Allen moves through

World number nine Allen, the beaten overall finalist for three years in a row from the tournament’s inception in 2008, joins Barry Hawkins, Judd Trump, Shaun Murphy, Mark Davis and Neil Robertson in the winners group in March.

“It’s a bit of a relief to get into the Winners’ Group as I had chances in previous groups but lost to Mark Selby and Mark King in semi-finals,” said Allen. “You don’t feel like you’re in this tournament until you get into the Winners’ Group.

“It’s good match practice ahead of next week. It’s only the best of five but you have to be sharp as you’re playing the best players."

Each group features seven players with each man playing the other six once. Every match is the best of five with the winner gaining a point. At the end of the league phase the top four advance to that group's semi-finals where the two winners meet in the final.

Players are awarded £100 per frame in the round robin stages, and this increases to £300 per frame for the play-offs. In addition, £3,000 goes to the play-off winner, £2,000 to the runner up and £1,000 each to the two semi-finalists.

Each group winner then goes through to the final group on March 21st & 22nd when a spot in the Premier League is at stake. The two bottom players are eliminated from the competition, while the remaining four move forward to the next group to be joined by three new players.

Results:

Mark Allen 3-2 Dominic Dale

Mark Allen 3-1 Marcus Campbell

Peter Ebdon 2-3 Dominic Dale

Mark King 2-3 Joe Perry

Peter Ebdon 3-1 Joe Perry

Mark Allen 3-2 Dominic Dale

Peter Ebdon 3-1 Marcus Campbell

Mark Allen 3-2 Marcus Campbell

Dominic Dale 3-2 Jamie Cope

Mark King 2-3 Marcus Campbell

Jamie Cope 1-3 Mark King

Mark Allen 2-3 Joe Perry