List of notable snooker players
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This is a list of champion snooker players. Excluding Jimmy White, all of the following (listed alphabetically) have won the World Snooker Championship. For a longer roster of notable professional snooker players, see List of snooker players. For a list of all World Champions by year, see List of World Snooker Champions. There is also a List of snooker player nicknames.
| Name and Nickname(s) |
Country | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fred Davis |  ENG |
Won eight World Championships during the 1940s and 50s, once his elder brother Joe had retired. |
| Joe Davis | ENG |
Generally considered the grandfather of modern snooker and largely responsible for making the game more popular than billiards in the 1930s and 40s. Dominated the World Championship during its pre-television era, winning fifteen consecutive times from 1927 to 1946. |
| Steve Davis The Nugget "Interesting" Davis |
ENG |
Became in the 1980s the first player in the televised era to dominate the sport, raising the standard of the game and winning six World Championships. He was also one of the first players to develop a particularly strong safety game. Until his mantle was assumed by Stephen Hendry, Davis held the vast majority of snooker records and still holds the record for most professional titles won (73). (Not related to Fred or Joe Davis.) |
| Ken Doherty The Darling of Dublin Krafty Ken |
 IRL |
To date the only player to win all three World Championships: Under 21 (1989), Amateur (1989) and Professional (1997). Also, the only man to miss the final black of a televised 147 attempt, in the 2000 Master Final. |
| Graeme Dott Pocket Dynamo Pocket Rocket |
 SCO |
Reached the World Championship final in 2004 and won it in 2006, his first professional tournament victory. |
| Peter Ebdon Skeletor Psycho |
ENG |
World Champion 2002. Known for his concentration and dogged determination although his occasional vocal outbursts of self-encouragement after winning matches or crucial frames have ceased in recent years. |
| Terry Griffiths |  WAL |
Remains the only player in the televised era to win the World Championship at his first attempt, in 1979. |
| Stephen Hendry The Ice Man |
SCO |
Dominated the 1990s, much as Steve Davis dominated the 1980s, during which time he seemed able to win most frames from one visit to the table (often owing to his mastery of playing the cue ball onto the pink ball so as to spread the red balls behind it and set up a high-scoring opportunity). Seven-time World Championship winner and rated by many as the greatest player to date. |
| Alex Higgins Hurricane |
 NIR |
Brought the sport to new levels of popularity and won two World Championships, in 1972 and 1982. Another natural talent, but sometimes garnered more attention for his volatile temperament away from the snooker table. |
| John Higgins The Wizard of Wishaw |
SCO |
World Champion 1998. Holds the record for making the most centuries in consecutive frames during a match – four – and for amassing the most points without answer from an opponent during a match (494). These feats were achieved against Ronnie O'Sullivan in the final of the 2005 Grand Prix tournament. |
| Shaun Murphy | ENG |
The surprise winner of the 2005 World Championship and the first qualifier to win since Joe Johnson. |
| Ronnie O'Sullivan The Rocket Essex Exocet |
ENG |
Given his nicknames for the blisteringly fast and effortless rate at which he usually plays. Has won two World Championships (most recently in 2004) and compiled the five fastest maximum 147 breaks so far recorded. The top two of these (5'20" in 1997 and 6'30" in 2003 [1]) were both achieved during World Championships, making O'Sullivan the only player to date to compile more than one career maximum at the Crucible. Also noted for a very high level of skill with his left hand. |
| John Parrott | ENG |
A noted amateur in the early 1980s, Parrott reached the World Championship final in 1989 and won it in 1991. He was ranked second only to Stephen Hendry for three seasons in the early 1990s, but in recent years his form has declined and currently he is no longer among the top thirty-two ranked players in the world. |
| John Pulman | ENG |
Dominated the 1960s, winning eight World Championships between 1957 and 1968. |
| Ray Reardon Dracula |
WAL |
Won six World Championships, mostly in the 1970s, straddling the pre-televised and televised eras. Earned his nickname as his dark widow's peak gives him a passing resemblance to portrayals of Bram Stoker's character. |
| John Spencer | ENG |
Three-times World Champion during the late 1960s and 1970s. |
| Dennis Taylor | NIR |
Won the famous 1985 World Championship final on the very last ball. Also became well-known for wearing glasses that appeared to have been put on upside-down; their design allowed them to be used when leaning over and looking along the cue. |
| Cliff Thorburn The Grinder |
 CAN |
To date the only player from outside the British Isles to win the World Championship, in 1980. Earned his nickname from his highly tactical style of play which often led to long matches. |
| Jimmy White Whirlwind |
ENG |
The World Championship's eternal bridesmaid, runner-up no fewer than six times. He has, however, won virtually every other major event in the game, including the Masters, the UK Championship, and the Grand Prix. Another naturally talented and, in his heyday, fast player like Ronnie O'Sullivan, White is one of the most exciting and popular players of the game. Known for his sometimes incredible cue power and rest play. |
| Mark Williams The Welsh Potting Machine |
WAL |
Twice World Champion in 2000 and 2003. When on form, widely regarded as the greatest single ball potter in the game. In the 2002/2003 season Williams achieved the rare snooker 'Grand Slam' holding all four BBC televised titles simultaneously. After a couple of relatively poor years, he won the 2006 China Open. |
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