This article aims to get your attention, our dear reader. Why? Well, when you’re ranking the best players in any sport, it gets controversial. After all, everyone is entitled to an opinion of their own. We’re no different. As we said, the list of top athletes of all time exists in all sports. And the debate is ongoing among them.
Is Tom Brady the NFL GOAT, or is Patrick Mahomes already there next to him? LeBron James or Michael Jordan? Lionel Messi or CR7? We all have these debates, and the lists usually include other players who are close to the conversation, whether they’re Peyton Manning, Wilt Chamberlain, or Maradona. You’ve been a part of conversations such as these, right? Sure, you have.
That’s why you will not be surprised to hear that we will have this conversation regarding snooker. This sport is rather popular. During its existence, it had more than a few legendary players. Playing snooker in a bar while you’re chugging beer is one thing. Professional snooker is a sport elevated to the level of perfection. It is one of the most viewed sports in the world. There are numerous fans of it worldwide, and if you’re reading this, you’re one of them.
Furthermore, due to its massive viewership during major tournaments, this sport is attractive to sponsors. One of the top rising sportsbooks and online casinos, Sportsbet, has signed a two-year sponsorship with the World Snooker Tour. From now on, they will be the official partner and featured in all photos, videos, and merchandise.
Trust us, snooker is more popular today than ever, and it is all thanks to the few of the names, if not all of them, that we’ll list today in this article of ours. So, regarding snooker betting today, you know where to go. As far as the cream of the crop in snooker among players go, here you have them:
Jimmy White
White can be seen as one of the unluckiest players in snooker history. He’s been the World Championship second-place man on six occasions, yet that’s enough to feature on this list. Position ten on this list is not too flattering, but he’d be higher if he only took home one or two of those championships. Despite a few players, he’s been ranked as the world’s No. 2 for some time and garnered quite a following among fans.
Shaun Murphy
Unlike White, Shaun Murphy did what was necessary to win and took home the World Championship in 2005. Murphy didn’t stop there; his trophy cabinet has titles from the Masters, Champion of Champions, and UK Championship—more than enough for position No. 9.
Neil Robertson
Consistency is what bought Robertson’s place on this list. When you look at the entire tour, Neil is the one who is as consistent as any of his contemporaries and quite a prolific winner. When you look at his body of work, it is a surprise that he only managed to win one World Championship trophy. He won the UK Championship in number, as he has three, two of each in the Masters and the Champion of Champions. Robertson has 20 ranking trophies and has been ranked as the No. 1 player in the world on more than one occasion.
Judd Trump
Judd Trump is a record-breaker. Three ranking titles in a row wasn’t a feat done by too many players. Considering his ongoing career, he will push for that record in career ranking victories. Trump’s place on this list is no surprise, as he was one of the rare wunderkinds in this sport. His domination from 2019 to 2021 will never be forgotten. Still, if he wants to move higher up on this list, more than one World Championship must be added to his overall tally.
Mark Williams
One of the standout names of this unique sport, Mark Williams, is a proud owner of three world championships. Add seven Triple Crown titles to the mix. Then spice it up with some World and UK Championships and Masters. If you look at snooker in the early 2000s, Williams was Mister Invincible. The best part is that Mark is still not retired and is going strong at 49.
Mark Selby
Snooker is a game that gives you 50% of success if your name is Mark. Joking aside, between 2014 and 2021, Selby participated in eight World Championships, winning four of them, making his mark on the history of snooker. Those familiar with the high echelon of snooker deem Selby one of the hardest players to beat. This title was well deserved, as during his era of snooker, he ended seven consecutive years as the No. 1 ranked player in the world.
John Higgins
While fans of John Higgins would like to see him higher, the No. 4 spot on this list will do him justice just fine. During his illustrious career, Higgins has been in eight World Championship finals, winning four of them in the process. As close to his fifth decade as Mark Williams, John is seen as one of the most rounded players this game has ever seen.
Steve Davis
A testimony to snooker’s glory is that this sport has been popular for decades. Davis dominated the era when he won his sixth World Championships. Davis, nicknamed the Nugget, was the No. 1 player in this sport for over a decade. With 80 trophies in his professional career, Steve deserves this spot on our list and in the game’s history.
Stephen Hendry
Hendry is a man who continued where Davis stopped, as the snooker era of the 90s belonged to him. He is the man who won seven World Championship titles after he played in eight finals for ten years. Indeed, it’s the stuff of legends. What makes him so great in the history of snooker is the habit of defeating his opponents and sending them home flying.
Ronnie O’Sullivan
A man whose name transcendents the sport. Ronnie O’Sullivan put snooker on the global map and is one of the names associated with modern snooker. He has the most Triple Crown trophies among all players and seven world titles. We might add the most ranking titles and the most century breaks made to that list. Also, O’Sullivan is among the most talented players gracing a snooker table. In essence, Ronnie is the best snooker player of all time. The GOAT.
