The 1981 Pot Black was a professional invitational snooker tournament, which was held between 28 and 31 December 1980 in the Pebble Mill Studios in Birmingham.[1] 8 players were competing in 2 four player groups. The matches are one-frame shoot-outs in the group stages, 2 frame aggregate scores in the semi-finals and the best of 3 frames in the final.

Pot Black 81
Tournament information
Dates28–31 December 1980 (1980-12-28 – 1980-12-31)
(Broadcast 30 December 1980 – 31 March 1981 (1980-12-30 – 1981-03-31))
VenuePebble Mill Studios
CityBirmingham
CountryEngland
FormatNon-Ranking event
Winner's share£2,500
Highest breakCanada Kirk Stevens (79)
Final
ChampionCanada Cliff Thorburn
Runner-upCanada Jim Wych
Score2–0
1980
1982

Broadcasts were on BBC2 and started at 21:00 on Tuesday 30 December 1980 [2] Alan Weeks presented the programme with Ted Lowe as commentator and top referee John Williams replaced Sydney Lee after 13 years after Lee retired to ill health.

First time players this year are Canadians Kirk Stevens and Jim Wych. The latter made the final against fellow Canadian Cliff Thorburn before losing 0–2.[3][4]

Main draw

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Group 1

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Player 1 Score Player 2 Broadcast Date
  Ray Reardon 1–0   Cliff Thorburn 30 December 1980
  Kirk Stevens 1–0   Steve Davis 13 January 1981
  Cliff Thorburn 1–0   Kirk Stevens 27 January 1981
  Ray Reardon 1–0   Steve Davis 10 February 1981
  Cliff Thorburn 1–0   Steve Davis 24 February 1981
  Ray Reardon 1–0   Kirk Stevens 3 March 1981

Group 2

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Player 1 Score Player 2 Broadcast Date
  Eddie Charlton 1–0   Alex Higgins 6 January 1981
  Jim Wych 0–1   David Taylor 20 January 1981
  Eddie Charlton 0–1   Jim Wych 3 February 1981
  Alex Higgins 1–0   David Taylor 17 February 1981
  Eddie Charlton 1–0   David Taylor 24 February 1981
  Alex Higgins 0–1   Jim Wych 3 March 1981

Knockout stage

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Semi-finals (10 and 17 March 1981) Final (31 March 1981)
      
  Ray Reardon 0
  Jim Wych 1
  Jim Wych 0
  Cliff Thorburn 2
  Eddie Charlton 0
  Cliff Thorburn 1 3rd place Play-off (24 March 1981)
  Ray Reardon 1
  Eddie Charlton 0

References

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  1. ^ Everton, Clive (11 August 1980). "Circuit growing fast". The Guardian. London. p. 29.
  2. ^ "BBC Television – 30 December 1980 – Pot Black". BBC Genome Project. BBC. Retrieved 25 February 2017.
  3. ^ "BBC Television – 31 March 1981 – Pot Black: BBC2 Knockout Snooker Competition". BBC Genome Project. BBC. Retrieved 25 February 2017.
  4. ^ "CueTracker - 1981 Pot Black - Snooker Results & Statistics". cuetracker.net. Retrieved 25 February 2017.