The official ranking system used by professional snooker player is called the world snooker rankings. These rankings determine who is eligible to participate in World Snooker Tour tournaments. The rankings are maintained by the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association. They not only give players an idea about their ranking but also provide useful statistics about the sport.
Judd Trump
Judd Trump ranks in the top 10 for world snooker. He is well-known for his incredible breaks and ability to dominate the sport. He has won 23 ranking titles, including the world championship. He is only 33 and still very young. However, he has the potential of staying at the top of the sport at least for another decade. However, his age and the grind of the tour may wear him down.
Mark Selby
Mark Selby from England is one the most renowned players in the game. He was a former England Under-15 champion and is currently a World Snooker Championship winner. He also has a strong background in pool. He won the 2006 WEPF eight ball pool championship. He also finished in the finals of the 2015 Chinese Pool World Championship. Selby was born in Leicester, England. Malcolm Thorne, brother to Willie Thorne's legendary snooker player, was Selby's coach.
Ronnie O'Sullivan
Ronnie O'Sullivan has spent 280 weeks at the top of the world snooker rankings. His latest move took him ahead of Mark Selby in the rankings after reaching the semi-finals of the Tour Championship. 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 the current number 10, and one of the top snooker players worldwide. The Welshman became a member of the elite in 1995 with his wins at the Welsh Open and 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 has won two ranking titles and reached the final of the China Open in 2010. His form has been inconsistent ever since. He has also been diagnosed with depression and has publicly discussed his struggle with it. The Australian is not ranked in the top ten of the world snooker rankings. But, he has an excellent record at home.
Dott's professional career
Graeme Dott began his professional career in 1994 and has steadily climbed the ranks of world snooker. He made it to the top 16 in 2001, and he remained there until 2009. He reached the quarterfinals of the Welsh Open 1996 and 1997. In 1997, he was the World Champion in 1997. In 2001, he finished second in both the 1999 Scottish Open or the 2001 British Open. He was also second in the 2004 World Championship, and the 2005 Malta Cup. 1999 was his first competitive 147 break.
Dott's ranking
Dott's ranking in the world snooker rankings has fluctuated over the years. Six times he reached the top 16. He was number two in the 2007/8 season. Dott's rank has fallen since then.
Mark Williams' ranking
In the last few years Mark Williams' world ranking in snooker has steadily improved. He has won a number of tournaments, including the Players Championship Grand Final in 2000. Ronnie O'Sullivan also lost the final. He has also topped the world rankings on several occasions. He was defeated by Anthony Hamilton in Beijing Open's final in 2001. This was his greatest ranking win.