Snooker’s worldwide popularity can be credited to the game’s social and competitive element. Whether it’s Australia, England, or the U.S, snooker’s massive popularity with the general masses has turned it into one of the biggest sports in the world. It is followed religiously in the UK and is a famous world sport, with professional players, from all continents, participating in global tournaments and events.
To send off the ongoing World Championship 2022 with a bang, we’ve prepared a list of the best snooker players of all time!
1. Nong Mink
Nong Mink Saraburi Natcharat is a professional snooker player hailing from Thailand. Recently, Nong Mink dethroned 12-time world champion, Reanne Evans, in the female’s World Snooker Championship 2022. Here’s a short biography on Nong Mink to celebrate the player.
Nong Mink developed a passion for the sport when she would be around her mother, who worked as a cashier at a snooker club. She started her journey by winning six amateur Red Snooker championships at 19.
In the years following her amateur wins, Nong Mink went on to win an IBSF Under-21 world championship. She was also the runner-up at the Romania Race, made a 147 in 2019, and reached the quarter-finals of a Q Tour event. To top it all off, she won the women’s British Open in January 2022.
2. Ronnie O’Sullivan
Ronnie “ The Rocket” O’Sullivan is a 19-time Triple Crown winner and the reigning world number 1 snooker player in the world. Throughout his career, the 46-year-old has earned £1,036,000 in prize money.
O’Sullivan OBE became the youngest Masters winner to grace the sport at only 19 years. He’s also known for the fastest ever 147, a record 1000 century breaks, and winning more titles than anyone in the pro era.
3. Stephen Hendry
Stephen Hendry MBE is a Scottish snooker legend who’s now a commentator for the BBC and ITV. The 53-year-old Scot boasted a record of 7 world titles and was crowned the youngest world champion at 21 years old. Moreover, his record consists of topping the world rankings for eight consecutive seasons, 5 U.K. Championship wins, and 6 Masters titles.
4. Alex Higgins
Alex “Hurricane” Higgins was given the nickname for his overwhelming and fierce lifestyle and sporting prowess. The Irish snooker legend is a Triple Crown winner, with two world titles, a U.K. Championship, and 2 Masters titles. Unfortunately, Higgins passed away in 2010 at the age of 61.
5. Steve Davis (The Nugget)
Steve Davis OBE, aged 64 years, was a snooker phenomenon in the ‘80s. The Englishman made headlines in 2010 for his record 30th Crucible appearance, in which he dethroned world champion John Higgins and became the oldest world quarter-finalist. The Nugget won 6 world titles before making his exit in 2016 at 59 years.
6. Mark Williams
Mark Williams MBE is a Welsh snooker player currently ranked number 6 in the WST World Rankings. The 47-year-old started his journey in 1992 and does not plan on quitting anytime soon. Nicknamed the Welsh Potting Machine, Williams is a three-time world champion and one of only three players to win the Triple Crown in a single season!
7. John Higgins
The Wizard of Wishaw is a Scottish snooker player and one of the most successful in terms of consistency. John Higgins retained the 6th position in the world rankings between 1996 and 2012. His record boasts 4 World Championship titles, 3 U.K. Championships, 2 Masters, and the famous 147 he achieved two years ago.
8. Mark Selby
The Leicester Jester is a Triple Crown winner and the former world number 1 snooker player. He dethroned fellow Englishman O’Sullivan in the 2014 final. Although the Rocket did manage to take back his throne, Mark Selby held his spot longer than any player in professional snooker since 2010. He’s won 3 Masters, 2 U.K. Championships, and is the 7th all-time ranking tournament winner. Selby currently holds the number 2 spot in the world rankings.
9. Ray Reardon
The 88-year-old legendary Welshman is one of the best snooker players of all time. Reardon won 6 world titles at six different venues and is the former coach of the current world number 1, Ronnie O’Sullivan. His all-time tournament ranking is 19 since 2 of his world titles were won before rankings were introduced in 1976.
10. Jimmy White
Finishing the list is one of the most popular snooker players in world history, Jimmy White. The knighted Englishman holds the 10th spot on all-time tournament rankings. While he lost six world title finals, the Whirlwind was a force of nature in all final events and a favourite of the late Queen Mother. However, he has won both the U.K. Championship and the Masters titles.
We hope you had fun reading our list of the best snooker players of all time. A sport is only as popular as the player, and these were some of the most popular snooker players to grace the game!