The Masters is one of the most prestigious tournaments on the snooker circuit, which it has been since its inception in 1975. While it isn’t a ranking event, it’s not only one of the most lucrative competitions but also forms part of the iconic Triple Crown, making it even more popular and why so many players are eager to win it.
What Is The Masters?
The Masters, as mentioned above, is one of the most prestigious tournaments on the snooker circuit, but it happens to be one of the smallest, too, with only sixteen players competing at the event. And it’s an invitational, meaning players must be invited to play. However, it’s usually the top sixteen in the world who are selected to take part.
Masters Winners List from 1975 to 2023
| 1975 | John Spencer |
| 1976 | Ray Reardon |
| 1977 | Doug Mountjoy |
| 1978 | Alex Higgins |
| 1979 | Perrie Mans |
| 1980 | Terry Griffiths |
| 1981 | Alex Higgins |
| 1982 | Steve Davis |
| 1983 | Cliff Thorburn |
| 1984 | Jimmy White |
| 1985 | Cliff Thorburn |
| 1986 | Cliff Thorburn |
| 1987 | Dennis Taylor |
| 1988 | Steve Davis |
| 1989 | Stephen Hendry |
| 1990 | Stephen Hendry |
| 1991 | Stephen Hendry |
| 1992 | Stephen Hendry |
| 1993 | Stephen Hendry |
| 1994 | Alan McManus |
| 1995 | Ronnie O’Sullivan |
| 1996 | Stephen Hendry |
| 1997 | Steve Davis |
| 1998 | Mark Williams |
| 1999 | John Higgins |
| 2000 | Matthew Stevens |
| 2001 | Paul Hunter |
| 2002 | Paul Hunter |
| 2003 | Mark Williams |
| 2004 | Paul Hunter |
| 2005 | Ronnie O’Sullivan |
| 2006 | John Higgins |
| 2007 | Ronnie O’Sullivan |
| 2008 | Mark Selby |
| 2009 | Ronnie O’Sullivan |
| 2010 | Mark Selby |
| 2011 | Ding Junhui |
| 2012 | Neil Robertson |
| 2013 | Mark Selby |
| 2014 | Ronnie O’Sullivan |
| 2015 | Shaun Murphy |
| 2016 | Ronnie O’Sullivan |
| 2017 | Ronnie O’Sullivan |
| 2018 | Mark Allen |
| 2019 | Judd Trump |
| 2020 | Stuart Bingham |
| 2021 | Yao Bingtao |
| 2022 | Neil Robertson |
| 2023 | Judd Trump |
Most Successful Masters Players
When it comes to the most prolific snooker Masters winners, it’s the two names at the top that you expect to be there – Ronnie O’Sullivan and Stephen Hendry. Both regarded as all-time greats, O’Sullivan leads the way with seven Masters successes to Hendry’s 6. O’Sullivan is four clear of the active players in the chasing pack.
Masters Format
Because there are only ever sixteen players competing at the Masters, the action begins at the round of sixteen and progresses from there. The round of sixteen, quarter-finals and semi-finals are all competed across eleven frames, so the first player to reach six will advance. The final is the best of nineteen frames, so the first win ten frames will be declared the Masters champion.
Prize Money
The prize money offered up at the Masters is often a big talking point because while it isn’t a ranking event, and there are only sixteen players competing, it still boasts a considerable prize pool in comparison to other competitions. The Masters 2023 had a total prize pool of £725,000 available, which was the third highest behind the World and UK Championships. Of the £725,000, £250,000 went to the winner, Judd Trump, with runner-up Mark Williams pocketing a cool £100,000. The winner’s prize money at the Masters is only eclipsed by that on offer at the World Championships.
2023 Masters
Judd Trump won the 2023 Masters, which means he’s now won the tournament twice in his career after winning it for the first time in 2019. Trump defeated Mark Williams in the final, who is also a two-time Masters champion (1998, 2003). Both players faced tough tests en route to the final, with the former defeating Ryan Day and Barry Hawkins 6-5 and then Stuart Bingham 6-1. The latter made it past David Gilbert, Ronnie O’Sullivan and Jack Lisowski before being on the end of a 10-8 reverse to Trump in the grand final.
Get Masters Snooker odds at BetVictor for the 2024 tournament if you have a good feeling on one of the favourites or if you think a previous winner can clinch the title again. Bet on snooker with us.
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