As with all sports, the well trotted numbers can sometimes confuse neophytes. Most people are aware of a 147 break being a maximum, but there are many other ‘total clearances’ available to players. Explaining that part first: a total clearance of the table comes when a player pots all of the balls racked at the start of the frame. This single break can offer a minimum of 72 points, though this would be a very rare and low-value total clearance, right up to the apparent ‘maximum’ 147 break.
A 147 is achieved when a player gets to the table, pots the first red and then continues. Should they pot a black after all 15 reds, then pots the colours in sequence then the maximum score of 147 is achieved. Despite the word “maximum” being used to describe a 147 break, it is actually possible for a player to score 155 in a single visit to the table.
How Is a 155 Break Possible?
Though an extremely rare feat, a 155 break is possible in a game of snooker due to the free ball rule. The free ball rule allows for a player to nominate a coloured ball, or a red if no colours are available to the player, as a ‘free ball’. The free ball becomes available when the player at the table is snookered on the object ball after the opponent makes a foul shot.
At that point, the player could pot the free ball as an extra red. They follow this up by going on to achieve what otherwise would have been a 147, ultimately scoring 155 in a single visit to the table including the points earned by the foul and the free ball.
155 Break Possibility Broken Down
- Free Ball Awarded: Opposition player makes a foul and the incoming player is snookered. This creates a free ball. The player can choose to pot a nominated ball, usually a colour. If no colour is available, then a red can be chosen.
- Extra Red Potted: Players pots the free ball (red), this is now counted as an extra red. This means they now effectively have 16 reds to pot instead of 15, following up with a black if they wish.
- 147 Break Achieved: After potting the red, a player can go on to make what would ordinarily be a 147 maximum, with the extra points already achieved.
Who Has Achieved a 155 Break?
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A 155 break has been achieved. It was recorded, just about, while two other players have claimed to have achieved the feat too. It is so rare however that no player has made a 155 break in a tournament. Thepchaiya Un-Nooh has made the only 155 break which has been recorded, while both Jamie Cope and Mark Allen have claimed to make 155’s. Neither has recorded proof.
Thepchaiya Un-Nooh
In 2021, Thai professional Thepchaiya Un-Nooh made his 155 break when playing a practice match in Darlington. The match was played between himself and Hossein Vafaei at the Q House Snooker Academy.
The break was caught on camera via the security system before somebody shared it to social media. With no apparent tricks, breaks of snooker rules or manipulation of the video used, it seems this is the only genuine and confirmed 155 break. Ironically, Thepchaiya went on to miss the final black for a 147 break in tournaments not once, but twice!
Jamie Cope
Nicknamed “Shotgun” owing to his speed at the table, Englishman Jamie Cope is reported to have achieved a 155 break during a 2006 practice match. Unfortunately, there is no video evidence to back up the claim. Cope claims to have witnesses to his 155 break but whether it happened or not, we’ll never know.
Mark Allen
County Antrim man Mark Allen is another to have claimed to have made a 155 break, again without evidence. Allen’s 155 is said to have been made in 2020 during another practice game but was not recorded. The lack of recordings in these cases is not the major bone of contention. Even Thepchaiya Un-Nooh’s evidenced 155 came in a practice match under no pressure at all. We all eagerly await the first 155 in professional competition.