The only thing that has ever followed the script at the popular SangSom 6-red World Championship, which gets underway at the Fashion Island mall this morning, is its ability to deliver an unexpected climax.
The star-studded field for the 2015 event includes the likes of current world No.1 Mark Selby of England, compatriot and reigning world champion Stuart Bingham and Chinese ace Ding Junhui, ranked No.3.
However, in the end, this may all amount to nothing as it has been the underdogs who have lifted the trophy on the final day on all but one occasion.
The inaugural event was captured by Ricky Walden, an English cueist who had just started making his presence felt on the professional circuit.
This was followed by a victory for English snooker legend Jimmy White, who by 2009 had become a spent force by all accounts.
Selby altered the trend by winning the 2010 crown after carrying the pre-tournament favourite tag, but 2012 belonged to rank outsider Mark Davis of England, who also repeated the feat the following year.The championship was not staged in 2011 as Thailand played in the World Cup that year.
Since the inception of the tournament seven years ago, English players have dominated but Scotland's Stephen Maguire brought an to that tradition last year with a close 8-7 victory over Walden in the final.
So far, Asian players haven't enjoyed much success in the event, with Thailand's Ratchapol Pu-Ob-Orm and Kritsanut Lertsattayathorn being the only two regional semi-finalists in the past six tournaments.
However, this is another thing that a lot of fans are hoping will change this year.
The reason for their optimism is based on their faith that Chinese star Ding Junhui, participating in his first ever 6-red snooker competition, will deliver.
Whether Ding is up to the task or not should become clear on the first day of the tournament today when he takes on reigning Thailand champion Phaithoon Phonbun in his first Group D match.
And it isn't an easy group either, comprising former world champion Graeme Dott of Scotland, swift-potting No.24 Michael Holt of England, Ben Judge of Australia and talented Iranian Ehsan Hydarinezhad.
Thailand, as the hosts, are fielding eight players with their hopes resting on the shoulders of professionals Thepchaiya Un-nooh and Noppon Saengkham.
Both have been in great form of late with Noppon winning three events on the competitive Thailand professional circuit and Thepchaiya has capturing one and finishing runner-up in two.
The other local players in the tournament are Ratchapol, Thanawat Thirapongpaiboon, Akani Songsermsawad, 2015 world youth champion Boonyarit Kiattikun and Noppadon Noppachorn.
A total of 40 matches will be played on the opening day, starting at 11am. The other sessions start at 1:30pm, 4pm and 6:30pm.
Meanwhile the draw had to be revised as world No.10 Mark Allen of Wales pulled out due commitments at home and was replaced by No.28 Matthew Selt of England. Saleh Mohammad of Afghanistan failed to obtain a Thai visa and was replaced by Irish No.60 Joe Swail.