1948 Sunday Empire News Tournament
| Tournament information | |
|---|---|
| Dates | 11 October–18 December 1948 |
| Venue | Leicester Square Hall |
| City | London |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Format | Non-Ranking event |
| Total prize fund | £1000 |
| Winner's share | £450 |
| Highest break |
 Fred Davis (139) |
| Final | |
| Champion |
Joe Davis
|
| Runner-up |
John Pulman
|
The 1948 Sunday Empire News Tournament was a professional snooker tournament sponsored by the Sunday Empire News newspaper. The tournament was won by Joe Davis with John Pulman finishing in second place. The tournament saw the re-introduction of the popular round-robin handicap format had been used for Daily Mail Gold Cup before World War II. Thurston's Hall, the home of the Daily Mail Gold Cup, had re-opened in late 1947, although renamed as the Leicester Square Hall. It was the only time the tournament was held although the format continued with the News of the World Snooker Tournament.
In the final match of the tournament Fred Davis, playing without a points handicap, beat brother Joe 36–35. This was the first time Joe had lost a competitive match when playing on level terms. However, under the "sealed handicap" aspect of the event, Joe received 2 frames and won the match 37–36.
The event was a round-robin snooker tournament and was played from 11 October to 18 December 1948. All matches were played at Leicester Square Hall in London. The competitors were Joe Davis, Fred Davis, Walter Donaldson, Sidney Smith and John Pulman. Each match lasted six days and was the best of 71 frames. There was a qualifying competition prior to the main event. This involved 5 players in a round-robin tournament with the winner, John Pulman, advancing to the main event.
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