Leicester's Tom Ford gets his UK Championship bid under way in York today.
The world No.25 plays Thailand's Noppon Saengkham in the first round.
Defending champion Mark Selby begins his quest to retain the title on Saturday, when he plays 15-year-old amateur Shane Castle.
"A lot of people are raving about him already as one to watch," said Selby.
"I've never seen him play, so I'll be going into the match blind, but I'll be confident and in the right frame of mind."
Ben Woollaston completes the county line-up in this year's event. He plays Stuart Carrington tomorrow.
