The 2011–12 snooker world ranking points were the metric used by the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) to determine the official world rankings of professional snooker players for the 2011–12 season. The rankings for this period were compiled using a two‑year rolling points system introduced in the 2010–11 season, wherein points earned from ranking events over the preceding two seasons (2009–10 through 2011–12) contributed to a player’s total.
Structure of the points system
- Two‑year rolling list – Points accrued from each ranking tournament remained on a player’s record for two seasons before being dropped. Consequently, a player’s ranking at the start of the 2011–12 season reflected performance in the 2009–10 and 2010–11 seasons; during the season, points from 2009–10 were gradually replaced by those earned in 2011–12.
- Allocation by tournament – Each ranking event carried a predefined points scale based on its prestige and prize fund. Higher‑profile tournaments such as the World Championship, the UK Championship, and the Masters (when designated as a ranking event) offered the greatest points, while lower‑tier ranking events awarded proportionally fewer points.
- Points for progress – Players received points according to the round they reached (winner, runner‑up, semi‑finalist, quarter‑finalist, last‑16, last‑32, etc.). The exact point values varied between events but followed a consistent hierarchical pattern across the season.
Ranking events contributing to the 2011–12 points total
The 2011–12 season featured a series of ranking tournaments, each adding to the two‑year total. Notable events included:
- World Snooker Championship (Sheffield)
- UK Championship (York)
- German Masters (Berlin)
- Welsh Open (Abergavenny)
- Shanghai Masters (Shanghai)
- International Championship (Chengdu)
- World Open (Prestatyn)
- China Open (Beijing)
- Players Tour Championship (PTC) events – a collection of minor‑ranking tournaments across Europe and Asia, each contributing a smaller points allotment.
Impact on player rankings
At the conclusion of the 2011–12 season, the accumulated points determined the official world rankings, which in turn affected seedings for the following season’s tournaments and qualification for invitation events. The top‑64 players on the ranking list retained their tour cards automatically, while those outside this bracket faced re‑qualification through secondary tours or qualifying schools.
Notable outcomes
- The leading positions in the 2011–12 rankings were occupied by established top‑players, with Mark Selby, Ronnie O’Sullivan, and John Higgins featuring prominently in the top‑10.
- The points system rewarded consistent performance across both major and minor ranking events, enabling emerging players who performed well on the PTC circuit to climb the rankings alongside established stars.
References and further reading
- World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA), “World Rankings – 2011/12 Season” (official ranking lists).
- Snooker.org, “2011/12 Season Rankings” – detailed points tables for each ranking tournament.
Note: The precise numerical values assigned to each tournament round in the 2011–12 points schedule are documented in the WPBSA’s official ranking regulations for that season.
