Sam Baird
| Born |
17 June 1988 Uffculme, England |
|---|---|
| Sport country |
 England
|
| Nickname | The Blade |
| Professional | 2009/2010, 2011– |
| Highest ranking | 46 (May 2016–present) |
| Current ranking | 47 (as of 18 December 2016) |
| Career winnings | £173,067 |
| Highest break | 142 (2013 World Championship Qualifying) |
| Century breaks | 76 |
| Best ranking finish | Last 16 (2013 Welsh Open, 2014 International Championship, 2016 World Championship, 2016 Paul Hunter Classic and 2016 International Championship) |
Sam Baird (born 17 June 1988) is a professional snooker player from England. He first entered the professional tour for the 2009/10 season, by winning the EBSA Pro-Ticket Tour Play-Offs.
Baird reached the main draw of a ranking event for the first time in 2012 by coming through four qualifying matches, concluding with a 4–2 win over Dominic Dale, to make the 2012 Welsh Open. He played against world number 1, Mark Selby in the first round of the event and almost pulled off the result of his career as he led the best-of-seven match, 3–2. Baird then missed a blue off the spot with 2 balls remaining when he required just the blue and pink for the match and, despite chances in the decider, he would lose the game 3–4. Baird also qualified for the 2012 World Open in Haikou, China. He again won four matches, sealing his place with a 5–4 victory over Mark Davis. He was required to play in a wildcard round in China to make the last 32 of the event and was beaten 3–5 by Jin Long.
Baird failed to win a match in qualifying for the final three ranking events and finished the season ranked world number 76, out of the top 64 who retain their places on the tour. Baird therefore entered Q School in a bid to play in the 2012/2013 season and succeeded at his first attempt by winning each of his five matches 4–0 to gain a two-year spot on the main tour.
Baird produced his best snooker towards the end of the 2012/2013 season as he beat Luca Brecel and Martin Gould to reach the main draw of the Welsh Open for the second successive year. He whitewashed Gerard Greene 4–0 in the first round, before losing 2–4 to Robert Milkins. In qualifying for the World Championship Baird defeated Chen Zhe 10–7, Peter Lines 10–9 and Rory McLeod 10–9 to find himself just one match away from playing in the biggest tournament on the snooker calendar. He faced world number 20 Joe Perry, but it was world number 83 Baird who played by far the better as he won 10–3 and in the 12th frame made a break of 142, the highest of the whole qualifying tournament. Baird played Stuart Bingham in the first round, losing 2–10 to finish the year ranked world number 81.
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