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Snooker, and it’s more widely seen variant, pool, is a mainstay in recreational rooms and bars worldwide. There are people, however, who are so good at the sport, they make part-time players who think they are good look decidedly pedestrian. Below is a look at the top two players in the 2009 World Snooker Rankings.

King of the hill: Ronnie O’Sullivan

2009 World Snooker Rankings is a snapshot of the very best the sport has to offer. The Essex born Ronnie Sullivan finished the 2008/2009 season as the highest ranked pool player on the back of his fantastic start to the year, which sadly tapered off. Having won several snooker championships, including the Northern Ireland Trophy 2008, his bad form later in the year, culminating in a shock loss to Ricky Walden, upset O’Sullivan. With that behind him, the Ronnie O’Sullivan of old looked to be back in in claiming the 2009 Shanghai Masters.

The contender: Stephen Maguire

The 28-year old Stephen Maguire who turned pro at the young age of 17 had a decidedly awful 2009. Having leaped to second place in 2008, he was allowed to retain his second place spot on the 2009 World Snooker Ranking as a result of reaching the quarterfinals in six major snooker championships. But, not reaching a single final all season has weighed heavy on him and could crush his confidence if he doesn’t find form soon.

The rest

Shaun Murphy, John Higgins and Allister Carter round off the top five, with Murphy, Maguire and O’Sullivan making nearly £650,000 in prize tour money from snooker championships the season before.

As for would-be part-time pool hustlers playing for less, to get to this level, one needs to practice constantly. The kind of practice that would require one owned a pool table or snooker table, with the appropriate props and adequate competition. It’s a completely different league of ability at the top of the 2009 World Snooker Rankings.

Snooker, and it’s more widely seen variant, pool, is a mainstay in recreational rooms and bars worldwide. There are people, however, who are so good at the sport, they make part-time players who think they are good look decidedly pedestrian. Below is a look at the top two players in the 2009 World Snooker Rankings.
King [...]