[1][2][3] For the 1977–78 season, players' performances in the previous three World Snooker Championships (1975, 1976, and 1977) contributed to their points total.

[3][4] If players were level on points, then those gained in the most recent event determined positioning.

[1] Ray Reardon retained top place in the rankings from the 1976/1977 listing, with 12 points.

John Spencer, the 1977 World Champion, was second, six places higher than in the previous season's list, on 9 points.

[6] The professional world rankings for the snooker players on the main tour in the 1977–78 season are listed below.