What is the highest break in snooker ever made?

Answer 1

AnswerThe highest snooker break possible without the benefit of an opponent's foul is 147 (15 reds, 15 blacks and then the six colours). This is known as a maximum break. It is also regularly known as simply a 'One-Four-Seven'.

The highest snooker break possible with the benefit of an opponent's foul is 155 (1 free ball, 1 Black, 15 reds, 15 blacks and then the six colours).

Ronnie O'Sullivan holds the record for the most maximums in official competition, having made ten. The first televised 147 was by Steve Davis. The youngest televised 147-breaker is Ding Junhui who at the time was 19 years old. Ding broke the record in the Masters Tournament 2007. The record for a single session is held by Adrian Gunnell who made three 147 breaks in four frames during a practice session in Telford in 2003. On 13 March 2007, Ronnie O'Sullivan made two maximum breaks against local players during an exhibition match in Cornwall. Peter Ebdon made maximum breaks in consecutive frames during an exhibition match in Bournemouth against Steve Davis in 2000. Ken Doherty is so far the only player to have had a televised final black miss on a 147 attempt, at the 2000 Masters final.

At least three breaks in excess of 147 have been recorded. A 149 by Tony Drago in West Norwood, UK in 1998 is recorded by the Guinness Book of Records as the highest. In that match Drago was foul snookered and chose the brown as the free ball, to score one point. He then potted the brown again, for four more points, before potting 13 reds and 13 blacks, a red and a pink, a red and a blue, then all the colours. In October 2004, during qualifying for the UK Championship, Jamie Burnett achieved a 148 against Leo Fernandez, becoming the first player to achieve a break of more than 147 in a professional match.

Wally West was reported to have made a 151 break in the final of a club competition in Hounslow in 1976. Jamie Cope was reported to have made a break of 155 in a practice frame during 2005.