Snooker tournaments

World Championship

Ranking tournaments

UK Championship

Grand Prix

Malta Cup

Welsh Open

China Open

Northern Ireland Trophy

Other tournaments

Masters

Pot Black

The Masters, formerly the Benson & Hedges Masters, is a professional snooker tournament. Although not a ranking event, it is regarded as one of the most prestigious tournaments on the circuit, earning more prize money than any other tournament except the World Championships. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... The World Snooker Championship, currently held at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, is the climax of snookers annual calendar and the most important snooker event of the year in terms of prestige, prize money and world ranking points. ... The UK Championship is a professional snooker tournament, generally regarded as the second most prestigious tournament after the World Championship. ... The Grand Prix is a professional snooker tournament. ... The Malta Cup is a professional snooker tournament that was introduced in the 2004/05 season. ... The Welsh Open is a professional snooker tournament. ... The China Open was a professional snooker tournament. ... The Northern Ireland Trophy is a professional snooker tournament. ... Pot Black was a UK television snooker tournament that played a large part in the popularisation of the modern game. ... Snooker is a cue sport that is played on a large (12 feet × 6 feet, 3. ... The snooker world rankings are a system of ranking professional snooker players. ... The World Snooker Championship, currently held at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, is the climax of snookers annual calendar and the most important snooker event of the year in terms of prestige, prize money and world ranking points. ...

History of the tournament

The tournament was held for the first time in 1975 in London. Ten players were invited. The final was won by John Spencer, who beat Ray Reardon 9-8 to win £2000 ($4260). The match had reached 8-8 and, in the deciding 17th frame the scores were tied, meaning that a re-spotted black was necessary. The 1975 Benson and Hedges Masters was the first of this long running tournament which has had many of the Worlds top players competing. ... This article is about the capital of England and the United Kingdom. ... John Spencer (18 June 1935 - 11 July 2006) was an English snooker player who dominated the game in the 1970s along with Ray Reardon. ... Ray Reardon is a retired Welsh snooker player. ...

In a slight change for the 2007 Masters, 19 players compete (compared to 18 up until 2006). The top 16 seeds for ranking events are automatically invited, while the other players enter a qualifying tournament which grants the winner a wildcard place (won this year by Stuart Bingham). The 18th and 19th places in the tournament are granted by the game's governing body at their discretion (given in 2007 to Jimmy White and Ding Junhui). These three have to play preliminary matches against the players seeded 14th, 15th, or 16th. It has not yet been announced if this format will stay in place for 2008. The 2007 Saga Insurance Masters was the 33rd edition of the Masters professional snooker tournament, held from January 14 to January 21, 2007 in the Wembley Arena, London. ... Stuart Bingham is a professional snooker player from Basildon in England. ... James Warren Jimmy White MBE (born 2 May 1962) is an English professional snooker player. ... Ding Junhui (Simplified Chinese: ; Traditional Chinese: ; pinyin: ; born April 1, 1987) is a Chinese snooker player, born in Yixing, Jiangsu (near Shanghai), and is now a resident of England during the snooker season. ... 2008 (MMVIII) will be a leap year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

The tournament has seen many memorable matches, perhaps the most memorable being the 1991 final when Stephen Hendry beat Mike Hallett 9-8 after having trailed 7-0 and 8-2. This defeat effectively ended Hallett's days as a major force in the game. Arguably the next best final was the 1997 final, when Steve Davis, the greatest player of the game until Hendry's dominance in the 1990s, defeated Ronnie O'Sullivan, the great new star of snooker. Davis came back from 8-4 down to win the remaining six frames in a row, clinching the final at 10-8. A rather bittersweet memory was that of Ken Doherty's final black miss in a 147 attempt during the 2000 final, which he eventually lost to Matthew Stevens. This article or section is not written in the formal tone expected of an encyclopedia article. ... Mike Hallett (July 2, 1959 - April 19, 2006) was an English professional snooker player. ... The 1997 Benson and Hedges Masters took place between February 2 and February 9, 1997 at the Wembley Conference Centre. ... Ken Doherty (born September 17, 1969) is an Irish professional snooker player. ... The 2000 Benson and Hedges Masters took place between February 7 and February 14, 2000 at the Wembley Conference Centre. ... Matthew Stevens (born September 11, 1977) is a Welsh professional snooker player. ...

The event was sponsored by Benson & Hedges until 2003, but UK restrictions on tobacco advertising meant that it was without a sponsor the following year. In 2005, Rileys Club became sponsors of the event, but in 2006, Saga Insurance took over sponsorship of the tournament and have signed a deal to sponsor the tournament until 2009.^[1][2] 2006 was the last year the tournament was held at the Wembley Conference Centre before it was demolished in Summer 2006. From 2007, the tournament will take place at Wembley Arena.^[3] Benson & Hedges is a brand of cigarette. ... The 2003 Benson and Hedges Masters took place between February 2 and February 9, 2003 at the Wembley Conference Centre. ... Wembley Arena at Night (Taken at a live WWE Show). ...

Trophy name

Following the death of Paul Hunter in October 2006 ^[4], Jimmy White led calls for the Masters trophy or tournament to be renamed in honour of Hunter, who had won the title three times in four years between 2001 and 2004.^[5] Lindsey Hunter, widow of Paul Hunter, later expressed her wishes for the trophy to be renamed, claiming that "...everybody expected it. Every player I've spoken to, every fan, thought it would be a definite". ^[6] World Snooker, the sport's governing body, decided against renaming the trophy, stating "Our board unanimously agreed that the Paul Hunter Scholarship was the most fitting tribute. Just as Hunter himself rose swiftly through the amateur ranks, the scholarship will give a gifted young player the chance to fulfil his talent through elite training."^[6] Wikinews has news related to: Snooker player Paul Hunter dies of cancer, age 27 Paul Alan Hunter (14 October 1978 – 9 October 2006) was an English professional snooker player. ... James Warren Jimmy White MBE (born 2 May 1962) is an English professional snooker player. ... The World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA, also known as the World Snooker Association), founded in 1968 as the Professional Billiard Players Association, is the governing body for the professional game. ...

Winners

The 1975 Benson and Hedges Masters was the first of this long running tournament which has had many of the Worlds top players competing. ... John Spencer (18 June 1935 - 11 July 2006) was an English snooker player who dominated the game in the 1970s along with Ray Reardon. ... Ray Reardon is a retired Welsh snooker player. ... The 1976 Benson and Hedges Masters took place in January 1976 and was held in the New London Theatre. ... Ray Reardon is a retired Welsh snooker player. ... Graham Miles (born 11 May 1941) is a retired English snooker player. ... The 1977 Benson and Hedges Masters took place between 7 and 11th February 1977 and was held in the New London Theatre. ... Doug Mountjoy (born 8 June 1942) is a retired Welsh Snooker player. ... Ray Reardon is a retired Welsh snooker player. ... The 1978 Benson and Hedges Masters took place in 6 and 10 February 1978 and was held in the New London Theatre which would be for the last time. ... Alexander Gordon Higgins (born March 18, 1949) is a world-famous snooker player. ... Clifford Charles Devlin (Cliff) Thorburn (born January 16, 1948 in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada) is a retired professional snooker player. ... The 1979 Benson and Hedges Masters took place in January 1979 and was held in the Wembley Conference Centre which would host the tournament until the venues demolition in 2006. ... Pierre Perrie Mans (born 14 October 1940) is a retired professional snooker player from South Africa. ... Alexander Gordon Higgins (born March 18, 1949) is a world-famous snooker player. ... The 1980 Benson and Hedges Masters took place between February 6 and February 10, 1980 and was held in the Wembley Conference Centre. ... Terry Griffiths (born October 16, 1947, Llanelli) is a retired Welsh snooker player. ... Alexander Gordon Higgins (born March 18, 1949) is a world-famous snooker player. ... The 1981 Benson and Hedges Masters took place between February 2 and February 8, 1981 and was held in the Wembley Conference Centre. ... Alexander Gordon Higgins (born March 18, 1949) is a world-famous snooker player. ... Terry Griffiths (born October 16, 1947, Llanelli) is a retired Welsh snooker player. ... The 1982 Benson and Hedges Masters took place between January 25 and January 31, 1982 at the Wembley Conference Centre. ... Steve Davis OBE (born August 22, 1957) is an English professional snooker player who was born in London and lives in Brentwood, Essex with his wife and two sons. ... Terry Griffiths (born October 16, 1947, Llanelli) is a retired Welsh snooker player. ... Clifford Charles Devlin (Cliff) Thorburn (born January 16, 1948 in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada) is a retired professional snooker player. ... Ray Reardon is a retired Welsh snooker player. ... James Warren Jimmy White MBE (born 2 May 1962) is an English professional snooker player. ... Terry Griffiths (born October 16, 1947, Llanelli) is a retired Welsh snooker player. ... Clifford Charles Devlin (Cliff) Thorburn (born January 16, 1948 in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada) is a retired professional snooker player. ... Doug Mountjoy (born 8 June 1942) is a retired Welsh Snooker player. ... Clifford Charles Devlin (Cliff) Thorburn (born January 16, 1948 in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada) is a retired professional snooker player. ... James Warren Jimmy White MBE (born 2 May 1962) is an English professional snooker player. ... For the soul singer, see Dennis Taylor (singer). ... Alexander Gordon Higgins (born March 18, 1949) is a world-famous snooker player. ... Steve Davis OBE (born August 22, 1957) is an English professional snooker player who was born in London and lives in Brentwood, Essex with his wife and two sons. ... Mike Hallett (July 2, 1959 - April 19, 2006) was an English professional snooker player. ... The 1989 Benson and Hedges Masters took place between January 21 and January 29, 1989 at the Wembley Conference Centre. ... This article or section is not written in the formal tone expected of an encyclopedia article. ... John Parrott MBE (born 11 May 1964 in Liverpool, England) is an English professional snooker player. ... The 1990 Benson and Hedges Masters took place between February 4 and February 11, 1990 at the Wembley Conference Centre. ... This article or section is not written in the formal tone expected of an encyclopedia article. ... John Parrott MBE (born 11 May 1964 in Liverpool, England) is an English professional snooker player. ... This article or section is not written in the formal tone expected of an encyclopedia article. ... Mike Hallett (July 2, 1959 - April 19, 2006) was an English professional snooker player. ... This article or section is not written in the formal tone expected of an encyclopedia article. ... John Parrott MBE (born 11 May 1964 in Liverpool, England) is an English professional snooker player. ... This article or section is not written in the formal tone expected of an encyclopedia article. ... Pu-Orb-Orm James Wattana (born January 17, 1970) is a professional snooker player from Thailand. ... Alan McManus (born January 21, 1971) is a Scottish professional snooker player, known for his clever tactical play and safety shots, giving rise to his nickname Angles McManus. ... This article or section is not written in the formal tone expected of an encyclopedia article. ... The 1995 Benson and Hedges Masters took place between February 5 and February 12, 1995 at the Wembley Conference Centre. ... The current version of the article or section is written like a magazine article instead of the formal tone expected of an encyclopedia. ... John Higgins (born May 18, 1975, Wishaw, North Lanarkshire) is a Scottish professional snooker player. ... The 1996 Benson and Hedges Masters took place between February 4 and February 11, 1996 at the Wembley Conference Centre. ... This article or section is not written in the formal tone expected of an encyclopedia article. ... The current version of the article or section is written like a magazine article instead of the formal tone expected of an encyclopedia. ... The 1997 Benson and Hedges Masters took place between February 2 and February 9, 1997 at the Wembley Conference Centre. ... Steve Davis OBE (born August 22, 1957) is an English professional snooker player who was born in London and lives in Brentwood, Essex with his wife and two sons. ... The current version of the article or section is written like a magazine article instead of the formal tone expected of an encyclopedia. ... The 1998 Benson and Hedges Masters took place between February 1 and February 8, 1998 at the Wembley Conference Centre. ... Mark Williams (born 21 March 1975, Cwm, Wales) is a Welsh professional snooker player. ... This article or section is not written in the formal tone expected of an encyclopedia article. ... The 1999 Benson and Hedges Masters took place between February 7 and February 14, 1999 at the Wembley Conference Centre. ... John Higgins (born May 18, 1975, Wishaw, North Lanarkshire) is a Scottish professional snooker player. ... Ken Doherty (born September 17, 1969) is an Irish professional snooker player. ... The 2000 Benson and Hedges Masters took place between February 7 and February 14, 2000 at the Wembley Conference Centre. ... Matthew Stevens (born September 11, 1977) is a Welsh professional snooker player. ... Ken Doherty (born September 17, 1969) is an Irish professional snooker player. ... The 2001 Benson and Hedges Masters took place between February 4 and February 11, 2001 at the Wembley Conference Centre. ... Wikinews has news related to: Snooker player Paul Hunter dies of cancer, age 27 Paul Alan Hunter (14 October 1978 – 9 October 2006) was an English professional snooker player. ... Fergal OBrien (born March 8, 1972) is an Irish professional snooker player. ... The 2002 Benson and Hedges Masters took place between February 3 and February 10, 2002 at the Wembley Conference Centre. ... Wikinews has news related to: Snooker player Paul Hunter dies of cancer, age 27 Paul Alan Hunter (14 October 1978 – 9 October 2006) was an English professional snooker player. ... Mark Williams (born 21 March 1975, Cwm, Wales) is a Welsh professional snooker player. ... The 2003 Benson and Hedges Masters took place between February 2 and February 9, 2003 at the Wembley Conference Centre. ... Mark Williams (born 21 March 1975, Cwm, Wales) is a Welsh professional snooker player. ... This article or section is not written in the formal tone expected of an encyclopedia article. ... Wikinews has news related to: Snooker player Paul Hunter dies of cancer, age 27 Paul Alan Hunter (14 October 1978 – 9 October 2006) was an English professional snooker player. ... The current version of the article or section is written like a magazine article instead of the formal tone expected of an encyclopedia. ... The current version of the article or section is written like a magazine article instead of the formal tone expected of an encyclopedia. ... John Higgins (born May 18, 1975, Wishaw, North Lanarkshire) is a Scottish professional snooker player. ... John Higgins (born May 18, 1975, Wishaw, North Lanarkshire) is a Scottish professional snooker player. ... The current version of the article or section is written like a magazine article instead of the formal tone expected of an encyclopedia. ... The 2007 Saga Insurance Masters was the 33rd edition of the Masters professional snooker tournament, held from January 14 to January 21, 2007 in the Wembley Arena, London. ... The current version of the article or section is written like a magazine article instead of the formal tone expected of an encyclopedia. ... Ding Junhui (Simplified Chinese: ; Traditional Chinese: ; pinyin: ; born April 1, 1987) is a Chinese snooker player, born in Yixing, Jiangsu (near Shanghai), and is now a resident of England during the snooker season. ...

Trivia

Only two players have achieved the maximum break in the tournament: Kirk Stevens against Jimmy White in 1984, and Ding Junhui against Anthony Hamilton in 2007.^[7] Kirk Stevens (born August 17, 1958) is a Canadian professional snooker player. ... James Warren Jimmy White MBE (born 2 May 1962) is an English professional snooker player. ... Ding Junhui (Simplified Chinese: ; Traditional Chinese: ; pinyin: ; born April 1, 1987) is a Chinese snooker player, born in Yixing, Jiangsu (near Shanghai), and is now a resident of England during the snooker season. ... Anthony Hamilton (born June 29, 1971) is an English professional snooker player. ...

References

For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... January 13 is the 13th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the Anno Domini (common) era. ... January 14 is the 14th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... October 12 is the 285th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (286th in leap years). ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the Anno Domini (common) era. ... January 14 is the 14th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... October 12 is the 285th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (286th in leap years). ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the Anno Domini (common) era. ... January 14 is the 14th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... October 9 is the 282nd day of the year (283rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the Anno Domini (common) era. ... January 14 is the 14th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the Anno Domini (common) era. ... January 5 is the 5th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the Anno Domini (common) era. ... January 14 is the 14th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the Anno Domini (common) era. ... January 12 is the 12th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the Anno Domini (common) era. ... January 14 is the 14th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the Anno Domini (common) era. ... January 14 is the 14th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the Anno Domini (common) era. ... January 14 is the 14th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...

External links

• BBC Sport Snooker
• World Snooker, commercial arm of snooker's governing body

The 1975 Benson and Hedges Masters was the first of this long running tournament which has had many of the Worlds top players competing. ... The 1976 Benson and Hedges Masters took place in January 1976 and was held in the New London Theatre. ... The 1977 Benson and Hedges Masters took place between 7 and 11th February 1977 and was held in the New London Theatre. ... The 1978 Benson and Hedges Masters took place in 6 and 10 February 1978 and was held in the New London Theatre which would be for the last time. ... The 1979 Benson and Hedges Masters took place in January 1979 and was held in the Wembley Conference Centre which would host the tournament until the venues demolition in 2006. ... The 1980 Benson and Hedges Masters took place between February 6 and February 10, 1980 and was held in the Wembley Conference Centre. ... The 1981 Benson and Hedges Masters took place between February 2 and February 8, 1981 and was held in the Wembley Conference Centre. ... The 1982 Benson and Hedges Masters took place between January 25 and January 31, 1982 at the Wembley Conference Centre. ... The 1989 Benson and Hedges Masters took place between January 21 and January 29, 1989 at the Wembley Conference Centre. ... The 1990 Benson and Hedges Masters took place between February 4 and February 11, 1990 at the Wembley Conference Centre. ... The 1995 Benson and Hedges Masters took place between February 5 and February 12, 1995 at the Wembley Conference Centre. ... The 1996 Benson and Hedges Masters took place between February 4 and February 11, 1996 at the Wembley Conference Centre. ... The 1997 Benson and Hedges Masters took place between February 2 and February 9, 1997 at the Wembley Conference Centre. ... The 1998 Benson and Hedges Masters took place between February 1 and February 8, 1998 at the Wembley Conference Centre. ... The 1999 Benson and Hedges Masters took place between February 7 and February 14, 1999 at the Wembley Conference Centre. ... The 2000 Benson and Hedges Masters took place between February 7 and February 14, 2000 at the Wembley Conference Centre. ... The 2001 Benson and Hedges Masters took place between February 4 and February 11, 2001 at the Wembley Conference Centre. ... The 2002 Benson and Hedges Masters took place between February 3 and February 10, 2002 at the Wembley Conference Centre. ... The 2003 Benson and Hedges Masters took place between February 2 and February 9, 2003 at the Wembley Conference Centre. ... The 2007 Saga Insurance Masters was the 33rd edition of the Masters professional snooker tournament, held from January 14 to January 21, 2007 in the Wembley Arena, London. ...

v • d • e Cue sports
Pocket billiards (pool)	Nine-ball • Eight-ball • One-pocket • Straight pool • Bank pool • Rotation • Chicago • Cowboy pool • Golf pool • Kelly pool • Bottle pool • Baseball pocket billiards • Three-ball • Cribbage pool • more
Carom billiards	Three-cushion • Artistic billiards • Five-pins • Balkline & straight rail • Cushion caroms • Four-ball • more
Other games	Snooker • English billiards • Russian pyramid • Bumper pool • Bagatelle • Novuss • more
Resources	Glossary • Techniques • Billiards table • Billiard balls • Cue stick • Rack • Players • Organizations • Events • Categories