2018–19 snooker world rankings
The sport of professional snooker has had a world ranking system in place since 1976. Certain tournaments were given "ranking" status, with the results at those events contributing to a player's world ranking. The events that made up the 1976–77 snooker season were the first to use a ranking points system. Originally, the world rankings were decided based only on results in the World Snooker Championship, but other events were later added. The system used for the 2018–19 snooker season was first used in the 2010–11 season, where players won ranking points based entirely on prize money won from these events. The rankings are based on the prior two seasons, with eleven revisions after specific tournaments throughout the season. These revisions are used as official rankings, with points awarded in the current season overwriting those from two years prior.
Mark Selby (pictured above) was ranked as the world number one at the start of the season, but Ronnie O'Sullivan (pictured below) ended the season as the best ranked player.
Image: Ronnie O’Sullivan at Snooker German Masters (Der Hexer) 2015 02 06 07
Ronald Antonio O'Sullivan is an English professional snooker player. Widely recognised as one of the most talented and accomplished players in snooker history, he has won the World Snooker Championship seven times, a modern-era record he holds jointly with Stephen Hendry. He has also won a record eight Masters titles and a record eight UK Championship titles for a total of 23 Triple Crown titles, the most achieved by any player. He holds the record for the most ranking titles, with 41, and has held the top ranking position multiple times.
O'Sullivan at the 2015 German Masters
O'Sullivan with the 2012 German Masters trophy
O'Sullivan after winning his fifth World title in 2013
O'Sullivan at a 2014 book signing