by Joshua Mason (Guest Writer)
@AccuracastGB
@AccuracastGB
The Most Important 147’s Ever
There were two big 147 stories at this year’s UK Championship in York both showing the highs and lows of Snooker. Neil Robertson won the tournament after beating Liang Wenbo and scoring a superb 147 in the process. In the same week Thai snooker player Thepchaiya Un-Nooh missed the chance to earn £44,000 with one pot. The Thai player expertly worked his way around the table like Robertson before leaving himself a very achievable pot on Black to the bottom left for a 147, but he could not sink it. As he put his head in hands I felt sorry for him of course, but it also reminded me of the concentration that is necessary to complete Snookers hardest skill. Let’s take a look at some of the most important 147’s ever completed. (Sorry Thepchaiya!)
Ronnie O’Sullivan
Year: 1997
Where: Sheffield
No mention of snooker comes without the Rocket. He has had 13 147’2 in his career, but 2 stand out as important. He scored one of the best 147 ever seen in 1997 against Mick Price at the Crucible. Ronnie rattled in the 147 in 5 minutes and 20 second for a world record with an astonished crowd looking on. O’Sullivan rates it as his best, "It is still my favourite frame. It is the one I get asked about the most. To score a record maximum at the Crucible was an amazing thing and remains something very special,".
Year: 2010
Where: Glasgow
The second was the controversial incident at the World Open 2010 in Glasgow, where he tried to avoid potting the last black in protest at the lack of prize money for such a feat. He did eventually pot the last ball and avoided serious consequences. It did put a focus on whether it is fair to offer no prize for the thing that fans want to see most. He said after it was "about proving a point, not about the money".
Jester from Leicester!
Year: 2013
Where: York
Mark Selby’s 147 at the UK championship was the 100th 147 in history making it a historical milestone for the sport. Selby performed the ultimate in a semi-final against Ricky Walden, with an imperious performance in the 7th frame. The man also pocketed £50,000 for the feat and £4,000 for the highest break proving good things come to those who wait.
Stephen Hendry
Year: 1997
Where: Birmingham
In 1997 in a non-ranking match at the 1997 Liverpool Victoria Charity Challenge the audience witnessed what some argue as the greatest match ever played. Hendry was facing none other than Ronnie O’Sullivan. Hendry was 8 – 2 up when O’Sullivan made an incredible come back to 8-8. Stephen Hendry went on to steal the show and win the match however in the last frame, with a 147. Any snooker fan would have chosen to be there that day over any match at this year’s World Championships!
Steven Davis
Year: 1982
Where: Oldham
Steven Davis’ 147 in 1982 marked the start of the cake that Mark Selby placed the cherry on, the first ever 147 in competition. The first one in history meant none of the riches of the modern game were available - Davis won a Lada Estate for his achievement. An honourable word should go to his opponent that day John Spencer, who made a 147 in front of the cameras only to find out the operator had gone on his tea break, so it was not televised!
James Wattana
Year: 1992
Where: Derby
Just before James Wattana was due to play Tony Drago at the 1992 British Open he received a call. It informed him that his father had been shot on the streets in Bangkok and was in critical condition. Unbelievably he picked up his cue and played that evening securing a 147 under immense emotional pressure. Unfortunately, the tragic story had a tragic end with Wattana being told that his father had passed away after the match had finished.
Special Mention
Year: ?
Where: ?
Did you know that the maximum break is not a 147! I’m sure you did, but did you know someone has done it! The player in question is none other than the legend Alex Higgins and the break is 155. He supposedly achieved the impossible out of regular competition. To do it a foul stroke must be committed by an opponent, which leaves the non-offender snookered on all 15 reds. By nominating a colour as an ‘extra red’, then taking a subsequent black — and then adding the ‘normal’ 15 reds, 15 blacks and colours, the player would then complete the rarest of snooker breaks.
Michael Butlin of Bookmakers TV said “The odds of getting a 155 in a professional match is astronomical. I doubt you would even be able to get a slip on it at any major bookies”. Will there ever be a player like Higgins again?
Find more from Joshua on twitter @AccuracastGB
There were two big 147 stories at this year’s UK Championship in York both showing the highs and lows of Snooker. Neil Robertson won the tournament after beating Liang Wenbo and scoring a superb 147 in the process. In the same week Thai snooker player Thepchaiya Un-Nooh missed the chance to earn £44,000 with one pot. The Thai player expertly worked his way around the table like Robertson before leaving himself a very achievable pot on Black to the bottom left for a 147, but he could not sink it. As he put his head in hands I felt sorry for him of course, but it also reminded me of the concentration that is necessary to complete Snookers hardest skill. Let’s take a look at some of the most important 147’s ever completed. (Sorry Thepchaiya!)
Ronnie O’Sullivan
Year: 1997
Where: Sheffield
No mention of snooker comes without the Rocket. He has had 13 147’2 in his career, but 2 stand out as important. He scored one of the best 147 ever seen in 1997 against Mick Price at the Crucible. Ronnie rattled in the 147 in 5 minutes and 20 second for a world record with an astonished crowd looking on. O’Sullivan rates it as his best, "It is still my favourite frame. It is the one I get asked about the most. To score a record maximum at the Crucible was an amazing thing and remains something very special,".
Year: 2010
Where: Glasgow
The second was the controversial incident at the World Open 2010 in Glasgow, where he tried to avoid potting the last black in protest at the lack of prize money for such a feat. He did eventually pot the last ball and avoided serious consequences. It did put a focus on whether it is fair to offer no prize for the thing that fans want to see most. He said after it was "about proving a point, not about the money".
Jester from Leicester!
Year: 2013
Where: York
Mark Selby’s 147 at the UK championship was the 100th 147 in history making it a historical milestone for the sport. Selby performed the ultimate in a semi-final against Ricky Walden, with an imperious performance in the 7th frame. The man also pocketed £50,000 for the feat and £4,000 for the highest break proving good things come to those who wait.
Stephen Hendry
Year: 1997
Where: Birmingham
In 1997 in a non-ranking match at the 1997 Liverpool Victoria Charity Challenge the audience witnessed what some argue as the greatest match ever played. Hendry was facing none other than Ronnie O’Sullivan. Hendry was 8 – 2 up when O’Sullivan made an incredible come back to 8-8. Stephen Hendry went on to steal the show and win the match however in the last frame, with a 147. Any snooker fan would have chosen to be there that day over any match at this year’s World Championships!
Steven Davis
Year: 1982
Where: Oldham
Steven Davis’ 147 in 1982 marked the start of the cake that Mark Selby placed the cherry on, the first ever 147 in competition. The first one in history meant none of the riches of the modern game were available - Davis won a Lada Estate for his achievement. An honourable word should go to his opponent that day John Spencer, who made a 147 in front of the cameras only to find out the operator had gone on his tea break, so it was not televised!
James Wattana
Year: 1992
Where: Derby
Just before James Wattana was due to play Tony Drago at the 1992 British Open he received a call. It informed him that his father had been shot on the streets in Bangkok and was in critical condition. Unbelievably he picked up his cue and played that evening securing a 147 under immense emotional pressure. Unfortunately, the tragic story had a tragic end with Wattana being told that his father had passed away after the match had finished.
Special Mention
Year: ?
Where: ?
Did you know that the maximum break is not a 147! I’m sure you did, but did you know someone has done it! The player in question is none other than the legend Alex Higgins and the break is 155. He supposedly achieved the impossible out of regular competition. To do it a foul stroke must be committed by an opponent, which leaves the non-offender snookered on all 15 reds. By nominating a colour as an ‘extra red’, then taking a subsequent black — and then adding the ‘normal’ 15 reds, 15 blacks and colours, the player would then complete the rarest of snooker breaks.
Michael Butlin of Bookmakers TV said “The odds of getting a 155 in a professional match is astronomical. I doubt you would even be able to get a slip on it at any major bookies”. Will there ever be a player like Higgins again?
Find more from Joshua on twitter @AccuracastGB