Reardon played his last competitive ranking match in the second quaifying round for the 1991 World Snooker Championship. He was defeated 5–10 by Jason Prince, losing three frames on the black. After this, Reardon announced that "there was no bitterness on [his] part" but he would not be returning. Having slipped to 127th in the provisional ranking and now aged 58, Reardon called a halt to his playing career, mentioning that he had not entered any tournaments for the following season because the qualifying event dates clashed with his exhibition commitments on the holiday camp circuit, but adding that "even if were feasible, I wouldn't play" except in invitation or seniors events. He later played in the 2000 World Seniors Masters where he lost his opening one-frame match 46–69 to Miles. He advised Ronnie O'Sullivan on his way to his 2004 World Championship victory, giving him psychological and tactical help.