Best Snooker Players of All Time: Top 10 Legends of the Cue
by B Kishwar
Updated May 05, 2023
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Best Snooker Players of All Time
Snooker is a sport that originated in the United Kingdom in the late 19th century and has since grown to become one of the most popular cue sports in the world. The game involves using a cue to strike a set of colored balls into pockets on a large table, with the ultimate goal of scoring more points than your opponent.
Over the years, there have been many best Snooker Players of All Time who have achieved incredible success in the sport, both in terms of winning major tournaments and pushing the boundaries of what is possible on the table. These players have become legends of the sport, inspiring countless others to take up snooker and strive for greatness themselves.
When it comes to ranking the best snooker players of all time, there are several factors to consider. These include the number of major titles won, the length of a player's career and their consistency over time, as well as their overall contribution to the sport.
Some of the most successful and iconic snooker players in history include legends such as Stephen Hendry, Ronnie O'Sullivan, Steve Davis, John Higgins, Ray Reardon, Joe Davis, and many others. Each of these players has achieved incredible success in the sport, pushing the limits of what is possible and inspiring generations of players to follow in their footsteps.
Ultimately, the debate over who is the greatest snooker player of all time will likely continue for many years to come. However, what is clear is that the players who have made it to the top of the sport have done so through hard work, dedication, and a love for the game that is unmatched by any other sport in the world.
Top 10 Best Snooker Players of All Time
Snooker has produced some of the most talented and iconic sportsmen in history. From the legendary Joe Davis to the modern-day superstar Ronnie O'Sullivan, the sport has seen many incredible players over the years. In this list, we will take a look at the top 10 best snooker players of all time, based on their achievements, skills, and overall impact on the sport. These players have dominated the game and set new standards for excellence, earning them a place in the snooker Hall of fame.
1
Ronnie O'Sullivan
6
2
Stephen Hendry
7
3
Steve Davis
2
4
Alex Higgins
4
5
John Higgins
4
6
Jimmy White
0
7
Mark Selby
4
8
Ray Reardon
6
9
Joe Davis
15
10
Dennis Taylor
1
S. No
Best Snooker Players
No. of World Titles
1. Ronnie O'Sullivan (6)
Ronnie O'Sullivan is a snooker player from England, widely regarded as one of the most talented and entertaining players in the sport's history. Born in 1975, O'Sullivan turned professional at the age of 16 and quickly established himself as a force to be reckoned with on the professional circuit. He has won a total of 37 ranking titles, including seven World Championships, and holds numerous records in the sport.
O'Sullivan is known for his fast and aggressive playing style and has been described by many as a genius on the table. He is capable of making seemingly impossible shots and has set several records for the fastest maximum break (the highest possible score in a single visit to the table). O'Sullivan is also known for his emotional outbursts and unpredictable behavior, which has earned him a reputation as a maverick in the sport.
Despite his controversial antics, O'Sullivan is widely respected and admired by fans and fellow players alike. He has been named World Snooker Player of the Year several times and was inducted into the Snooker Hall of Fame in 2011. His contribution to the sport has been immense, and he is considered by many to be one of the greatest players of all time.
2. Stephen Hendry (7)
Stephen Hendry is a Scottish snooker player who dominated the sport in the 1990s, winning a total of seven World Championships and 36 ranking titles in his career. Born in 1969, Hendry turned professional at the age of 16 and quickly established himself as one of the most talented players on the circuit. He is known for his clinical and methodical approach to the game, as well as his ability to perform under pressure.
Hendry's career is marked by numerous records and achievements. He is the youngest player to win the World Championship, doing so at the age of 21, and he holds the record for the most consecutive frames won in a professional match (36). He has also made a total of 11 maximum breaks in his career, a record that stood for many years.
Hendry retired from professional snooker in 2012 but remains one of the most respected and admired players in the sport's history. His impact on the game has been immense, and he is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time.
3. Steve Davis (2)
Steve Davis is an English snooker player who dominated the sport in the 1980s, winning a total of six World Championships and 28 ranking titles in his career. Born in 1957, Davis turned professional in 1978 and quickly established himself as a formidable player on the circuit. He is known for his disciplined and consistent playing style, as well as his ability to outmaneuver his opponents.
Davis' career is marked by numerous records and achievements. He was ranked the world number one for seven consecutive seasons, a record that still stands today. He has also made a total of 354-century breaks in his career, a record that stood for many years.
Davis retired from professional snooker in 2016 but remains an important figure in the sport's history. His impact on the game has been immense, and he is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. He has also been instrumental in popularizing snooker and helping to bring the sport to a wider audience, particularly in the UK.
4. Alex Higgins (4)
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Alex "Hurricane" Higgins was a Northern Irish snooker player who rose to fame in the 1970s and 1980s. He is widely regarded as one of the most talented players to have ever played the game, known for his aggressive style of play and fearless approach to the game.
Higgins won two world championships in his career, in 1972 and 1982, and was known for his remarkable comeback victories in high-pressure situations. He was also known for his volatile temperament and controversial behavior both on and off the table, which often led to clashes with tournament officials and other players.
Despite his tumultuous personal life, Higgins remained a hugely popular figure among fans of the sport, and his legacy continues to inspire new generations of snooker players to this day. He was inducted into the Snooker Hall of Fame in 2005, and his impact on the sport of snooker will be felt for many years to come.
5. John Higgins (4)
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John Higgins is a Scottish snooker player who has been one of the most consistent and successful players in the sport over the past few decades. He has won four world championships in his career, as well as numerous other major titles, and is widely regarded as one of the most skilled and technically proficient players in the game today.
Higgins is known for his tactical approach to the game, as well as his ability to perform under pressure in high-stakes matches. He is also known for his sportsmanship and professionalism both on and off the table and has been a positive role model for younger players looking to follow in his footsteps.
In addition to his success on the table, Higgins has also been involved in various charitable endeavors throughout his career, using his platform as a top snooker player to give back to his community and help those in need.
6. Jimmy White (0)
Jimmy "The Whirlwind" White is an English snooker player who is widely regarded as one of the greatest players ever to have won a world championship. Despite this, White's skill and flair on the table have made him a fan favorite over the years, and he remains one of the most popular players in the sport today.
White has won numerous other major titles in his career, including the UK Championship and the Masters, and has been a consistent presence on the snooker circuit for over three decades. He is known for his attacking style of play and his ability to make seemingly impossible shots, often thrilling fans with his exciting and unpredictable approach to the game.
Off the table, White has been involved in various charitable endeavors and has been a positive role model for younger players looking to succeed in the sport. Despite never winning a world championship, White's impact on the sport of snooker has been immense, and he remains a beloved figure among fans and players alike.
7. Mark Selby (4)
Mark Selby, also known as "The Jester from Leicester," is a professional snooker player from England. He was born on June 19, 1983, and began his professional career in 1999. Selby is widely regarded as one of the most consistent and successful players of his generation, with a career spanning over two decades.
Selby has won numerous major titles in his career, including three World Championships, three UK Championships, and two Masters titles. He has also achieved the world number-one ranking on multiple occasions, cementing his place among the all-time greats of the sport.
What sets Selby apart from many other players is his incredible tactical ability and his ability to grind out victories in the toughest of matches. He is known for his meticulous preparation and his ability to adapt to different playing styles and conditions, making him a formidable opponent on the table.
8. Ray Reardon (6)
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Ray Reardon is a former professional snooker player from Wales who is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. He was born on October 8, 1932, and began his professional career in 1963. Reardon dominated the sport in the 1970s, winning six World Championships between 1970 and 1978.
Reardon was known for his incredible tactical ability and his cool under pressure, making him a formidable opponent on the table. He was also known for his exceptional cue ball control and his ability to make difficult shots look easy.
In addition to his World Championship titles, Reardon won numerous other major tournaments throughout his career, including three UK Championships and six Masters titles. He retired from professional snooker in 1991 but remains an iconic figure in the sport to this day.
9. Joe Davis (15)
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Joe Davis was a former professional snooker player from England who is widely regarded as the founding father of the modern game. He was born on April 15, 1901, and began his professional career in 1927. Davis was the dominant force in snooker during the 1920s and 1930s, winning a total of 15 World Championships between 1927 and 1946.
Davis was known for his incredible consistency and his exceptional cue ball control, making him a tough opponent to beat. He was also known for his professionalism and his contribution to the development of the sport, helping to establish snooker as a mainstream sport in the UK and beyond
10. Dennis Taylor (1)
Dennis Taylor is a former professional snooker player from Northern Ireland who is best known for his dramatic victory over Steve Davis in the 1985 World Championship final. He was born on January 19, 1949, and began his professional career in 1972. Taylor was known for his flamboyant style and his incredible ability to entertain crowds with his shot-making and sense of humor.
Although Taylor only won one World Championship in his career, his victory over Davis in the 1985 final remains one of the most iconic moments in snooker history. He also won several other major tournaments throughout his career, including the Masters and the UK Championship.
Off the table, Taylor has remained involved in the sport as a commentator and pundit, sharing his insights and expertise with fans around the world.
Who is the Greatest Snooker Player of All Time?
Ronnie O'Sullivan is widely regarded as the greatest snooker player of all time. He was born on December 5, 1975, in Wordsley, England, and began his professional career in 1992. Since then, he has dominated the sport, winning countless titles and setting new records along the way.
O'Sullivan's incredible talent on the table is matched only by his charismatic personality off it. He is known for his flamboyant style of play, his ability to make the most difficult shots look easy, and his incredible speed around the table. O'Sullivan has a unique ability to read the game, anticipate his opponent's moves, and react quickly to changing circumstances, making him a formidable opponent for any player.
One of O'Sullivan's most notable achievements is his five World Championship titles, which he won in 2001, 2004, 2008, 2012, and 2013. He is also a seven-time UK Champion, and seven-time Masters Champion, and has won numerous other major titles throughout his career. In addition, O'Sullivan holds the record for the most maximum breaks in professional competition, with a total of 15.
What sets O'Sullivan apart from other players is his incredible consistency and his ability to perform at the highest level under pressure. He has won matches from seemingly impossible positions and has shown time and again that he is capable of producing his best snooker when it matters most.
Off the table, O'Sullivan has also made significant contributions to the sport of snooker. He is a vocal advocate for mental health awareness and has spoken candidly about his struggles with anxiety and depression. He has also used his platform to promote greater diversity and inclusion in snooker, working to make the sport more accessible to people from all backgrounds.
Ronnie O'Sullivan's incredible talent, consistency, and impact on the sport make him the greatest snooker player of all time. His unique style of play and charismatic personality have won him countless fans around the world, and his legacy in the sport is sure to endure for many years to come.
What are the Unique Styles and Personalities of the Greatest Snooker Players?
Each of the greatest snooker players of all time has their own unique style and personality that has contributed to their success on the table. In this section, we will explore the styles and personalities of ten of the most legendary players in snooker history: Ronnie O'Sullivan, Stephen Hendry, Steve Davis, Alex Higgins, John Higgins, Jimmy White, Mark Selby, Ray Reardon, Joe Davis, and Dennis Taylor.
1. Ronnie O'Sullivan - Known for his flamboyant style of play, incredible speed around the table, and the ability to make even the most difficult shots look easy. He is also known for his charismatic and at times controversial personality, often speaking candidly about his struggles with anxiety and depression.
2. Stephen Hendry - Widely considered one of the greatest snooker players of all time, Hendry is known for his exceptional potting and break-building ability. He was a dominant force in the 1990s, winning seven World Championship titles and setting numerous records along the way.
3. Steve Davis - One of the most successful players in snooker history, Davis is known for his disciplined and methodical approach to the game. He was the dominant force in the sport during the 1980s, winning six World Championship titles and numerous other major titles.
4. Alex Higgins - Known for his unpredictable style of play and charismatic personality, Higgins was a fan favorite during his career. He won two World Championship titles and numerous other major titles, and is widely regarded as one of the most talented players to ever grace the table.
5. John Higgins - One of the most consistent players in snooker history, Higgins has won four World Championship titles and numerous other major titles throughout his career. He is known for his precise shot-making and his ability to perform under pressure.
6. Jimmy White - Known for his natural talent and his never-say-die attitude, White won ten major titles during his career, including the UK Championship and the Masters. He is also known for his close friendship with fellow player Alex Higgins.
7. Mark Selby - A three-time World Champion and one of the most consistent players on the tour, Selby is known for his tactical and defensive style of play. He is also known for his determination and his ability to win matches from seemingly impossible positions.
8. Ray Reardon - One of the greatest players of the 1970s, Reardon won six World Championship titles and numerous other major titles during his career. He was known for his disciplined and methodical approach to the game, and his ability to outthink his opponents.
9. Joe Davis - Widely regarded as the founding father of modern snooker, Davis won 15 World Championship titles between 1927 and 1946. He was known for his precision and consistency, and his contributions to the sport helped establish it as a popular and respected pastime.
10. Dennis Taylor - Known for his distinctive upside-down glasses and his never-say-die attitude, Taylor won the World Championship in 1985 in one of the most memorable matches in snooker history. He was a fan favorite throughout his career and is still highly regarded by snooker fans around the world.
Best Snooker Players of All Time - FAQs
Ronnie O'Sullivan is a snooker player from England, widely regarded as one of the most talented and entertaining players in the sport's history.
Ronnie O'Sullivan has won a total of 37 ranking titles, including seven World Championships, and holds numerous records in the sport. He has also set several records for the fastest maximum break
O'Sullivan is known for his fast and aggressive playing style and has been described by many as a genius on the table. He is capable of making seemingly impossible shots.
O'Sullivan is also known for his emotional outbursts and unpredictable behavior, which has earned him a reputation as a maverick in the sport.
Despite his controversial antics, O'Sullivan is widely respected and admired by fans and fellow players alike. His contribution to the sport has been immense, and he is considered by many to be one of the greatest players of all time.