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Who is the Best Ever Snooker Player?

Will Brown by Will Brown, May 14, 2025

Snooker player

While the popularity of snooker has ebbed and flowed over its 150-year history, the iconic billiards game continues to produce legendary talents. In fact, some would argue that the best ever snooker player is competing today. With each demonstrating unique playing styles and technical excellence, the best snooker players are revered for their strategy, mental stamina, and even crowd-pleasing behavior. In this guide, we’ve ranked the top 10 snooker players of all time, paying close attention to their achievements and impact.

Intro to the Best Snooker Players of All Time

To contextualize the achievements of our top 10 ranked snooker players, we’ve covered the sport’s most prestigious tournaments and events. We then kicked off our guide by highlighting who is arguably considered to be the best snooker player ever, Ronnie O’Sullivan.

Our list continues to mention the achievements of other greats such as Stephen Hendry, Mark Selby, Alex Higgins, and Jimmy White. It’s worth mentioning that while no best-ever list can ever be definitive, this was constructed after considerable research into player achievements and the opinions of experts and fans.

Notable Snooker Events

While we were trying to establish who is considered the greatest pool player of all time, the first place we researched was the official stats of the World Snooker Championship (WSC). Since it was established in 1927, the WSC has carved a reputation for showcasing the best talents in the sport.

The tournament is held over 17 days, with competitors required to compete in several two-day matches. The final event, which generates much speculation at snooker betting apps, consists of a four-session best of 35 frame test of endurance. The 2025 edition will run between April 19 and May 5.

As a game invented by the British gentry, the UK Championship is the second-most prestigious tournament. Unlike the WSC, the UK Championship includes single-session best-of-11 frame matches, apart from the final, which is played over 19 frames across two sessions. The event features the top 16 players and 16 qualifiers.

Making up the final tournament in snooker’s Triple Crown is the Masters. The Masters is an invitation-only event featuring the world’s top 16 players, and while it doesn’t offer WSC ranking points, it is considered prestigious due to its elite field. Other notable tournaments include the Champion of Champions, the Shanghai Masters, and the Tour Championship.

There are varying cash prizes awarded to the winners of these competitions, with the WSC offering the highest top prize of roughly $630,000. The best snooker players of all time featured on our list below have excelled at one or more of these competitions.

1. Ronnie O’Sullivan: The Best Snooker Player Ever

Widely considered to be the best ever snooker player, Ronnie O’Sullivan is a natural talent at the game. Earning the nickname “The Rocket” due to his rapid play and pinpoint precision, O’Sullivan has dominated the sport for more than 20 years. Included in his achievements are a record 21 Triple Crown wins.

This includes seven World Championships, eight UK Championships, and seven Masters titles. O’Sullivan has completed a record 15 maximum breaks, with his 1997 World Championship maximum completed in just 5 minutes and 8 seconds. He was also the first player to achieve 1,000 century breaks in professional competitions. Despite courting controversy over the years through abrasive behavior, O’Sullivan’s prowess cannot be understated.

2. Stephen Hendry

Considered the best snooker player ever by O’Sullivan, Stephen Hendry has had a profound impact on the sport. Hendry was the most successful player during the 1990s, winning seven World Championships between 1990 and 1999. Five World Championships were won consecutively, with his runs marked by his famous aggressive style.

Hendry also holds the record for being the youngest snooker World Champion at 21. Nicknamed “The Maestro”, Hendry’s attacking style earned him a reputation for his potting-focused approach rather than defense. With his cool and focused demeanor in the face of pressure, Hendry earned 18 Triple Crown victories before his performance declined in the 2000s.

3. Steve Davis

Before the Hendry and O’Sullivan eras, Steve Davis was an instrumental figure in launching snooker into the mainstream. Peaking at the height of the sport’s popularity in the 1980s, Davis is one of the most famous snooker players, earning himself the nickname “The Nugget” throughout his six World Championship wins and 15 Triple Crowns.

Davis’s prowess came down to a methodical approach, meticulously preparing the table in a manner that some found to be too cold. Perhaps his most memorable moment came in 1985, when he defeated Dennis Taylor on the final black ball. The event was watched by more than 18 million viewers in the UK, launching him to iconic status.

4. John Higgins

One of the sport’s most enduring talents, John Higgins proved himself to be a formidable and versatile athlete. Higgins won four World Championships between 1998 and 2011 and 12 Triple Crowns, with his ability to play in both attacking and defensive styles being admired by snooker insiders.

Higgins’s resilience throughout the years is also considerable, having made it to three consecutive World Championship finals between 2017 and 2019 despite the younger field. He also managed to stay ranked in the top 16 for 29 years straight, with 33 ranking titles putting him third in the all-time list behind O’Sullivan and Hendry.

5. Mark Selby

Perhaps the best ever snooker player when it comes to stamina, Mark Selby has earned the moniker “The Torturer” for good reason. Selby’s gameplay is characterized by lengthy tactical showdowns that showcase his strong defensive abilities and intelligence. It’s common for Selby to create difficult situations for his opponents while keeping it safe.

His career has seen four World Championships won and nine Triple Crown victories. Selby also has a reputation for mounting unexpected comebacks when all seems lost. This was perhaps best displayed after defeating Ronnie O’Sullivan in the 2014 World Championship final despite being down 10-5.

6. Alex Higgins

Alex “Hurricane” Higgins is often considered to be the best snooker player ever to watch. Higgins shot to fame with his unpredictability and was known for having regular confrontations with officials. Although he only won two World Championships in 1972 and 1982, he delighted onlookers with his intuitive playing style and creativity.

It was his 1982 World Championship win that is best remembered, ultimately defeating Ray Reardon in a high-pressure performance. He followed the win with an emotional call to his baby daughter, which cemented his place as the sport’s first major star and influenced generations to come.

7. Judd Trump

If Judd Trump continues at the pace he is on, he is likely to be ranked much higher on this list of the best snooker players of all time. The current world number one, Trump won his only World Championship in 2019. He has accrued five Triple Crown wins and 25 ranking titles and is also the third player to reach 1,000 century breaks. Trump’s playing style is known for its power, control, and creative technique, making him the most compelling player to watch at the moment.

8. Mark Williams

Like John Higgins, Mark Williams has proven himself one the most remarkable snooker talents in regards to longevity. After World Championship wins in 2000 and 2003, Williams staged a surprise comeback by winning again in 2018. Over his three decades of play, he has won 25 ranking titles and seven Triple Crowns, demonstrating a willingness to experiment with different play styles and evolve with the competition. He is currently ranked sixth in the world, indicating that he isn’t slowing down yet.

9. Neil Robertson

Neil Robertson is notable on this list as he is the first to not hail from the UK. The Australian player has 23 ranking titles, five Triple Crown victories, and a World Championship win in 2010 to his name. His consistent technique proves a strategic awareness and point-scoring ability that is rare, becoming the first player to reach 100 century breaks in a single season. His dedicated approach to practice is also storied, with the player claiming he regularly undertakes a six-hour session daily.

10. Jimmy White

As the only player on this list to never win a World Championship, Jimmy White is still considered to be among the most popular players in snooker history. At the height of his abilities in the 90s and 80s, White earned 10 ranking titles and a Masters win in 1984. He is unfortunately remembered for missing a straightforward black during his final against Stephen Hendry, though his fluidity, creativity, and attacking style stood out for their entertainment value.

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