Championship League Snooker returns to Leicester on 22nd June, with world number three Zhao Xintong heading a 128-player field and defending champion Stephen Maguire back to defend his crown.
Wuhan Open Qualifiers: Lisowski, Un-Nooh and Bingham Among the Fallen as Leicester Delivers Drama
Five seeds were eliminated in the final day of 2026 Wuhan Open qualifying in Leicester, with Jack Lisowski, Stuart Bingham and Zhang Anda among those to suffer surprise defeats.
Wu Yize Crowned Players' Player of the Month — and Every Single Peer Agreed
Wu Yize has become the first player in the award's history to claim the WPBSA Players' Player of the Month with a unanimous 100% of the vote, following his stunning World Championship triumph at the Crucible.