Why does the table at this year's Masters look square on TV? It is a question that many snooker fans have pondered over the past few days.
The 2026 edition of the Masters, a non-ranking event for the world's top 16 players, got underway last weekend as defending champion Shaun Murphy suffered a first-round defeat to China's Wu Yize.
Mark Selby soon became the second multiple champion to lose to a debutant on the opening day after he was beaten 6-2 by Xiao Guodong.
But rather than Sunday's action on the table, arguably the biggest talking point was the television coverage, with many complaining about the altered camera angle compared to previous tournaments.
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One of those to mention the square-looking table was three-time world champion Mark Williams. "Is it me or am I watching snooker on a 12 by 12 table?" he wrote on X. "Looks square on my TV."
Another fan also commented, saying: "Is there nowhere showing the Masters snooker with a normal TV perspective then? It’s unwatchable on BBC/TNT. Looks like a table for six year olds."
It turns out the main camera at the Masters is usually angled at a 20-degree angle, but this year, it is at 22 degrees.
According to BBC Sport, the change has been caused by the main camera being moved back two metres at the black ball end due to extra seating being added at Alexandra Palace.
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World Snooker responds to concerns over standard of table at the Masters
Amid the opening games of the tournament, both Stephen Hendry and Steve Davis suggested there was a problem with balls drifting off line and clinging to cushions.
"There's something wrong with the table," Davis said during Xiao's victory over Mark Selby. "It happened this afternoon. The balls are hugging the rail. The top slates need levelling up. The table fitters need to go out and check the level of the top slate."
He added: "If those balls are hugging that top rail, then it's going to make the game incredibly easy to make big breaks. It's also wrong that a ball should go in that easily. This looks like it's not level."
World Snooker has now addressed concerns about the state of the tables.
"The table is checked before, during and after every match, as is standard at any event," they said in a statement. "We strive to provide the best possible playing conditions and our team of expert table fitters do a fantastic job."
The 2026 Masters will take place from January 11 to January 18. You can buy resale tickets on StubHub and Viagogo or watch live via discovery+.
To avoid ticket scams and ensure a money-back guarantee, always purchase resale tickets through verified sites.
Topics: Snooker
Jack Kenmare