There have been many outstanding players in the sport of snooker. Many names are instantly recognisable, and to include them all would require writing a book. This article highlights several notable figures, past and present, and gives insight into their backgrounds and achievements.
🧔 Joe Davis – The Pioneer of Professional Snooker
Joe Davis is widely recognized as the founding figure of professional snooker. Not only was he the sport’s first-ever world champion, but he also played a vital role in popularizing snooker throughout the UK and beyond during the early 20th century. His influence helped elevate the game from a gentleman’s pastime to a respected competitive sport.
Born on April 15, 1901, in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, England, Davis began his professional career in English billiards at the age of 18. He quickly rose to prominence, winning the world billiards championship four times — a testament to his precision and tactical skill. But it was in snooker that he truly made history.
Davis claimed the inaugural World Snooker Championship title in 1927 and went on to defend it 15 consecutive times — a record that still stands unchallenged. His dominance only paused due to the outbreak of World War II, which suspended the championship from 1941 to 1945. When the tournament resumed in 1946, Davis reclaimed the title once again, then retired from competitive play — undefeated as world champion.
Joe wasn’t alone in his legacy. His younger brother, Fred Davis, also became a respected player and world champion, though he often gravitated back to billiards, where he particularly excelled. The Davis brothers were central to shaping snooker’s early reputation, both through their rivalry and their relentless skill.
Even after retirement, Joe Davis remained a tireless ambassador for the game. He toured the country performing exhibitions, participated in minor tournaments, and wrote instructional books on both snooker and billiards. His contributions helped build the foundation for snooker’s post-war popularity and the golden era that followed.
Joe Davis passed away on July 10, 1978, at the age of 77, but his name remains synonymous with the origins of professional snooker. To this day, no player has matched his championship record — and few have shaped the game as profoundly.
🎯 Stephen Hendry – The King of the Modern Era
Born on January 13, 1969, in Edinburgh, Scotland, Stephen Hendry is often regarded as the most dominant snooker player of the modern era. He turned professional at just 16 years old, making him the youngest ever to do so at the time — a sign of the groundbreaking career that would follow.
Hendry won his first World Snooker Championship title at the age of 21 in 1990, becoming the youngest world champion in history. He went on to win a total of seven world titles, tying with Ronnie O’Sullivan for the most in the modern era. His reign at the top was marked by an aggressive, high-scoring style that redefined how the game was played.
During his career, he held the world number one ranking for eight consecutive seasons — a record still unmatched — and secured 36 ranking titles in total. His dedication to precision, mental discipline, and break-building earned him widespread respect, and he inspired a new generation of attacking snooker players.
In recognition of his contributions to the sport, Hendry was awarded an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) in 1994. After retiring from competitive play in 2012, he remained actively involved in the sport as a television commentator and analyst, offering expert insight and continuing to shape the snooker landscape off the table.
Though he returned briefly to professional competition in 2020 through an invitational tour card, Hendry’s legacy was already firmly cemented. He remains one of the most influential and respected figures in snooker history.
🚀 Ronnie O’Sullivan – The Rocket and Natural Genius of Snooker
Ronald Antonio “Ronnie” O’Sullivan, born on December 5, 1975, in Chigwell, Essex, is widely regarded as one of the most gifted and charismatic players in snooker history. Known for his lightning-fast play and effortless cueing action, he earned the nickname “The Rocket” early in his career — a title that continues to define his presence on the table.
O’Sullivan made his first century break at the age of 10 and his first official maximum break at just 15 — signs of an extraordinary talent emerging. He turned professional in 1992 at the age of 16, and only a year later, he won the 1993 UK Championship at 17 years and 358 days old, making him the youngest player ever to win a professional ranking tournament — a record that still stands today.
In 1995, at only 19 years and 69 days, he became the youngest winner of the Masters tournament, showcasing his ability to perform on snooker’s biggest stages. Over the course of his career, O’Sullivan has won snooker’s prestigious Triple Crown events multiple times, with five World Championships, seven Masters titles, and seven UK Championships to his name — a Triple Crown total that puts him at the very top of the sport.
His style of play is not only fast but fearless. He is celebrated as a prolific break-builder and creative shot-maker, admired for his ability to construct high breaks with incredible speed and fluidity. He holds the record for the most competitive maximum breaks in professional snooker, with 15 official 147s — a benchmark of perfection in the sport. His 1997 World Championship maximum, completed in just 5 minutes and 20 seconds, remains the fastest ever recorded in professional play.
O’Sullivan has also won ten Premier League titles and contributed to England’s victory in the 2000 Nations Cup. During his career, he has been ranked world number one for five seasons between 2002/2003 and 2009/2010, and his career earnings have exceeded £8 million, placing him among the most successful players in snooker’s financial history.
With over 1,200 century breaks in professional competition — a record he alone holds — O’Sullivan has redefined what’s possible at the snooker table. Loved by fans and respected by peers, his blend of natural ability, boldness, and longevity has cemented his place as one of the all-time greats.
🎱 Steve Davis – The Nugget Who Ruled the 80s
Steve Davis is fondly remembered as one of the most successful and influential snooker players of the modern era. His calm demeanor, calculated shot-making, and unmatched consistency helped him dominate the sport throughout the 1980s. Beyond the table, he later became a popular television commentator and one of the sport’s most recognizable ambassadors.
Born on August 22, 1957, in London, England, Davis was introduced to snooker at the age of 12 by his father, who frequently took him to working men's clubs. Inspired by the teachings of Joe Davis — whose book served as a learning tool — Steve developed a methodical and strategic approach to the game. Despite sharing the same surname and deep respect for the snooker pioneer, Steve Davis is not related to Joe Davis.
During the golden era of his career in the 1980s, Davis won the World Championship six times (1981, 1983, 1984, 1987, 1988, and 1989). He was ranked world number one for seven consecutive seasons from 1983 to 1990, showcasing his dominance in an increasingly competitive field.
While some critics described his play as slow or clinical, others praised his flawless technique and mental discipline. Every shot was purposeful, every frame calculated — a style that made him both feared and respected among his peers. These traits earned him nicknames such as "The Nugget" and "The Ginger Magician."
Davis officially retired from professional competition in 2016, shortly after the passing of his father. By then, he had already begun transitioning into other roles within cue sports and beyond. He has since competed in various pool events and even appeared in televised poker tournaments, showcasing his strategic mind across disciplines.
In recognition of his achievements and services to snooker, Steve Davis was appointed MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) in 1988, and later elevated to OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) in 2001.
Today, he remains a beloved figure in the sport, both for his contributions as a player and for his warm, witty presence behind the microphone as a commentator. Steve Davis’s legacy stands not just in trophies, but in the transformation of snooker into a mainstream spectacle during the height of its popularity.
🌪️ Jimmy "Whirlwind" White – The People's Champion
Jimmy White, affectionately known as “The Whirlwind,” quickly became a fan favorite thanks to his attacking style of play, lively personality, and never-say-die spirit. Born on May 2, 1962, in Tooting, London, White turned heads from a young age with his natural talent and flair for the game.
At 18, he won the World Amateur Snooker Championship, setting the stage for what would become a high-profile and often dramatic professional career. Though he never claimed the World Championship title, White reached the final six times — an extraordinary achievement that also underscores the heartbreak of coming so close without lifting the trophy.
White has always been open about his early life, admitting he was no academic. He frequently skipped school in favor of snooker halls, where his passion for the sport truly took root. As a teenager, he competed alongside other rising stars like Tony Meo, and his aggressive, fast-paced style earned him widespread admiration among fans and commentators alike.
He made history as the first left-handed player to record a maximum break at the World Championship — a 147 that remains a highlight of his career. At his peak, White reached a world ranking of number 2, though his standings have declined since the 2000s, placing him in the 50s in recent years. Despite this, he has never lost the affection of the snooker public, who continue to refer to him as “The People's Champion.”
Outside the snooker world, White is also an accomplished cue sport competitor. Like Steve Davis, he has ventured into professional poker tournaments and regularly participates in pool events, demonstrating his broad skill set across the cue sports spectrum.
Jimmy White’s enduring popularity is a testament to his charisma, resilience, and the joy he brings to the sport — even without a world title, his legacy is firmly cemented as one of snooker’s true icons.
🌪️ Alex “Hurricane” Higgins – The Flawed Genius Who Electrified the Game
No list of snooker legends would be complete without mentioning Alex Higgins — a player whose brilliance on the table was matched only by the turbulence of his personal life. Born on March 18, 1949, in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Higgins picked up a cue at the age of 11 and quickly fell in love with the game.
In his youth, Higgins initially pursued a career as a jockey and moved to England for training. However, difficulties with weight control ended that path, and he soon returned to Northern Ireland. There, in 1968, he became both the All-Ireland and Northern Ireland amateur snooker champion, confirming his raw talent and unique flair.
He turned professional at the age of 22 and immediately made history by winning the World Championship in 1972 — at his very first attempt. At the time, he was the youngest ever world champion. A decade later, he repeated the feat, capturing his second world title in 1982 in one of the most emotional and memorable finals ever witnessed.
Higgins earned the nickname “Hurricane” thanks to his fast, fearless, and instinctive style of play, which stood in sharp contrast to the more methodical approach of many of his contemporaries. His unpredictability and passion made him a crowd favorite and a cultural icon. Fans loved him not just for his victories, but for the drama and emotion he brought to every frame.
However, Higgins's career was often overshadowed by off-table controversies. He struggled with alcohol addiction and substance abuse, including cocaine, which frequently led to disciplinary action and strained relationships with the sport’s governing bodies. Despite his demons, his genius could not be denied.
Later in life, Higgins was diagnosed with throat cancer, which he battled with determination and resilience. Sadly, he was found dead in his Belfast flat on July 24, 2010, at the age of 61. His passing marked the end of an era, but his legacy lives on.
Many great players, including Jimmy White and Ronnie O’Sullivan, have cited Alex Higgins as a major influence on their careers. His fearless approach and emotional intensity helped redefine snooker, making it more dynamic, accessible, and unforgettable. Higgins was more than a champion — he was a revolutionary spirit in the sport.