World Pool Masters
Results
| Place | Player | Prize |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ralf Souquet | |
| 2 | Vincent Facquet |
Recap
Published April 13, 2026
The 1996 World Pool Masters in Blackpool marked a significant moment in nine-ball history, as Germany’s Ralf Souquet captured the first of his record-setting six World Pool Masters titles. Souquet won the tournament by defeating France’s Vincent Facquet in the final, competing in a field that now included players from around the world.
This victory came during the tournament’s transition period, having been renamed from the European Pool Masters the year prior to include international players. Souquet’s win reflected the event’s expanded global reach and established him as a leading competitor in Matchroom’s flagship nine-ball invitational.
The tournament held personal significance for Souquet, who began playing pool at age six in his parents’ pub and practiced extensively throughout his youth. By 1996, Souquet had already begun building what would become one of the most successful careers in pool history. This World Pool Masters victory marked the start of continued success in Matchroom events, eventually making him the most decorated player in the history of Matchroom-promoted nine-ball tournaments.
Souquet’s performance in Blackpool demonstrated the tactical skill needed to advance through the tournament field. His victory over Facquet in the final capped off a strong tournament run. Later in 1996, Souquet also won the WPA World Nine-ball Championship, making 1996 a breakthrough year that established him among the sport’s top players.
The 1996 World Pool Masters victory began a legacy that would see Souquet become a BCA Hall of Fame inductee and accumulate over 100 professional tournament victories. This Blackpool triumph marked the beginning of an era in which European players, led by Souquet, would consistently compete for major titles on the global stage.
Sources: Matchroom Pool, Wikipedia – Ralf Souquet, Wikipedia – World Pool Masters
This recap was compiled from public tournament records and tournament organizer communications. ForceFollow is not affiliated with the tournament organizer.