The Crucible Theatre in Sheffield plays hosts to 17 days of snooker, starting on Saturday, when John Higgins sets out to defend his World Championship crown.
In a unique runner-by-runner special, I'll take a look at those players outside the top-16 who have qualified for the event this season:
BARRY HAWKINS
World Ranking: 17 – Provisional World Ranking: 20
Best odds to win: 175-1 (Boylesports)
First round opponent: John Higgins
Top price to win first round match: 5-1 (Betfred, Ladbrokes)
Best performance in 2009/10: Last-16 Shanghai Masters, Welsh Open
Profile:
A player who has been on the fringes of the top-16 for a few years now, Hawkins has yet to win a match in four visits to the Crucible. He edged past the tricky Ian McCulloch 10-7 to qualify for Sheffield, but was then handed one of the hardest matches possible against the defending champion and there's a very good chance he'll make it five trips without a win. Not having the best of seasons, having dropped down to 20th in the provisional list with just two last-16 appearances and is very much up against it here.
Verdict: First round exit
JAMIE COPE
World Ranking: 18 – Provisional World Ranking: 16
Best odds to win: 40-1 (Various)
First round opponent: Ali Carter
Top price to win first round match: 13-10 (Extrabet)
Best performance in 2009/10: Last-16 Shanghai Masters, Grand Prix
Profile:
The one qualifier all the top-16 players want to avoid when the first round draw is made. Beat Joe Perry at the Crucible last year and should have followed that up with victory over John Higgins, but threw away a 12-10 lead to lose 13-12. That defeat prevented him from attaining top-16 status, but he should be in there with the big boys next season and rightly so. Not been a brilliant campaign for the 'Shotgun' having failed to reach a quarter-final, but doing enough to worry the top players and must fancy his chances against Ali Carter.
Verdict: Could go a long way if bringing his game to Sheffield, but inconsistency remains his biggest problem. Worth a few quid at 13-10 to beat Carter though.
STEVE DAVIS
World Ranking: 23 – Provisional World Ranking: 25
Best odds to win: 600-1 (Stan James)
First round opponent: Mark King
Top price to win first round match: 2-1 (Sportingbet)
Best performance in 2009/10: Last-32 UK Championship
Profile:
What is there to be said about the legend that is the Nugget? Still plodding on now he's into his 50s, but his sheen has very much worn off and this is only the second event he's qualified for this season and hasn't done anything at the Crucible since reaching the quarter-final in 2005. Hardly warrants a price of 600-1 with Stan James – there are worse bets than him – and has been given half a chance of reaching the second round after being paired with Mark King.
Verdict: Can reach the second round, but that's about it.
MICHAEL HOLT
World Ranking: 24 – Provisional World Ranking: 23
Best odds to win: 250-1 (bet365, Skybet, Boylesports)
First round opponent: Joe Perry
Top price to win first round match: 11-8 (Sportingbet, Ladbrokes)
Best performance in 2009/10: Last-32 Shanghai Masters, UK Championship
Profile:
One of the sport's perennial under-achievers, as he freely admits, the likeable Holt has only ever won one match in Sheffield when defeating Paul Hunter in 2005. Seems to be the sort of player who plays well but just cannot get his head in front and tends to freeze when it really matters on the big stage. Has possibly the perfect draw, though, against Joe Perry, with the Cambridgeshire cueman in a real slump and this looks a perfect opportunity for Holt to progress. If he can get just one win under his belt, who knows what he is then capable of.
Verdict: Second round is well within his grasp, but nothing to really suggest he could go any further.
STEPHEN LEE
World Ranking: 25 – Provisional World Ranking: 22
Best odds to win: 150-1 (Various)
First round opponent: Stephen Maguire
Top price to win first round match: 3-1 (Ladbrokes)
Best performance in 2009/10: Last-16 UK Championship
Profile:
A former mainstay of the top-16, and a former top-five star, Lee still ranks a dangerous opponent and beat Mark Allen in the first round of the UK Championship in December. Enjoyed an easy 10-2 win over Mike Dunn to qualify for the tournament, but it's been a very up-and-down campaign in general for the big lad and has been done no favours with the draw either.
Verdict: Has the game to beat Maguire on his day, but not this year.
LIANG WENBO
World Ranking: 27 – Provisional World Ranking: 15
Best odds to win: 66-1 (Various)
First round opponent: Ronnie O'Sullivan
Top price to win first round match: 4-1 (Betfred, Stan James, Ladbrokes)
Best performance in 2009/10: Runner-up Shanghai Masters
Profile:
One of the game's rising stars, Wenbo has enjoyed a great campaign, reaching the final of the Shanghai Masters where he lost out to Ronnie O'Sullivan and progressing to the quarter-final of the UK Championship. He lies 15th in the provisional lists and if results go his way, he should be among the big boys next season. Was handed a stinker of a first round draw against O'Sullivan in what is a repeat of their 2008 quarter-final encounter and that should be a cracker.
Verdict: If he can shock the Rocket, then he could go far.
GRAEME DOTT
World Ranking: 28 – Provisional World Ranking: 19
Best odds to win: 125-1 (Boylesports)
First round opponent: Peter Ebdon
Top price to win first round match: 13-10 (Boylesports)
Best performance in 2009/10: Last-32 Shanghai Masters, UK Championship, Welsh Open, China Open
Profile:
The 2006 world champion and runner-up in 2004, the diminutive Scot has fallen by the wayside in recent years, dropping down to 28th in the rankings as he been blighted by health problems. But he looks like he is on the way back judging by this season's displays and has only failed to reach the first round of the Grand Prix in what has been an okay campaign thus far. Faces Peter Ebdon in the first round and he won't mind that one bit in a repeat of the 2006 final.
Verdict: Worth a look against the hit-and-miss Ebdon and could reach the second round.
FERGAL O'BRIEN
World Ranking: 31 – Provisional World Ranking: 47
Best odds to win: 300-1 (Various)
First round opponent: Neil Robertson
Top price to win first round match: 9-2 (Betfred)
Best performance in 2009/10: Last-32 China Open, Welsh Open
Profile:
When people say there are no characters in the sport anymore, thoughts are drawn to Irishman O'Brien, one of the forgotten men of the sport who continues to ply most of his trade at Prestatyn nowadays in the qualifiers. Needs a decent tournament to retain his top-32 status, but that looks unlikely having dropped down to a lowly 47th and faces one of the dangermen in Neil Robertson. Has fared poorly all season and has just two first round exits, in Wales and China, to shout about.
Verdict: Dismal first round failure.
GERARD GREENE
World Ranking: 32 – Provisional World Ranking: 28
Best odds to win: 400-1 (bet365, Paddy Power)
First round opponent: Shaun Murphy
Top price to win first round match: 5-1 (Betfred)
Best performance in 2009/10: Last-32 Shanghai Masters, Grand Prix, UK Championship, China Open
Profile:
The Northern Irishman with the cockney accent has now reached the first round proper in five of the six ranking events this season, but has fallen at the first hurdle in every one of them and has yet to taste glory at the Crucible in three attempts. Came from 9-8 down to beat Rory McLeod in qualifying, with just one break over 60, but will have to up his game against Shaun Murphy if he wants to progress.
Verdict: Cannot see him troubling the 2005 world champion.
STUART PETTMAN
World Ranking: 37 – Provisional World Ranking: 35
Best odds to win: 500-1 (Various)
First round opponent: Ding Junhui
Top price to win first round match: 11-2 (bet365, Betfred, Ladbrokes)
Best performance in 2009/10: Last-48 Shanghai Masters, Welsh Open
Profile:
This will be the Preston potter's third visit to the Crucible, but first since 2004, and qualified in style after thrashing Stuart Bingham 10-2. Had earlier overcome David Roe 10-6, but has to face in-form Ding Junhui and looks like he has the proverbial mountain to climb. Reached the 2009 China Open semi-final in his best performance to date, but has done nothing in two previous trips to Sheffield – and in 2009/10 in general – and nothing expected of him here also.
Verdict: First round loser, simple as that.
KEN DOHERTY
World Ranking: 44 – Provisional World Ranking: 30
Best odds to win: 100-1 (various)
First round opponent: Mark Selby
Top price to win first round match: 11-4 (Victor Chandler, Stan James, Ladbrokes)
Best performance in 2009/10: Quarter-Final Shanghai Masters
Profile:
The 1997 world champion, the Irishman was ranked among the top four players in the world only three years ago, but has since plummeted to 44 in what was an alarming slide. Shown signs of recovery this season, reaching the last-eight of the Shanghai Masters and last-16 of the Grand Prix, and is now 30 in the provisional list. Absolutely flew through qualifying, powering past Jimmy White 10-3 before thrashing Joe Swail 10-1 and looks in the mood, but he has Mark Selby to contend with first.
Verdict: Will gave Selby a decent fight, but it would take a leap of faith to back Doherty.
MARCUS CAMPBELL
World Ranking: 45 – Provisional World Ranking: 40
Best odds to win: 500-1 (Various)
First round opponent: Mark Williams
Top price to win first round match: 9-2 (Various)
Best performance in 2009/10: Last-32 Shanghai Masters, Grand Prix
Profile:
The 'Dumbarton Destroyer' beat Matthew Stevens in a final-frame thriller to book his place at the Crucible for the first time since 2001, but he will have his work cut out against China Open winner Mark Williams. Very much a journeyman pro, Campbell has reached two other tournaments this year – Shanghai Masters and Grand Prix – but has failed to make it through to a second round and it could be a case of déja vu again.
Verdict: Early exit for the 37-year-old Scot.
MARTIN GOULD
World Ranking: 46 – Provisional World Ranking: 45
Best odds to win: 400-1 (Skybet, tote, Paddy Power)
First round opponent: Marco Fu
Top price to win first round match: 2-1 (Skybet, tote, sportingbet)
Best performance in 2009/10: Last-16 Grand Prix
Profile:
Well if you're only going to qualify for one tournament in the season, might as well make it the big one as 28-year-old Gould has done. Defeated Bjorn Haneveer 10-8 before crushing Nigel Bond 10-4 to make it into the first round proper. This will be his second appearance in a row at the Crucible after putting up a decent fight before going down 10-6 to Mark Allen last year. His lowly ranking of 46 belies his potential and he has the game to make an impression and played well against Shaun Murphy in the 2008 UK Championship, while he also reached the last-16 of the Welsh Open that season. But he has struggled to make an impact in the 2009/10 campaign and could be found wanting against Marco Fu.
Verdict: Unfortunately for Gould, Fu's found some form, but he's not a forlorn hope.
MARK DAVIS
World Ranking: 47 – Provisional World Ranking: 27
Best odds to win: 500-1 (sportingbet)
First round opponent: Ryan Day
Top price to win first round match: 11-4 (Betfred))
Best performance in 2009/10: Last-32 UK Championship
Profile:
Making only his sixth visit to the Crucible, Davis is having an excellent season having qualified for all six ranking events this season, reaching the last-16 of the Grand Prix and should have gone further there but threw away a winning lead against Peter Ebdon. Jumped 20 places up the provisional rankings to 27th, and could go even higher with victory over Welshman Ryan Day.
Verdict: I'm backing him to beat the inconsistent Day. Not inconceivable he could make it to the quarter-final.
TOM FORD
World Ranking: 49 – Provisional World Ranking: 41
Best odds to win: 200-1 (Various)
First round opponent: Mark Allen
Top price to win first round match: 10-3 (Various)
Best performance in 2009/10: Last-32 UK Championship
Profile:
Also qualified for the UK Championship, Leicester player Ford comes here with a decent reputation after thrashing highly-rated Judd Trump 10-3 in the final round of qualifying. Will be hoping for better things on his debut at the World Championship after slumping to a 9-3 defeat to Neil Robertson in the first round of the UK. Made a 147 break at the 2007 Grand Prix, so is a player with obvious ability and has already won three matches – against David Hogan 10-8, Anthony Hamilton 10-6 and Trump – just to make it this far.
Verdict: Up against it versus Allen, but will be buoyant after humbling Trump.
ANDA ZHANG
World Ranking: NA – Provisional World Ranking: 71
Best odds to win: 500-1 (Betfred, sportingbet, Ladbrokes)
First round opponent: Stephen Hendry
Top price to win first round match: 10-3 (sportingbet)
Best performance in 2009/10: 3rd qualifying rnd Grand Prix, Welsh Open
Profile:
Nicknamed 'Mighty Mouse', the young Chinese ace is the tournament's surprise package before a ball has even been potted after coming from nowhere to qualify for his first ranking event. Beat Craig Steadman, John Parrott and Andrew Higginson before shocking Ricky Walden 10-8 to earn a trip to the Crucible. Showed his class against Walden by knocking in two successive century breaks when level at 8-8 to earn a dream first round tie against the sport's best ever player, Stephen Hendry. Even Hendry admits he knows nothing about the 18-year-old, who is comfortably the lowest ranked player in the event and who is in his first ever season on the professional circuit.
Verdict: First round exit on the cards, but you never know...
