The 1990 Benson and Hedges Masters took place between February 4 and February 11, 1990 at the Wembley Conference Centre. Wild card players were introduced fot the first time and the 2 places went to the legendary Alex Higgins and the young new professional from Thailand, James Wattana who won his game against Dean Reynolds and played the six times world champion Steve Davis in the next round. Higgins meanwhile lost his match against Steve James who had won the Mercantile Credit Classic in January.