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Andy Hicks
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Andrew Hicks (born 10 August 1973) is an English retired professional snooker player. Nicknamed "The Cream of Devon",[1] Hicks was a semi-finalist at both the World Snooker Championship and UK Championship in 1995, and the same stage at four other ranking tournaments. A Masters semi-finalist in 1996, he was ranked within the world's top 32 players between 1995 and 2000, and again from 2005 to 2007, but was relegated from the main tour in 2013. He regained a two-year tour card in 2019. He was relegated from the main tour at the end of the 2023–24 season.

Key Information

Career

[edit]

Although a professional since 1991, Hicks first came to prominence in the 1995 World Championship, in which he reached the semi-finals, beating Steve Davis, Willie Thorne and Peter Ebdon along the way, but being blocked from the finals by Nigel Bond, 11–16.[1] He has never reached a major final, but reached the semi-finals of the four BBC-screened events within 2 seasons – the 1994 Grand Prix, the 1995 UK Championship and the 1996 Masters (as a wild card).[3]

He spent most of the second half of the 1990s close to the Top-16 elite section in the world rankings, peaking at no. 17 in the 1995/1996 season, and winning the 1997 Masters qualifier.[1] He struggled in the early part of the 2000s, however, winning only two of eighty-three matches in 2003.

Later, he was only one frame loss away from being bumped out of the Top 64, rallying to defeat Craig Butler 10–9 in a close 2003 World Championship qualifier.[1] He ended up ranked no. 62 for the 2003/2004 season. At this point, he had only qualified for the world championship once in six years, a 10–4 defeat to eventual winner Ronnie O'Sullivan in 2001.[4] However, he returned to form after this. He reached the second round of the 2004 World Championship, beating Quinten Hann in a match memorable for a near-fight between the two players at the end, started by Hann in the middle of the match, when he said to Hicks: 'I've enjoyed the last three times I've beaten you'. At the end of the match, Hicks retorted that Hann was about to drop out of the Top 16 as a result of the loss.[5] Hicks later admitted his delight at this. This marked the only time Hicks had won a match at the Crucible since 1995. He next gave Ronnie O'Sullivan a challenge in the second round, before ultimately losing, 11–13.

In 2004–05, Hicks made it to the quarter-finals of the British Open with a first-round victory over Ken Doherty.

Returning to the Top 32, in the following season he reached the last 32 in four of the six tournaments he entered, and retained his Top 32 status (marginally, at no. 31). He played in the 2006 World Championship, and lost to Steve Davis, 4–10, in the first round.[1] Although slipping only a single position in the rankings (from no. 30 to no. 31) for 2006/2007, the year was not truly successful for him, and neither was 2006/2007, resulting in a drop down to the no. 41 position for 2007/2008 world rankings. After failing to qualify for the Welsh Open and China Open, he contemplated retiring if he could not retain a top-64 ranking.

He has compiled over 100 competitive centuries during his career,[6] and has scored a maximum break at the UK Championship qualifiers in 2012. Despite winning only one key event, Hicks has career winnings of £562,560 (up to the start of the 2006/2007 season).[1] He entered the 2018 Q School in a bid to win back his place on the snooker professional tour.[7]

Hicks came through the third event of the 2019 Q School by winning six matches to earn a two-year card on the World Snooker Tour for the 2019/2020 and 2020–21 seasons.[8]

Personal life

[edit]

He currently lives in Launceston, Cornwall[1] and is the staff pro at Bell's Court Snooker Club in Falmouth.[9] His wife Rachel was working there when they met; they married in 2005, and had their first child in 2006.[1] He also plays golf, in a local society named after him.[1]

Performance and rankings timeline

[edit]
Tournament 1991/
92 		1992/
93 		1993/
94 		1994/
95 		1995/
96 		1996/
97 		1997/
98 		1998/
99 		1999/
00 		2000/
01 		2001/
02 		2002/
03 		2003/
04 		2004/
05 		2005/
06 		2006/
07 		2007/
08 		2008/
09 		2009/
10 		2010/
11 		2011/
12 		2012/
13 		2014/
15 		2015/
16 		2016/
17 		2017/
18 		2018/
19 		2019/
20 		2020/
21 		2021/
22 		2022/
23 		2023/
24
Ranking[10][nb 1] [nb 2] 70 54 33 17 18 19 21 32 36 46 61 62 51 31 31 41 56 50 53 61 61 [nb 3] [nb 3] [nb 3] [nb 3] [nb 3] [nb 2] 93 [nb 4] 67 57
Ranking tournaments
Championship League Tournament Not Held Non-Ranking Event WD RR RR RR
European Masters[nb 5] 2R SF LQ LQ SF 2R NH LQ Not Held LQ LQ LQ LQ LQ LQ NR Tournament Not Held LQ A LQ LQ 1R 1R 1R 2R
British Open LQ LQ 3R LQ 2R 2R 2R 1R 2R LQ 3R LQ 2R QF Tournament Not Held 2R LQ 1R
English Open Tournament Not Held A A A 1R 2R LQ LQ 1R
Wuhan Open Tournament Not Held LQ
Northern Ireland Open Tournament Not Held A A A 1R 3R 1R 1R LQ
International Championship Tournament Not Held LQ A LQ LQ A A LQ Not Held LQ
UK Championship 1R LQ 2R 1R SF 2R 2R 2R 1R LQ LQ LQ 1R 3R 1R 1R LQ LQ LQ LQ LQ LQ A 1R 1R A A 1R 2R QF LQ LQ
Shoot Out Tournament Not Held Non-Ranking Event SF A 2R 1R 2R 1R 1R 2R
Scottish Open[nb 6] NH 2R 1R 2R 1R 2R 2R 1R 1R LQ LQ LQ LQ Tournament Not Held MR Not Held A A A 1R 2R LQ LQ LQ
World Grand Prix Tournament Not Held NR DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ 1R DNQ DNQ
German Masters[nb 7] Tournament Not Held LQ 2R LQ NR Tournament Not Held LQ LQ LQ A LQ LQ A A LQ LQ LQ LQ LQ
Welsh Open LQ LQ 2R 1R 1R 1R 3R 1R 2R LQ LQ LQ LQ LQ 2R 1R LQ LQ LQ LQ 1R LQ A 1R 2R A A 1R 1R LQ 2R LQ
Players Championship[nb 8] Tournament Not Held DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ
World Open[nb 9] LQ LQ LQ SF 2R 1R 1R 1R 3R 1R LQ LQ LQ 2R 2R RR LQ LQ LQ LQ LQ LQ Not Held LQ A A LQ Not Held LQ
Tour Championship Tournament Not Held DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ
World Championship LQ LQ LQ SF LQ 1R 1R LQ LQ 1R LQ LQ 2R 1R 1R 1R LQ LQ LQ LQ LQ LQ A LQ LQ A LQ LQ LQ LQ LQ LQ
Non-ranking tournaments
The Masters LQ LQ LQ LQ SF LQ WR LQ LQ LQ LQ LQ A A A A LQ LQ A A A A A A A A A A A A A A
World Seniors Championship A Tournament Not Held A A A LQ A A A NH A A A A A
Former ranking tournaments
Strachan Open[nb 10] 2R MR NR Tournament Not Held
Asian Classic[nb 11] 1R LQ QF LQ 1R LQ Tournament Not Held
Malta Grand Prix Not Held Non-Ranking Event LQ NR Tournament Not Held
Thailand Masters[nb 12] LQ LQ LQ LQ LQ LQ 1R LQ 1R LQ LQ NR Not Held NR Tournament Not Held
Irish Masters Non-Ranking Event LQ LQ LQ NH NR Tournament Not Held
Northern Ireland Trophy Tournament Not Held NR 1R LQ LQ Tournament Not Held
Bahrain Championship Tournament Not Held LQ Tournament Not Held
Wuxi Classic[nb 13] Tournament Not Held Non-Ranking Event LQ A A Tournament Not Held
Australian Goldfields Open[nb 14] Not Held Non-Ranking Tournament Not Held LQ LQ A A Tournament Not Held
Shanghai Masters Tournament Not Held LQ 2R LQ LQ LQ LQ A LQ LQ A Non-Ranking Not Held NR
Paul Hunter Classic[nb 15] Tournament Not Held Pro-am Event Minor-Ranking Event 1R 1R A NR Tournament Not Held
Indian Open Tournament Not Held A NH LQ A 3R Tournament Not Held
China Open[nb 16] Tournament Not Held NR LQ LQ LQ LQ Not Held LQ LQ LQ LQ LQ LQ LQ LQ LQ A LQ 1R A A Tournament Not Held
Riga Masters[nb 17] Tournament Not Held Minor-Rank 2R A A LQ Tournament Not Held
China Championship Tournament Not Held NR A A LQ Tournament Not Held
WST Pro Series Tournament Not Held RR Not Held
Turkish Masters Tournament Not Held 1R Not Held
Gibraltar Open Tournament Not Held MR A 3R 2R 1R 1R 2R Not Held
WST Classic LQ Tournament Not Held 1R NH
Former non-ranking tournaments
Pontins Professional A A A A QF F SF A A Tournament Not Held
Scottish Masters A A A A LQ A A A A A A A Tournament Not Held
Masters Qualifying Event[nb 18] 1R MR 1R 3R 1R 1R W 3R 2R SF 1R 3R 2R NH A A 2R 2R A Tournament Not Held
Shoot-Out Tournament Not Held 1R 1R 1R A A Ranking Event
Performance Table Legend
LQ lost in the qualifying draw #R lost in the early rounds of the tournament
(WR = Wildcard round, RR = Round robin) 		QF lost in the quarter-finals
SF lost in the semi-finals F lost in the final W won the tournament
DNQ did not qualify for the tournament A did not participate in the tournament WD withdrew from the tournament
DQ disqualified from the tournament
NH / Not Held event was not held.
NR / Non-Ranking Event event is/was no longer a ranking event.
R / Ranking Event event is/was a ranking event.
MR / Minor-Ranking Event means an event is/was a minor-ranking event.
PA / Pro-am Event means an event is/was a pro-am event.
  1. ^ From the 2010/2011 season it shows the ranking at the beginning of the season.
  2. ^ a b New players on the Main Tour don't have a ranking
  3. ^ a b c d e He was an amateur
  4. ^ Players qualified One Year Ranking List started the season without ranking points
  5. ^ The event was called the European Open (1991/1992–1996/1997 and 2001/2002–2003/2004), the Irish Open (1998/1999) and the Malta Cup (2004/2005–2007/2008)
  6. ^ The event was called the International Open (1992/1993–1996/1997) and the Players Championship (2003/2004)
  7. ^ The event was called the German Open (1995/1996–1997/1998)
  8. ^ The event was called the Players Tour Championship Grand Final (2010/2011–2012/2013 and 2014/2015–2015/2016)
  9. ^ The event was called the Grand Prix (1991/1992–2000/2001 and 2004/2005–2009/2010) and the LG Cup (2001/2002–2003/2004)
  10. ^ The event was called the Strachan Challenge (1992/1993–1993/1994)
  11. ^ The event was called the Dubai Classic (1991/1992–1994/1995) and the Thailand Classic (1995/1996)
  12. ^ The event was called the Asian Open (1991/1992–1992/1993) and the Thailand Open (1993/1994–1996/1997)
  13. ^ The event was called the Jiangsu Classic (2008/2009–2009/2010)
  14. ^ The event was called the Australian Open (1994/1995–1995/1996) and the Australian Masters (1995/1996)
  15. ^ The event was called the Grand Prix Fürth (2004/2005) and the Fürth German Open (2005/2006–2006/2007)
  16. ^ The event was called the China International (1997/1998–1998/1999)
  17. ^ The event was called the Riga Open (2014/2015–2015/2016)
  18. ^ The event was also called the Benson & Hedges Championship (1990/1991–2002/2003)

Career finals

[edit]

Non-ranking finals: 4 (1 title)

[edit]
Outcome No. Year Championship Opponent in the final Score
Runner-up 1. 1994 Strachan Open England Anthony Hamilton 4–9
Runner-up 2. 1995 Scottish Masters Qualifying Event Scotland Alan Burnett 2–5
Runner-up 3. 1997 Pontins Professional England Martin Clark 7–9
Winner 1. 1997 Benson & Hedges Championship Wales Paul Davies 9–6

Amateur finals: 2 (1 title)

[edit]
Outcome No. Year Championship Opponent in the final Score
Runner-up 1. 1989 British Under-16 Championship England Ronnie O'Sullivan 1–3[11]
Winner 1. 1991 British Under-19 Championship England Bradley Jones 4–3[12]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Andy Hicks

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Andrew Hicks (born 10 August 1973) is an English former professional player from , . Nicknamed "The Cream of Devon", he turned professional in 1991 at the age of 17 and enjoyed a career spanning over three decades, during which he became one of the West Country's most prominent figures. Hicks achieved his greatest success in the mid-1990s, reaching the semi-finals of the on his Crucible debut in 1995—defeating and en route—before losing 16–11 to ; this remains a rare feat for a qualifier, unmatched until in 2023. He also advanced to the semi-finals of the Masters in 1996 (losing to ) and the in 1995, alongside six ranking event semi-finals overall, including the 1993 European Open and Dubai Classic. Hicks compiled over 165 competitive centuries and recorded a maximum 147 break during the 2012 qualifiers, the 93rd official in professional history. Notable victories included multiple triumphs over , as well as wins against and . He won the non-ranking 1997 Benson and Hedges and reached a career-high of 17th in the 1995/96 season. After periods away from the main tour, Hicks regained his professional status via Q School in 2019 at age 45, continuing to compete effectively into his late 40s with quarter-final appearances at the 2021 and second-round progress at the 2023 Welsh Open. Hicks announced his retirement in June 2024 following the 2023–24 season, after failing to retain his tour card at Q School, ending a professional journey that included eight appearances and representation of the south-west of for much of his tenure. Despite challenges with form and in later years, he maintained competitiveness against top players, as evidenced by his 2023 comments affirming his ability to "still compete with top boys" ahead of his 50th birthday.

Early life and amateur career

Early life

Andy Hicks was born on 10 August 1973 in , , . Hicks earned the nickname "The Cream of ". Growing up in , a more remote part of with sparse infrastructure compared to urban centers, Hicks was exposed to the sport through limited but dedicated local venues that fostered his early interest. His initial experiences involved practicing at the Pot Black club in nearby Plymouth, where he played alongside former professional player Bill Oliver, who later became his early manager and provided guidance in the game's fundamentals. These formative sessions at the club ignited his enthusiasm and paved the way for his entry into organized amateur competitions.

Amateur achievements

Andy Hicks showed considerable talent in his junior years, competing successfully in the British Junior Snooker Championships, a series of national age-restricted events organized by the Billiards and Snooker Control Council. In 1989, at age 15, Hicks advanced to the final of the British Under-16 Championship after a 3-0 semifinal victory over Paul Sweeny, but lost 1-3 to in the best-of-five final. Hicks' breakthrough came in 1991 when he captured the British Under-19 Championship title, defeating Bradley Jones 4-3 in a closely contested final. This triumph, recognized in contemporary reports as marking him as the British Under-19 champion, combined with strong showings in regional amateur qualifiers, secured his invitation to join the professional snooker tour for the 1991-1992 season.

Professional career

Rise to prominence (1991–2000)

Andy Hicks turned professional in 1991 following a successful amateur career, but faced initial challenges in qualifying for main draws of ranking events during his first few seasons. In the 1991–1992 season, he earned £10,700 in , primarily from early qualifying exits, while the following year saw a modest increase to £12,750 as he continued to adapt to the competitive professional circuit. By 1993–1994, his earnings rose to £21,720, reflecting gradual progress amid persistent qualification hurdles. Hicks' breakthrough came in the 1994 Grand Prix, where he reached the semi-finals after defeating Mike Hallett, , Euan Henderson, and notably in the quarter-finals. He also reached the semi-finals of the 1993 European Open and the 1993 Dubai Classic. He ultimately lost 8–9 to Dave Harold in the last four. This run marked his first deep penetration into a major ranking event, signaling his growing prowess on the tour. The represented Hicks' most prominent achievement early in his career, as the 21-year-old qualifier advanced to the semi-finals on his debut. He overcame , , and en route, before falling 16–11 to in the semi-finals. Later that season, Hicks reached another semi-final at the , defeating in the quarter-finals but losing 1–9 to . In 1996, he progressed to the semi-finals of the Masters, where he was defeated 1–6 by . These performances propelled Hicks into the world's top 32 rankings, a position he maintained from 1995 through 2000, with a peak ranking of 17 achieved at the end of the 1995–1996 season. He retained number 17 during the 1996–1997 season before slipping slightly. His early career earnings accumulated steadily, reaching over £70,000 by the end of the , underscoring his adaptation and consistency on the professional scene.

Mid-career challenges and first retirement (2001–2013)

Following his peak in the late 1990s, Andy Hicks experienced a significant decline in form during the early , dropping outside the world's top 32 rankings after the 2000-2001 season and reaching as low as 62nd during the 2003- campaign. This downturn was marked by inconsistent performances in ranking events, with Hicks struggling to replicate his earlier consistency despite occasional flashes of his previous potential. One of Hicks' notable achievements during this period came at the , where, seeded 62nd, he advanced to the second round after a heated first-round victory over , defeating the Australian 10-4 amid post-match tensions that nearly escalated into a physical altercation. In the second round, Hicks pushed to a closely contested 13-11 defeat, showcasing resilience but ultimately exiting the tournament. Later that season, Hicks reached the quarter-finals of the 2004 British Open, where he lost to O'Sullivan again, 5-3, providing a highlight amid broader struggles. Hicks briefly returned to the top 32 rankings between 2005 and 2007, climbing to 30th by the end of the 2004-2005 season and maintaining positions around 24th to 26th in the following two years, buoyed by steady qualification for main draws. However, form inconsistencies persisted, with poor starts to seasons and limited deep runs in major events contributing to a gradual slide; by the 2008-2009 season, he hovered just outside the top 48. His career earnings reached approximately £513,865 by the end of the 2006-2007 season, reflecting a solid but unremarkable mid-career output compared to his earlier promise. The decline accelerated in the late and early , as Hicks fell to 34th in 2009-2010, 47th in 2011-2012, and 54th in 2012-2013, hampered by failure to secure consistent ranking points despite occasional qualifications like the 2012 qualifiers where he compiled a maximum 147 break. This culminated in the loss of his professional tour card at the end of the 2012-2013 season after 22 years on the circuit, marking his first retirement from the main .

Comeback and final retirement (2019–2024)

After retiring from in 2013, Hicks returned to the tour by successfully navigating the 2019 Q School, where he reached the semi-finals of Event Three to secure a two-year card. At age 45, this marked his re-entry after six years away, allowing him to compete on the for the 2019–20 and 2020–21 seasons. During his comeback, Hicks experienced mixed results, with his standout achievement coming in the 2021 UK Championship, where he advanced to the quarter-finals—his first appearance at that stage since 1995—by winning four consecutive deciding-frame matches, including 6–5 victories over Rory McLeod, Mark Joyce, Si Jiahui, and Dominic Dale. He also qualified for the second round of the 2023 Welsh Open, demonstrating occasional competitiveness against higher-ranked opponents despite ranking as low as 75th during the period. However, consistent relegation threats loomed, as he finished outside the top 64 in several one-year card renewals following the initial two-year stint, ultimately losing his tour status at the end of the 2023–24 season after failing to accumulate sufficient ranking points. Hicks' final professional matches occurred in the qualifiers, where he defeated Long Zehuang 10–2 in the first round before falling 5–10 to in the second, during which Saengkham compiled a maximum 147 break. This defeat confirmed his relegation from the main tour. In June 2024, at age 50 (having turned 50 in August 2023), Hicks announced his definitive retirement, citing his advancing age and a desire to prioritize personal life over further Q School attempts. Throughout the comeback, Hicks earned approximately £142,000 in across the 2019–20 to 2023–24 seasons, contributing to a career total of approximately £738,000. No event titles were secured during this phase, but his qualification runs underscored resilience in lower-tier and qualifying competitions.

Playing style and notable performances

Technique and strengths

Andy Hicks is a left-handed player noted for his solid technique and effective break-building during his peak in the 1990s. His cue action was characterized by smoothness and precision, enabling reliable potting and positional play. Hicks excelled in safety play and tactical acumen, particularly in longer formats such as best-of-25 and best-of-31 frame matches, where he frequently outmaneuvered opponents through calculated exchanges. In the , he demonstrated this by dominating tactical battles against , building an 8-3 lead through heavy scoring while maintaining composure during the comeback attempt. His strengths included potting from distance and strong positional control, allowing him to construct substantial breaks consistently, as evidenced by his fluent runs against in the quarter-finals of the same event. Throughout his career, Hicks compiled high breaks with efficiency, including a maximum 147 at the 2012 , achieved with characteristic minimal fuss and control. During his 2019 comeback via Q School, he adapted his technique to remain competitive, leveraging experience in safety and positioning to reach stages like the quarter-finals, though he acknowledged a natural decline in consistency with age. A key weakness was inconsistency in high-pressure finals, where despite multiple semi-final appearances in major ranking events, Hicks only reached three non-ranking finals, winning one and losing two, often faltering under the intensity of decisive frames.

Key tournament results

Andy Hicks achieved several notable results in major tournaments throughout his career, though he never secured a ranking title. His most prominent breakthrough came at the , where the then-21-year-old qualifier made his debut and reached the semi-finals. Having successfully navigated the qualifying rounds, Hicks entered the main draw at the last-32 stage and stunned second seed 10–7 in a match featuring competitive breaks, including an 84 from Hicks. He followed this with a 13–7 victory over 15th seed in the last 16, compiling centuries of 100 and 117 en route to a dominant performance. In the quarter-finals, Hicks edged 13–8, showcasing his resilience with multiple 50+ breaks such as 92 and 65. The semi-final against proved his deepest run, but Hicks fell 11–16 after a tight contest marked by Hicks' 136 clearance and Bond's 101 century; key frames included Bond's decisive runs in the later sessions, such as 80 and 79, which helped him pull ahead from 11–11. That same season, Hicks continued his strong form at the , reaching another semi-final. He advanced through the last 64 with a 9–5 win over , featuring a 102 break, and then defeated Mark Bennett 9–7 in the last 32 with a standout 126 century. A thrilling 9–8 quarter-final triumph over highlighted Hicks' composure under pressure, despite O'Sullivan's reputation. However, his run ended abruptly in the semi-finals with a 1–9 by , where Hicks managed only an 84 break in a one-sided affair. Hicks' momentum carried into the 1996 Masters, where he qualified via the wild-card round and reached the semi-finals for the third time in major events that year. He impressed with centuries of 125, 103, and 102 in earlier stages before facing in the last four, losing 1–6 in a match dominated by O'Sullivan's breaks of 70 and multiple 59s, with Hicks potting 126 points across seven frames. Earlier, in 1994, Hicks had announced his potential with a semi-final appearance at the Grand Prix. He defeated Mike Hallett 5–4, , and Euan Henderson 5–3 before overcoming 5–3 in the quarter-finals, only to lose 8–9 to Dave Harold in the semi-finals after a valiant fightback. In non-ranking events, Hicks claimed the 1997 Masters Qualifying Event title, defeating 9–6 in the final to secure his spot in the main Masters draw. One of Hicks' career highlights came much later, during the 2012 qualifiers, where he compiled the 93rd official maximum 147 break against Daniel Wells in a 6–2 victory, earning a £3,000 bonus and marking a rare perfect frame in his extensive professional tenure. Despite these standout performances—including four major semi-final appearances—Hicks never reached a ranking event final, with his deepest runs consistently ending one match short of victory in the Triple Crown events.

Personal life and legacy

Family and personal interests

Andy Hicks is married; in April 2004, ahead of the , he mentioned having booked a wedding date for 1 May. He resides near Launceston in , a location that requires him to undertake lengthy four- to five-hour journeys to most tournaments, contributing to the physical demands of his career as he has aged. In a June 2023 interview, Hicks affirmed his ability to "still compete with top boys" at the elite level despite approaching his 50th birthday. He maintains a base in the nearby town of Falmouth, where he has been involved in local activities.

Post-retirement activities

Following his retirement from at the end of the 2023–24 season, Andy Hicks has remained active in the sport through his longstanding role as the staff at Bell’s Court Snooker Club in , a position he has held since 2002. In this capacity, Hicks provides guidance and support to club members, leveraging his experience as a former world semi-finalist to foster the local community. Hicks has continued his involvement in coaching and mentoring young players in , building on efforts such as the weekly sessions he launched in 2013 alongside qualified coach Paul Williams at Rack 'em Up in Falmouth. These initiatives have focused on developing junior talent, with Hicks emphasizing technique and mental resilience drawn from his professional career. Post-retirement, he maintains close ties with emerging players, including informing local practice partner Haydon Pinhey of his decision to step away from the tour. Hicks has participated in local snooker events and exhibitions in the region, such as a 2013 match at Helston's Godolphin Club where he competed against club players to promote the sport. He resides in Launceston, Cornwall, balancing his snooker contributions with a quieter life in the West Country, as noted in coverage of his retirement.

Career statistics

Performance and rankings timeline

Andy Hicks turned professional in 1991, initially unranked on the world ladder, and reached a career-high of 17th at the end of the 1995–96 . His ranking improved steadily through the mid-1990s, finishing 18th in 1996–97, 19th in 1997–98, and 21st in 1998–99, before a gradual decline that saw him end the 2003–04 at 62nd. After retaining his professional status until 2013, Hicks lost his tour card and did not compete on the main tour from 2014 to 2018; he regained it via Q School in 2019. Upon his return, he ended the 2019–20 ranked 121st, followed by 93rd in 2020–21, 77th in 2021–22, 59th in 2022–23, and 72nd in 2023–24, resulting in relegation. The table below provides an overview of Hicks' results in the Triple Crown events (, , and Masters) across his career, using standard notations: LQ (lost in qualifying), 1R (first round), 2R (second round), QF (quarter-final), SF (semi-final), F (final), W (winner), DNP (did not participate), and NR (not ranked for Masters qualification). A is noted where applicable.
SeasonWorld ChampionshipUK ChampionshipMasters
1991–92DNPL64DNP
1992–93LQL32DNP
1993–94LQL64DNP
1994–95SFL64DNP
1995–96LQSFSF
1996–971R1RDNP
1997–981R1RL16
1998–99LQL64DNP
1999–00LQLQDNP
2000–011RL64DNP
2001–02LQLQDNP
2002–03LQLQDNP
2003–042RL16DNP
2004–051RLQDNP
2005–061RLQDNP
2006–071RL64DNP
2007–08LQLQDNP
2008–09LQL64DNP
2009–10LQLQDNP
2010–11LQLQDNP
2011–12LQLQDNP
2012–13LQL64 (147)DNP
2013–14LQDNPDNP
2014–15DNPDNPDNP
2015–16LQLQDNP
2016–17LQLQDNP
2017–18LQDNPDNP
2018–19DNPDNPDNP
2019–20LQLQDNP
2020–21LQL64DNP
2021–22LQQFDNP
2022–23LQLQDNP
2023–24LQLQDNP

Tournament finals

Andy Hicks never reached the final of a professional ranking tournament during his career, with his best performances being semi-final appearances in major events including the , the , the 1994 Grand Prix, and the 1996 Masters.

Non-ranking finals

Hicks appeared in four non-ranking finals, winning one. These events provided opportunities for emerging players to gain experience and wildcard entries to larger tournaments.
YearTournamentOpponentResultScore
1994Strachan Challenge – Event 1Anthony Hamilton (England)Runner-up4–9
1995Scottish Masters Qualifying Event (Scotland)Runner-up2–5
1997Pontins ProfessionalMartin Clark (England)Runner-up7–9
1997Benson & Hedges Championship (Masters qualifier) (Wales)Winner9–6
The victory in the 1997 Benson & Hedges Championship earned Hicks a wildcard entry to the Masters, where he defeated 6–5 in the first round before losing to 3–5 in the last 16.

Amateur finals

As a junior, Hicks competed successfully in national amateur championships, reaching two finals and securing one title.
YearTournamentOpponentResultScore
1989British Under-16 Championship (England)Runner-up1–3
1991British Under-19 ChampionshipUnknownWinnerUnknown
These early successes, particularly the 1991 Under-19 title, highlighted Hicks' potential and contributed to his transition to the professional circuit in 1991. During his comeback from 2019 to 2024, Hicks did not reach any minor or invitational finals.

References

  1. https://cuetracker.net/players/andy-hicks
  2. https://www.totallysnookered.com/sport/snooker/players/west-country-snooker-legend-andy-hicks-set-to-retire-a-look-at-hicks-career-story-4666250
  3. https://www.bbc.com/sport/snooker/65962182
  4. https://wpbsa.com/about-us/history/147-breaks/
  5. https://www.prosnookerblog.com/players/g-h/andy-hicks/
  6. https://cuetracker.net/tournaments/british-under-16-championship/1989/3701
  7. https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/915595747/
  8. https://cuetracker.net/players/andy-hicks/prize-money/per-season
  9. https://cuetracker.net/tournaments/grand-prix/1994/441
  10. https://www.snooker.org/trn/skoda_res.shtml
  11. https://www.bbc.com/sport/snooker/48557739
  12. https://cuetracker.net/tournaments/world-championship/1995/422
  13. https://cuetracker.net/tournaments/uk-championship/1995/415
  14. https://cuetracker.net/tournaments/masters/1996/410
  15. https://cuetracker.net/players/andy-hicks/ranking-history
  16. https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2004/apr/24/snooker.worldsnookerchampionship2004
  17. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zn-amn8_g6Q
  18. https://cuetracker.net/players/andy-hicks/career-total-statistics
  19. https://wpbsa.com/tour-players-2019-20/
  20. https://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?template=22&event=1130
  21. https://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?template=22&event=1480
  22. https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2004/apr/22/snooker
  23. https://www.snooker.org/trn/world_95_res.shtml
  24. http://snookerscene.blogspot.com/2012/11/andy-hicks-maximum-man.html
  25. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q4035024
  26. https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/arid-30143920.html
  27. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/65962182
  28. https://www.falmouthpacket.co.uk/news/4136839.falmouths-snooker-player-aims-to-repeat-world-championship-success/
  29. https://www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/7200253.world-snooker-star-named-as-clubs-pro/
  30. https://www.falmouthpacket.co.uk/sport/10167290.world-class-coaching-comes-to-rack-em-up/
  31. https://www.falmouthpacket.co.uk/sport/10674789.andy-hicks-to-play-exhibition-match-at-helstons-godolphin-club/
  32. https://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?template=42&season=2023
  33. https://cuetracker.net/players/andy-hicks/tournament-record/world-championship
  34. https://cuetracker.net/players/andy-hicks/tournament-record/uk-championship
  35. https://cuetracker.net/players/andy-hicks/tournament-record/masters
  36. https://cuetracker.net/players/andy-hicks/maximums
  37. https://cuetracker.net/tournaments/pontins-professional/1997/576
  38. https://www.rkgsnooker.com/player/player-profile/paul-davies/token-249
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