The Masters gets underway on Sunday at Alexandra Palace as the historic event celebrates his 50th year on the snooker calendar.
The first ever Masters took place back in 1975 as John Spencer beat Ray Reardon 9-8 on a re-spotted black in the deciding frame.
Much has changed since that tournament at the West Centre Hotel in London, but the event remains in the capital at Ally Pally.
This year’s edition will be without the reigning champion, though, as Ronnie O’Sullivan pulled out on Friday on medical grounds.
Two-time champion Neil Robertson is the Rocket’s replacement and the Australian will open the show against John Higgins on Sunday afternoon.
World number one Judd Trump goes in as the bookmakers’ favourite to lift the trophy, having also done so twice before, most recently in 2023.
However, even without O’Sullivan it is an outstanding field, with the likes of world champion Kyren Wilson and former Masters winners Mark Selby, Shaun Murphy, Mark Williams and Ding Junhui all in contention.
Masters draw and schedule
Sunday 12 January
1pm: Neil Robertson vs John Higgins
7pm: Shaun Murphy vs Gary Wilson
Monday 13 January
1pm: Mark Williams vs Ding Junhui
7pm: Mark Selby vs Ali Carter
Tuesday 14 January
1pm: Judd Trump vs Barry Hawkins
7pm: Mark Allen vs Si Jiahui
Wednesday 15 January
1pm: Kyren Wilson vs Zhang Anda
7pm: Luca Brecel vs Chris Wakelin
Quarter-final draw
Robertson/Higgins vs Murphy/G Wilson
Allen/Si vs Selby/Carter
Trump/Hawkins vs Williams/Ding
Brecel/Wakelin vs K Wilson/Zhang
Masters prize money
Winner: £350,000
Runner-up: £140,000
Semi-finals: £75,000
Quarter-finals: £40,000
Last 16: £25,000
Highest break: £15,000
Masters TV coverage
The Triple Crown event is being shown live on both the BBC and Eurosport/Discovery+.
The BBC schedule is available here and Eurosport’s here.
Masters odds
Judd Trump 11/4
Kyren Wilson 11/2
Mark Selby 13/2
Neil Robertson 15/2
Mark Allen 9/1
Shaun Murphy 14/1
John Higgins 14/1
Ding Junhui 14/1
Mark Williams 14/1
Luca Brecel 20/1
Si Jiahui 20/1
Barry Hawkins 22/1
Zhang Anda 25/1
Ali Carter 33/1
Gary Wilson 33/1
Chris Wakelin 40/1
Odds courtesy of Betfair
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