Graeme Dott is a Scottish former professional snooker player best known for winning the 2006 World Snooker Championship. Born on 12 May 1977 in Glasgow, Dott turned professional in 1994 and built a career around patience, determination and strong tactical play.
His biggest achievement came at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield in 2006, when he defeated Peter Ebdon 18–14 in the final. Dott also reached the World Championship final in 2004 and 2010, making him one of the notable Scottish players of his generation.
Who Is Graeme Dott?
Graeme Dott is a former Scottish professional snooker player whose career lasted more than three decades. He reached a career-high world ranking of No. 2 and won two ranking events during his professional career.
His two ranking titles were the 2006 World Championship and the 2007 China Open. He also made two official maximum 147 breaks during his career.
Dott was often respected for his fighting qualities at the table. His style was less about spectacular attacking snooker and more about concentration, safety play and making opponents work for every frame.
Graeme Dott’s Road to the World Championship
Dott’s breakthrough at the Crucible came before his eventual world title. In 2004, he reached his first World Championship final, where he faced Ronnie O’Sullivan.
Although Dott lost that final, reaching the title match established him as a serious contender at the highest level.
Two years later, he returned to Sheffield with another opportunity. This time, he went all the way.
The 2006 World Championship Victory
The 2006 World Championship remains the defining moment of Dott’s career.
In the semi-final, he defeated Ronnie O’Sullivan to reach the final against Peter Ebdon. The final was a long tactical contest, but Dott eventually secured an 18–14 victory and became world champion.
The victory also gave Dott his first ranking title. His success was particularly notable because he had already experienced the disappointment of losing a World Championship final two years earlier.
After winning the title, Dott reached a career-high ranking of second in the world.
Other Major Career Achievements
The World Championship was not Dott’s only significant achievement.
In 2007, he won the China Open, defeating Jamie Cope in the final. That gave him two ranking titles overall.
Dott also reached the World Championship final again in 2010. This time, Neil Robertson beat him in the final.
His other notable performances included reaching the semi-finals of the 2006 UK Championship and the 2013 Masters. His career statistics also include two official maximum breaks.
What Made Dott a Difficult Opponent?
Dott developed a reputation as a determined and resilient competitor.
His game often depended on controlling the pace of a match rather than trying to win frames with constant attacking shots. That approach could make his matches long and physically demanding.
His success at the Crucible demonstrated that a player does not always need an explosive attacking style to win snooker’s biggest title. Tactical discipline, concentration and patience can be equally valuable.
Later Years of His Snooker Career
Dott remained a professional for many years after his world title. However, his ranking gradually declined during the later stages of his career.
He continued competing in professional events and produced notable performances, including a 147 break in the 2022 World Championship qualifiers. His last professional tournament appearance came at the 2025 World Open.
In April 2025, the WPBSA suspended Dott from professional snooker following legal proceedings. He did not compete professionally during the 2025–26 season.
Latest Graeme Dott Developments
As of August 2026, Graeme Dott’s story has taken a serious legal turn.
On 24 August 2026, he was convicted at the High Court in Glasgow on two charges of lewd and libidinous behaviour relating to historic sexual abuse involving two children. Dott had denied the allegations during the trial.
Following the conviction, the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) announced that it had permanently revoked Dott’s membership. The organisation also requested his removal from the World Snooker Tour Hall of Fame.
Dott was previously suspended from professional snooker in April 2025. The WPBSA said that its decision to permanently revoke his membership was made unanimously by its emergency board. The organisation also stated that he retains a 21-day right to appeal the membership decision.
His sentencing is scheduled for September 2026.
Graeme Dott Career at a Glance
| Achievement | Details |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Scottish |
| Born | 12 May 1977 |
| Turned professional | 1994 |
| World Championship | Winner, 2006 |
| World Championship finals | 2004, 2006, 2010 |
| Ranking titles | 2 |
| Highest ranking | World No. 2 |
| Maximum breaks | 2 |
| China Open | Winner, 2007 |
Career information is supported by player records and historical ranking data.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Graeme Dott?
Graeme Dott is a Scottish former professional snooker player who won the World Snooker Championship in 2006.
When did Graeme Dott win the World Championship?
Graeme Dott won the World Snooker Championship in 2006, defeating Peter Ebdon 18–14 in the final.
How many ranking titles did Graeme Dott win?
He won two ranking titles: the 2006 World Championship and the 2007 China Open.
What was Graeme Dott’s highest world ranking?
His highest ranking was No. 2 in the world.
Did Graeme Dott reach the World Championship final more than once?
Yes. He reached the final three times: in 2004, 2006 and 2010. He won the title in 2006.
Is Graeme Dott still a professional snooker player?
No. He was suspended from professional competition in 2025 and was later relegated from the professional ranking list after the 2025–26 season. Following his August 2026 conviction, the WPBSA permanently revoked his membership.
What happened to Graeme Dott in August 2026?
On 24 August 2026, Dott was convicted at the High Court in Glasgow of two charges relating to historic sexual abuse. The WPBSA subsequently permanently revoked his membership.
Final Thoughts
Graeme Dott’s professional snooker career included one of the sport’s biggest prizes: the 2006 World Championship. He also reached two other World Championship finals, won the China Open and climbed as high as second in the world rankings.
However, the latest developments have fundamentally changed how his professional career is viewed. His 2026 conviction and the subsequent action by snooker’s governing body are now an essential part of any current account of Graeme Dott.