International Championship Format & Draw
Reading the International Championship format and draw correctly is the foundation of every smart bet on the event. From qualifying through to a two-session best-of-19 final, the frame lengths grow as the rounds progress, and where a player lands in the bracket can matter as much as their raw form. This guide walks through the qualifying structure, the round-by-round distances, the China venue and exactly how the timing falls for South African punters, so you can plan your bets and in-play sessions around the schedule. Fixed-odds prices are in rand and bets settle once the result is official.
Qualifying, rounds and frame lengths
The International Championship is a full ranking event, so the field is built through qualifying rounds that are usually played ahead of the main stages, often at a separate venue. Once the draw reaches the venue in China, matches typically open at best-of-11 and lengthen through the quarter-finals and semi-finals before the showpiece final, which is contested over a best-of-19 across two sessions. The progression from shorter early matches to a long final is the defining feature: it gives upsets room early but squeezes them out at the business end.
For bettors, frame length should reshape your handicap and total-frames reading round by round. A best-of-11 supports bolder upset and handicap plays; the longer later rounds favour the higher-ranked player and tighter frame totals. Pair this with our frame betting guide and carry the format read into the match betting markets.
China venue and SAST timing
The event has been staged at venues across China since its launch, and the China time zone is the practical detail SA punters care about most. China runs six hours ahead of South Africa, so the typical Chinese afternoon and evening sessions translate to SA morning and afternoon SAST. That is unusually convenient: you get prime in-play windows during daylight hours rather than late at night, which makes live betting through the day genuinely workable.
Use the live CasinOnline board for the exact draw, session times and round schedule, since they are confirmed once the bracket is published. For context on how this event ranks against others, see the World Championship and the Shanghai Masters, and head back to the International Championship for the full markets. New to live wagering? Read our in-play betting guide.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the International Championship final?
The final is played as a best-of-19, meaning the first player to ten frames wins. It is spread across two sessions, which is one of the longest finals outside the Crucible and a major reason the event is rated among the more prestigious ranking titles.
When do matches start in South African time?
Because the event is in China, six hours ahead of SA, Chinese afternoon and evening play lands in the SA morning and afternoon SAST. Confirm precise session times on the live CasinOnline board once the draw and schedule are published.