The likes of Ray Reardon, Stephen Hendry and Jimmy White have also enjoyed great success with the cue during their careers.

But if you could pick one snooker star, who do you believe was the greatest player in the history of the game?

I think Alex Higgins was the greatest player of all time. In his prime, Alex played shots that nobody else would have even thought off. Looking back to 1982, when Alex played Jimmy White in the World Championship semi-final, that final frame of that epic contest was probably the greatest frame of snooker ever played. With Jimmy taking a 63 point lead, and then for Alex to come back and win - that was really unbelievable. For me it's Alex "Hurricane" Higgins. The people's champion!
Declan Gallagher, USA/Ireland

Joe and Steve Davis' contributions to the development of snooker in the 1930s and 1980s respectively, thanks to their ability and application qualify them as true greats, but in terms of pure ability I would choose Ronnie O'Sullivan as the greatest.
Jon Croxford, England

Although spectacular to watch, a 147 will only win you one frame, not the match. Snooker is far more than potting. On his day, Jimmy White was the best potter in the world. He missed out because of some other areas where he was not the best. Fred Davies took world titles, and never made a 147. Horace Lindrum would have taken the title in his day. Players' records stand for themselves in their respective eras. All can and will stand high. Cliff Thorburn's first televised 147 is set in stone. The last 30 years have seen numerous players capable of greatness in their day.
Dave Emery, Canada

Steve Hendry is in my mind the No.1 player but closely followed is Steve Davis, different era's seperate both of them, but they were both consistent.
George A, Brit living in USA

Joe Davis was simply the best. He played snooker right or left handed at an equal strength.
Tom Byrne, Canada

Joe Davies had limited opportunities to demonstrate his skills but made near maximum breaks many times when he did. He could do more than just pot too.
Darrell Jones, USA

If we take the recent snooker greats, such as Davis and Hendry, we can say one thing for certain about them. When their genius was recognised at young ages, people knew that there was a future for them in the game; a career. If Hendry played Joe Davis, both at their respective bests, Hendry would take the match closely. If Hendry and Joe Davis were born and nurtured in the same era, Hendry wouldn't get to the table.
Laurence Green, UK

Greatest player ever? Hmm... I think the most interesting players have been Cliff Wilson, Kirk Stevens, Alex Higgins, Bill Wirbeniuk, Jimmy White, Tony Drago and Doug Mountjoy. I miss the days when there were some 'personalities' in the game - now they seem to be all clones of each other. The greatest player has to be Hendry when he was in his prime.
Sean Jose, South Korea

Although many will say Hendry, what has stayed with me over the years is the sense of total hopelessness that players exuded when facing Steve Davis in his prime. That alone makes him the greatest snooker player ever.
Neal Cresswell, Canada

Theres no doubt in my mind that Steve Davis is the most prestige player to ever pick up a cue. However, Ronnie O'Sullivan is the most talented the game has ever seen and apart from his inconsistency, which he is battling against, I think he will dominate now until he retires.
Martin Forshaw, England

Joe Davis was light years ahead of his time and his number of maximum breaks, at a time when competition was very much more limited than it is now, was absolutely astounding. He was a thorough professional and a perfect gentleman, too.
David Linklater, Spain

Alex Higgins, on form, was the best. What inspiration, what speed! Sadly, a great, wasted talent.
Randy, UK

Steve Davis was the greatest player up to the point when Hendry surpassed him - I think the difference between them, although slight when both at their bests - was a more natural fluency in scoring and long potting with Hendry, and having been hardened in a more competitive time.
Kevin McMullan, England

It's really hard to tell who the greatest ever snooker player is from many many years. Steve Davis was the greatest during his period of domination in the 1980s and Stephen Hendry during the early to mid 1990s. Ray Reardon, Joe Davis and John Pulman in the past. It would be wrong to compare champions based on who was the more dominant during their period of domination or who won by the biggest margin. Hendry took the game a step further in the 1990s compared to when Steve Davis did in the 1980s, and just edges the greatest player debate, but not by that much. There's no doubt now that John Higgins, Ronnie O'Sullivan and Mark Williams together with Hendry are taking the game to a higher level still than in the previous two decades. Snooker is progressing all the time.
David Clapperton, Scotland

Stephen Hendry is the greatest player in the history of snooker.
Mohammad Amir, U.K

Stephen Hendry is the best snooker player ever. He dominated the game between 90 to 97, like no other. More than Steve Davis, Joe Davis and Ray Reardon ever did. His brilliant break building, along with his great match temperament and the fact he won six world titles in the space of seven years, shows he is the greatest ever snooker player.
Laurence Wegner, England

There is no question in my mind that Steve Davis is the greatest player ever. When he was in his prime, his safety play was the best I've ever seen and he dominated the game when it was at its peak.
Graham Banks, England