Some players talk about ambition. Others simply carry it with them. Craig Waddingham falls firmly into the second category.
When he speaks about pool, there’s no grand performance or exaggerated claims — just the steady tone of someone who sees competition as the natural order of things. Calm, direct, and quietly driven to improve.
Originally from Scunthorpe, Waddingham has had a cue in his hands for almost as long as he can remember. Over the years, he has stepped away from the game, returned, and rebuilt momentum, and today he finds himself competing in an era where pool is experiencing a genuine resurgence. With Ultimate Pool expanding the professional scene, increasing prize money and creating clearer pathways for players, the sport looks very different from the one he grew up in.
Craig’s mindset hasn’t changed.
Whether he is playing in the UK or travelling to compete in the United States, his outlook remains simple.
He turns up expecting to win.
Early Beginnings
Craig’s introduction to the game came remarkably early.
“I started playing when I was three,” he told Fen Regis Trophies, recalling the small four-foot table he had at home as a child. What began as curiosity quickly became obsession. By the time most children were still learning the basics of the game, Craig was already spending hours around a table.
Before long, he was testing himself against adults. He played in men’s events for his local village club from around five or six years old — an unusual experience for a child, but one that helped him grow comfortable in competitive environments from a young age.
By his early teenage years, he was already playing regularly in organised competitions and developing a deeper understanding of the sport.
Like many players, however, his journey hasn’t been completely straightforward. Life inevitably pulled him away from the table for a while. A relationship, family life and becoming a father meant that pool had to take a back seat for a period of around five or six years.
But the game never completely left him.
When Craig eventually returned, he wasted little time reminding people what he could do. Entering four amateur series events, he won two of them.
Belief
Every serious player can usually trace their confidence back to a single moment — a match, a performance, or even just a realisation.
For Craig, that moment came years ago when he watched a player win the Nottinghamshire singles title. Seeing the level of play and the atmosphere around the event, he suddenly found himself thinking something simple but powerful:
I can do this.
That realisation stuck with him. From that point on, pool wasn’t just something he enjoyed — it was something he wanted to compete seriously in.
Rebuilding a Professional Career
Craig had previously held professional status in earlier UK pool formats, but the most consistent period of his career has come during the rise of Ultimate Pool over the last five or six years.
He speaks honestly about his performances. Rankings can always improve, he says, and there is always room to go further. But the results he has produced — particularly overseas — underline his ability at the top level.
Defining Victories
When asked about the proudest achievements of his career, Craig highlights two moments that stand above the rest.
The first is winning the Masters, which he remembers as a breakthrough moment. It wasn’t simply another title — it was a victory that confirmed he could compete and succeed against strong fields.
The nature of the tournament made it even more satisfying. With unpredictable draws and high-quality opponents in every round, there is little opportunity to plan a route through the event. Players simply have to adapt and perform.
Craig did exactly that.
The second highlight came across the Atlantic in the United States.
Craig has travelled to America several times to compete, and one of his most memorable trips came at the Nationals in North Carolina. Over the course of the event he won two major titles, including the National Shootout, completing an impressive double.
The experience of playing in the US left a lasting impression. The scale of events, the crowds and the enthusiasm from fans create an atmosphere that feels different from the UK scene.
Craig laughs when describing how English players are sometimes treated like celebrities, with supporters asking for photographs and autographs.
For someone who still considers himself an ordinary person who simply loves playing pool, it can feel surreal.
The Ultimate Pool Effect
Craig is clear about the impact Ultimate Pool has had on the sport.
In his view, it has transformed the professional landscape. Prize money has increased, exposure has grown, and the structure of the tour has created clearer opportunities for players to progress.
Just as importantly, the environment around the circuit feels positive. Established professionals often support younger players, juniors are coming through the system, and the women’s game continues to grow.
For Craig, the organisation has revitalised the sport — and may well have extended his own career within it.
Passing on Knowledge
Alongside competing, Craig has recently begun coaching more regularly. The motivation comes from remembering what it felt like to be a player searching for guidance.
His approach is simple: anyone who wants help is welcome.
That could be beginners learning the basics, experienced league players trying to sharpen their game, or ambitious competitors looking to break into the professional ranks.
The advice he gives focuses on the fundamentals that matter most — enjoying the game, building strong technique, understanding patterns and positional play, and learning to play into areas rather than chasing perfect cue-ball position on every shot.
Looking Ahead
When asked about his goals for the next few years, Craig gives an answer that perfectly reflects his competitive mindset.
He doesn’t like setting specific targets.
In his view, targets can unintentionally limit ambition. Instead, he sets a standard for himself.
He enters every tournament expecting to challenge for the title. If he doesn’t go deep in an event, he feels he could have done better.
It is a mentality built on years of experience and quiet self-belief — and one that ensures Craig Waddingham approaches every competition with the same simple aim.
To win.
