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Peter Lines

Peter Lines (born 11 December 1969) is an English snooker coach and former professional player who competed on the World Snooker Tour for over three decades, achieving a career-high ranking of 42nd in the world during the 1999/2000 season. He is best known for reaching the semi-finals of the 2018 Paul Hunter Classic, his deepest run in a ranking event, where he defeated Jack Lisowski in the quarter-finals before losing 4–3 to Kyren Wilson. Lines turned professional in 1991 and made his debut at the Crucible Theatre during the 1998 World Snooker Championship, where he lost 10–4 to John Parrott in the first round after compiling a highest break of 141. Throughout his main tour career, which included stints from 1991–2004, 2006–2007, 2008–2016, and 2017–2022, Lines reached the quarter-finals of two ranking tournaments: the 1999 China International, where he notably beat and en route, and the 2009 . After losing his professional status in 2022, he transitioned to the ranks and found success on the seniors circuit, winning the inaugural in 2017 by defeating in the semi-finals and 4–0 in the final without dropping a single frame. He added the UK Seniors Championship title in 2022, beating David Lilley 4–1 in the final. Lines is the father of professional snooker player , with whom he has occasionally practiced and competed in family-oriented events. In addition to his playing career, he has coached players of all levels at the Northern Snooker Centre in for many years and holds WPBSA Level 2 coaching certification, earning recognition as a player director on the tour through a vote by peers. More recently, as an , Lines won the 2024 Yorkshire Championship by defeating Dan Womersley 4–1 in the final and claimed the Q Tour Event 2 title in in September 2025, securing £6,000 in prize money and a spot in the 2025 qualifying rounds.

Early life and amateur career

Early life

Peter Lines was born on 11 December 1969 in , . He was raised in , a city known for its vibrant community, and developed his foundational skills in the sport through local involvement. His initial practice took place at local clubs in . He later developed a long-term affiliation with the Northern Snooker Centre. This background paved the way for his entry into competitive amateur play.

Amateur career

A key highlight in Lines' amateur career came in the 1988–1989 season when he advanced to the quarter-finals of the World Under-21 Championship, defeating earlier opponents before losing 1–5 to . His performances in amateur competitions, including participation in the WPBSA Pro Ticket Series, led to him securing a place on the professional tour for the 1991–1992 season.

Professional career

1991–2004: Tour debut and peak ranking

Peter Lines turned professional in 1991 after qualifying through the amateur ranks via strong performances in events organized by the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA). In his debut 1991/92 season on the main tour, Lines recorded last-32 appearances at the Strachan Open and the Asian Open, marking his initial breakthroughs against established professionals. Over the subsequent years, his form built steadily, with consistent last-64 and last-32 results in various ranking tournaments helping him climb the world rankings from outside the top 100 to the mid-70s by the mid-1990s. By the 1999/2000 season, Lines achieved his career-high ranking of 42nd, reflecting a period of improved consistency and deeper runs in events. A highlight of Lines' early career came during the 1997/98 season, when he successfully navigated the qualifying rounds to reach the main draw at the Crucible Theatre for the 1998 World Snooker Championship—his first appearance at the prestigious event. Facing former world champion John Parrott in the last 32, Lines lost 4–10 but impressed with a fluent 141 clearance in the opening frame, contributing to one of the highest breaks of the tournament up to that point. The following season, Lines produced his best result in a ranking event by reaching the quarter-finals of the 1999 China International, where he upset world number four John Higgins 5–1 in the last 16 and edged world number 13 Peter Ebdon 5–4 in the quarter-finals before falling to Jimmy White. Additionally, in non-ranking competition, he claimed the 1998 Merseyside Professional Championship title with a 5–4 victory over Lee Walker in the final. Lines' ranking began to decline after his peak, as inconsistent results in the early limited his progression in major tournaments. Key encounters during this phase included matches against top players like Ebdon and Higgins, which showcased his potential but highlighted challenges in sustaining momentum against the elite. At the conclusion of the 2003/04 season, Lines lost his tour card after finishing outside the top 64 in the world rankings, a outcome attributed to erratic form that yielded just £9,420 in that year—far below what was needed to retain full-time status amid rising competition and travel demands. Over his initial 13-year tenure from 1991 to 2004, Lines accumulated approximately £159,720 in total , providing essential but modest financial support during a period when earnings for mid-tier players remained limited.

2005–2016: Intermittent returns

After being relegated from the main tour at the conclusion of the 2003–04 season, Peter Lines regained his professional status for the 2006–07 campaign through consistent performances in the Pontin's International Open Series (PIOS) events of the preceding year. A highlight came in the 2006 PIOS Event 6 in , , where he compiled a maximum 147 break during his last-64 match on , defeating opponent 5–4. Despite this achievement and reaching the quarter-finals in PIOS Event 7, Lines could not secure enough ranking points to retain his tour card, finishing the 2006–07 season unranked after 18 matches where he won 50% of his encounters and 46.09% of frames (59 out of 128). Lines successfully re-entered the professional circuit for the 2008–09 by topping the PIOS rankings, marking his return after another year off the tour. Over the subsequent nine through 2016, he maintained his status amid ongoing qualification pressures, often hovering in the mid-table provisional rankings of the 50s to 90s; for instance, he ended 2009–10 ranked 50th and held steady at 50th through 2010–11 before slipping to 53rd in 2011–12. Key results included multiple last-64 appearances in ranking event qualifiers, such as losses in the 2008 Bahrain Championship (5–2 to ) and the 2008 (5–1 to ), alongside a career-high finish in the period at the last 32 of the 2009 PTC Event 10. In the 2008–09 alone, he played 19 matches, winning 52.63% and securing 51.85% of frames (84 out of 162), while earning £3,925 in . Throughout this era of intermittent stability, Lines faced recurrent challenges, including failures in PIOS and early Q School events (introduced in 2011) that threatened his tour retention, as seen in his near-relegation finishes multiple times. He balanced these struggles with non-tour commitments, notably coaching players at the Northern Snooker Centre in , where he instructed amateurs and professionals alongside his playing schedule. Across the 2006–07 and 2008–16 periods, his overall frame win rate remained close to 50%, reflecting solid but unremarkable form in qualifiers, with representative seasons showing 13 wins from 20 PIOS matches in 2005–06 (65% success) but limited breakthroughs in main tour ranking events.

2017–2023: Resurgence on the main tour

Peter Lines regained his place on the by winning a two-year professional card through the 2017 EBSA Amateur Play-Offs, defeating Zack Richardson 4–0 in the semi-final. This success allowed him to compete consistently on the main tour from the 2017/18 season through to the end of the 2022/23 campaign, marking a period of sustained participation after years of intermittent appearances. During this resurgence, Lines achieved his best result in a ranking event by reaching the semi-finals of the 2018 Paul Hunter Classic in , , where he came from behind to beat 4–3 in the quarter-finals before losing 4–3 to in the last four. This performance represented the deepest run of his career in a ranking tournament and highlighted his competitive edge in European events. He also advanced to the last 16 at the 2017 European Masters and other minor-ranking tournaments, demonstrating improved form and consistency. In parallel with his main tour efforts, Lines excelled in seniors , securing his first major title at the 2017 in , where he won every match without dropping a frame, including a 4–0 final victory over after earlier defeats of Patsy Fagan, , and . This undefeated run earned him £15,000 and established him as a prominent figure in the seniors circuit. Five years later, he added the 2022 UK Seniors Championship title in , defeating David Lilley 4–1 in the final following wins over Michael Judge, Kuldesh Johal, and . However, during the 2021/22 season, Lines faced disciplinary action from the WPBSA, receiving a £2,500 fine for misconduct after accusing of cheating and challenging him to a fight following a 6–1 qualifying defeat at the in December 2021. Lines' main tour season concluded with mixed results, including early exits in most ranking events during 2022/23, such as last-128 defeats at the British Open and English Open. He finished the 2022/23 provisional s in 73rd place with 45,500 points, resulting in his relegation from the professional tour as only the top players retained their cards.

2024–present: Q Tour, seniors, and regional success

Following his relegation from the at the end of the 2022–23 season, Peter Lines immediately entered the Q Tour, winning Event 7 of the 2023–24 series at the Northern Snooker Centre in by defeating Umut Dikme 5–1 in the final to claim £6,000 in and valuable points toward the , though he did not secure a tour card via the play-offs. In the 2024–25 Q Tour, he reached the last 16 in Events 1 and 3, earning £300 from each and advancing to the last in several others, for a season total of £600 in earnings. Entering the 2025–26 season, Lines maintained momentum by winning in , , where he edged out fellow Englishman Peter Devlin 4–3 in a tense final after prevailing in three consecutive deciding frames earlier in the tournament; this triumph added another £6,000 to his tally and positioned him atop the Q Tour rankings with 4,900 points as of early November 2025. In the ongoing 2025–26 Q Tour, Lines reached the quarter-finals of Event 4 in before falling to eventual winner Jamie Clarke, further solidifying his lead in the standings and keeping his tour return in contention. Lines continued his involvement in the World Seniors Tour during this period, leveraging his experience as a former UK Seniors Championship winner to compete consistently. In the 2024–25 English Seniors Tour, he advanced to the quarter-finals of Event 5 before losing 3–4 to Wayne Brown, and reached the quarter-finals of the English Seniors Championship, defeating John Rees 2–0 in the last 16 with a break of 99, before losing 2–3 to . These performances provided experience but no prize money. He also participated in the 2024–25 , where in Group 13 he defeated Jimmy Robertson 3–1 and Zak Surety 3–1 before losing 0–3 to , securing £2,000 in prize money despite not advancing further. In November 2025, Lines won English Seniors Tour Event 3, defeating Simon Bedford 4–3 in the final at the Northern Snooker Centre. On the regional front, Lines enjoyed notable success in -based competitions, reinforcing his local standing while balancing his playing career with coaching duties. In July 2025, he retained the Y.B.S.A. Championship title with a dominant 4–0 win over Robert Read at the Northern Snooker Centre, compiling breaks including a 40 to overcome an early challenge. He followed this in October 2025 by defending his Masters crown, defeating Jonathan Bagley 3–0 in the final to claim his fourth title in the event. These wins, alongside other strong showings in pro-ams like the September 2025 NSC Pro-Am where he won multiple matches 3–0, boosted his regional prize money to over £1,500 for the year. As a WPBSA Level 2 qualified coach operating Snooker Coaching with Peter Lines at the Northern Snooker Centre, he integrates his professional playing schedule with teaching sessions, using his Q Tour and regional experiences to mentor aspiring players while pursuing his own ranking aspirations.

Personal life

Family

Peter Lines is married to Sarah Lines, with whom he shares family life in , . The couple has built a supportive home environment centered around 's demands, with Sarah playing a key role in managing household responsibilities while the family resides near the Northern Snooker Centre. Lines has two sons: Oliver, from a previous relationship, and Leo, born to Peter and Sarah circa October 2015. , born on 16 June 1995, turned professional in 2014 and holds the 59th position in the world rankings as of November 2025. The family engages in shared training sessions at the Northern Snooker Centre in , where Peter and Oliver practice together, fostering a close-knit dynamic that blends personal and sporting pursuits. Throughout 's career fluctuations, his family has provided unwavering support, particularly during 's professional debut in and subsequent milestones, such as joint tournament appearances. In interviews, Peter has highlighted Sarah's instrumental role in supporting both him and Oliver amid the tour's rigors, emphasizing their strong relationship and her contributions to family stability. This backing has been evident in moments like the 2016 UK Championship, where Peter prioritized Oliver's progress over his own unexpected run, underscoring the family's mutual encouragement during highs and lows. Peter has publicly discussed the challenges of balancing with family life, noting in 2014 how Sarah's support enables him to focus on his while maintaining home harmony, a sentiment echoed in reflections on their blended family's resilience.

Coaching career

Peter Lines has been a resident coach at the Northern Snooker Centre in for over 25 years, beginning his role when his son started playing as a child. He holds a Level 2 WSA World Snooker Coach certification, enabling him to provide instruction for both children and adults across individual and group formats. His students encompass players of all ages and abilities, from juniors to professionals, with a focus on technical development and overall improvement in the game. Among them is his son , a professional player whom Peter has mentored throughout his career. Lines employs a reliable, knowledgeable, and honest approach in his sessions, leveraging his own extensive professional experience to foster enthusiasm and skill progression. Lines has integrated seamlessly with his playing career, offering private lessons at £40 per hour and leading regular group sessions without prior booking: juniors/under-18s on Saturdays (10–11:30 a.m., £7), and open-age groups on Tuesdays and Thursdays (6–7:30 p.m., £7). As the centre's officer, he also ensures a safe environment for all participants. This dual commitment has allowed him to maintain a steady coaching presence even during intermittent absences from the professional tour.

Achievements and records

Major titles

Peter Lines has secured three non-ranking titles during his career. His first came in the 1998 Merseyside Professional Championship, where he defeated Lee Walker 5–4 in the final held from 27 to 29 October. He added the 2017 World Seniors Championship title without dropping a single frame throughout the tournament, culminating in a 4–0 victory over John Parrott in the final on 24 March in Scunthorpe, having earlier beaten Stephen Hendry 3–0 in the semi-finals. Lines completed a seniors double with the 2022 UK Seniors Championship, defeating David Lilley 4–1 in the final on 7 January at the Bonus Arena in Hull, after wins over Michael Judge (3–1), Kuldesh Johal (4–1), and Ken Doherty (4–2) in earlier rounds. In pro-am events, Lines reached seven finals and won five, including the 1993 Pontins Autumn Professional, where he defeated Andrew Hannah 5–1, and the 2008 Pontins Pro-Am Event 3, held in , . Other victories came in similar invitational pro-am tournaments during the , showcasing his consistency against mixed fields of professionals and amateurs. Prior to turning professional in 1991, Lines competed in amateur events and reached four finals, winning two, though specific pre-1991 outcomes remain less documented in major records.

Notable performances

One of Peter Lines' most notable achievements on the main tour came in the 2018 Paul Hunter Classic, where he reached his first and only ranking event semi-final after 24 years as a . In the quarter-finals, he edged out world number 12 4–3 in a tense decider, showcasing resilient safety play and a crucial 64 break in the final frame. Lines then pushed world number 3 to the brink in the semi-finals, leading 3–2 before falling 4–3, with Wilson clinching victory on the in the decider. Lines made his sole appearance at the World Snooker Championship main draw in 1998, qualifying through the preliminary rounds in his seventh professional season. Facing experienced campaigner John Parrott in the last 32 at the Crucible Theatre, Lines impressed with a fluent 141 total clearance in the opening session, briefly leading 3–2 before Parrott pulled away for a 10–4 victory. He attempted to qualify for subsequent Crucible stages multiple times, reaching the final qualifying round on several occasions, including in 2012, but did not return to the main event. Earlier in his career, Lines reached the quarter-finals of the 1999 China International, defeating then-world number 2 5–1 in the first round and 5–4 in the last 16, before losing 4–5 to .) Throughout the 2010s, Lines produced several upsets against higher-ranked opponents, highlighting his competitive edge despite often operating outside the top 100. At the 2009 , then ranked 64th, he stunned world number 2 Mark Williams 9–8 in the last 16 with a comeback from 5–3 down, including breaks of 62 and 55 to force a decider, before losing 5–9 to in the quarter-finals. In the first round of the 2016 , Lines defeated reigning champion and world number 5 6–3, capitalizing on Robertson's uncharacteristic errors to advance to the main draw. In September 2025, as an amateur, Lines won Q Tour Event 2 in , defeating Peter Devlin 4–3 in the final to secure £6,000 in prize money and a place in the qualifying rounds of the 2025 . In regional , Lines continued his strong form into 2025 by retaining the Yorkshire Billiards & Snooker Association (Y.B.S.A.) Singles Championship title. He dominated the final at the Northern Snooker Centre, defeating Robert Read 4–0 with assured potting and a highest break of 40, securing his second consecutive victory in the event. Lines' career exemplifies remarkable longevity, spanning nearly 35 years on the professional circuit since turning pro in 1991, with intermittent returns following multiple Q School successes in 2017, 2018, and 2024 to regain tour cards. This endurance has allowed him to compete against multiple generations of players while maintaining relevance through consistent qualifying efforts and regional dominance.

Highest breaks

Peter Lines has achieved two maximum breaks of 147 in competitive matches. His first maximum came on 18 February 2006 during the last-64 stage of the PIOS Event 6 in , , helping him secure a victory in that match. His second 147 was compiled on 25 November 2023 in the last-16 round of the Seniors Tour Event 3 at Woking Snooker Centre, , during the final frame of a 4-1 win over Adam Longley. In professional tournaments, Lines' highest recorded break stands at 145, achieved during the 2011-2012 season. A notable earlier high break of 141 occurred on his Crucible debut at the , where he compiled the total clearance against in the first round, marking the highest break by a debutant at the event that year. Throughout his career, Lines has recorded 61 century breaks, demonstrating consistent break-building ability across main tour, Q Tour, and seniors events. Representative examples include a 142 in the 2015-2016 season and a 144 in the 2010-2011 season, both in ranking event qualifiers. In seniors competition, beyond his 2023 maximum, he has contributed centuries such as a 125 during the 2021-2022 qualifiers, underscoring his sustained proficiency in the format.

Career statistics

Performance and rankings timeline

Peter Lines' professional career spans multiple periods on the , with several instances of losing and regaining his tour card through qualifying events such as the PIOS and Q School. He turned professional in 1991, initially competing until 2004, then briefly in 2006–2007, from 2008 to 2016, and from 2017 to 2023, after which he reverted to amateur status and Q Tour participation. Key card losses occurred at the end of the 2003–04, 2006–07, and 2015–16 seasons, with regains via Q School in 2006, 2008, and 2017, respectively. Since relegation in 2023, Lines has achieved success on the Q Tour, winning events in 2024 and 2025, earning £6,000 for the 2025 victory alone.

Rankings and Tour Status Timeline

SeasonStart RankingEnd RankingTour Status
1991–1992NR147Professional
1992–1993147128Professional
1993–1994128111Professional
1994–1995111129Professional
1995–1996129129Professional
1996–1997129111Professional
1997–199811190Professional
1998–19999053Professional
1999–20005342Professional
2000–20014245Professional
2001–20024559Professional
2002–20035974Professional
2003–20047483Professional (lost card)
2004–2005NRNRAmateur
2005–2006NRNRAmateur
2006–2007NR108Professional (regained, lost card)
2007–2008NRNRAmateur
2008–2009NR85Professional (regained)
2009–20108572Professional
2010–20117270Professional
2011–20127068Professional
2012–20136875Professional
2013–20147570Professional
2014–20157061Professional
2015–20166157Professional (lost card)
2016–2017NRNRAmateur
2017–2018NR97Professional (regained)
2018–20199783Professional
2019–202083117Professional
2020–202111789Professional
2021–20228994Professional
2022–20239473Professional (lost card, relegated)
2023–2024NRNRAmateur/Q Tour
2024–2025NRNRAmateur/Q Tour
2025–2026NROngoingAmateur/Q Tour
Rankings data reflect end-of-season positions where available; NR indicates not ranked due to amateur status or below top 128. Lines' highest ranking was 42nd at the end of 1999–2000.

Prize Money Per Season

SeasonPrize Money (£)
1991–19923,350
1992–19932,250
1993–1994945
1994–19953,780
1995–19963,830
1996–19978,345
1997–199825,750
1998–199923,480
1999–200024,725
2000–200117,175
2001–200226,575
2002–200310,095
2003–20049,420
2004–2005670
2005–20061,178
2006–20076,525
2007–20085,425
2008–20093,925
2009–201023,250
2010–201124,125
2011–201224,686
2012–201310,582
2013–201442,918
2014–201520,183
2015–201618,325
2016–201722,962
2017–201823,725
2018–201924,000
2019–202010,000
2020–202118,250
2021–202224,500
2022–202321,750
2023–20246,820
2024–20252,725
2025–20268,000*
*Partial for 2025–26 season as of November 20, 2025, including Q Tour earnings such as £6,000 from the event. Total career exceeds £500,000, primarily from events and minor tours.

Performance Timeline in Major Tournaments

Lines' results in major tournaments varied across seasons, with his deepest runs in the (quarter-final in 2009) and semi-final in the Classic (2018). Below is a year-by-year summary for select major events using standard notation: Q = qualifying round loss, L128/L64/L32/L16 = last 128/64/32/16, QF = quarter-final, SF = semi-final, F = final, W = winner. Data focuses on the , , and Masters, with representative examples from other events where notable.
SeasonWorld ChampionshipUK ChampionshipMastersOther Notable Results
1991–1992L96L96Q-
1992–1993QR7Q-
1993–1994R7R7Q-
1994–1995R5R6Q-
1995–1996L64L64Q-
1996–1997L64L64Q-
1997–1998L64L64QL32 China International
1998–1999L48L96Q-
1999–2000L32L64QQF China International
2000–2001L48L64Q-
2001–2002L80L64Q-
2002–2003L128L128Q-
2003–2004L128L128Q-
2004–2005QQQ-
2005–2006QQQ-
2006–2007L80L64Q-
2007–2008QQQ-
2008–2009L80QFQ-
2009–2010L48L48Q-
2010–2011L80L32QL16 PTC events (x3)
2011–2012L48L32QL32 World Open
2012–2013L80L80Q-
2013–2014L80L64QL16 Wuxi Classic
2014–2015L96L128Q-
2015–2016L128L128Q-
2016–2017QQQWorld Seniors W
2017–2018L112L32QSF Paul Hunter Classic
2018–2019L128L128QL16 English Open
2019–2020L112L128QL16 Shoot Out
2020–2021L80L16Q-
2021–2022L80L80QUK Seniors W
2022–2023L96L128Q-
2023–2024QQQQ Tour win (Event 7)
2024–2025QQQQ Tour finals
2025–2026OngoingOngoingOngoingQ Tour W (Vienna); English Seniors Tour Event 3 W
This timeline highlights Lines' consistent qualification for majors during professional periods, with peak performances in the late and 2009 UK Championship run. Non-participation or early qualifying losses occurred during amateur phases. Prize money from these events contributed significantly to seasonal totals, e.g., £16,450 from 2009 UK QF.

Career finals

Lines did not reach the final of any ranking event during his career. In non-ranking events, Lines appeared in four finals, securing three titles. His first came in the 1998 Merseyside Professional Championship, where he edged out 5–4 in the final. He reached the final of the 2010 qualifying event but lost 3–4 to . Lines claimed the 2017 with a 4–0 whitewash of in the final at , having earlier defeated in the semi-finals. He added the 2022 UK Seniors Championship title, defeating David Lilley 4–1 in the Hull final to become only the second player after to win both major seniors crowns.
EventYearOpponentScoreOutcome
Merseyside Professional Championship19985–4Winner
World Seniors Championship Qualifying Event20103–4Runner-up
World Seniors Championship20174–0Winner
UK Seniors Championship2022David Lilley (ENG)4–1Winner
Lines enjoyed considerable success in pro-am tournaments, reaching multiple finals and demonstrating his competitive edge in mixed professional-amateur fields. Representative victories include the 1993 Pontins Autumn Open, where he beat Andrew Hannah 5–1. His strong performance in these events highlights his adaptability and consistency against varied opposition. Prior to turning professional in 1991, Lines competed successfully on the amateur circuit, reaching several finals and establishing a solid foundation for his pro career. He later returned to amateur events intermittently, including a run to the final of the in 1996, where he was defeated 4–8 by . Overall, Lines has a high finals win percentage, particularly in seniors competitions, where his experience and composure have yielded major titles.