The 1978 Pot Black was a professional invitational snooker tournament, which was held in the Pebble Mill Studios in Birmingham, and this year, the tournament returned to 8 players competing in 2 four player groups. All matches were one-frame shoot-outs but the final this year was played in the best of 3 frames on a one-hour programme.
Broadcasts were on BBC2 and started at 21:00 on Friday 6 January 1978 Alan Weeks presented the programme with Ted Lowe as commentator and Sydney Lee as referee.
The previous year's finalist Doug Mountjoy beat twice Pot Black Champion Graham Miles in the first final to have a best of 3 frames format 2–1.
Main draw
The draw for the group stages was made by comedian Eric Morecambe and shown before the first match.
Group 1
Player 1ScorePlayer 2Broadcast Date Doug Mountjoy1–0 Alex Higgins6 January 1978 Ray Reardon1–0 Dennis Taylor20 January 1978 Ray Reardon1–0 Doug Mountjoy3 February 1978 Alex Higgins0–1 Dennis Taylor17 February 1978 Ray Reardon0–1 Alex Higgins3 March 1978 Dennis Taylor0–1 Doug Mountjoy17 March 1978
Group 2
Player 1ScorePlayer 2Broadcast Date John Spencer0–1 Eddie Charlton13 January 1978 Cliff Thorburn0–1 Graham Miles27 January 1978 John Spencer0–1 Graham Miles10 February 1978 Eddie Charlton1–0 Cliff Thorburn24 February 1978 John Spencer1–0 Cliff Thorburn10 March 1978 Graham Miles1–0 Eddie Charlton24 March 1978
Knockout stage
References