Ray Reardon was a six-time world snooker champion and the dominant force of the sport’s emerging television era.
Ray Reardon – Career Snapshot
| Date of birth: | 8 October 1932 |
| From: | Wales |
| Turned professional: | 1967 |
| Highest world ranking: | No. 1 |
| Ranking titles: | 5 |
| World Championship titles: | 6 |
| Triple Crown titles: | 7 |
| Masters appearances: | 13 |
| Maximum 147 breaks: | 0 |
Ray Reardon’s Snooker Career
Ray Reardon turned professional in 1967 at the age of 35, arriving in a very different era of snooker when tournament opportunities were limited and the sport was still building its mainstream audience. With the advent of colour television and the launch of BBC programme Pot Black, Reardon became one of the first household names of snooker’s modern age, winning the inaugural edition of the event in 1969.
The Welshman went on to dominate the World Championship throughout the 1970s, winning the title six times across the decade and establishing himself as the era’s defining competitor. With world rankings only introduced in 1976 and subsequently backdated, two of his world titles do not count towards his ranking-event tally, but Reardon nonetheless held a stranglehold over the world number one position during a period when the World Championship was often the sport’s premier, and sometimes only, ranking tournament.
Reardon’s reign produced memorable rivalries with John Spencer and Alex Higgins, and he also enjoyed success beyond the Crucible, capturing the Masters in 1976. As the 1980s brought more events and a new generation led by Steve Davis and Jimmy White, Reardon proved his longevity by winning the Professional Players Tournament in 1982, defeating White in the final at the age of 50.
A year later he beat White again to claim the International Masters in Derby, but it would prove to be his last major triumph. Reardon gradually slipped down the rankings and retired from professional competition in 1991, leaving behind a legacy as one of snooker’s true pioneers and one of the most influential champions of the modern game.
Affectionately known as Dracula, Reardon passed away at the age of 91 in 2024.
Ray Reardon’s Ranking Titles
Ray Reardon won a total of five ranking titles during his professional career.
| Year | Tournament |
|---|---|
| 1974 | World Snooker Championship |
| 1975 | World Snooker Championship |
| 1976 | World Snooker Championship |
| 1978 | World Snooker Championship |
| 1982 | Professional Players Tournament |
Other Major Titles and Notable Wins
- World Snooker Championship (1970, 1973)
- The Masters (1976)
- Pot Black (1969, 1978)
- Pontins Professional (1974, 1975, 1976, 1978)
- Champion of Champions (1978)
- Highland Masters (1982)
- International Masters (1983)
- World Challenge Cup (1979, 1980)
Ray Reardon and the Triple Crown
Ray Reardon won seven Triple Crown titles during his professional career.
- World Championship: 6 titles (1970, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1978)
- UK Championship: 0 titles
- Masters: 1 title (1976)
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.
Ray Reardon: ★★★★★★
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Featured photo credit: WST