# 1979–80 snooker season

The 1979–80 snooker season was a series of snooker tournaments played between 9 July 1979 and 17 May 1980. The following table outlines the results for the ranking and the invitational events.

## New professional players

The World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) accepted applications for professional status by Cliff Wilson, Joe Johnson, Tony Meo and Mike Hallett before the start of the season; and from Sid Hood, Eddie Sinclair, and Mark Wildman later in 1979r. Kingsley Kennerley moved from honorary member status back to playing status. Jim Wych, John Bear, Mario Morra, Paul Thornley, Bernie Mikkelsen and Kevin Robitaille were recognised as professionals as members of the new Canadian Professional Snooker Association.

## Calendar

| Date | Date | | Rank | Tournament name | Venue | City | Winner | Runner-up | Score |
| 07-09 | 07-20 | RSA | NR | Limosin International | Good Hope Centre | Cape Town | Eddie Charlton | John Spencer | 23–19 |
| 07-?? | 07-?? | RSA | NR | Kronenbrau 1308 Classic | | Johannesburg | Eddie Charlton | Ray Reardon | 7–4 |
| 08-?? | 08-?? | RSA | NR | South African Professional Championship | | | Derek Mienie | Jimmy van Rensberg | 9–6 |
| 08-?? | 08-?? | AUS | NR | Australian Masters | Channel 10 Television Studios | Sydney | Ian Anderson | Perrie Mans | |
| 09-?? | 09-?? | CAN | NR | Canadian Open | Canadian National Exhibition Stadium | Toronto | Cliff Thorburn | Terry Griffiths | 17–16 |
| 10-20 | 10-27 | ENG | TE | World Challenge Cup | Haden Hill Leisure Centre | Birmingham | Wales | England | 14–3 |
| 11-19 | 12-01 | ENG | NR | UK Championship | Guild Hall | Preston | John Virgo | Terry Griffiths | 14–13 |
| 12-27 | 12-30 | ENG | NR | Pot Black | BBC Studios | Birmingham | Eddie Charlton | Ray Reardon | 2–1 |
| 01-07 | 01-08 | ENG | NR | The Classic | New Century Hall | Manchester | John Spencer | Alex Higgins | 4–3 |
| 01-14 | 01-17 | ENG | NR | Padmore Super Crystalate International | Gala Baths | West Bromwich | Alex Higgins | Perrie Mans | 4–2 |
| 01-27 | 01-29 | WAL | NR | Welsh Professional Championship | Ebbw Vale Leisure Centre | Ebbw Vale | Doug Mountjoy | Ray Reardon | 9–6 |
| 02-?? | 02-?? | ENG | NR | Tolly Cobbold Classic | Corn Exchange | Ipswich | Alex Higgins | Dennis Taylor | 5–4 |
| 02-05 | 02-09 | ENG | NR | The Masters | Wembley Conference Centre | London | Terry Griffiths | Alex Higgins | 9–5 |
| 02-02 | 02-12 | IND | NR | Bombay International | Bombay Gymkhana | Bombay | John Virgo | Cliff Thorburn | 13–7 |
| 02-13 | 02-16 | IRL | NR | Irish Masters | Goff's | Kill | Terry Griffiths | Doug Mountjoy | 9–8 |
| 02-24 | 02-28 | ENG | NR | British Gold Cup | Assembly Rooms | Derby | Alex Higgins | Ray Reardon | 5–1 |
| 03-18 | 03-22 | CAN | NR | Canadian Professional Championship | Masonic Temple | Toronto | Cliff Thorburn | Jim Wych | 9–6 |
| 04-02 | 04-03 | SCO | NR | Scottish Professional Championship | Cumbernauld Theatre | Kildrum | Eddie Sinclair | Chris Ross | 11–6 |
| 04-17 | 04-19 | NIR | NR | Irish Professional Championship | Ulster Hall | Belfast | Dennis Taylor | Alex Higgins | 21–15 |
| 04-22 | 05-05 | ENG | WR | World Snooker Championship | Crucible Theatre | Sheffield | Cliff Thorburn | Alex Higgins | 18–16 |
| 05-03 | 05-10 | WAL | NR | Pontins Professional | Pontins | Prestatyn | John Virgo | Ray Reardon | 9–6 |
| 05-10 | 05-17 | ENG | NR | Pontins Camber Sands | Camber Sands Holiday Village | Rye | Alex Higgins | Dennis Taylor | 9–7 |
* WR = World ranking event
* NR = Non-ranking event
* TE = Team event

## Official rankings

The top 16 of the world rankings.
| No. | Name |
| 1 | Ray Reardon |
| 2 | Dennis Taylor |
| 3 | Eddie Charlton |
| 4 | John Spencer |
| 5 | Cliff Thorburn |
| 6 | Fred Davis |
| 7 | Perrie Mans |
| 8 | Terry Griffiths |
| 9 | Graham Miles |
| 10 | John Virgo |
| 11 | Alex Higgins |
| 12 | Bill Werbeniuk |
| 13 | Doug Mountjoy |
| 14 | John Pulman |
| 15 | David Taylor |
| 16 | Patsy Fagan |