Tom Newman (billiards player)
Tom Newman (23 March 1894 – 30 September 1943) was an English professional billiards and snooker player. He was born Thomas Edgar Pratt in Barton-upon-Humber, Lincolnshire, and changed his name to Tom Newman in 1919 before his marriage.
Newman was one of the top billiards players of the 1920s. He appeared in every World Professional Billiards Championship final from 1921 to 1930 and won the title six times. In the last five finals he faced Joe Davis, winning in 1926 and 1927, and losing in 1928, 1929 and 1930.
He was known for building big breaks and for his cannon shot. He had his first century break in the three-ball game at age 11, and in the 1930–31 season he recorded 30 breaks of 1000. His highest break was 1,827 against Walter Lindrum in Dundee on 5 March 1931.
Although he treated snooker as less serious than billiards, he did set an officially recognised snooker break of 89 in 1919.
In 1934 he competed in the World Championship; Joe Davis won 25–22, though Newman led 14–13 at one point.
Newman owned Newman's Club, a billiard hall opened in 1924 at 3 Circus Road, St John's Wood, London.
He died at his home in Tufnel Park, London, on 30 September 1943, aged 49, after throat trouble. He was buried at City of London Cemetery, Ilford, and his playing cue was placed in his coffin.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 22:35 (CET).