Ronnie O'Sullivan advanced to the last 32 of the UK Championship - then laid out his plans to again take a break from snooker.

O'Sullivan has won this event four times in addition to his five World Championship titles, but has had a fractious relationship with the game in recent years and missed much of the 2012/13 season.

The world rankings will be replaced by a prize money list from next season and O'Sullivan hopes good performances at the lucrative major championships will enable him to "play the system" and sit out some smaller events.

He said: "My goal is to get enough prize money so I can take another break from snooker, to be honest with you.

"It's now a prize money list and getting through here's done me well so maybe I can take a few more months out, because I enjoyed my time out so much last time. Just play the system, really.

"I'm not too bothered about my form. I'm just trying to keep my top-64 place.

"I've got £9,000 so far (here) and if I can win a few more matches it'll bounce it up a little bit more and then I don't have to play in so many events.

"I can have a holiday, sit at home and chill again, which is great."

The 'Rocket' had to come from behind twice before the interval against Adam Duffy and, although he eventually won 6-3, he looked far from his fluent best.

His erratic performance was summed up by an extraordinary sixth frame which ended when, needing a snooker and attempting to clear the pink from the jaws of a pocket, O'Sullivan smashed it off the table and also went in-off for the fourth time in the frame.