Peter Lines has a long history in snooker. He was a finalist in the English Amateur Championship and reached the quarter-finals at the China Open in 1999. Since 1991, he has been a professional. In the early 1990s, he made the quarter-finals of the Asian Open and Strachan Open. In 1998, he qualified for the televised stages of the World Championship for the first time.
Although his career is generally unremarkable in nature, Lines' performance during the last few decades of his career was more than admirable. He made it to at least the quarter-finals of ranking events for the first times in his career. The most impressive part of his season was a run at the German Masters, in which he reached the semi-finals and came close to victory.
After a promising start, his 2011/12 season was dreadful. As the season progressed his pressure mounted and he lost matches in four of his ranking events. At the end, he was ranked only 57th on European Tour. He was able to qualify for the World Championship qualifiers and secured a spot on the European Tour for another year.
He was able to compete in two major tournaments, defeating Joe Perry and Ian McCulloch. He also won a qualifier at the Players Tour Championships series (PTC), but it was not enough for him to be in the main tour.
In 2010, he won a UK Championship. But, he was again demoted to the PTC after the 2015/16 year. He continues to participate in amateur tournaments.
Lines' behavior during a match in China has been ruled inappropriate by the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association. The World Snooker Tour was notified and launched an investigation into the matter. The World Snooker Tribunal is expected to be referred to the matter.
The case was heard on December 16, and the WPBSA decided that Lines should be fined for the offence. The fine had an interesting side: Lines was found guilty for violating two rules regarding player conduct.
After a foul or miss, the first rule was his replacement of white ball. In this situation, professional players are not uncommon to temporarily hang up their cues. Brendan Moore was Lines' opponent. They argued over this matter. Both claimed Lines made an error. Lines, however, maintained that he was right.
However, the World Snooker Tour claimed that Lines used "swear terms and intimidation" during their match. Lines threatened to fight outside of the arena.