What Is a 147 Break in Snooker?
Every snooker sport fan remembers the first time they witnessed a 147 break: the stadium fell silent. Every shot felt incredibly important. After a few red and black balls, a special atmosphere filled the room. The commentators lowered their voices. The opponents stopped fidgeting in their seats. When the final black ball dropped, thunderous applause erupted. This wasn't just a tribute to the player, but also a celebration of the perfect moment witnessed by everyone.
A 147 break, often called a maximum break, is the highest achievement in snooker, equivalent to a hole-in-one in golf or a perfect nine-dart finish in darts. But what exactly is it? Why is it so rare? Why is it so significant for players and fans alike? Let's explain it in simple terms, whether you're a snooker novice or a seasoned player.
What Is a 147 Break?
A 147 break is the highest score a player can achieve in a single frame under standard snooker rules. To achieve it, a player must:
- Pot all 15 reds, scoring 1 point each.
- After each red, pot the black ball, worth 7 points.
- Once all reds are gone, clear the colours in order: Yellow, Green, Brown, Blue, Pink, Black.
The scoring is as follows:
If a cue ball is missed, a colored ball other than the black is chosen, or the player loses their position, the scoring opportunity is lost. This is why scoring 147 points is so valuable.
Why Must the Black Follow Every Red?
The reason is simple. As long as there are red balls on the snooker table, the player must alternate between potting red and colored balls. The black ball is the highest-scoring ball, so you can achieve the highest score by hitting the black ball after every red ball.
Even if you only choose the blue or pink ball once, a 147 becomes impossible. The margin for error in a maximum break is extremely low; there's only one path to perfection.
When Does a Maximum Attempt End?
A 147 attempt is immediately over if:
- You miss a red or another colored cue ball
- You choose a low-scoring ball
- A foul is committed
- Position is lost so badly that the sequence cannot continue
Why Is a 147 So Difficult?
Theoretically, it's simple. But in actual play, it's incredibly brutal. Players need:
1. Perfect Cue Ball Control
After each pot, the cue ball must land perfectly for the next shot. A small cue mistake can quickly accumulate.
2. Tactical Planning
Professional players often plan three or four shots in advance, not just the next one.
3. Mental Strength
As the game progresses, the pressure increases. Players know that millions of spectators may be watching them, so the last few balls feel heavier than all the previous ones combined.
4. Table Management
Reds become awkwardly placed as the frame develops. Players must constantly adjust their ball placement.
Has Anyone Scored More Than 147?
Yes, but only in exceptional circumstances. If a foul occurs before a red ball is potted, the player gets a free ball, which counts as an extra red ball.
This allows:
- Red (1) × 16 + Black (7) × 16 + Colours = 155 points
The highest professional break recorded is 148, made by Jamie Burnett in 2004 after a free ball situation.
Famous 147 Moments Fans Will Never Forget
Some maximum breaks have become part of snooker legend.
1. The first officially recognized maximum break (1982)
The first officially recognized professional maximum break was made by Steve Davis at the 1982 Lada Classic.
2. Jimmy White at the Crucible (1992)
Jimmy White’s maximum break brought the house down. Few players connected with fans like White, and his 147 remains one of the most emotional moments in the venue.
3.Ronnie O’Sullivan's Fastest 147 Break (1997)
At the World Championship, Ronnie O'Sullivan stunned the Crucible Theatre crowd with a 147 break in 5 minutes and 8 seconds, averaging approximately 8.5 seconds per break. This remains the fastest 147 break in history. Before fans could even react, history was rewritten. Stephen Hendry later called it "the greatest feat in any sport," with no other maximum break comparable.
4. Shaun Murphy’s Magical Maximum (2015)
Murphy's perfect break showcased the finest skills in modern snooker, demonstrating composure, precision, and uncompromising execution, adding a new chapter to snooker history.
What About the Golden Ball and 167 Breaks?
Some snooker tournaments with special formats, such as the one held in Saudi Arabia, introduced a 20-point Golden Ball that can only be potted after a traditional 147 break, making a 167 break possible. To date, no one has ever achieved a 167 break in a match.
Who Are the Youngest and Oldest Players to Make a 147?
The records are constantly changing.
- Youngest: Thanawar Tirapongpaiboon (Thailand), aged 16 years and 312 days in 2010.
- Oldest: John Higgins, aged 48 years and 268 days, achieved his maximum during the 2024 Championship League.
Has a Woman Ever Made a 147?
No one has yet made one in an official match. However, Thai player Mink Nutcharut made a maximum 147 break in a practice match in 2019, suggesting that making history is only a matter of time.
Is There a Special Prize for a 147?
Usually, and sometimes, the prize money is very substantial. During the 2025/26 Triple Crown and Saudi Arabia Masters, players who made two maximum breaks earned a whopping £147,000.
Ronnie O’Sullivan did it at the Saudi Arabia Masters, and Jackson Page became the first player to earn this prize money in the 2025 World Championship qualifiers, making two maximum breaks in a single match.
Has Anyone Made Two 147s in One Match?
Yes, and just recently. In 2025, Jackson Page made maximum breaks in the 8th and 12th frames of a qualifying match, becoming the first player to achieve this feat.
A 147 in the Shoot Out?
Yes. In 2023, Shaun Murphy scored a maximum break of 147 in a snooker single-frame challenge (a fast-paced, time-limited, ten-minute match). Murphy's opponent, amateur player Bursu Reeves, cleared the table after just one break. Jimmy White later called it the second-best maximum break in history, second only to Ronnie O'Sullivan's record in 1997.
Did John Spencer Make One Before Steve Davis?
Almost. Spencer scored a maximum break in 1979, but:
- TV cameras were on a lunch break
- And the table pockets weren’t regulation size.
Therefore, the maximum break was not officially recognized. Three years later, Steve Davis scored the first officially recognized 147 break in televised history, ironically against John Spencer.
The Maximum Under Pressure: Tom Ford’s Story
In 2007, Tom Ford was hospitalized on the day of a tournament due to a severe stomach ailment. After treatment, he discharged himself, arrived late, and miraculously defeated Steve Davis 4-0, scoring three century breaks, including a 147. Sometimes, snooker sport has its own script.
How Rare Is a 147?
While more common now than decades ago, maximum breaks are still very rare. Even top professionals may only achieve a handful in their careers. With thousands of professional matches played each year, this underscores the special significance of a maximum break.
As of 2025:
- Over 230 official professional maximums have been recorded.
- Ronnie O’Sullivan holds the record with 17 career maximums.
Why Players Dream of Making a 147 Break
Ask any serious player what their ultimate goal is, and 147 will almost always be among the top choices. Scoring a 147 means:
- Every shot was successful
- Every decision was correct
- Every point was scored with composure
- It's a moment of perfect combination of skill, confidence, and luck
While most amateur players may never achieve a high score, the pursuit itself improves everything: cue ball control, connection, patience, and tactical awareness.
Can Amateur Players Make One?
Technically, yes. Realistically, club conditions make it difficult:
- Table wear and tear
- Lighting differences
- Pressure from friends watching
- Limited practice time
Most club players celebrate scores of 30 or 40, which is understandable. But every high score starts with a small one.
Cue Equipment Matters More Than You Think
Equipment is more important than you think. High scores depend on accuracy, and accuracy depends on trust in your equipment. Players aiming for high scores typically focus on:
- Cue straightness
- Cue tip condition
- Comfortable cue weight
- Reliable balance
- Consistent cue ball response
Many improving players find that switching to a snooker cue that suits their stroke improves their connection. The billiard cue itself doesn't control the shot, but it shouldn't work against you either.
Why Fans Love Maximum Breaks
A 147 break is a sporting spectacle. Bars fall silent, social media explodes, and even casual viewers pause scrolling. In just a few minutes, everyone witnesses the perfect moment. When the last black ball sinks, strangers erupt in cheers. This is the essence of snooker.
More Than Just Numbers
A 147 break is more than just a mathematical calculation; it's a culmination of art, discipline, composure, and precise timing. For professionals, it's legendary; for amateurs, it's a dream; for fans, it's an unforgettable performance.
The next time a player sinks five or six red balls in a row, you might feel that familiar excitement again: Is this another maximum break?