Any snooker player who has dreamed of turning professional will have a chance of earning a tour card at Q School 2017 in May.

The entry deadline is Wednesday, 5 April 2017 at 12.00pm. Current main tour players who are unable to retain their place on the tour will be permitted late entry into Q School. There will be 12 two-year tour cards available, with the opportunity to join the global snooker circuit and compete for prize money of £10 million.

Q School will start on May 9 and will be staged at the Guild Hall in Preston for the first time. The entry fee is £600. There will be two knock out tournaments, with the four semi-finalists in each to earn a tour card for the 2017/18 and 2018/19 seasons. The remaining four tour cards will be awarded to the next four players on the Q School ranking list. All draws will be random with no seeding, and all matches best of seven frames.

A ranking list will be compiled during Q School with players earning one point for every frame won. The leading players on that list who do not gain tour cards could potentially be offered 'top-up' places in main tour events during the 2017/18 season.

World Snooker Chairman Barry Hearn said: ''Sport is about opportunity for all, regardless of nationality or gender, which is why we introduced Q School in 2011, to give as many people as possible the chance to chase their dreams and become a professional snooker player. Over the past six years it has proved the best and fairest way to allow players to qualify for the World Snooker Tour. And with 12 places up for grabs on the tour, if you have the ability and the belief, then your chances are good. The event will be played in excellent conditions at the fabulous Preston Guild Hall so there are no excuses. The best will rise to the top.

''And the Q School ranking list means you don't have to gain a tour card to have the chance to play in ranking tournaments. For example Andy Hicks finished high up on the list to gain entry into most ranking events this season and he recently reached the semi-finals of the Shoot Out. ''Our tour is growing year by year. Within the past seven years, overall prize money has increased from £3.5 million to £10 million. And there is much more to come as we grow our sport across the planet. It's such an exciting time for snooker - for fans and players alike. If you want to be a part of it, this is your chance. So get your entry in for Q School today!''