"Hurricane" Higgins is widely regarded as one of the most exciting players to have ever graced the green baize.

BBC: Where are they now?

Born just a stones throw from the famous Gwent mines, Williams was a promising amateur boxer before opting for a career on the green baize.

BBC: Mark Williams

Anthony Hamilton may be regarded as the "Robin Hood of the Green Baize" but thus far he has failed in his bid to steal the thunder from snooker's elite.

BBC: Anthony Hamilton

Upping the ante, from the coins that tourists happily lose in the town's myriad amusement arcades to ten chips being lost across a green baize gaming table, is a serious possibility.

ECONOMIST: Blackpool as Las Vegas

On the baize, Ebdon can excite with his fine shot-making but exasperate by grinding out results - he took five minutes to make a break of 12 at the Crucible in 2005.

BBC: Peter Ebdon

It was a frame full of drama on and off the baize as referee Colin Humphries, 24 hours after warning O'Sullivan for a hand gesture, was forced to call a foul after Chigwell's finest potted a red when on 60 with the black ball still to be returned to the spot.

BBC: Ronnie O'Sullivan through despite wobble against Liang

Having sat down at the green baize more than once with this gentleman (for such he is), this reviewer can avow that Mr Reese is certainly a leading claimant to that title but only one among many, and one who has never actually won the world championship held annually in Las Vegas.

ECONOMIST: Gambling