What is the absolute maximum break in snooker, I've been told it's more than 147 & It's never been done!

Question

What is the absolute maximum break in snooker, I've been told it's more than 147 & It's never been done!

Answer 1

There are 15 reds worth 1pt. There are one each of all the other colours and they score as follows. Yellow =2pts , green =3, brown=4, blue=5, pink=6 and black=7.

If a player pots a red ball (scoring 1pt) they can then pot a colour. If that colour is the black they get a further 7pts, earning a total of 8pts, and the black is placed back on the table.

If they do this on all 15 reds they will get 120pts (8 X 15 = 120).

The remaining colours are worth 27pts (2+3+4+5+6+7=27).

So, seeing as 120+27=147, the maximum break is 147.

Its been done loads of times. Anyone who scores more than that from the break is a liar or can't add up.

Answer 2

To my knowledge it's 147. I'm trying to think if there is some kind of 'free ball' situation which might make this possible.....

Edit: Yes it is theoretically possible to score 155! And 147 has been exceeded a handful of times! It goes further than this too!

Well done. An interesting question!

Answer 3

It`s 155.. and was acheived last year by a young Pro in Wales.. 147 following a foul and freeball, which was taken with a Black! (8+147=155)

Answer 4

You could score more than 147 if your opponent fouls on his break off shot and then you score 147, but the break cannot exceed 147.

Answer 5

The highest break under 'normal conditions' is 147 and has been achieved many times.

However, I break above 147 is possible. The most common way for this to occur is for a play to receive a free ball following a foul, pot a colour(scored as a red ball) then a black and then continue with a 147 this gives a total break of 155.

Guinness World Records recognises Tony Drago's break of 149 as the highest, in London in 1999.

The highest ever recorded in a professional match was Tony Burnett's 148 in a UK championship qualifier in 2004.

Answer 6

In theory, if a player fouled from the break and left a free ball, his opponent could select a colour as a red, making 16 reds therefore a break of 155.

Answer 7

its 147  !!!

Answer 8

If your oponent fouls at the beginning of the game and you get a free ball;

you select a colour as a red, then pot a black for 8 points, then you are left with 147 on the table so a maximum of 155 is available.

But if you are like me you c**k it up after two shots.

Answer 9

I would like to know the link that proves this.

147 is the maximum break.

15 reds, 15 blacks and 27 for all colours.

So how can more be scored.

Answer 10

155 you can only get it if your opponent  fouls on the first red and leaves a free ball so if he pots the free ball it will be counted as a red making it one extra ball counted as a red and then followed with black.  It actually has been done but not in a tournament Jamey Cope has done it, the reason this is extremely unlikely to ocure is a profesional player is not likely to foul on the first red and leave a free ball.

Answer 11

It IS 147 and it has been achieved many times - I remember seeing James Wattana do it many years ago at the Crucible.