Today marks the 50th anniversary of the first ever Masters match, so why not celebrate by testing yourself with this snooker quiz?
On January 13th, 1975, the first Masters shot was struck in anger at the West Centre Hotel in London.
Ten players were invited to participate in the inaugural tournament, which would grow to become the game’s best and most prestigious invitational.
John Pulman won the first-ever Masters match, a 5-3 victory over….well, that could be a hint for today’s quiz, couldn’t it?
The event quickly became an annual fixture on the calendar, but it wasn’t until it moved to the Wembley Conference Centre in 1979 that it found its first main home.
The Masters stayed at that famous stage until 2006, which conjured up a fitting farewell final and arguably one of the most dramatic climaxes.
But the tournament, which has always boasted an elite field, has been synonymous with thrilling drama from the very first final 50 years ago.
Twice, including in that inaugural title-deciding affair of 1975, has the final needed a respotted black to determine its champion.
There have been countless fight backs and meltdowns too, adding to the rich history that has been established across five decades of play.
The Masters has been held at its second spiritual home since 2012, the Alexandra Palace where it regularly attracts crowds in excess of 2,000 people.
The first champion in 1975 earned £2,000 for his efforts, but the winner in 2025 will receive 175 times that figure, with a record £350,000 on offer this year in the English capital.
The Masters has invited the top 16 players from the world rankings every year since 1984, which incidentally was also the first year that a maximum break in the event was compiled.
Five 147 breaks have been constructed in total, including a brace by two former champions a year ago.
One of the most iconic moments in Masters history, however, saw a popular Irishman botch the last black for a 147 break during the 2000 final.
And today’s featured image is of the late three-time champion whose name is now honoured and remembered through its association with the majestic Masters trophy.
Through many of these ways and more, this tournament has become one of the biggest and most important on the schedule – second in prestige only to the World Championship itself.
In today’s snooker quiz, there are 50 years of Masters finals to recall. The question is, how many of the finalists can you name?
* Surnames are accepted
** 10-minute time limit
Click here if you can’t see this Masters snooker quiz (Sporcle)
Featured photo credit: WST
