The Riyadh Season World Masters in Saudi Arabia has introduced an exciting addition to the snooker tournament—an innovative golden snooker ball. As the 23rd ball on the table, this new element has sparked curiosity and anticipation ahead of the three-day event in the Middle East, providing a unique twist to the sport. A substantial prize of £395,000 awaits the player who successfully pots the golden ball first, approaching the level of the £500,000 awarded to the World Championship winner. This generous incentive serves as a strong motivator for snooker’s top players, with renowned figures like Ronnie O’Sullivan leading the pack.
Luca Brecel, Judd Trump, Mark Allen, Mark Selby, Shaun Murphy, Mark Williams, Ali Carter, John Higgins, Ding Junhui, Omar Alajlani, and Ali Alobaidli have joined Ronnie O’Sullivan in the Saudi Arabian tournament. However, the rules state that only the first player to pot the golden ball will receive the cash prize, and subsequent pots of the golden ball will not be rewarded.
Expectations of intrigue and chaos are high as players give their all to achieve a remarkable feat in snooker history and earn a substantial financial reward. But what can we anticipate this week?
The golden ball will be placed on the baulk cushion at the start of each frame, specifically at the level of the brown spot, as specified by the World Snooker Tour. It remains on the table as long as a player continues to make a maximum break of 147. Once it becomes impossible to achieve a maximum break, the golden ball is removed until the next frame begins.
Regarding its point value, the golden ball in the Saudi Arabian tournament is worth an impressive 20 points. However, it can only be played after a player has already achieved a maximum break of 147. Potting the 23rd ball, which is the golden ball, will result in a historic break of 167 and a substantial prize close to £400,000 for the player who achieves this remarkable feat.
Is it possible for players to foul on the golden ball? If a player accidentally strikes the golden ball before the object ball or pots the 20-point ball prematurely during a frame, they will be penalized with a four-point foul. There is ongoing debate regarding the recognition of a 167 break in official records, as the presence of an additional ball worth 20 points is not outlined in the rule book. Consequently, it may not be acknowledged as a new maximum break.
As for the players’ opinions on the new ball, Ronnie O’Sullivan expressed his focus on the available cash prize upon learning about the innovative addition to the table. He inquired about the prize for achieving a 167 break, expressing confidence that it would be a substantial amount. Moving from the black to the gold ball on the baulk cushion could pose a challenge for the participating stars within the Boulevard Arena. Mark Allen jokingly suggested that the ball’s placement was intentionally designed by organizers to avoid paying out £395,000. He remarked that while it sounded like fun, it would undoubtedly be difficult given that the golden ball is positioned in the middle of the baulk cushion, hinting that its attainment might not be intended.
