Many of the world's best snooker players will again be in action at Watford Colosseum in February when the Coral Shoot Out returns to the venue.

The world ranking event uses a unique format with all matches lasting a maximum of ten minutes and played in a single frame. There’s also a shot clock to make sure the action is fast and furious.

All 128 players start in a knock out draw, and the last man standing at the end of four days of non-stop drama wins the trophy and top prize of £32,000.

The 2018 event will run from February 8 to 11 and tickets are already on sale.

The Rickmansworth Road venue hosted the event for the first time this year and it saw Scotland’s Anthony McGill take the title by beating China’s Xiao Guodong in the final. Shaun Murphy, Stuart Bingham, Mark Williams and Jimmy White were among the other cue kings battling for the title in the ITV4-televised event.

The tournament was made a ranking event for the first time last season and Martin Gould, who won it in 2013, believes all players should embrace that change.

“You still have to enjoy it, and it’s probably those who treat it as a fun tournament who do well,” said Pinner’s Gould, who used to practise in Watford. “You have to accept that you might not get a shot in your first match, or you might get on a roll and go all the way.

“If you can get the crowd behind you that’s a big advantage because they will stick with you in every match. If the crowd goes against you they can put you off.

“I can understand that for some of the lower ranked players there is pressure because a good run can make a massive difference to their season. But the top players just try to enjoy it. And it’s a chance to win £32,000 for just over an hour’s work, in what other job can you do that?”

World number 17 Gould added: “I lost in the first round in Watford last year but I could see it was a good venue with a good atmosphere. It’s great for me to have a tournament on my doorstep and hopefully I can have a good run this time.”

A special opening offer is available with session tickets starting at £10 and all-day tickets starting at just £15. There’s also a season ticket for every match of the tournament for just £99. These offers will last for a limited time only so snooker fans are urged to book fast.

For details, call Watford Colosseum on 01923 571 102 or visit www.worldsnooker.com/tickets