FORMER world champion Steve Davis chalks his cue as the UK Snooker Championships got under way today at York's Barbican Centre.
Six-times-champion Davis was among the first players to strike the cue ball when he faced Stuart Pettman.
Also playing today were Anthony Davis and Robin Hull, Anthony Hamilton and Antony Bolsover, and Dominic Dale and Michael Holt. More games were due to start at 5pm.
Between 5,000 and 6,000 people are expected to descend upon the venue over the next two weeks, with many of the early matches and the final already sold out.
The players include world champion Ronnie O'Sullivan, defending UK champion John Higgins, seven-times world champion Stephen Hendry and people's favourite Jimmy White.
Tim Orgill, operations manager for World Sport Group, which is organising the event, said: "This is the second biggest tournament in the world, second only to the world championships."
The ticket hotline number is 01904 656688.
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Updated: 12:07 Monday, December 03, 2001
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