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
More Than a Flat Draw: The Tournament Structure Debate Snooker Can't Ignore
Former professional Peter Devlin sparked a heated debate about snooker's tournament structure this week — but the solution is more complicated than simply calling for a flat draw.
Brecel Breaks Duck as Northern Ireland Open Qualifiers Produce Drama in Leicester
Luca Brecel ended a barren run without a ranking event appearance by coming through the 2026 Northern Ireland Open qualifiers in Leicester, joined by Jordan Brown and a host of experienced professionals ahead of the Belfast showpiece.
Peter Devlin's Numbers Don't Lie: The Uncomfortable Truth About Snooker's Tiered Tour
Former tour professional Peter Devlin has sparked debate by highlighting a stark earnings disparity on the World Snooker Tour, pointing to figures that show Liam Davies earning less than Ronnie O'Sullivan despite winning more than three times as many matches this season.
Ali Carter Claims Seventh Ranking Title With Stunning English Open Comeback Against Mark Williams
Ali Carter produced a stunning second-session comeback to beat Mark Williams 9-6 and claim a seventh career ranking title at the 2026 English Open in Essex.
Carter's English Open Glory Fills the Champion of Champions Picture — With Two Spots Still to Claim
Ali Carter's 9-6 English Open victory over Mark Williams has earned him a seventh Champion of Champions invitation, making him the 14th player confirmed for the prestigious Leicester event in November.
Williams vs Carter: A Final for the Romantics at the 2026 English Open
Mark Williams and Ali Carter contest Sunday's 2026 English Open final at the Brentwood Centre, with Williams chasing history as the oldest-ever ranking event winner and Carter bidding for a return to the top 16.
Davies Stuns World Champion Wu to Reach First Ranking Quarter-Final
Liam Davies produced the performance of his career to beat world champion Wu Yize 4-1 at the English Open, setting up a mouth-watering all-Welsh quarter-final against Mark Williams.
Selby Survives Walden Scare as Top Seeds Make Their Mark at English Open
Mark Selby survived a 3-2 deficit against Ricky Walden to progress 4-3 at the English Open in Brentwood, as Judd Trump, Mark Williams and fellow top-ten seeds also advanced on a busy Tuesday.
Oliver Lines Sends a Statement to the Snooker World: World Number One Zhao Xintong Beaten at English Open
Oliver Lines produced one of the results of the season so far, defeating world number one and reigning world champion Zhao Xintong 4-2 in the first round of the English Open in Brentwood.
Mike Ganley on Respect, Community and the Soul of Snooker
A recent episode of Framed: The Snooker Podcast features Essex's Mike Ganley on respect, grassroots culture and the values that hold snooker together at every level of the game.
English Open 2026: Brentwood Braces for Home Nations Showdown as Allen Steps Aside
The 2026 English Open gets underway in Brentwood from Monday, September 7th, with Judd Trump, Mark Selby and Neil Robertson among the former champions chasing the Steve Davis Trophy — though defending champion Mark Allen will not be among them.
Where the Horses End and the Snooker Begins: A First Visit to Cheltenham's British Open
Chris Shaw, author of To the Max, makes his first visit to the Unibet British Open at Cheltenham's Centaur — and finds a venue where snooker and horse racing feel like natural stablemates.
Eight Left, One Trophy: Breaking Down the 2026 British Open Quarter-Finals
Eight players remain at the 2026 British Open in Cheltenham, with a £100,000 prize and the Clive Everton Trophy on the line across four compelling quarter-final ties this Friday.
Running on Empty: Mark Selby Battles Jet Lag and the Clock at the British Open
Mark Selby is winning at the British Open this week despite being floored by jet lag after returning from the Chinese swing — and he only found out about his double fixture at half 11 at night.
Gilchrist Makes It a Winnipeg Double With Pan Am Cup Glory
Peter Gilchrist claimed the 2026 PABSA Pan Am Cup in Winnipeg to complete a stunning ranking event double, beating India's Dhruv Sitwala 1,500–972 in the final.
Wu vs Wilson: Two World Champions Collide at the British Open
World champion Wu Yize and 2024 Crucible winner Kyren Wilson are set for an early-round showdown at the British Open in Cheltenham, after both came through their opening matches on Monday.
Random Draw, High Stakes: Everything You Need to Know About the 2026 British Open
The 2026 British Open gets underway at the Centaur in Cheltenham on 31st August, with defending champion Shaun Murphy, world number one Zhao Xintong and a host of former winners all in the field for one of snooker's most unpredictable ranking events.
Chang Bingyu: 'I Didn't Think I Could Beat Him' — But He Did It Anyway
Chang Bingyu claimed his maiden ranking title at the 2026 Wuhan Open with a 10-7 win over world number one Zhao Xintong — and the story behind his victory goes far deeper than snooker.
Zhao Xintong Reaches the Summit — But It's Chang Bingyu's Day in Wuhan
Zhao Xintong becomes world number one despite losing the Wuhan Open final, as Chang Bingyu claims a stunning maiden ranking title with victories over Trump, O'Sullivan, and Zhao himself.
Cheltenham Calling: Everything You Need to Know About the 2026 British Open
The 2026 British Open gets underway in Cheltenham on 31st August, with defending champion Shaun Murphy, new world number one Zhao Xintong, and a £502,000 prize fund all adding to the intrigue.
Wuhan Open Semi-Finals: Can Anyone Stop Xiao's Reign — and Will O'Sullivan Finally Mean Business?
Zhao Xintong arrives in the Wuhan Open semi-finals as snooker's new world number one, but faces a man who hasn't lost here in 18 matches. Ronnie O'Sullivan, meanwhile, keeps insisting he isn't good enough — and keeps winning anyway.
Wuhan Open Quarter-Finals: Eight Star Names, One Trophy and a World Number One on the Line
The 2026 Wuhan Open quarter-finals deliver a box-office Thursday featuring history, a world number one on the line, and the first ever competitive meeting between Judd Trump and Chang Bingyu.
Trump's Reign at the Top Is Over — and a Young Gun Is Making a Statement
Judd Trump's two-year reign as world number one is over after a 5-1 quarter-final defeat to Chang Bingyu in Wuhan — with the race to replace him going down to the wire.
Mark Allen Misses Five Straight Ranking Events After Heartbreaking Crucible Exit
Mark Allen has withdrawn from both the British Open and the English Open, meaning the world number 13 will miss five consecutive ranking events following his heartbreaking World Championship semi-final defeat.
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.