Where snooker’s ‘golden ball’ will be placed REVEALED as eye-watering prize announced ahead of Saudi event

ANYBODY who hits a “miracle” 167 break this week in Saudi Arabia will receive a mega £400,000 cash bonus.

Yet according to TV stats boffins, the unique feat will NOT be eligible to go down as a world record.

PA

Snooker stars in Saudi Arabia can compete for a 20-point Gold Ball worth £400,000[/caption]

A controversial 20-point Gold Ball will come into play in the inaugural Riyadh Season World Masters of Snooker once a baize cueist has compiled a 147 break.

Ronnie O’Sullivan, the world No.1, is the headline name in the Middle East and will be among 12 stars trying to attempt the unprecedented achievement and bank the prize pot.

However it has been a chaotic build-up to this new tournament and details of the gimmick were only released publicly on Saturday afternoon – less than 48 hours before play begins.

World Snooker Tour say that each frame will begin with the Gold Ball on the baulk cushion level with the brown spot.

If a player accidentally pots the Gold Ball early in the frame or hits it before hitting the object ball, it is a four-point foul.

The Gold Ball stays on the table as long as it is possible for a player to make a 147.

If a maximum is no longer possible, the Gold Ball is removed from the table by the referee until the next frame.

Despite the huge financial gain on offer, it will not be acknowledged officially as an extra 23rd ball carrying such a points value is not in the rule book.

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Respected snooker journalist David Hendon is the statistician for TV broadcasters and he said: “There’s nothing in the rules of snooker to say that another ball is worth 20 points.

“And until it is codified in the rules, it cannot possible count as a 167.

“What will happen next time is the promoter of the China Open will say we want the black to count ten because we want the highest break. Where will it end?

“It’ll be in the record books if it happens as a 147 with an asterisk, explaining that there was another ball potted. There’s no such break as a 167.

“You can’t just put a ball on the table and give an arbitrary points value. Unless it’s codified in the official rules.

“If it is, then we will have to swallow it. Until that happens, it ain’t a 167. But as an idea, as a publicity stunt, it’s genius.”

Ali Carter – who faces a local qualifier in the first round on Monday – said: “The Gold Ball? It’s just, whatever.

“I mean if someone makes a 167, it would be a miracle, wouldn’t it?

“But if anyone can do it, then Ronnie O’Sullivan can. We will wait and see.”

Mark Allen – who won last month’s Players Championship in Telford – takes on Mark Selby in the best-of-seven frames quarter-finals on Tuesday.

The Pistol said: “It would be cool to make a 167. We’re not sure what the prize is going to be yet.

“It sounds like fun. Obviously it’s going to be very tough because they’re putting the Gold Ball on the middle of the baulk cushion.

“I’m not sure they actually want anybody to get it!

“Should we practise with it? I think that it’s better than it’s fresh. Just let us enjoy it at that time.

“Stick to traditional snooker for the rest of the year. It’s nice to see they are trying something different things.”