The 2013 Masters was a professional invitational snooker tournament held from 13 to 20 January 2013 at Alexandra Palace in London, England. Officially titled the Betfair Masters following a new sponsorship deal, the event brought together the sport’s elite for one of snooker’s most prestigious non-ranking occasions. For everything about the tournament’s history and past editions, visit the full The Masters snooker tournament overview on BilliardsBase.
Quick Facts
| Champion | Mark Selby |
| Runner-up | Neil Robertson |
| Final Score | 10-6 |
| Venue | Alexandra Palace, London, England |
Tournament Recap
Mark Selby arrived at Alexandra Palace in January 2013 with two Masters titles already to his name, and he left with a third, cementing his status as the tournament’s most decorated active competitor at the time. Selby beat defending champion Neil Robertson 10-6 in the final, a result that was more comfortable than many had anticipated given Robertson’s formidable record at the venue in the preceding years. It was a performance that silenced any lingering doubts about whether Selby could consistently perform on snooker’s biggest invitational stage.
Robertson had come into the week carrying genuine momentum as the reigning title holder, and plenty of observers expected him to push deep into the draw once again. He did reach the final, but Selby’s gritty, composed style proved too much to handle across the full distance. Selby controlled the tempo of the deciding match with the kind of disciplined safety play and clinical break-building that has defined his career. At 10 6, the Leicester potter left no doubt about who deserved the trophy. The win also stoked talk of Selby completing snooker’s Triple Crown, having already won the UK Championship and with his eyes on a first World Championship title.
The 2013 edition also marked a notable commercial milestone for the event. Betfair stepped in as the new title sponsor, replacing previous backers and giving the tournament a fresh identity for the season. Despite the rebranding, the atmosphere at Ally Pally remained exactly what fans expect from this fixture on the calendar. Alexandra Palace has developed a reputation over the years for raucous, passionate crowds that create an energy few other snooker venues can match, and the 2013 edition was no exception. Players performing in that environment under the bright lights, with a vocal audience following every safety exchange and every century attempt, is part of what makes this tournament genuinely different from a standard ranking event.
The broadcast was shared between Eurosport and BBC, giving the event wide exposure across the United Kingdom and continental Europe. For fans who follow the sport closely, the Betfair Masters 2013 is remembered primarily as a Selby masterclass. Three Masters titles before the age of 30 is a remarkable achievement, and the manner in which he dispatched a player of Robertson’s calibre in the final underlined just how dangerous Selby could be when everything clicked. For anyone curious about the equipment used at the Alexandra Palace table during tournaments like this one, our snooker tables buyer guide covers what to look for when choosing a professional-standard playing surface.
Key Storylines
- Selby’s third Masters title: Joining a very short list of multiple Masters winners, Selby’s 2013 victory reinforced his claim as one of the most reliable big-match performers of his generation.
- Robertson’s defence falls short: The Australian came in as defending champion but could not find the form needed to retain the trophy, losing 10-6 in a final that Selby controlled for long stretches.
- New sponsorship, same prestige: Betfair’s arrival as title sponsor brought fresh commercial energy to the event without altering the format or the venue that snooker fans have grown to love.
- Triple Crown ambitions: Selby’s win at Alexandra Palace reignited serious discussion about whether he could go on to claim the World Championship and complete the full set of snooker’s most coveted prizes.
Final Verdict
The 2013 Masters delivered exactly what the tournament promises every January: high-quality snooker, a supercharged crowd at Alexandra Palace, and a worthy champion. Mark Selby was the right winner on the night, beating a genuine rival in Neil Robertson with a polished 10-6 performance that had purpose and control written all over it. The Betfair rebrand added a footnote to the event’s history, but the real story was Selby’s third title and what it suggested about the trajectory of his career in the years ahead. If you missed any of the earlier editions or want context around how this result fits into the tournament’s wider story, the full archive is available on the The Masters snooker tournament page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the 2013 Masters snooker tournament?
Mark Selby won the 2013 Masters, defeating Neil Robertson 10-6 in the final at Alexandra Palace in London. It was Selby’s third Masters title, reinforcing his reputation as one of the most reliable performers on snooker’s biggest invitational stage.
When and where was the 2013 Masters held?
The tournament took place from 13 to 20 January 2013 at Alexandra Palace in London, England. The venue is well known among snooker fans for its passionate and raucous crowd atmosphere.
What was the official title of the 2013 Masters?
The event was officially titled the Betfair Masters following a new sponsorship deal with Betfair, which replaced the tournament’s previous backers. Despite the rebranding, the format and venue remained unchanged.
Who was the defending champion going into the 2013 Masters?
Neil Robertson entered the 2013 Masters as the defending champion and was widely expected to challenge deep into the draw once again. However, he was beaten 10-6 by Mark Selby in the final, with Selby controlling the match through disciplined safety play and clinical break-building.
Where was the 2013 Masters broadcast?
The tournament was broadcast across Eurosport and BBC, providing wide coverage throughout the United Kingdom and continental Europe. This gave the Betfair Masters significant exposure to snooker audiences across multiple territories.