As part of our continuous development, we have enhanced the World Rankings system for the forthcoming 2014-15 season. Points will be awarded at our 6 World Ranking Singles events as follows:

• 3 points for a win in the group stages
• 1 point for a drawn game in the group stages
• All points accumulated in group stages (up to a maximum of 15pts) will be added to those amassed in the knockout rounds, as shown in the table below.

World Masters & Irish Open (or all events with between 193 and 384 players)

Position:	Main	Plate	Spoon
1st	150	65	24
2nd	140	60	21
3rd	130	55	18
4th	120	50	15
Last 8	110	45	12
Last 16	100	40	9
Last 32	90	35	6
Last 64	80	30	3
Last 128	70	25	0

UK Open & English Masters (or all events with between 96 and 192 players)

Position:	Main	Plate	Spoon
1st	140	60	21
2nd	130	55	18
3rd	120	50	15
4th	110	45	12
Last 8	100	40	9
Last 16	90	35	6
Last 32	80	30	3
Last 64	70	25	0

Swedish Masters & European Masters (or all events with between 48 and 95 players)

Position:	Main	Plate	Spoon
1st	130	55	18
2nd	120	50	15
3rd	110	45	12
4th	100	40	9
Last 8	90	35	6
Last 16	80	30	3
Last 32	70	25	0

What’s new?

There are three key changes from last season. Firstly, wins in the group stages will now be worth 3 points each instead of 2 points. Secondly, more ranking points will be on offer at the bigger tournaments to account for the extra rounds being played.  Finally, ranking points will be awarded in all three knockout competitions including the Main, Plate and Wooden Spoon, so there is always something to play for.

Players will be competing to finish the season as World No. 1 and walk away with the Order of Merit trophy sponsored by Henselite and a £250 cash prize. There will also be prizes for the players finishing 2^nd and 3^rd in the rankings.

World Cup qualification

At the end of the 2014-15 season the top four players for each country represented on the world rankings will be invited to participate in the inaugural Short Mat Players Tour World Cup.  More details will be published in due course.