does the 167 break count in records

Does the 167 Break Count in Records? Full Explanation of Snooker’s Rarest Break

Snooker fans love discussing unusual achievements especially when a break goes beyond the famous 147 maximum. In recent years, the idea of a 167 break has sparked debate online. Many fans ask:

• Is 167 a real break?

• Can a player legally score 167?

• Does it count as a record?

This guide breaks down the truth about the 167 break, how it can happen, and whether snooker’s official governing bodies recognize it.

What Is a 167 Break in Snooker?

A 167 break is a hypothetical (but technically possible) score that exceeds the common baseline maximum of 147. It can only be achieved under specific circumstances involving a free ball after a foul.

How a 167 Break Is Constructed

To reach 167, a player must:

1. Opponent commits a foul, leaving a free ball.

2. Player chooses the free ball as an extra “red”, potting it for 1 point.

3. Player then pots:

   • Color (e.g., black) = 7 points

   • 15 reds + 15 blacks = 120 points

   • All six colors = 27 points

Calculation:
1 (free ball “red”) + 7 (free ball color) + 15 + 120 + 27 = 167

This makes 167 the highest possible break in standard snooker rules.

Does the 167 Break Count in Official Records?

Short Answer: No — not as an official maximum break.

While a 167 break is allowed by the official World Snooker rules, it is not classified as an “official maximum break”. The only break that counts as the maximum in official record books is the 147.

Why 167 Isn’t Recognized as a Maximum

There are three main reasons:

1. A Maximum Break Must Be Achievable Without Opponent Errors

A maximum should be achievable independently, meaning:

• 15 reds

• 15 blacks

• All six colors

A 167 requires a free ball, which can only occur because of a foul. This means the break depends on an error from the opponent.

Therefore:

147 is the highest break you can score from a “clean frame” without a foul beforehand.

2. Official Snooker Organisations Recognize Only 147 (and 155 in rare cases)

While 147 is the standard maximum, some organizations acknowledge:

• 155 (Highest possible break starting from a free ball before a black is respotted)

However, 167 is not part of formal published statistics.

What They Actually Recognize:

• 147 – Maximum break

• 148–155 – “Free-ball maximums” but only listed in unofficial or special records

• 167 – Not recognized as either category

3. No Professional Has Made a 167 in a Televised or Ranked Match

Even if the break is theoretically possible, one key rule for record recognition is:

A break must be achieved in a professional, officially sanctioned match to be recorded.

So far:

• No pro player has recorded a 167

• No referee has verified one

• No governing body has documented a legitimate 167

Until a professional achieves it under official conditions, the 167 remains an unofficial, theoretical break.

Is a 167 Legal Under Snooker Rules?

Yes. The rules allow it.

According to official WPBSA rules:

• A free ball counts as a red for break-building purposes.

• A player may pot black after the free ball.

• All subsequent reds and colors behave normally.

Thus, the break is legal, but it is not recognized as an official maximum or world record.

147 vs. 155 vs. 167: What’s the Difference?

Why 147 Remains the Iconic Maximum Break

Even though higher breaks are technically possible, 147 remains the gold standard, because it is:

Achievable in a clean frame

A true test of skill without relying on opponent mistakes.

Repeatable

147s have been achieved many times, making them legitimate for record comparison.

Traditional

Fans, commentators, and governing bodies have long recognized 147 as the ultimate break.

Has Any Player Claimed a 167?

There have been practice-table claims circulating on social media and forums, but:

• None are verified

• None occurred in a professional match

• No official referee or governing body has confirmed one

Until a professional produces a recorded 167 under tournament conditions, it remains theoretical.

Why Higher Breaks Don’t Change Record Books

Snooker’s record structure is intentionally conservative. The sport values:

• Consistency

• Tradition

• Comparability across eras

If free-ball breaks (like 167) were counted as maximums, records would become inconsistent because they depend on random fouls, not player skill alone.

Should 167 Breaks Be Recognized in the Future?

This is a popular debate topic. Some argue:

Yes, they should:

• They require even more precision than a 147.

• They show mastery of frame recovery.

• They are valid under the rules.

No, they should not:

• They depend on opponent fouls.

• They are not “pure skill-only” achievements.

• They undermine the universal 147 benchmark.Newsusas

Currently, the governing bodies show no indication of changing the standard.

Internal Link Suggestions

You may internally link this article to topics like:

• “What is the 147 Maximum Break?”

• “Snooker Free Ball Rule Explained”

• “Highest Breaks in Snooker History”

• “Ronnie O’Sullivan Record Breaks”

External Link Suggestions

(Use reputable sources like:)

• Official World Snooker Tour Rulebook

• WPBSA Guidelines

• BBC Sport Snooker Section

Conclusion

A 167 break in snooker is real, legal, and theoretically possible, but it is NOT officially recognized as a maximum or world record. Snooker’s traditional benchmark remains the 147, which represents the highest break achievable without relying on opponent fouls.

Until a professional player scores a 167 in a sanctioned match and the governing bodies update their records it will remain a fascinating what-if in snooker history.

FAQs

1. Does a 167 break officially count in snooker records?

No. While a 167 break is technically legal under official snooker rules, it is not recognized as an official maximum break by governing bodies. Only a 147 is listed as the formal maximum break.

2. How is a 167 break possible?

A 167 can only be achieved when the opponent commits a foul that leaves a free ball. The player pots the free ball as an extra “red,” then a color (usually black), followed by all 15 reds with 15 blacks and all six colors.

3. Has any professional snooker player ever made a 167?

No. There is no verified instance of a 167 being made in an official professional match. Claims exist from practice tables, but none have been officially recorded or recognized.

4. Is a 167 break higher than the commonly known 147 maximum?

Yes. A 167 is the highest possible break in snooker under standard rules. However, because it requires a free ball, it is not regarded as the “maximum break” in the sport.

5. Why isn’t the 167 considered an official maximum break?

Because it relies on a foul from the opponent. Official maximums must be achievable independently, without relying on errors, which is why only the 147 is formally recognized.

6. Why Doesn’t a 167 Break Count as an Official Maximum Break in Snooker?

A 167 break does not count as an official maximum because it depends on a free ball, which only occurs after an opponent commits a foul. Official maximums must be achievable without relying on mistakes from the other player. The governing bodies, including the WPBSA and the World Snooker Tour, classify a maximum break as the highest score possible in a clean, foul-free frame, which is 147. Although breaks above 147 (such as 155 or 167) are technically allowed under snooker rules, they fall into the category of “foul-dependent breaks” and therefore do not appear in official record books.

7. What Exact Sequence of Shots Is Needed to Create a 167 Break, and How Does It Compare to a 147?

To create a 167 break, a player needs a very specific sequence of events:

• First, the opponent must commit a foul that leaves a free ball.

• The player then pots the free ball as an extra red, followed by a high-value color (typically black).

• Afterward, the player completes the traditional structure of 15 reds with 15 blacks, and then pots all six colors in order.
  This results in the highest possible score under current rules. Compared to a 147, which is achieved through flawless execution alone, the 167 requires both skill and an opponent’s mistake, which is the main reason it is not considered part of official maximum statistics.

8. Has Any Professional Snooker Player Ever Attempted or Successfully Completed a 167 in a Recognized Match?

As of today, no professional player has officially recorded a 167 break in a recognized tournament match. While there are practice-table claims and amateur-level stories shared across forums and social media, none have been captured on video or verified by an official referee. For a break to be entered into snooker history, it must be completed during an official match under controlled, officiated conditions. Until a player achieves a 167 in such a setting, the break remains a theoretical possibility rather than an officially recognized achievement.

9. If a 167 Break Is Legal, Why Don’t More Players Attempt It During Matches?

Although a 167 is legal, it is extremely rare for several reasons. First, it requires a very specific scenario: the opponent must leave a free ball after a foul, and the table layout must allow for continued scoring. Even when the situation arises, players focus on winning frames, not chasing a theoretical high break that does not carry official recognition or additional prize money. In most cases, snooker strategy revolves around positional play, safety, and maintaining control of the frame. Pursuing a 167 can be risky, as it demands aggressive play from the very beginning, making it an impractical decision in competitive situations.

10. Could Snooker’s Governing Bodies Ever Change the Rules to Recognize Breaks Like the 155 or 167?

In theory, governing bodies could revise record classifications to include higher breaks caused by free balls, such as 155, 158, or 167. However, this is highly unlikely. Snooker tradition has always centered around the 147 maximum, which represents the highest break possible without external interference. Adding breaks that rely on fouls would create inconsistency in historical comparisons and dilute the significance of the 147. Furthermore, official statistics and prize structures are built around the 147 benchmark. Unless the sport undergoes major structural reform—which has never been seriously proposed—breaks like 167 will remain legal but unofficial achievements.