The event featured nine participants, with a round-robin round producing four qualifiers, who then competed in a single-elimination tournament.

Spencer won the event for the second time by defeating Warren Simpson 37–29 in the final held in the Chevron Hotel in Sydney.

Eddie Charlton made the highest break of the tournament with a 129 in the final session of his round-robin match against Gary Owen.

[3] However, in the modern era it has become increasingly popular worldwide, especially in East and Southeast Asian nations such as China, Hong Kong and Thailand.

[7][8] Joe Davis won the first World Championship in 1927, the final match being held in Camkin's Hall, Birmingham, England.

[7][11] This was the first time the championship was held outside the United Kingdom aside from two challenge matches in 1965, and it would be later hosted in Australia again in 1975.

[16] Ray Reardon started his first match on 9 October where he defeated Perrie Mans.

[27] Charlton was involved in a minor traffic collision on the way to the match, and lost each of the first three frames.

[29] Simpson clinched the match of the fourth and final day when he won the third frame of the evening session to lead 25–20.

[30] The second semi-final, between Spencer and Reardon, was played from 27 to 30 October at Parramatta Leagues Club, Sydney.

Reardon's defeat meant he held the record as the player with the shortest reign as world champion.

The 22 October edition of The Sydney Morning Herald reports that Reardon would play Spencer in the second semi-final.

[26] Snooker historian Clive Everton has speculated that the draw was changed "behind the scenes ... perhaps to ensure an Australian finalist.