Steve James was an English professional snooker player who enjoyed a strong peak during the late 1980s and early 1990s, highlighted by a ranking title victory and deep runs at the World Championship.
Steve James – Career Snapshot
| Date of birth: | 2 May 1961 |
| From: | England |
| Turned professional: | 1986 |
| Highest world ranking: | No. 7 |
| Ranking titles: | 1 |
| World Championship titles: | 0 |
| Triple Crown titles: | 0 |
| Masters appearances: | 5 |
| Maximum 147 breaks: | 0 |
Steve James’s Snooker Career
Steve James turned professional in 1986 and quickly established himself as a dangerous competitor during a highly competitive era of snooker. He made an immediate impression at the World Snooker Championship in 1988 by reaching the quarter-finals on his Crucible debut.
James continued to make steady progress through the professional ranks and became known for his flamboyant potting ability. His scoring prowess was highlighted at the 1990 World Championship, where he compiled a remarkable 16-red total clearance of 135 against Alex Higgins, made possible through the use of a free ball.
The peak of his career came around the turn of the decade. In 1990, James claimed his sole ranking title at the Classic, defeating Warren King in the final. The following year, he reached the semi-finals of the World Championship, defeating Stephen Hendry in the quarter-finals and inflicting the so-called Curse of the Crucible on the first-time defending champion.
Those performances lifted James to a career-high ranking of world number seven and established him as a regular contender at major events. He reached multiple quarter-finals and semi-finals across ranking tournaments during the late 1980s and early 1990s, underlining his consistency at that level.
As the decade progressed, James struggled to maintain that form as snooker entered a new era. His results declined during the mid-1990s, and although he continued competing professionally for many years, he eventually dropped off the Main Tour for the final time in 2006.
Steve James’s Ranking Titles
Steve James won 1 ranking title during his professional career.
| Year | Tournament |
|---|---|
| 1990 | Classic |
Other Major Titles and Notable Wins
- Pontins Professional (1992)
Steve James and the Triple Crown
Steve James won 0 Triple Crown titles during his professional career, reaching the World Championship semi-finals in 1991.
- World Championship: 0 titles
- UK Championship: 0 titles
- Masters: 0 titles
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.
Steve James: ★★★★
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Featured image credit: YouTube