If you have never heard of the game snooker. All you need to know is that it’s a competitive cue sport played on a table with 6 pockets and balls of different colors. Players take turns hitting the balls from one end of the table to the other. Trying to complete a pot in as few shots as possible. But who are the best snooker players ever? Check out this list for some of the best snooker players in history!
Ronnie O’Sullivan
He, nicknamed “The Rocket”, is a professional snooker player from England. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport, having won five World Championships, a record seven Masters titles, and a record-tying six UK Championships.
O’Sullivan made his first break of 140 at age 10, and his career earnings exceeded £10 million. His fastest maximum break in competition is 147 seconds (five minutes and 47 seconds), set during the 1997 World Snooker Championship. Often known for his mercurial temperament, O’Sullivan has been described as “snooker’s first rock star.”
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Stephen Hendry
Hendry is widely regarded as one of the best snooker players of all time. He has won 7 World Championship titles, a record-equalling 5 UK Championship titles, and a record 36 ranking tournaments.
Hendry’s dominance of the sport in the early 1990s saw him win an unprecedented 5 consecutive World Championship titles. As well as 3 consecutive UK Championship titles. His run of success continued into the new millennium, with Hendry winning his 7th and final World Championship title in 2005.
Since his retirement from professional snooker in 2012. Hendry has been inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame and the World Snooker Hall of Fame. And also He remains one of the most successful and popular figures in the sport. With his achievements unlikely to ever be surpassed.
Steve Davis
Davis is a retired professional snooker player from England. He was one of the sport’s leading players in the 1980s when he won the World Championship six times.
Davis began playing snooker at age 12 and turned professional in 1978. He soon established himself as one of the game’s top players, winning his first world championship in 1981. He would go on to win the title again in 1983, 1984, 1987, 1988, and 1989.
In the late 1980s, Davis’ dominance of the sport began to wane, and fellow Englishman Ronnie eventually eclipsed him. Davis retired from professional play in 2016.
John Higgins
Higgins is a Scottish professional snooker player. He has been a World Championship runner-up four times, in 1998, 2007, 2009, and 2011. He won the World Championship in 1998 and 2007. In the 2009 final, he recovered from 7–12 down to force a deciding frame, before losing it narrowly to Ronnie. And aslo In the 2010/2011 season, he regained his position as world number two.
Ray Reardon
He is a former professional snooker player from Wales. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport.
Reardon began his professional career in 1962 and quickly established himself as a leading player. He won his first world championship in 1966 and would go on to win six more titles over the course of his career. In total, Reardon won 32 ranking events during his career.
He was inducted into the World Snooker Hall of Fame in 1999 and was awarded an MBE in 2006. And also Reardon remains active in the sport and currently commentates on snooker matches for BBC Radio 5 Live.
Fred Davis
He was born in England in 1913 and began playing snooker at 15. He turned professional in 1929 and soon established himself as one of the top players in the world.
Davis won his first World Championship title in 1948, defeating defending champion Walter Donaldson in the final. And also He went on to win the title again in 1949 and 1950, becoming only the second player to win three consecutive World Championships.
Davis continued to be a dominant force in snooker throughout the 1950s, winning two more World Championship titles in 1951 and 1955. He also won the prestigious News of the World Snooker Tournament four times between 1949 and 1956.
After a brief retirement from the sport, Davis returned to win his seventh and final World Championship title in 1968, at the age of 55. He remains the oldest-ever winner of the World Championship.
Fred was one of the most successful snooker players of all time, winning seven World Championship titles during his career. He was renowned for his perfect technique and sportsmanship and was inducted into the Snooker Hall of Fame upon his retirement from the sport.
Alex Higgins
He was one of the most naturally talented and charismatic snooker players of all time. He was known as the “Hurricane” due to his aggressive, attacking style of play and his flamboyant personality.
Higgins first came to prominence in the early 1970s when he reached the final of the World Championship, narrowly losing out to Cliff Thorburn. He then won the title in 1972, defeating John Spencer in the final. This made him the youngest-ever world champion at just 22 years of age.
Higgins went on to enjoy a hugely successful career, winning two more World Championships (in 1976 and 1982) as well as numerous other tournaments. His greatest achievement was probably his victory in the 1981 UK Championship when he beat Steve in an epic final that is widely regarded as one of the greatest snooker matches of all time.
Sadly, Higgins’ life was blighted by personal problems and he died in 2010 aged just 60. However, his legacy as one of the sport’s true greats lives on.
Joe Davis
He was born in 1913 and died in 1984, but during his lifetime he was considered one of the best snooker players of all time. Davis won 15 World Championships, a record that stood for many years, and was only surpassed by Steve in 1989. He also holds the record for the most consecutive wins in the World Championship, with 10 victories from 1927 to 1946.
Davis was known for his calm demeanor and precise potting, earning him the nickname “The Professor”. He popularised snooker in Britain, and his matches were often shown on television. His rivalry with fellow snooker legend Fred (no relation) was legendary and helped to propel the sport to new heights of popularity.
Sadly, Joe passed away before he could see snooker achieve the level of popularity it enjoys today. But his legacy as one of the greatest players of all time is secure, and his contributions to the sport will be remembered forever.
Dennis Taylor
Taylor is a retired professional snooker player from Northern Ireland. He is best known for winning the 1985 World Snooker Championship, defeating Steve18–17 in the final.
Taylor turned professional in 1972, and reached his first ranking event final that year at the United Kingdom Championship, losing 9–7 to Graham Miles. He won his first ranking title in 1980 at the Mercantile Credit Classic, defeating Terry Griffiths 9–8 in the final. In 1984, he was runner-up to Cliff Thorburn at the World Snooker Championship, losing 16–14 in the final.
The following year, Taylor again reached the World Championship final. This time defeating defending champion Steve 18–17 in one of snooker’s most famous matches. The match went to the deciding frame which ended with Taylor potting the black ball to win by a single point. His victory speech, delivered through tears of joy and relief, was voted “The Greatest Sporting Moment” of all time by BBC Sports viewers in 2002.
After winning the World Championship, Taylor’s career entered something of a decline. Dennis failed to reach another world final until 1989 when he lost 14–18 to Steve. He won his last ranking title in 1992 at the British Open. He retired from professional snooker in 2010. His last competitive match was a 10–4 defeat by Joe Perry in qualifying for that year’s China Open.
Mark Williams
Williams is a three-time World Snooker Champion, winning the title in 2000, 2003, and 2018. He is also a two-time Masters champion, winning the prestigious invitational event in 1998 and 2018.
Williams has been a professional snooker player since 1992 and has won 19 ranking titles during his career. His most recent ranking event victory came at the 2020 Welsh Open.
Williams is widely regarded as one of the best players of all time. And also has been inducted into the World Snooker Hall of Fame.
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