Jimmy White is one of snooker’s most popular players of the modern era and a six-time World Championship runner-up at the Crucible Theatre.
Jimmy White – Career Snapshot
| Date of birth: | 2 May 1962 |
| From: | England |
| Turned professional: | 1980 |
| Highest world ranking: | No. 2 |
| Ranking titles: | 10 |
| World Championship titles: | 0 |
| Triple Crown titles: | 2 |
| Masters appearances: | 27 |
| Maximum 147 breaks: | 1 |
Jimmy White’s Snooker Career
Jimmy White turned professional in 1980 and quickly became one of the sport’s most charismatic entertainers, combining natural attacking flair with a fearless shot-making style. Nicknamed “The Whirlwind”, he built a huge following as snooker entered a new era of popularity during the 1980s.
Despite winning major titles on the circuit, White’s career is most closely associated with his dramatic near misses at the World Snooker Championship. He reached six Crucible finals, first finishing runner-up in 1984 before returning for an extraordinary run of five consecutive finals between 1990 and 1994.
Those campaigns produced some of the most memorable moments of the modern era, including four final defeats to Stephen Hendry during Hendry’s reign at the top. Although the world title ultimately eluded him, White remained a constant contender and spent a long spell among the elite, reaching a career-high of world number two.
White captured two Triple Crown titles, winning the Masters in London in 1984 and later landing the biggest ranking success of his career at the 1992 UK Championship. Across his peak years he also won multiple events including at the Classic, the Grand Prix, the British Open, and the World Matchplay, underlining the depth of his achievement beyond the Crucible story.
After a resurgence in the early 2000s that brought a tenth ranking title at the 2004 Players Championship, White continued to remain involved at the top level for decades. He has also enjoyed major success on the seniors circuit, further strengthening his legacy as one of snooker’s most enduring and beloved figures.
Jimmy White’s Ranking Titles
Jimmy White won 10 ranking titles during his professional career.
| Year | Tournament |
|---|---|
| 1986 | Classic |
| 1986 | Grand Prix |
| 1987 | British Open |
| 1988 | Canadian Masters |
| 1991 | Classic |
| 1992 | European Open |
| 1992 | British Open |
| 1992 | Grand Prix |
| 1992 | UK Championship |
| 2004 | Players Championship |
Other Major Titles and Notable Wins
- The Masters (1984)
- World Matchplay (1989, 1990)
- World Masters (1991)
- Irish Masters (1985, 1986)
- World Cup (1988, 1989)
- Nations Cup (2000)
- World Doubles Championship (1984)
- Pot Black (1986)
- Scottish Masters (1981)
- European (Premier) League (1993)
- Carlsberg Challenge (1984, 1985)
- Thailand Masters (1984)
- Six Red World Championship (2009)
- World Seniors Championship (2010, 2019, 2020, 2023)
Jimmy White and the Triple Crown
Jimmy White won two Triple Crown titles during his professional career.
- World Championship: 0 titles
- UK Championship: 1 title (1992)
- Masters: 1 title (1984)
SHQ Star Rating: ★★★★★★
SnookerHQ uses a seven-point star scale based on the scoring values of snooker balls, with a black (7) representing the highest career classification. Ratings are assigned using career achievements, longevity, and historical impact.
Jimmy White: ★★★★★★
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Featured photo credit: WST