In 1949, Reardon won the News of the World Amateur title, and was awarded an ash cue stick, presented by Joe Davis. Reardon used this cue until it fell apart shortly after the 1978 World Snooker Championship final. He reached the final of the 1949–50 under-19 Junior championship, where he lost 2–3 to Jack Carney. Reardon won the Welsh Amateur Championship in 1950, defeating the defending champion John Ford 5–3 in the final, and retained the title each year to 1955. Reardon played Tommy Gordon in the final of the 1956 English Amateur Championship, and led 7–3 after the first day, but lost the from his cue early on the second day, and was defeated 9–11.