The 2015 Masters champion Shaun Murphy was unable to defend the title he lifted 12 months ago at the Alexandra Palace in London, as he lost out 6-4 in a high-quality first round match against Northern Irishman Mark Allen.
For many snooker players, this tournament - that takes place between the world's top 16 on an invitation-only basis - is one of the highlights of the season, perhaps only second behind the World Championship.
The Masters is a trophy that all the best players want to lift, and as the fans settled down into the packed auditorium - newly extended to seat two thousand snooker-hungry customers - and the hush descended, there was a sense that the 2016 version of this competition was going to throw up some thrilling contests.
Trading blows
The pair traded blows in the opening four frames; Allen impressing with breaks of 50 and a magnificent 137 - an early high-break target for the world's best snooker players to chase over the next week.
However, breaks from 68 and 65 from last year's defending champion either side of Allen's frame-winning contributions meant the score was level at 2-2, as the players went out for the mid-session interval.
The rarest of errors
Allen came out all guns blazing after the break, and a wonderful break of 91 soon put him 3-2 in front, before some extraordinary scenes in frame six. Murphy, looking to play a thin snick on a red near the cushion, managed to miss the ball three consecutive times. As he wasn't snookered, he incredibly forfeited the frame as per the rules - an unusual turn of events that is not often seen at this level.
Photo: Getty Images/Dan Mullan
There was no time to put it out of his mind, either, as Murphy soon found himself with his back against the wall after an impressive 104 break from Allen extended his lead to 5-2 and put him one frame away from the next round.
Murphy, ever the champion, roared back, as a cracking long red put the Englishman in before he polished off a 67 break to bring himself back to 5-3. There was no chance for Allen in the ninth, either, as Murphy masterminded a wonderful century break, scoring 100 after clearing up some difficult reds in the process, and ultimately putting himself back in contention at 5-4.
The tenth frame was a scrappy, anxious affair, as both players missed a number of chances in a vital frame that both recognised the importance of. Murphy had his opportunities, but in the end it was just too much as he couldn't find enough to force a decider.
A touch of class
There was some good humour as an almost in-off from Allen right at the death nearly gave Murphy another chance - despite needing two snookers with just the pink and black left on the table. The white stayed out and Murphy put his arm around Allen's shoulders, epitomising the spirit in which a very enjoyable game had been played.
It is the Northern Irishman that rolls on to the next round with an impressive 6-4 victory, and he will play the winner of Joe Perry and Barry Hawkins, who meet on Monday evening.