<Tr> <Th> Recent edition </Th> <Td> 2017 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Current champion (s) </Th> <Td> Mark Selby </Td> </Tr> <P> The World Snooker Championship is the leading snooker tournament both in terms of prestige and prize money . The first championship was held in 1927 and was won by Joe Davis . Davis won the first 15 championships before retiring from the event, undefeated, after his 1946 success . In the 1950s snooker went into a period of decline and the championship was not held after 1952, although an unofficial championship was held until 1957 . In 1964 the championship was revived on a challenge basis and in 1969 the championship became a knock - out event again . Since 1977 it has been played at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, England . The tournament is currently played over 17 days and ends on the first Monday in May . In the modern era (since 1969), the best record is that of Stephen Hendry, who won the title seven times . Steve Davis and Ray Reardon both won six times while Ronnie O'Sullivan has won five titles . The current champion is Mark Selby, who has won the tournament three times . </P> <Table> <Tr> <Th> Year </Th> <Th> Champion </Th> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 1927 </Td> <Td> Joe Davis </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 1928 </Td> <Td> Joe Davis </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 1929 </Td> <Td> Joe Davis </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 1930 </Td> <Td> Joe Davis </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 1931 </Td> <Td> Joe Davis </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 1932 </Td> <Td> Joe Davis </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 1933 </Td> <Td> Joe Davis </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 1934 </Td> <Td> Joe Davis </Td> </Tr> </Table>

Who has won the world snooker championship the most times