The official ranking system for professional players in snooker is the world snooker rankings. These rankings are used to determine who automatically qualifies for World Snooker Tour events. The World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association maintains these rankings. The World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association provides useful statistics on the sport, as well as providing players with an idea how they rank.
Judd Trump
Judd Trump ranks in the top 10 for world snooker. He is known for his impressive breaks and his ability as a dominator of the sport. He has won 23 ranking titles including the world championship. At only 33 years of age, he is still young and could continue to be a top player in the sport for at least ten more years. However, his age and the grind of the tour may wear him down.
Mark Selby
The Englishman Mark Selby is one of the best players in the world. He is a former Under-15 champion of England and a recent World Snooker Championship champion. He is also an avid pool player. He was the 2006 WEPF eightball pool champion and a finalist at the 2015 Chinese Pool World Championship. Selby hails originally from Leicester, England. He was coached by Malcolm Thorne, the brother of the legendary snooker player Willie Thorne.
Ronnie O'Sullivan
Ronnie O'Sullivan is currently ranked number one in the world snooker rankings after spending 280 weeks there. After reaching the semi finals of the Tour Championship, O'Sullivan's latest move put him ahead of Mark Selby. The Scot was first ranked number one on the world stage in May 2002. He has since claimed 31 ranking titles. Six World Championship titles and five UK Championships are some of his achievements.
Mark Williams
Mark Williams is one of the best snooker players in the world and currently holds the number 10 spot. In 1995, the Welshman broke into the top snooker players in the world when he won the Benson & Hedges Masters. He won the second title with a respotted-black in the final. He was the fourth player who won three ranking championships in 1998.
Graeme Dott
Graeme Dott was awarded two ranking titles. In 2010, he reached the final of China Open. But his form has been inconsistent. He has also suffered from depression and has openly spoken about his battle with the condition. The Australian has a low ranking in the world snooker rankings, but has a strong record at home.
Dott's career
Graeme Dott's climb up the world snooker rankings has been steady since 1994 when he became a professional. He made it to the top 16 in 2001, and he remained there until 2009. He reached quarter-finals in the Welsh Open 1996 and 1997. He was second in the 1999 Scottish Open, and third in the 2001 British Open. He was also second in the 2004 World Championship, and the 2005 Malta Cup. In 1999, he made his first competitive break of 147 at the British Open.
Dott's ranking
Dott's place in the world ranking of snooker has changed over the years. Six times he reached the top 16. During the 2007/8 season, he was ranked number two. Dott's rank has fallen since then.
Mark Williams' ranking
Over the last few years, Mark Williams has seen his world ranking in snooker steadily rise. He has won numerous tournaments, including the Players Championship Grand Finals in 2000. Ronnie O'Sullivan was also defeated by him in the final. He has also topped several world rankings. His greatest ranking win came in 2001 when he beat Anthony Hamilton in the finals of the China Open.