Early rounds

The last 24 round was played from 20 to 23 November 1979. Future six-time world champion Steve Davis made his debut in the competition and defeated John Dunning 9–3.^[3] Another future world champion Joe Johnson also made his debut in the competition, playing his third professional tournament, but lost 3–9 to Bill Werbeniuk.^[3] All three players who competed in the preliminary round were defeated in the last 24.^[3]

The round of 16 saw Steve Davis overcome reigning champion Doug Mountjoy 9–5. World number four and three-time world champion John Spencer was defeated by Bill Werbeniuk 8–9.^[4] Former winner Patsy Fagan defeated two-time Pot Black champion Graham Miles 9–5. John Virgo defeated Tony Meo 9–6, despite being 5–0 and 5–3 down after the first session, making a break of 102 in frame 11.^[5][6] Dennis Taylor and Willie Thorne contested a final frame decider, with Taylor defeating Thorne to win 9–8. Having won the 1979 World Snooker Championship earlier that year, Terry Griffiths defeated Cliff Wilson 9–4.^[3]

Quarter–semi-finals

The quarter-finals were contested from 24 to 26 November 1979. John Virgo took an early lead over Steve Davis 4–3, and later 8–7 in their match. In frame 16, Virgo had the chance to win, and Davis accidentally dropped his cue, making a loud sound. Virgo still potted the next shot during the noise and make a clearance to win the match 9–7. Post-match, Davis commented to Virgo that it was the only time he had ever wanted his opponent to not miss.^[5] Elsewhere, Dennis Taylor defeated Patsy Fagan 9–6, Bill Werbeniuk defeated Ray Edmonds 9–8, and Terry Griffiths defeated Alex Higgins 9–7.^[3]

The semi-finals were played from 27 to 29 November 1979. The semi-finals were similar to the 1979 World Snooker Championship, where John Virgo played Dennis Taylor and Terry Griffiths played Eddie Charlton. In place of Charlton, Bill Webeniuk took on Griffiths.^[5] Despite having lost heavily at the world championships (12–19), Virgo defeated Taylor 9–4 to reach his only major final. In the second semi-final, Terry Griffiths defeated Werbeniuk 9–3.^[3]

Final

The final was contested as a best-of-27 frame match, held between 30 November and 1 December 1979. The match was held over three sessions, with two on the first day and the final on the second, between John Virgo and world champion Terry Griffiths. Virgo took an early lead, winning the first five frames including breaks of 63 and 67.^[3] Griffiths won two of the remaining frames, but trailed 7–2 after the first session.^[3] The second session saw Griffiths win the first three frames to trail 7–5 before Virgo led 11–7 at the end of the session.^[3][5]

The final session was played on 1 December 1979 and was broadcast on Grandstand. With the final being live on national television, the match was moved from the regular 1:45 p.m. start time to 12 noon.^[5][4] Virgo, having not seen that the times had changed, was reading a paper in his hotel room when he was informed that he had missed the start time for the session.^[7] Virgo was over 30 minutes late to the arena and was docked two frames for arriving late.^[8] Griffiths took the two remaining frames before the interval to tie the match 11–11.^[5][4]

During the interval, Griffiths approached Virgo and offered half of the prize money for the event, apologetic at the situation of having frames awarded. Virgo replied: "You haven't won it yet,"^[5] noting the match hadn't finished.^[4][9] Virgo won frame 23 to lead 12–11, before Griffiths tied the match again at 12–12. Griffiths made a break of 68 to lead 13–12, before a break of 50 in frame 26 by Virgo took the match into a deciding frame. Virgo won the final frame to claim the match 14–13 and his sole major title win.^[10] The final frames of the final were unaired, due to a strike of BBC staff, with cameramen leaving the arena during the final frame.^[5][11]

Final

Final: Best of 27 frames. Referee: The Guild Hall, Preston, England, 30 November and 1 December 1979.
John Virgo  England	14–13	Terry Griffiths  Wales
First session: 70–60, 67–9, 81–24, 100–24 (63), 103–26 (67), 52–61, 73–24 (69), 96–29, 22–90 Second session: 32–68, 4–126 (60), 49–51, 86–38, 50–59, 136–3 (93), 57–56 (57), 8–108 (71), 55–45 Third session: 2–0 Griffiths (Virgo docked 2 frames)[13] 43–61, 50–73, 65–44, 17–91 (56), 26–96 (68), 74–19 (50), 78–8
93	Highest break	71
0	Century breaks	0
6	50+ breaks	4