Snooker has been one of the top sports in the UK for decades. The sport continues to sell out in venues across the globe and has gained a huge cult following. There have been several worthy champions over the years, including Joe Davis, Stephen Hendry, and Ronnie O’Sullivan.
In this overview, we look at the greatest players of all time, check on the current world No. 1, see the latest snooker odds, and review the best players of 2025.
Best Snooker Players of All Time
The sport has seen many great champions since its inception. In the early years of the World Snooker Championship, Joe Davis was the dominant force, winning each of the first 15 tournaments.
Of course, like other sports, snooker has evolved massively in recent times, with the game becoming far more competitive at the top level. Some players relish the pressure, though, and stars like John Pulman, Alex Higgins, Ray Reardon, and Steve Davis lit up the World Snooker Championship with dazzling performances.
In more recent times, Stephen Hendry and Ronnie O’Sullivan have been the standout champions on the world stage. Hendry won five successive championships in the 1990s, with O’Sullivan winning his first Crucible title in 2001.
Overall, Hendry won seven world championships, a modern-era record until O’Sullivan equalled it in 2022. O’Sullivan needs just one more world title to become the greatest player of modern times.
The World Championship is the pinnacle event on the snooker calendar, and the next edition will be held in April and May 2026. You can bet on every match with talkSPORT BET and take advantage of our top snooker offers and promotions during the tournament.
Who is the Current World No. 1?
After the Scottish Open in December 2025, Judd Trump remains at the top of the Snooker World Rankings. The Midlands-born Ronnie O’Sullivan is currently ranked No. 5.
Nicknamed ‘The Rocket’, O’Sullivan is widely regarded as the greatest snooker player of all time. He went level with Hendry on seven World Championship titles with his stunning victory in 2022, and although he is currently ranked No. 5, he has won virtually every major championship in professional snooker.
Next on the list is Judd Trump, who has been incredibly consistent over the past few years. Despite winning several titles and being world No. 1 on several occasions, ‘The Ace in the Pack’ has only been world champion once. Judd Trump has officially ended 2025 as the world number one in the snooker rankings after the Scottish Open marked the end of this year’s ranking event schedule. Mark Allen, Luca Brecel, and Mark Selby are also high in the Snooker World Rankings.
Best Snooker Players of 2025?
The year 2025 was another top one for the sport. Fans were treated to a memorable Snooker World Championship in Sheffield, which was won by Zhao Xintong, who defeated Mark Williams 18–12 to become the first-ever world champion from China.
The first tournament of 2025 was the Masters in January, with Shaun Murphy beating Kyren Wilson 10–7 in the final. Throughout 2025, big events such as the German Masters, Welsh Open, Players Championship, and Tour Championship took place.
There were several different winners throughout the 2025-26 season, with some players picking up multiple titles. Mark Selby won both the UK Championship and the Champion of Champions. Mark Allen triumphed at the English Open and the Riyadh Season Championship. Shaun Muphy secured titles at the Masters and the British Open.
Snooker has three Triple Crown events per season: the UK Championship, the Masters, and the World Championship. Mark Selby won the UK Championship title, Shaun Murphy won the Masters, and Zhao Xintong was crowned World Champion. Check the latest Masters snooker odds for the 2026 edition are available on the talkSPORT BET website.
All three players had an exceptional season. Shaun Murphy won the first tournament of the campaign, while Selby also picked up two competition victories, including the UK Championship and Champion of Champions. Selby was was amongst the most successful in terms of tournament wins, while Mark Allen added notable victories at the English Open and Riyadh Season Championship.
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Which Snooker Player Has the Most 147s?
Ronnie O’Sullivan is one of the most successful snooker players of all time, and ‘The Rocket’ is also deemed the most gifted in the professional game.
A 147 in snooker is the maximum break, and O’Sullivan holds the record. He has had 15 147s in professional tournaments, with the last coming in 2018. He also scored the fastest at five minutes and eight seconds at the 1997 World Championship.
Steve Davis hit the first official maximum break in 1982, and there have been a total of 194. John Higgins has scored 12 147s, while Stephen Hendry has hit 11 during his illustrious career.
