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Snooker

167 snooker break explained: What is World Masters of Snooker innovation?

Tayyib Abu
167 snooker break explained: What is World Masters of Snooker innovation?Sammy Turner\SNS Group via Getty Images
Everything you need to know about the 167.

The inaugural World Masters of Snooker tournament takes place this week at Boulevard City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. 

World Snooker's top ten players, plus two wildcards, will play in the event. The competition is an invitational event and features an exciting innovation.  

That innovation is the 167 maximum break. Here is everything you need to know about the 167. 

What is the 167?

In traditional snooker events, the maximum break a player can make in a single frame is 147. A player must pot 15 reds, with 15 blacks, before clearing the remaining colours. 

In snooker's history, there have been 200 tournament 147s. 

 

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The World Masters of Snooker event bumps the maximum break from 147 to 167. This is courtesy of an additional ball on the table. A gold ball worth 20 points will join the 15 reds and seven traditional colours. 

167 rules

The gold ball will sit on the baulk cushion at the start of every frame. The baulk cushion is at the top of the table. 

The gold ball will only become active if a player has potted 15 reds, 15 blacks, and all the colours. If that happens, the player can pot the golden ball. That is the only time that a player can pot the extra ball. 

If a player accidentally pots the golden ball before clearing the table, the referee will call a foul, and the player will concede four points to his opponent. 

If a maximum break is no longer possible, the referee will remove the golden ball from the table. It will return for the next frame. 

A grand prize of £395,000 is available for the 167 maximum break. 

Live on DAZN PPV: Anthony Joshua vs. Francis Ngannou on March 8. Click here for details and how to purchase.  

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