View source for Masters (snooker)

{{short description|Snooker tournament}}
{{EngvarB|date=April 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2018}}

{{Infobox Snooker tournament
|tournament_name  = The Masters
|image            = [[File:WST Masters logo.png|300px]]
|venue            = [[Alexandra Palace]]<br/>(since 2012)
|location         = London
|country          = England
|establishment    = [[1975 Masters (snooker)|1975]]
|organisation     = [[World Snooker Tour]]
|format           = Non-[[Snooker world rankings|ranking]] event
|prizefund        = [[Pound sterling|£]]725,000<ref>{{cite web|title=The Masters|url=https://wst.tv/tournaments/masters/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200111141604/https://wst.tv/tournaments/masters/|url-status=dead|archive-date=11 January 2020|publisher=World Snooker|access-date=6 December 2020}}</ref>
|Current Champion = {{flagathlete|[[Shaun Murphy]]|ENG}}
|Recent edition   = [[2025 Masters (snooker)|2025]]
}}

'''The Masters''' is a professional invitational [[snooker]] tournament. Held every year since [[1975 Masters (snooker)|1975]], it is the second-longest-running professional snooker tournament after the [[World Snooker Championship|World Championship]]. It is one of the three [[Triple Crown (snooker)|Triple Crown]] events, along with the [[UK Championship]] and the World Championship.<ref>{{cite web|title=Mark Selby eyes snooker's Triple Crown after Masters win|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/snooker/21124664|work=[[BBC Sport]]|access-date=30 January 2014|date=21 January 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140309165138/http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/snooker/21124664|archive-date=9 March 2014|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Although not a [[Snooker world rankings|ranking event]], it is regarded as one of the most prestigious tournaments on the [[World Snooker Tour]].<ref name=cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk>{{cite web|last=Turner|first=Chris|title=The Masters|url=http://www.cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/masters.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120107160419/http://www.cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/masters.html|archive-date=7 January 2012|work=cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk|publisher=Chris Turner's Snooker Archive|access-date=1 March 2011}}</ref> The reigning champion is Shaun Murphy, who won his second masters title in 2025, defeating [[Kyren Wilson]] 10-7. 

The Masters began in [[1975 Masters (snooker)|1975]] as an invitational event for 10 top players. The inaugural champion was [[John Spencer (snooker player)|John Spencer]]. Since [[1984 Masters (snooker)|1984]], the standard invitees have been the top 16 players in the [[Snooker world rankings|world rankings]],<ref>{{cite news|title=Masters Snooker 2014: Ding Junhui to face Shaun Murphy|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/snooker/25292572|work=[[BBC Sport]]|access-date=29 January 2014|date=8 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140120020735/http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/snooker/25292572|archive-date=20 January 2014|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> with the addition of two or three [[Wild card (sports)|wild-card]] places in tournaments held between [[1990 Masters (snooker)|1990]] and [[2010 Masters (snooker)|2010]].

Twelve players have won the tournament more than once. [[Ronnie O'Sullivan]] has won a record eight titles. [[Stephen Hendry]] has won six titles, including a record five consecutive wins from [[1989 Masters (snooker)|1989]] to [[1993 Masters (snooker)|1993]]. [[Steve Davis]], [[Paul Hunter]], [[Mark Selby]], and [[Cliff Thorburn]] have won three titles each, and [[Alex Higgins]], [[John Higgins]], [[Shaun Murphy]], [[Neil Robertson]], [[Judd Trump]] and [[Mark Williams (snooker player)|Mark Williams]] have won two each. O'Sullivan holds records as both the tournament's youngest and oldest winner, having won his first title in [[1995 Masters (snooker)|1995]], aged 19 years and 69 days, and his eighth title in [[2024 Masters (snooker)|2024]], aged 48 years and 40 days. John Higgins has made the most Masters appearances, with 31 as of [[2025 Masters (snooker)|2025]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2022-01-10|title=Higgins Celebrates Record Appearance|url=https://wst.tv/higgins-celebrates-record-appearance/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220110163752/https://wst.tv/higgins-celebrates-record-appearance/|url-status=dead|archive-date=10 January 2022|access-date=2022-01-10|website=World Snooker|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=O'Sullivan sweeps Brecel aside in Masters |language=en-GB |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/snooker/64214419 |access-date=2023-01-09}}</ref> In [[2016 Masters (snooker)|2016]], the Masters trophy was renamed the Paul Hunter Trophy in honour of the former champion, who won the title three times in four years from [[2001 Masters (snooker)|2001]] to [[2004 Masters (snooker)|2004]], before he died in 2006 aged 27.<ref>{{cite web|title=Paul Hunter: Masters trophy renamed in honour of ex-champion|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/snooker/36095079|work=[[BBC Sport]]|access-date=27 February 2017|date=20 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170126211854/http://www.bbc.com/sport/snooker/36095079|archive-date=26 January 2017|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> 

Six [[maximum break]]s have been made in the history of the tournament. [[Kirk Stevens]] made the first in [[1984 Masters (snooker)|1984]], [[Ding Junhui]] made the second in [[2007 Masters (snooker)|2007]], and [[Marco Fu]] made the third in [[2015 Masters (snooker)|2015]]. Ding and [[Mark Allen (snooker player)|Mark Allen]] made the fourth and fifth maximums respectively at the [[2024 Masters (snooker)|2024 event]]. [[Shaun Murphy]] made the sixth maximum at the [[2025 Masters (snooker)|2025 event]].

== History ==

=== 1975–1983 ===
The tournament was held for the first time in [[1975 Masters (snooker)|1975]] at the [[West Centre Hotel]] in London, when ten leading players were invited. The event was sponsored by the cigarette company [[Benson & Hedges]]. [[John Spencer (snooker player)|John Spencer]] won the inaugural tournament by defeating [[Ray Reardon]] 9–8, winning the deciding frame on a re-spotted black.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2020-05-19 |title=Reardon And Spencer - A Great Rivalry |url=https://wst.tv/reardon-and-spencer-a-great-rivalry/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210727222629/https://wst.tv/reardon-and-spencer-a-great-rivalry/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=27 July 2021 |access-date=2023-01-24 |website=World Snooker |language=en-US}}</ref> The [[1976 Masters (snooker)|following year]] the event moved to the [[New London Theatre]] and in [[1979 Masters (snooker)|1979]] to the [[Wembley Conference Centre]].<ref name=cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/>
In [[1981 Masters (snooker)|1981]] the number of invited players was increased to 12, then increased again to 16 in [[1983 Masters (snooker)|1983]].

=== 1984–2003 ===
From [[1984 Masters (snooker)|1984]] onwards the top 16 players in the [[Snooker world rankings|world rankings]] were automatically invited to the tournament.<ref name=cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/> In [[1984 Masters (snooker)|1984]], [[Kirk Stevens]] became the first player to make a [[maximum break]] at the event against [[Jimmy White]] in the semi-final.<ref name=cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/><ref name="Turner Maximum">{{cite web|last=Turner|first=Chris|title=Maximum Breaks |url=http://www.cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/Max.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130210111304/http://www.cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/Max.html |archive-date=10 February 2013|work=cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk|publisher=Chris Turner's Snooker Archive|access-date=20 January 2012}}</ref> In [[1988 Masters (snooker)|1988]], [[Mike Hallett]] became the first and to date only player to be [[whitewash]]ed in a Masters final, losing 0–9 to [[Steve Davis]].<ref name=cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/> [[Stephen Hendry]] maintained an unbeaten record in the event, a run which included five successive championship victories, from his first appearance in [[1989 Masters (snooker)|1989]] until his defeat by [[Alan McManus]] in a final-frame decider in the [[1994 Masters (snooker)|1994]] final.<ref name=cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/> Hallett reached his second final in four years in [[1991 Masters (snooker)|1991]], but lost 8–9 against Hendry, despite leading 7–0 and 8–2. This defeat effectively ended Hallett's days as a major force in the game.<ref name=cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/>

In [[1990 Masters (snooker)|1990]] the sponsors introduced two wild-cards,<ref name=cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/> granted by the game's governing body at their discretion, who would play wild-card matches against the players seeded 15th and 16th for a place in the first round of the tournament. The [[Masters Qualifying Event|Benson & Hedges Championship]] was introduced for the [[1991 Masters (snooker)|1991]] tournament; the winner was granted one of the two wild-card places at that season's Masters tournament,<ref name=cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/> while the other wild-card place continued to be granted by the governing body.

In the [[1997 Masters (snooker)|1997]] final, Steve Davis defeated Ronnie O'Sullivan in a match disrupted by a [[Streaking|streaker]].<ref name="GS History">{{cite web|title=The Masters – A Potted History|url=http://www.global-snooker.com/professional-tournaments-masters-history.asp|publisher=Global Snooker|access-date=20 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110705012700/http://www.global-snooker.com/professional-tournaments-masters-history.asp|archive-date=5 July 2011|url-status=usurped|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Davis came back from 4–8 down to win the remaining six frames in a row, clinching the final at 10–8.<ref>{{cite web|title=Benson & Hedges Masters 1996|url=http://www.snooker.org/trn/9697/bh_res.shtml|publisher=Snooker.org|access-date=20 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120120181943/http://www.snooker.org/trn/9697/bh_res.shtml|archive-date=20 January 2012|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The [[1998 Masters (snooker)|1998]] final went down to a re-spotted black in the deciding frame; [[Mark Williams (snooker player)|Mark Williams]] defeated Stephen Hendry 10–9 after having trailed 6–9.<ref>{{cite web|title=Williams is the Master|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/SNOOKER%3A+WILLIAMS+IS+THE+MASTER.-a097478883|publisher=[[Liverpool Daily Post]] (archived on [[TheFreeDictionary.com#TheFreeDictionary.com|TheFreeDictionary.com]]|access-date=20 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201162557/http://www.thefreelibrary.com/SNOOKER%3A+WILLIAMS+IS+THE+MASTER.-a097478883|archive-date=1 February 2014|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Benson & Hedges Masters 1998|url=http://www.snooker.org/trn/9798/bm98_res.shtml|publisher=Snooker.org|access-date=20 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120120181948/http://www.snooker.org/trn/9798/bm98_res.shtml|archive-date=20 January 2012|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> In the [[2000 Masters (snooker)|2000]] final, [[Ken Doherty]] missed the final black in a 147 attempt,<ref>{{cite news|last=Dee|first=John|title=Doherty misses out on his maximum|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/snooker/2357450/Doherty-misses-out-on-his-maximum.html|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|access-date=20 January 2012|location=London|date=30 March 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140312015710/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/snooker/2357450/Doherty-misses-out-on-his-maximum.html|archive-date=12 March 2014|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> the first time this had happened in competition. Doherty eventually lost to [[Matthew Stevens]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Benson & Hedges Masters 2000|url=http://www.snooker.org/trn/9900/bm2000_res.shtml|publisher=Snooker.org|access-date=20 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120120181958/http://www.snooker.org/trn/9900/bm2000_res.shtml|archive-date=20 January 2012|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

=== 2004–present ===
[[File:Masters trophy 2012.JPG|thumb|Masters trophy used since [[2004 Masters (snooker)|2004]]]]
After [[2003 Masters (snooker)|2003]], [[Benson & Hedges]] ended their sponsorship of the Masters tournament due to UK restrictions on [[tobacco advertising]]. The [[2004 Masters (snooker)|2004 event]] was not sponsored. Rileys Club sponsored the event in [[2005 Masters (snooker)|2005]]. There was no separate [[Masters Qualifying Event|qualifying competition]] for the 2005 event, both wild-card places being awarded by the governing body, but the qualifying event returned the following season.<ref name="masqual">{{cite web|last=Turner|first=Chris|title=Benson & Hedges Championship, Masters Qualifying Tournament |url=http://www.cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/masqual.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120216155348/http://www.cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/masqual.html|archive-date=16 February 2012|work=cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk|publisher=Chris Turner's Snooker Archive|access-date=1 March 2011}}</ref> [[Saga Group|SAGA Insurance]] took over sponsorship of the Masters in [[2006 Masters (snooker)|2006]] and agreed a deal later the same year to sponsor the event until 2009.<ref>{{cite web|title=SAGA Insurance sign until 2009|url=http://www.sportbusiness.com/news/160614/saga-insurance-sign-until-2009|publisher=SportBusiness International Online|access-date=20 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120430112032/http://www.sportbusiness.com/news/160614/saga-insurance-sign-until-2009|archive-date=30 April 2012|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The tournament was held at the Wembley Conference Centre for the last time in 2006, before the venue was demolished months later to make way for redevelopment.<ref>{{cite news|title=Search on for new Masters venue|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/4623064.stm|work=[[BBC Sport]]|access-date=20 January 2012|date=18 January 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102194450/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/4623064.stm|archive-date=2 November 2012|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

Following the death of [[Paul Hunter]] in October 2006,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/6035879.stm|title=Hunter loses battle with cancer|date=9 October 2006|access-date=14 January 2007|work=BBC Sport|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081221005450/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/6035879.stm|archive-date=21 December 2008|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> [[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.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/6232319.stm|title=Hunter Masters tribute ruled out|last=Harlow|first=Phil|date=5 January 2007|access-date=14 January 2007|work=BBC Sport|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070116223320/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/6232319.stm|archive-date=16 January 2007|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Hunter's widow Lindsey 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".<ref name="BBC_3">{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/6255027.stm|title=Hunter's widow in Masters appeal|date=12 January 2007|access-date=14 January 2007|work=BBC Sport|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070114214954/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/6255027.stm|archive-date=14 January 2007|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The sport's governing body, [[World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association|World Snooker]], elected not to rename the trophy, making the following statement: "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."<ref name="BBC_3" /> It would be another nine years before the decision was taken to rename the trophy in honour of Hunter. On 20 April 2016, World Snooker announced the renaming of the trophy for the 2017 event, with chairman [[Barry Hearn]] stating that the organisation had "messed up" by not doing so sooner.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Phillips|first1=Owen|title=Paul Hunter: Masters trophy renamed in honour of ex-champion|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/36095079|access-date=20 April 2016|work=BBC Sport|date=20 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160420180845/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/36095079|archive-date=20 April 2016|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

[[File:London Masters Arena.JPG|thumb|Arena inside the [[Alexandra Palace]] during the [[2012 Masters (snooker)|2012 event]]]]
[[Ronnie O'Sullivan]] appeared in four successive Masters finals from 2004 to 2007, winning the event in 2005 and 2007. Paul Hunter won the first of these four finals to claim his third Masters title in four years;<ref name=cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/> recovering from 2–7 down, he made five century breaks on the way to a 10–9 victory.<ref>{{cite web|title=Masters 2004|url=http://www.snooker.org/trn/0304/m2004_res.shtml|publisher=Snooker.org|access-date=20 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120120181901/http://www.snooker.org/trn/0304/m2004_res.shtml|archive-date=20 January 2012|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> O'Sullivan defeated [[John Higgins]] in the 2005 final with a decisive 10–3 scoreline.<ref>{{cite web|title=Rileys Club Masters 2005|url=http://www.snooker.org/trn/0405/m2005_res.shtml|publisher=Snooker.org|access-date=20 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120120181908/http://www.snooker.org/trn/0405/m2005_res.shtml|archive-date=20 January 2012|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The pair met in the final again the following year, both players producing a very high standard of play throughout the match. O'Sullivan won the second and third frames with back-to-back total clearances of 138 and 139, but lost all of the next five frames. He made a break of 60 in the deciding frame, before Higgins took the opportunity to make a clearance of 64, winning the title on the black.<ref>{{cite web|title=SAGA Insurance Masters 2006|url=http://www.snooker.org/trn/0506/m2006_res.shtml|publisher=Snooker.org|access-date=20 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120120181912/http://www.snooker.org/trn/0506/m2006_res.shtml|archive-date=20 January 2012|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Higgins claims Masters thriller|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/4637756.stm|work=[[BBC Sport]]|access-date=20 January 2012|date=23 January 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120204033446/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/4637756.stm|archive-date=4 February 2012|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> However, O'Sullivan redeemed himself in [[2007 Masters (snooker)|2007]] by defeating [[Ding Junhui]] 10–3 in the final and then comforting the clearly upset youngster afterwards.<ref>{{cite web|title=SAGA Insurance Masters 2007|url=http://www.snooker.org/trn/0607/m2007_res.shtml|publisher=Snooker.org|access-date=20 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120120181918/http://www.snooker.org/trn/0607/m2007_res.shtml|archive-date=20 January 2012|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Superb Rocket beats Ding in final|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/6285217.stm|work=[[BBC Sport]]|access-date=20 January 2012|date=21 January 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120117001723/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/6285217.stm|archive-date=17 January 2012|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> A week earlier, Ding had become the second player to compile a maximum break at the Masters, in his match against [[Anthony Hamilton (snooker player)|Anthony Hamilton]] in the wild-card round.<ref name=cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/><ref name="Turner Maximum"/><ref name="2007 Masters"/><ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/6260923.stm|title=Ding compiles maximum at Masters|date=14 January 2007|access-date=14 January 2007|work=BBC Sport|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070207225605/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/6260923.stm|archive-date=7 February 2007|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

The Masters was held at [[Wembley Arena]] for the first time in 2007.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/6045262.stm|title=New Wembley home for the Masters|date=12 October 2006|access-date=14 January 2007|work=BBC Sport|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061108125324/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/6045262.stm|archive-date=8 November 2006|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> In a slight change to the format, one extra discretionary wild-card place was awarded, bringing the total number of players up to 19.<ref>{{cite web|title=SAGA Insurance Masters 2007|url=http://www.snooker.org/trn/0607/m2007_res.shtml|publisher=Snooker.org|access-date=29 December 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110728034551/http://www.snooker.org/trn/0607/m2007_res.shtml|archive-date=28 July 2011|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> However, the original format with just two wild-card players was reinstated in [[2008 Masters (snooker)|2008]].<ref name="2007 Masters">{{cite web|title=SAGA Insurance Masters 2008|url=http://www.snooker.org/trn/0708/m2008_res.shtml|publisher=Snooker.org|access-date=1 March 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110728034713/http://www.snooker.org/trn/0708/m2008_res.shtml|archive-date=28 July 2011|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> SAGA Insurance pulled out of their sponsorship deal in the summer of 2008,<ref>{{cite web|title=Snooker suffers blow as sponsors pull out|url=http://www.marketingweek.co.uk/news/snooker-suffers-blow-as-sponsors-pull-out/2061891.article|work=[[Marketing Week]]|access-date=20 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140102193651/http://www.marketingweek.co.uk/news/snooker-suffers-blow-as-sponsors-pull-out/2061891.article|archive-date=2 January 2014|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> leaving the Masters unsponsored in [[2009 Masters (snooker)|2009]].<ref name=cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/> [[PokerStars|PokerStars.com]] sponsored the event in [[2010 Masters (snooker)|2010]],<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/snooker/6941757/Masters-snooker-seals-sponsorship-deal.html|title=Masters snooker seals sponsorship deal|last=Garbett|first=Paul|date=6 January 2010|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|access-date=6 January 2010|location=London|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100109131339/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/snooker/6941757/Masters-snooker-seals-sponsorship-deal.html|archive-date=9 January 2010|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> and the 2011 sponsor was [[Ladbrokes Coral|Ladbrokes Mobile]].<ref name=cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/page/NewsArticles/0,,13165~2253477,00.html |title=Ladbrokes Mobile to sponsor Masters |date=27 December 2010 |publisher=[[World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association]] |access-date=27 December 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130505183302/http://www.worldsnooker.com/page/NewsArticles/0%2C%2C13165~2253477%2C00.html |archive-date=5 May 2013 }}</ref> The separate qualifying competition was not held for the [[2011 Masters (snooker)|2011 event]] and the use of wild-cards was discontinued at the same time.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Masters 2011|url=http://www.global-snooker.com/professional-tournaments-masters-snooker-from-wembley-2011.asp|publisher=Global Snooker|access-date=17 December 2010|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101227132155/http://www.global-snooker.com/professional-tournaments-masters-snooker-from-wembley-2011.asp|archive-date=27 December 2010}}</ref> The 2011 final made history as it was the first to feature two Asian players.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/page/NewsArticles/0,,13165~2268031,00.html |title=Ding Sets Up Historic Final |date=14 January 2011 |publisher=[[World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association]] |access-date=16 January 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110119055857/http://www.worldsnooker.com/page/NewsArticles/0%2C%2C13165~2268031%2C00.html |archive-date=19 January 2011 }}</ref> Wembley Arena was used as the venue for the last time in 2011, after which the tournament moved to the [[Alexandra Palace]] in London.<ref>{{cite web|title=Masters Snooker Goes To Alexandra Palace|url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/page/NewsArticles/0,,13165~2347264,00.html|work=worldsnooker.com|publisher=[[World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association]]|access-date=27 April 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110429214051/http://www.worldsnooker.com/page/NewsArticles/0,,13165~2347264,00.html|archive-date=29 April 2011|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> [[BGC Partners]] sponsored the Masters in [[2012 Masters (snooker)|2012]],<ref>{{cite web|title=BGC Partners Sponsor The Masters |url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/page/NewsArticles/0,,13165~2574503,00.html |work=worldsnooker.com |publisher=[[World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association]] |access-date=14 January 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120115182956/http://www.worldsnooker.com/page/NewsArticles/0%2C%2C13165~2574503%2C00.html |archive-date=15 January 2012 }}</ref> and the [[2013 Masters (snooker)|2013 event]] was sponsored by [[Betfair]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Betfair Sponsor The Masters|url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/page/NewsArticles/0,,13165~2974046,00.html|work=worldsnooker.com|publisher=[[World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association]]|date=8 November 2012|access-date=13 January 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130105052111/http://www.worldsnooker.com/page/NewsArticles/0,,13165~2974046,00.html|archive-date=5 January 2013|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> From 2014 to 2020 the tournament was sponsored by [[Dafabet]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Dafabet Sponsor The Masters Until 2017|url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/page/NewsArticles/0,,13165~4291065,00.html|work=worldsnooker.com|publisher=[[World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association]]|date=11 November 2014|access-date=11 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141111165001/http://www.worldsnooker.com/page/NewsArticles/0,,13165~4291065,00.html|archive-date=11 November 2014|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> [[World Snooker Championship|World Championship]] sponsor [[Betfred]] sponsored the Masters in [[2021 Masters (snooker)|2021]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://wst.tv/betfred-to-sponsor-the-masters/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210107123112/https://wst.tv/betfred-to-sponsor-the-masters/|url-status=dead|archive-date=7 January 2021|title=Betfred To Sponsor The Masters|publisher=World Snooker|date=7 January 2021}}</ref> and the [[2022 Masters (snooker)|2022 tournament]] was sponsored by [[Cazoo]] for the first time.<ref name="CazooSponsor">{{cite web|date=17 June 2021|title=Cazoo and Matchroom Expand Partnership Deal|url=https://wst.tv/cazoo-and-matchroom-expand-partnership-deal/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210617103335/https://wst.tv/cazoo-and-matchroom-expand-partnership-deal/|url-status=dead|archive-date=17 June 2021|work=WST}}</ref>

Ronnie O'Sullivan won his seventh Masters title in [[2017 Masters (snooker)|2017]], overtaking [[Stephen Hendry]]'s previous record of six.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/38710379 |title=Ronnie O'Sullivan beats Joe Perry to win record seventh Masters title |first=Shamoon |last=Hafez |date=2017-01-22 |work=BBC Sport |access-date=2020-04-16}}</ref> This was O'Sullivan's third Masters title in four years, having also won in [[2014 Masters (snooker)|2014]] and [[2016 Masters (snooker)|2016]]. He reached the final again in [[2019 Masters (snooker)|2019]], extending his record number of appearances in the final to 13, in 25 overall appearances at the Masters tournament; however, he was outplayed by [[Judd Trump]] who claimed his first Masters title with a solid 10–4 victory.<ref name=Ronnie2020>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/51018896 |title=Ronnie O'Sullivan: Missing Masters a 'career mistake', says Barry Hearn |first=Owen|last=Phillips |date=2020-01-10 |work=BBC Sport |access-date=2020-04-16}}</ref> O'Sullivan chose not to enter the tournament in 2020.<ref name=Ronnie2020 />

== Format ==
The format has been largely unchanged since [[1984 Masters (snooker)|1984]] and the tournament generally involves the leading 16 players in the [[Snooker world rankings|world rankings]].<ref name=cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/> There was a wild-card round from 1990 to 2010.

The defending Masters champion is seeded 1 while the current World Champion is seeded 2 (assuming that it is a different player). The remaining places are then allocated to the top players in the world rankings, seeded in order of those rankings. Since the defending champion and current World Champion are normally ranked in the top 16, the field generally consists of the top 16 ranked players. The exceptions have been:
*In [[2006 Masters (snooker)|2006]], [[2005 World Snooker Championship|World Champion]] [[Shaun Murphy]] was ranked 21 so that [[Ian McCulloch (snooker player)|Ian McCulloch]], ranked 16, was not automatically invited. McCulloch was, however, the wild-card choice.
*In [[2013 Masters (snooker)|2013]], [[Stephen Lee (snooker player)|Stephen Lee]], ranked 9, did not play because he was suspended<ref>{{cite web|title=WPBSA Statement – Stephen Lee Appeal Dismissed |url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/page/NewsArticles/0,,13165~2958763,00.html |work=worldsnooker.com |publisher=[[World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association]] |access-date=25 October 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026045957/http://www.worldsnooker.com/page/NewsArticles/0%2C%2C13165~2958763%2C00.html |archive-date=26 October 2012 }}</ref> and so [[Mark Davis (snooker player)|Mark Davis]], ranked 17, was invited. [[2012 World Snooker Championship|World Champion]] [[Ronnie O'Sullivan]], ranked 20, chose not to enter.
*In [[2014 Masters (snooker)|2014]], [[2013 World Snooker Championship|World Champion]] Ronnie O'Sullivan was ranked 24 so that [[Graeme Dott]], ranked 16, was not invited.
*In [[2015 Masters (snooker)|2015]], [[Ali Carter]] was seeded 13, despite being ranked 18, because of illness that had stopped him from playing for an extended period,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/page/NewsArticles/0,,13165~4237654,00.html |title=Carter To Retain Top 16 Seeding |work=worldsnooker.com |publisher=[[World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association]] |date=22 October 2014 |access-date=22 October 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141025012354/http://www.worldsnooker.com/page/NewsArticles/0%2C%2C13165~4237654%2C00.html |archive-date=25 October 2014 }}</ref> and so [[Graeme Dott]], ranked 16, was not invited.
*In [[2018 Masters (snooker)|2018]], [[Stuart Bingham]], ranked 12, did not play because he was suspended and so [[Liang Wenbo]], ranked 17, was invited.
*In [[2020 Masters (snooker)|2020]], Ronnie O'Sullivan, ranked 3, chose not to enter and so Ali Carter, ranked 17, was invited.
*In [[2021 Masters (snooker)|2021]], [[Judd Trump]] and [[Jack Lisowski]] tested positive for [[COVID-19]] and were forced to withdraw. They were replaced by [[Joe Perry (snooker player)|Joe Perry]], ranked 18, and [[Gary Wilson (snooker player)|Gary Wilson]], ranked 19.<ref>{{Cite web |date=9 January 2021 |title=Trump and Lisowski test positive for COVID-19 |url=https://wst.tv/trump-and-lisowski-test-positive-for-covid-19/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210110140403/https://wst.tv/trump-and-lisowski-test-positive-for-covid-19/ |archive-date=10 January 2021 |access-date=9 January 2021}}</ref> [[Anthony McGill]], ranked 17, declined to travel to the event.
*In [[2023 Masters (snooker)|2023]], [[Yan Bingtao]] and [[Zhao Xintong]] were suspended amid a [[List of snooker players investigated for match-fixing#Chinese match-fixing ring|match-fixing investigation]]. [[David Gilbert (snooker player)|David Gilbert]] and [[Hossein Vafaei]], ranked 17th and 18th at the cutoff, replaced Yan and Zhao respectively.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Gilbert Joins Cazoo Masters Field |url=https://wst.tv/gilbert-joins-cazoo-masters-field |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221227160839/https://wst.tv/gilbert-joins-cazoo-masters-field/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=27 December 2022 |date=27 December 2022 |website=World Snooker Tour}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Vafaei Joins Cazoo Masters Field |url=https://wst.tv/vafaei-joins-cazoo-masters-field/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230105123523/https://wst.tv/vafaei-joins-cazoo-masters-field/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=5 January 2023 |date=5 January 2023 |website=World Snooker Tour}}</ref>
*In [[2025 Masters (snooker)|2025]], [[Neil Robertson]], ranked 17th, replaced defending champion and first seed Ronnie O'Sullivan who withdrew.<ref>{{cite web |title=Robertson Replaces O'Sullivan At Johnstone's Paint Masters |url=https://www.wst.tv/news/2025/january/10/robertson-replaces-o-sullivan-at-johnstone-s-paint-masters/ |website=[[World Snooker Tour]] |date=10 January 2025}}</ref><ref name="ROS_withdrawn_BBC">{{cite news|URL=https://www.bbc.com/sport/snooker/articles/czj3y47j38vo |title=Defending champion O'Sullivan withdraws from Masters|date=10 January 2025|work=[[BBC Sport]]}}</ref>

In 1984, and from 1986 to 1990, the draw was determined by the seedings, with seed 1 playing seed 16, 2 playing 15, 3 playing 14, etc. A slightly different system was used in 1985. With the introduction of the wild-card round in 1990, this system meant that seeds 15 and 16 needed to win a match to reach the last 16, where they would immediately play either of the first two seeds, generally the defending Masters champion and the World Champion. A change was introduced in 1991 so that seeds 9 to 16 were randomly drawn to play seeds 1 to 8.

In 1996 the last-16 and quarter-final rounds were extended from 9 to 11 frames while the final was extended from 17 to 19 frames. Wild-card matches were extended from 9 to 11 frames in 1999.

== Winners ==
<ref name=cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/><ref>{{cite web|title=The Masters – History|url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/page/theMastersArticle/0,,13165~2248208,00.html|work=worldsnooker.com|publisher=[[World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association]]|access-date=25 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120214024243/http://www.worldsnooker.com/page/theMastersArticle/0,,13165~2248208,00.html|archive-date=14 February 2012|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=The Masters|url=http://www.snookerscene.co.uk/page.php?id=60|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130124071627/http://www.snookerscene.co.uk/page.php?id=60|archive-date=24 January 2013|publisher=Snooker Scene|access-date=20 January 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Hall of Fame|url=http://snooker.org/trn/hof.asp?pEvent=Masters|publisher=Snooker.org|access-date=22 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130627230710/http://www.snooker.org/trn/hof.asp?pevent=Masters|archive-date=27 June 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! style="text-align: center; background-color: #00af00" | Year
! style="text-align: left; background-color: #00af00" | Winner
! style="text-align: left; background-color: #00af00" | Runner-up
! style="text-align: left; background-color: #00af00" | Final score
! style="text-align: left; background-color: #00af00" | Season
! style="text-align: left; background-color: #00af00" | Venue
|-
| [[1975 Masters (snooker)|1975]]
| {{flagathlete|[[John Spencer (snooker player)|John Spencer]]|ENG}}
| {{flagathlete|[[Ray Reardon]]|WAL}}
| style="text-align: center" | 9–8
| [[Snooker season 1974/1975|1974/75]]
| West Centre Hotel, [[London]]
|-
| [[1976 Masters (snooker)|1976]]
| {{flagathlete|[[Ray Reardon]]|WAL}}
| {{flagathlete|[[Graham Miles]]|ENG}}
| style="text-align: center" | 7–3
| [[Snooker season 1975/1976|1975/76]]
| rowspan="3"| [[New London Theatre]],<br/>[[London]]
|-
| [[1977 Masters (snooker)|1977]]
| {{flagathlete|[[Doug Mountjoy]]|WAL}}
| {{flagathlete|[[Ray Reardon]]|WAL}}
| style="text-align: center" | 7–6
| [[Snooker season 1976/1977|1976/77]]
|-
| [[1978 Masters (snooker)|1978]]
| {{flagathlete|[[Alex Higgins]]|NIR}}
| {{flagathlete|[[Cliff Thorburn]]|CAN}}
| style="text-align: center" | 7–5
| [[Snooker season 1977/1978|1977/78]]
|-
| [[1979 Masters (snooker)|1979]]
| {{flagathlete|[[Perrie Mans]]|SAF|1928}}
| {{flagathlete|[[Alex Higgins]]|NIR}}
| style="text-align: center" | 8–4
| [[Snooker season 1978/1979|1978/79]]
| rowspan="28"| [[Wembley Conference Centre]],<br/>[[London]]
|-
| [[1980 Masters (snooker)|1980]]
| {{flagathlete|[[Terry Griffiths]]|WAL}}
| {{flagathlete|[[Alex Higgins]]|NIR}}
| style="text-align: center" | 9–5
| [[Snooker season 1979/1980|1979/80]]
|-
| [[1981 Masters (snooker)|1981]]
| {{flagathlete|[[Alex Higgins]]|NIR}}
| {{flagathlete|[[Terry Griffiths]]|WAL}}
| style="text-align: center" | 9–6
| [[Snooker season 1980/1981|1980/81]]
|-
| [[1982 Masters (snooker)|1982]]
| {{flagathlete|[[Steve Davis]]|ENG}}
| {{flagathlete|[[Terry Griffiths]]|WAL}}
| style="text-align: center" | 9–5
| [[Snooker season 1981/1982|1981/82]]
|-
| [[1983 Masters (snooker)|1983]]
| {{flagathlete|[[Cliff Thorburn]]|CAN}}
| {{flagathlete|[[Ray Reardon]]|WAL}}
| style="text-align: center" | 9–7
| [[Snooker season 1982/1983|1982/83]]
|-
| [[1984 Masters (snooker)|1984]]
| {{flagathlete|[[Jimmy White]]|ENG}}
| {{flagathlete|[[Terry Griffiths]]|WAL}}
| style="text-align: center" | 9–5
| [[Snooker season 1983/1984|1983/84]]
|-
| [[1985 Masters (snooker)|1985]]
| {{flagathlete|[[Cliff Thorburn]]|CAN}}
| {{flagathlete|[[Doug Mountjoy]]|WAL}}
| style="text-align: center" | 9–6
| [[Snooker season 1984/1985|1984/85]]
|-
| [[1986 Masters (snooker)|1986]]
| {{flagathlete|[[Cliff Thorburn]]|CAN}}
| {{flagathlete|[[Jimmy White]]|ENG}}
| style="text-align: center" | 9–5
| [[Snooker season 1985/1986|1985/86]]
|-
| [[1987 Masters (snooker)|1987]]
| {{flagathlete|[[Dennis Taylor]]|NIR}}
| {{flagathlete|[[Alex Higgins]]|NIR}}
| style="text-align: center" | 9–8
| [[Snooker season 1986/1987|1986/87]]
|-
| [[1988 Masters (snooker)|1988]]
| {{flagathlete|[[Steve Davis]]|ENG}}
| {{flagathlete|[[Mike Hallett]]|ENG}}
| style="text-align: center" | 9–0
| [[Snooker season 1987/1988|1987/88]]
|-
| [[1989 Masters (snooker)|1989]]
| {{flagathlete|[[Stephen Hendry]]|SCO}}
| {{flagathlete|[[John Parrott]]|ENG}}
| style="text-align: center" | 9–6
| [[Snooker season 1988/1989|1988/89]]
|-
| [[1990 Masters (snooker)|1990]]
| {{flagathlete|[[Stephen Hendry]]|SCO}}
| {{flagathlete|[[John Parrott]]|ENG}}
| style="text-align: center" | 9–4
| [[Snooker season 1989/1990|1989/90]]
|-
| [[1991 Masters (snooker)|1991]]
| {{flagathlete|[[Stephen Hendry]]|SCO}}
| {{flagathlete|[[Mike Hallett]]|ENG}}
| style="text-align: center" | 9–8
| [[Snooker season 1990/1991|1990/91]]
|-
| [[1992 Masters (snooker)|1992]]
| {{flagathlete|[[Stephen Hendry]]|SCO}}
| {{flagathlete|[[John Parrott]]|ENG}}
| style="text-align: center" | 9–4
| [[Snooker season 1991/1992|1991/92]]
|-
| [[1993 Masters (snooker)|1993]]
| {{flagathlete|[[Stephen Hendry]]|SCO}}
| {{flagathlete|[[James Wattana]]|THA}}
| style="text-align: center" | 9–5
| [[Snooker season 1992/1993|1992/93]]
|-
| [[1994 Masters (snooker)|1994]]
| {{flagathlete|[[Alan McManus]]|SCO}}
| {{flagathlete|[[Stephen Hendry]]|SCO}}
| style="text-align: center" | 9–8
| [[Snooker season 1993/1994|1993/94]]
|-
| [[1995 Masters (snooker)|1995]]
| {{flagathlete|[[Ronnie O'Sullivan]]|ENG}}
| {{flagathlete|[[John Higgins]]|SCO}}
| style="text-align: center" | 9–3
| [[Snooker season 1994/1995|1994/95]]
|-
| [[1996 Masters (snooker)|1996]]
| {{flagathlete|[[Stephen Hendry]]|SCO}}
| {{flagathlete|[[Ronnie O'Sullivan]]|ENG}}
| style="text-align: center" | 10–5
| [[Snooker season 1995/1996|1995/96]]
|-
| [[1997 Masters (snooker)|1997]]
| {{flagathlete|[[Steve Davis]]|ENG}}
| {{flagathlete|[[Ronnie O'Sullivan]]|ENG}}
| style="text-align: center" | 10–8
| [[Snooker season 1996/1997|1996/97]]
|-
| [[1998 Masters (snooker)|1998]]
| {{flagathlete|[[Mark Williams (snooker player)|Mark Williams]]|WAL}}
| {{flagathlete|[[Stephen Hendry]]|SCO}}
| style="text-align: center" | 10–9
| [[Snooker season 1997/1998|1997/98]]
|-
| [[1999 Masters (snooker)|1999]]
| {{flagathlete|[[John Higgins]]|SCO}}
| {{flagathlete|[[Ken Doherty]]|IRL}}
| style="text-align: center" | 10–8
| [[Snooker season 1998/1999|1998/99]]
|-
| [[2000 Masters (snooker)|2000]]
| {{flagathlete|[[Matthew Stevens]]|WAL}}
| {{flagathlete|[[Ken Doherty]]|IRL}}
| style="text-align: center" | 10–8
| [[Snooker season 1999/2000|1999/00]]
|-
| [[2001 Masters (snooker)|2001]]
| {{flagathlete|[[Paul Hunter]]|ENG}}
| {{flagathlete|[[Fergal O'Brien]]|IRL}}
| style="text-align: center" | 10–9
| [[Snooker season 2000/2001|2000/01]]
|-
| [[2002 Masters (snooker)|2002]]
| {{flagathlete|[[Paul Hunter]]|ENG}}
| {{flagathlete|[[Mark Williams (snooker player)|Mark Williams]]|WAL}}
| style="text-align: center" | 10–9
| [[Snooker season 2001/2002|2001/02]]
|-
| [[2003 Masters (snooker)|2003]]
| {{flagathlete|[[Mark Williams (snooker player)|Mark Williams]]|WAL}}
| {{flagathlete|[[Stephen Hendry]]|SCO}}
| style="text-align: center" | 10–4
| [[Snooker season 2002/2003|2002/03]]
|-
| [[2004 Masters (snooker)|2004]]
| {{flagathlete|[[Paul Hunter]]|ENG}}
| {{flagathlete|[[Ronnie O'Sullivan]]|ENG}}
| style="text-align: center" | 10–9
| [[Snooker season 2003/2004|2003/04]]
|-
| [[2005 Masters (snooker)|2005]]
| {{flagathlete|[[Ronnie O'Sullivan]]|ENG}}
| {{flagathlete|[[John Higgins]]|SCO}}
| style="text-align: center" | 10–3
| [[Snooker season 2004/2005|2004/05]]
|-
| [[2006 Masters (snooker)|2006]]
| {{flagathlete|[[John Higgins]]|SCO}}
| {{flagathlete|[[Ronnie O'Sullivan]]|ENG}}
| style="text-align: center" | 10–9
| [[Snooker season 2005/2006|2005/06]]
|-
| [[2007 Masters (snooker)|2007]]
| {{flagathlete|[[Ronnie O'Sullivan]]|ENG}}
| {{flagathlete|[[Ding Junhui]]|CHN}}
| style="text-align: center" | 10–3
| [[Snooker season 2006/2007|2006/07]]
| rowspan="5"| [[Wembley Arena]],<br/>[[London]]
|-
| [[2008 Masters (snooker)|2008]]
| {{flagathlete|[[Mark Selby]]|ENG}}
| {{flagathlete|[[Stephen Lee (snooker player)|Stephen Lee]]|ENG}}
| style="text-align: center" | 10–3
| [[Snooker season 2007/2008|2007/08]]
|-
| [[2009 Masters (snooker)|2009]]
| {{flagathlete|[[Ronnie O'Sullivan]]|ENG}}
| {{flagathlete|[[Mark Selby]]|ENG}}
| style="text-align: center" | 10–8
| [[Snooker season 2008/2009|2008/09]]
|-
| [[2010 Masters (snooker)|2010]]
| {{flagathlete|[[Mark Selby]]|ENG}}
| {{flagathlete|[[Ronnie O'Sullivan]]|ENG}}
| style="text-align: center" | 10–9
| [[Snooker season 2009/2010|2009/10]]
|-
| [[2011 Masters (snooker)|2011]]
| {{flagathlete|[[Ding Junhui]]|CHN}}
| {{flagathlete|[[Marco Fu]]|HKG}}
| style="text-align: center" | 10–4
| [[Snooker season 2010/2011|2010/11]]
|-
| [[2012 Masters (snooker)|2012]]<ref>{{cite web|title=BGC Masters (2012)|url=http://snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=104|publisher=Snooker.org|access-date=28 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120119062908/http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=104|archive-date=19 January 2012|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
| {{flagathlete|[[Neil Robertson]]|AUS}}
| {{flagathlete|[[Shaun Murphy]]|ENG}}
| style="text-align: center" | 10–6
| [[Snooker season 2011/2012|2011/12]]
| rowspan="9"| [[Alexandra Palace]],<br/>[[London]]
|-
| [[2013 Masters (snooker)|2013]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Betfair Masters (2013)|url=http://snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=217|publisher=Snooker.org|access-date=8 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023120448/http://snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=217|archive-date=23 October 2012|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
| {{flagathlete|[[Mark Selby]]|ENG}}
| {{flagathlete|[[Neil Robertson]]|AUS}}
| style="text-align: center" | 10–6
| [[Snooker season 2012/2013|2012/13]]
|-
| [[2014 Masters (snooker)|2014]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Dafabet Masters (2014)|url=http://snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=290|publisher=Snooker.org|access-date=9 April 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023114635/http://snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=290|archive-date=23 October 2013|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
| {{flagathlete|[[Ronnie O'Sullivan]]|ENG}}
| {{flagathlete|[[Mark Selby]]|ENG}}
| style="text-align: center" | 10–4
| [[Snooker season 2013/2014|2013/14]]
|-
| [[2015 Masters (snooker)|2015]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Dafabet Masters (2015)|url=http://snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=363|publisher=Snooker.org|access-date=16 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140701220505/http://snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=363|archive-date=1 July 2014|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
| {{flagathlete|[[Shaun Murphy]]|ENG}}
| {{flagathlete|[[Neil Robertson]]|AUS}}
| style="text-align: center" | 10–2
| [[Snooker season 2014/2015|2014/15]]
|-
| [[2016 Masters (snooker)|2016]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Dafabet Masters (2016)|url=http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=417|publisher=Snooker.org|access-date=18 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160116024318/http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=417|archive-date=16 January 2016|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
| {{flagathlete|[[Ronnie O'Sullivan]]|ENG}}
| {{flagathlete|[[Barry Hawkins]]|ENG}}
| style="text-align: center" | 10–1
| [[Snooker season 2015/2016|2015/16]]
|-
| [[2017 Masters (snooker)|2017]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Dafabet Masters (2017)|url=http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=531|publisher=Snooker.org|access-date=23 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221072302/http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=531|archive-date=21 December 2016|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
| {{flagathlete|[[Ronnie O'Sullivan]]|ENG}}
| {{flagathlete|[[Joe Perry (snooker player)|Joe Perry]]|ENG}}
| style="text-align: center" | 10–7
| [[Snooker season 2016/2017|2016/17]]
|-
| [[2018 Masters (snooker)|2018]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Dafabet Masters (2018)|url=http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=603|publisher=Snooker.org|access-date=22 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171212084343/http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=603|archive-date=12 December 2017|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
| {{flagathlete|[[Mark Allen (snooker player)|Mark Allen]]|NIR}}
| {{flagathlete|[[Kyren Wilson]]|ENG}}
| style="text-align: center" | 10–7
| [[Snooker season 2017/2018|2017/18]]
|-
| [[2019 Masters (snooker)|2019]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Dafabet Masters (2019)|url=http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=746|publisher=Snooker.org|access-date=21 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190121172823/http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=746|archive-date=21 January 2019|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
| {{flagathlete|[[Judd Trump]]|ENG}}
| {{flagathlete|[[Ronnie O'Sullivan]]|ENG}}
| style="text-align: center" | 10–4
| [[Snooker season 2018/2019|2018/19]]
|-
| [[2020 Masters (snooker)|2020]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Dafabet Masters 2020|url=http://livescores.worldsnookerdata.com/?year=2020&month=1|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190608195130/http://livescores.worldsnookerdata.com/?year=2020&month=1|url-status=dead|archive-date=8 June 2019|publisher=World Snooker|date=12–19 January 2020|access-date=5 December 2019}}</ref>
| {{flagathlete|[[Stuart Bingham]]|ENG}}
| {{flagathlete|[[Ali Carter]]|ENG}}
| style="text-align: center" | 10–8
| [[2019-20 snooker season|2019/20]]
|-
| [[2021 Masters (snooker)|2021]]
| {{flagathlete|[[Yan Bingtao]]|CHN}}
| {{flagathlete|[[John Higgins]]|SCO}}
| style="text-align: center" | 10–8
| [[2020-21 snooker season|2020/21]]
| [[Marshall Arena]], [[Milton Keynes]]
|-
|[[2022 Masters (snooker)|2022]]
| {{flagathlete|[[Neil Robertson]]|AUS}}
| {{flagathlete|[[Barry Hawkins]]|ENG}}
| style="text-align: center" | 10–4
|[[2021–22 snooker season|2021/22]]
| rowspan="4"| [[Alexandra Palace]],<br/>[[London]]
|-
|[[2023 Masters (snooker)|2023]]
| {{flagathlete|[[Judd Trump]]|ENG}}
| {{flagathlete|[[Mark Williams (snooker player)|Mark Williams]]|WAL}}
| style="text-align: center" | 10–8
|[[2022–23 snooker season|2022/23]]
|-
|[[2024 Masters (snooker)|2024]]
| {{flagathlete|[[Ronnie O'Sullivan]]|ENG}}
| {{flagathlete|[[Ali Carter]]|ENG}}
| style="text-align: center" | 10–7
|[[2023–24 snooker season|2023/24]]
|-
|[[2025 Masters (snooker)|2025]]
| {{flagathlete|[[Shaun Murphy]]|ENG}}
| {{flagathlete|[[Kyren Wilson]]|ENG}}
| style="text-align: center" | 10–7
|[[2024–25 snooker season|2024/25]]
|-
|}

==Finalists==
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:100%; text-align: center"
|-
! Name
! Nationality
! Winner
! {{nobreak|Runner-up}}
! Finals
|-
|align="left"|'''{{sortname|Ronnie|O'Sullivan}}'''
|align="left"|{{ENG}}
|8
|6
|14
|-
|align="left"|{{sortname|Stephen|Hendry}}
|align="left"|{{SCO}}
|6
|3
|9
|-
|align="left"|'''{{sortname|Mark|Selby}}'''
|align="left"|{{ENG}}
|3
|2
|5
|-
|align="left"|{{sortname|Cliff|Thorburn}}
|align="left"|{{CAN}}
|3
|1
|4
|-
|align="left"|{{sortname|Steve|Davis}}
|align="left"|{{ENG}}
|3
|0
|3
|-
|align="left"|{{sortname|Paul|Hunter}}
|align="left"|{{ENG}}
|3
|0
|3
|-
|align="left"|{{sortname|Alex|Higgins}}
|align="left"|{{NIR}}
|2
|3
|5
|-
|align="left"|'''{{sortname|John|Higgins}}'''
|align="left"|{{SCO}}
|2
|3
|5
|-
|align="left"|'''{{sortname|Neil|Robertson}}'''
|align="left"|{{AUS}}
|2
|2
|4
|-
|align="left"|'''{{sortname|Mark|Williams|dab=snooker player}}'''
|align="left"|{{WAL}}
|2
|2
|4
|-
|align="left"|'''{{sortname|Shaun|Murphy}}'''
|align="left"|{{ENG}}
|2
|1
|3
|-
|align="left"|'''{{sortname|Judd|Trump}}'''
|align="left"|{{ENG}}
|2
|0
|2
|-
|align="left"|{{sortname|Ray|Reardon}}
|align="left"|{{WAL}}
|1
|3
|4
|-
|align="left"|{{sortname|Terry|Griffiths}}
|align="left"|{{WAL}}
|1
|3
|4
|-
|align="left"|{{sortname|Doug|Mountjoy}}
|align="left"|{{WAL}}
|1
|1
|2
|-
|align="left"|'''{{sortname|Jimmy|White}}'''
|align="left"|{{ENG}}
|1
|1
|2
|-
|align="left"|'''{{sortname|Ding|Junhui||Ding Junhui}}'''
|align="left"|{{CHN}}
|1
|1
|2
|-
|align="left"|{{sortname|John|Spencer|dab=snooker player}}
|align="left"|{{ENG}}
|1
|0
|1
|-
|align="left"|{{sortname|Perrie|Mans}}
|align="left"|{{flagcountry|ZAF|1928}}
|1
|0
|1
|-
|align="left"|{{sortname|Dennis|Taylor}}
|align="left"|{{NIR}}
|1
|0
|1
|-
|align="left"|{{sortname|Alan|McManus}}
|align="left"|{{SCO}}
|1
|0
|1
|-
|align="left"|'''{{sortname|Matthew|Stevens}}'''
|align="left"|{{WAL}}
|1
|0
|1
|-
|align="left"|'''{{sortname|Mark|Allen|Mark Allen (snooker player)}}'''
|align="left"|{{NIR}}
|1
|0
|1
|-
|align="left"|'''{{sortname|Stuart|Bingham}}'''
|align="left"|{{ENG}}
|1
|0
|1
|-
|align="left"|{{sortname|Yan|Bingtao||Yan Bingtao}}
|align="left"|{{CHN}}
|1
|0
|1
|-
|align="left"|{{sortname|John|Parrott}}
|align="left"|{{ENG}}
|0
|3
|3
|-
|align="left"|{{sortname|Mike|Hallett}}
|align="left"|{{ENG}}
|0
|2
|2
|-
|align="left"|'''{{sortname|Ken|Doherty}}'''
|align="left"|{{IRL}}
|0
|2
|2
|-
|align="left"|'''{{sortname|Barry|Hawkins}}'''
|align="left"|{{ENG}}
|0
|2
|2
|-
|align="left"|'''{{sortname|Ali|Carter}}'''
|align="left"|{{ENG}}
|0
|2
|2
|-
|align="left"|'''{{sortname|Kyren|Wilson}}'''
|align="left"|{{ENG}}
|0
|2
|2
|-
|align="left"|{{sortname|Graham|Miles}}
|align="left"|{{ENG}}
|0
|1
|1
|-
|align="left"|{{sortname|James|Wattana}}
|align="left"|{{THA}}
|0
|1
|1
|-
|align="left"|{{sortname|Fergal|O'Brien}}
|align="left"|{{IRL}}
|0
|1
|1
|-
|align="left"|{{sortname|Stephen|Lee|dab=snooker player}}
|align="left"|{{ENG}}
|0
|1
|1
|-
|align="left"|'''{{sortname|Marco|Fu}}'''
|align="left"|{{HKG}}
|0
|1
|1
|-
|align="left"|{{sortname|Joe|Perry|dab=snooker player}}
|align="left"|{{ENG}}
|0
|1
|1
|}
* Active players are shown in '''bold'''

== Wild-card round ==
For the 21 tournaments from 1990 to 2010 there was a wild-card round in which two additional players (three in 2007) played against the players seeded 15 and 16 (14, 15 and 16 in 2007) to reach the last-16 round.<ref name=cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/> In most years one of the additional players was the winner of the [[Masters Qualifying Event]] while the other wild-card was selected.<ref name="masqual"/> There were no qualifying events for the 1990 and 2005 Masters and both players were selected in those years. There were also two selections in 2007 when the wild-card round was extended to three matches.

The inclusion of wild-card players meant that there were an additional two or three matches to be arranged. The tournament continued to be played over 8 days but three matches were played on Sunday and Monday instead of the usual two (and Tuesday in 2007), so that the last-16 round was still completed on Wednesday. In 2007 all three wild-card matches were played on the first Sunday so that the last-16 round did not start until Monday.

There were a total of 43 wild-card matches. In 19 of these matches the seeded player played the winner of the Qualifying Event. In the remaining 24 matches the seed played a selected wild-card. The players selected as wild-card were [[Jimmy White]] (5), [[Ding Junhui]] (3), [[Steve Davis]] (2), [[Marco Fu]] (2), [[James Wattana]] (2), [[Ken Doherty]], [[Peter Ebdon]], [[Andy Hicks]], [[Alex Higgins]], [[John Higgins]], [[Paul Hunter]], [[Stephen Maguire]], [[Ian McCulloch (snooker player)|Ian McCulloch]], [[Ricky Walden]] and [[Gary Wilkinson (snooker player)|Gary Wilkinson]].

None of the players who played in the wild-card round won the tournament although two players, John Higgins (in [[1995 Masters (snooker)|1995]]) and Ding Junhui (in [[2007 Masters (snooker)|2007]]) reached the final. Both these players were wild-card selections. Two seeded players who played in the wild-card round reached the semi-final, Jimmy White (in [[2004 Masters (snooker)|2004]]) and [[Mark Williams (snooker player)|Mark Williams]] (in [[2010 Masters (snooker)|2010]]). The winner of the Qualifying Event never got beyond the last-16 round.

== References ==
{{Reflist|2}}

{{Masters (snooker)}}
{{Snooker tournaments}}

[[Category:Masters (snooker)| ]]
[[Category:Recurring sporting events established in 1975]]
[[Category:1975 establishments in England]]
[[Category:Snooker non-ranking competitions]]
[[Category:Snooker competitions in London]]
[[Category:Annual events in London]]
[[Category:January in sports]]
[[Category:Triple Crown (snooker)]]