What is a Maximum Break?
A maximum break — or '147' — is the highest possible score achievable in a single frame of snooker. It requires the player to pot all 15 red balls (each with the black), then clear all six colours in order: yellow, green, brown, blue, pink, and black. The mathematical total is 147 points: 15 reds at 1 point (15) plus 15 blacks at 7 points (105) equals 120, plus the colours (2+3+4+5+6+7 = 27), totalling 147.
A maximum break is the ultimate expression of snooker skill and perfection. It demands technical excellence across every shot, complete focus and concentration, and the ability to maintain composure whilst playing what is statistically one of the rarest events in professional sport.
How Rare is a Maximum Break?
Despite thousands of professional matches played every year across multiple tournaments worldwide, maximum breaks remain extraordinarily rare. As of 2026, fewer than 200 have been recorded in official professional competition. This rarity reflects the astronomical odds of executing 36 perfect shots in succession without error.
The probability of a skilled professional player making a maximum in any given frame is less than 1 in 10,000. When you consider that a professional player might play thousands of frames across their career, the achievement still remains vanishingly unlikely—a true test of skill, luck, and circumstance aligning perfectly.
Notable Firsts
- First televised 147: Kirk Stevens, Masters 1984, BBC Two
- First maximum in World Championship: Ronnie O'Sullivan, 1997
- Fastest maximum: Ronnie O'Sullivan, 5 minutes 20 seconds, World Championship 1997, against Mick Price
Ronnie O'Sullivan's Maximums
Ronnie O'Sullivan holds the record for most maximum breaks in professional snooker with 15 recorded 147s. His most famous maximum came at the 1997 World Championship at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, where he compiled the fastest maximum ever recorded in 5 minutes and 20 seconds—a record that stands unmatched. This extraordinary feat against Mick Price in the first round remains one of snooker's most iconic moments, watched and rewatched by millions worldwide.
O'Sullivan's multiple maximums demonstrate his consistent excellence and the sustained level of skill required to reach such heights repeatedly. Each 147 is a separate masterpiece, achieved across different opponents, venues, and eras of his career.
Complete Record of 147s in Professional Snooker
| Year | Player | Tournament | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Kirk Stevens | Masters | First televised 147 |
| 1992 | Tony Meo | British Open | — |
| 1997 | Ronnie O'Sullivan | World Championship | Fastest ever: 5:20 vs Mick Price |
| 1999 | Mark Williams | Welsh Open | — |
| 2000 | Stephen Hendry | Masters | — |
| 2002 | Ronnie O'Sullivan | UK Championship | — |
| 2003 | Graeme Dott | British Open | — |
| 2005 | Ronnie O'Sullivan | UK Championship | — |
| 2007 | John Higgins | Masters | — |
| 2009 | Ronnie O'Sullivan | Masters | BBC Two broadcast, £147,000 prize |
| 2010 | Mark Selby | Wuxi Classic | — |
| 2011 | Ronnie O'Sullivan | PTC Event | — |
| 2012 | Ronnie O'Sullivan | World Championship | — |
| 2013 | Judd Trump | UK Championship | — |
| 2014 | Ronnie O'Sullivan | World Grand Prix | — |
| 2015 | Neil Robertson | Tour Championship | — |
| 2016 | Ding Junhui | Shanghai Masters | — |
| 2017 | Marco Fu | Hong Kong Masters | — |
| 2018 | Ronnie O'Sullivan | Welsh Open | — |
| 2020 | Neil Robertson | UK Championship | — |
| 2021 | Judd Trump | Masters | — |
| 2023 | Ronnie O'Sullivan | UK Championship | — |
| 2024 | Luca Brecel | Belgian Open | — |
Note: This is a representative selection of notable 147s and recent records. It is not exhaustive, and additional maximum breaks are recorded in professional and semi-professional play. For a complete record, consult World Snooker's official records.
Want to understand the mechanics? Check out our scoring guide to learn how the 147 is constructed, or explore century break records to see how 147s fit into the broader landscape of scoring excellence.