World Snooker has addressed concerns over the playing conditions at the 2026 Masters, stating that its checks found “no issues” with the tournament tables. The statement comes after several players and former champions raised questions about the state of the slate during the early rounds at Alexandra Palace, where the world’s top-ranked players compete in one of snooker’s Triple Crown events.

Early Upsets and Table Scrutiny

The Masters got off to a dramatic start on Sunday, with defending champion Shaun Murphy and current UK Champion Mark Selby both falling in first-round matches to Chinese competitors Wu Yize and Xiao Guodong. While these results themselves were notable upsets, the spotlight quickly turned to playing conditions, with some suggesting the table may have influenced outcomes.

Seven-time world champion Stephen Hendry and six-time Crucible winner Steve Davis were among those to voice concerns, pointing to balls drifting off line and hugging cushions before dropping into pockets. Davis, commenting during Xiao Guodong’s win over Selby, stated:

“There’s something wrong with the table. The top slates need levelling up. The table fitters need to go out and check the level of the top slate. If those balls are hugging that top rail, then it’s going to make the game incredibly easy to make big breaks.”

Such observations sparked discussion across media and social platforms, with fans and players debating whether these table inconsistencies affected the tournament’s fairness.

Organizers Respond

The Masters’ organizers emphasized that the table is carefully inspected before, during, and after every match, following standard protocols for top-level snooker events.

“We strive to provide the best possible playing conditions and our team of expert table fitters do a fantastic job,” a World Snooker spokesperson said.

Ken Doherty, the 1997 world champion, noted on Monday that adjustments had been made prior to Mark Allen’s 6-2 win over Mark Williams, suggesting any issues identified were addressed promptly.

Player Feedback

Despite the assurances, Allen himself highlighted minor concerns post-match:

“I did see what happened yesterday with Mark Selby’s shot and Wu Yize before that had one that drifted off a bit. The one thing I noticed from today’s match was it was drifting a bit from green to yellow. I’ve pointed it out to [tournament director] Paul Collier, so I’m sure they will look at it after the game.”

Players’ comments underscore the challenge of maintaining perfect table conditions in high-stakes professional snooker, where even small imperfections can affect precision at elite levels.

Previous Table Concerns in 2025–26 Season

This season has seen multiple instances of players and commentators questioning tournament table standards:

• John Higgins criticized conditions at the Riyadh Season Snooker Championship, calling them “pathetic.”
• At the UK Championship, players noted differences in cloth texture and pocket tightness, with some like Neil Robertson praising the setup for being a fair test reminiscent of early professional conditions.

Such feedback highlights the ongoing tension between traditional playing surfaces and modern expectations in snooker tournaments.

What This Means for the Masters

While World Snooker insists the table is fit for play, the concerns raised by top professionals demonstrate the high level of scrutiny in Triple Crown events. Maintaining optimal playing conditions is vital for ensuring fair competition and preserving the integrity of professional snooker.

Fans can follow the Masters through BBC coverage, with continued attention on potential table adjustments and player performance as the tournament progresses.