Any Brit dopers catch Ronnie’s 147 today? 'Kin hell.
You can watch the master at work here(iplayer link UK only I think).
He wins two scrappy frames, then in the third Mark King misses an easy red leaving everything wide open with nothing down. Ronnie knocks down a red and a black, then asks the ref what the prize money is for a 147 (). Turns out there isn’t one. Ronnie cleans up with total ease up to the last pink, which he dispatches and then goes to sit down and shake hands!
It appears that he can’t be arsed with the black - it’s only a 147 and there’s no prize money. Being both a) a raging dickhead and b) the greatest player the green baize has ever seen, this is sort of standard behaviour for Ronnie. Anyhow, the ref and King persuade him to take the shot, which he does in a completely half-arsed way and sinks the black.
Cue morose interview about not really being interested in 147s. Amazing play - have to say the sport would be on it’s knees if it wasn’t for him.
Yes - I saw it. It shouldn’t be forgotten that he has quite severe depression, and that for people in that state, achievements don’t have the same value. Money is useful for him, but just racking up another 147 (even though it meant that he topped Stephen Hendry’s nine 147s) is presumably not very significant for him.
To put this into context for a non-snooker-fan, what does this mean? I assume a 147 is a high score. Is it the highest possible, or the highest ever recorded?
It’s the highest possible. There are exceptions, such your opponent going in off on his opening break off, but basically it’s the highest. It means that you have to pot all fifteen reds accompanied by blacks, and then all the colours in order. In the past, this has been rewarded with prize money of £147,000 - hence Ronnie’s interest.
Not only is it the highest score - it is also an exceedingly difficult thing to achieve. Following NineToTheSky’s link, you will see that only 73 147s have been scored in professional competitions since 1982. Of these 73, Ronnie has made 10 (number two on the list Stephen Hendry has 9 - and he has been the most successful player over the last two decades) - an incredible record.
I think that people forget - or are unaware of - how difficult snooker actually is. When you see the professionals on TV, they really do make it seem so easy - particularly Ronnie! I’ve played snooker for many years, and my highest break was 73. Apart from that one break, I have never made breaks higher than the low thirties, and even those are rare.
73 is an impressive break ninetothesky - you must have had your eye in.
Whilst reading all the write-ups of Ronnie’s 147 I noticed this interview with John Higgins in the Guardian. I tend to believe his version of events - apparently the tape the NotW released was heavily edited. Seems like he’s been through hell, although you have to say he could have avoided it all with one phonecall to Barry Hearn.
Whether you believe him or not, it seems that the online betting exchanges are getting out of hand. Along with the cricket scandal, makes one wonder what other sports are crooked.
I read (admittedly in Metro) that Ronnie said he would donate the prize money for his 147 (which will be £4,000, the prize for the highest break of the tournament - unless someone else gets a 147 and they have to split it :)) to charity. But apparently, he was quite keen on the idea of getting a higher prize in the first place! Just another typically Ronnie contradiction, or the statement of a clever publicist trying to redeem Ronnie’s actions somewhat?
Regarding John Higgins, I was never in any doubt that he was innocent - the News of the World has been proven (many times) to be a bunch of amoral liars, and this was no different. Perhaps John should have reacted differently, but who knows how we might act in that situation? Innocent people have thoroughly incriminated themselves for murder, after all.
Wonder how Ronnie against Jimmy is going? Can’t seem to find a score at work, iPlayer does not work.
Ah damn, I missed the broadcast. I always enjoy seeing Ronnie play, especially when he’s at his brilliant best, but honestly, that was a bit of a dick move, not potting the black straight off. I know about his depression and all, but he’s the one always talking about how he’s there to give the public something they enjoy watching, and how often do you get a chance to watch a 147 live? (On the other hand, how often do you get the chance of watching somebody decline a 147?..)
As for the hardness of snooker, damn yeah. On good days, I consider myself an almost-competent pool player, but snooker? My few attempts at it have been mostly frustrating…
). Turns out there isn’t one. Ronnie cleans up with total ease up to the last pink, which he dispatches and then goes to sit down and shake hands!