JUDD TRUMP and John Higgins are in a straight shootout to write their names in the snooker history books.
The pair are two of the most decorated stars in the sport.
John Higgins and Judd Trump are both closing in on 1,000 century breaks[/caption]
Trump, 35, was the snooker world champion in 2019 while Higgins has four Crucible crowns – in 1998, 2007, 2009 and 2011.
However, they are battling it out for a rather different honour right now.
That is because they are both on course to reach 1,000 century breaks – and could do so in the coming days.
The race is well and truly on.
Because Higgins, 49, leads the way on 998 – with Trump just one behind him on 997.
And with both men competing at the 2024 English Open in Brentwood, they will be desperate to get over the line and reach the monumental milestone.
Only one man in snooker history has ever achieved 1,000 century breaks.
That is, unsurprisingly, Ronnie O’Sullivan.
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In fact, he currently sits on a whopping 1,272 100+ efforts.
He hit four figures in dramatic fashion in the final frame of the 2019 Players Championship to beat Neil Robertson.
Going into the 2024-25 season, Higgins looked well on course to be the second person to reach 1,000 tons – needing just five more.
But the Scot’s slow start to the campaign means he has managed just three extras.
In comparison, Trump’s impressive form has seen him hit 17 century breaks already – closing the gap to just one – and wrap up the Masters titles in both Shanghai and Saudi Arabia.
A run to the Xi’an Grand Prix final also helped the Bristol potter return to the top of the world rankings.
Both men will be determined to put in a strong display at the English Open and take home the £100,000 winner’s cheque.
And doing so will give them plenty of chances to bring up that historic tally.
Ronnie O’Sullivan recorded his 1,000th ton to win The Players Championship in 2019[/caption]
The rules of snooker
THE aim of snooker is to clear the table of all balls – and achieving it in an incredible 147 break is the ultimate goal.
The rectangular table features green baize, a baulk line and semi-circle, known as the D.
It has six pockets, four in each corner and two midway down both long sides.
There are 15 red balls which are arranged in a triangular shape.
There are also six colour balls, and the white cue ball.
Each colour sits on its own designated spot at the start of the game.
While red balls are worth one point when potted, the colours all have a different value.
In ascending order these are:
- Yellow – two points
- Green – three points
- Brown – four points
- Blue – five points
- Pink – six points
- Black – seven points
The first player will cue off and must hit at least one of the red balls in the triangle.
If they pot a red, they can then continue by potting a colour.
However, if no red is potted then their opponent will play the next shot – going for a red first.
Each player must first pot a red ball when it’s their turn to play. If nothing is pocketed it is the other player’s turn at the table.
After each red is potted they must then follow with a colour, then a red, then a colour, and so on.
Whilst there are still red balls on the table, the potted colour balls are returned to their designated spot.
Once all the red balls are pocketed, the player at the table must pot the colours in the order as outlined above.
If they miss then their opponent will have the opportunity to clear the table.
A 147 is a maximum break when all reds are potted by one player in one stint at the table.
In order to achieve 147, the player must pot all 15 reds with 15 blacks for 120 points.
They must then clear all the colours, concluding with the black for 27 points.
During play the rules state that the cue must only touch the white cue ball.
The cue ball also must hit the correct colour ball – reds or colours in order.
If it hits the incorrect colour then a foul is called.
If the cue ball fails to hit any ball or is pocketed it is also a foul.
The player’s turn at the table ends if they play a foul shot.
Players are also penalised if they touch any ball on the table with their person.
