The story of 147

THERE have been 116 maximum breaks in professional snooker tournaments and the regularity with which they are seen has hugely increased in recent years – with 64 in the last decade. Ronnie O’Sullivan leads the way on 13.

There are a number of reasons for the greater regularity of 147s, the fi rst of which to offi cially stand ( and be televised) coming from Steve Davis at the Classic in 1982, for which he won a Lada. First among those would be the greater strength in depth, with many more players capable of the feat than in the early days. Secondly, there is much more snooker played. Many of these are minor events but they still represent chances for a 147.

Most of all equipment, with heat controlled tables, cloth and balls, has come on leaps and bounds. Older heavy cloths and balls made it tough going, with the reds not splitting as easily.

NEVER MADE 147

LEGENDS NEVER TO HAVE MADE 147