1969 World Snooker Championship

Tournament summary

• The first match, played from 18 to 22 November 1968 at the Wryton Stadium in Bolton, saw the end of John Pulman's reign as champion, at the hands of John Spencer. Spencer led 24–18 after the final afternoon session and clinched the match by winning the first frame in the evening with a "magnificent 97 break".
• Two other quarter-final matches started on 25 November. The match between Rex Williams and Bernard Bennett was played in Southampton, while Gary Owen played Jackie Rea in Stratford-upon-Avon. The fourth quarter-final, between Fred Davis and Ray Reardon, was not played until January 1969 because Reardon was touring South Africa. The match was played in Stoke-on-Trent, Davis winning in the deciding frame after a break of 52.
• Two new professionals made the semi-final, Spencer and Owen, and both won their matches. Spencer beat Williams 37–12, in a match played in Bolton, while Owen beat Davis 37–24, in a match played in Stoke-on-Trent the following week.
• John Spencer won the first of his three world titles by defeating Gary Owen 37–24 in the 73-frame final at the Victoria Halls in London. Spencer led Owen 36–24 after 5 days and won the first frame on the final day to win the championship. The remaining 12 dead frames were played with Spencer finishing with a 46–27 lead. With this he became the first player to win the World Championship at his first attempt since Joe Davis won the inaugural championship in 1927.
• It was also sponsored for the first time by a cigarette company, Player's No.6 being the featured brand.

  Main draw

Final