Why Mark Allen's historic 147 maximum break at the World Snooker Championship has earned one very lucky fan a cheque for £25,000 at the Crucible

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There is plenty of prize money on offer at the Crucible during the World Snooker Championship, with the winner not just lifting the coveted trophy, but also finding themselves £500,000 richer. But while the players chase glory, there are also prizes on offer for the fans this year - with one walking away significantly richer on Friday thanks to the brilliance of Mark Allen.

Allen survives big scare to make 147 maximum – and celebrates before final ball goes in

Video credit: TNT Sports

There was a hush over the Crucible crowd as Mark Allen compiled his maximum break in his second-round match against Chris Wakelin, and not just because of the sporting action in play.

The crowd could hardly contain their excitement as ball after ball went exactly where Allen wanted, the Northern Irishman in complete control as he hit the third maximum of the tournament and his first at the World Championship.

No, the crowd were restless for another reason.

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This year, a betting firm has offered a prize of £25,000 for a member of the crowd who witnesses a maximum break.

A seat number is chosen at random in advance of the session, with the fan in that lucky seat netting a huge bonus for watching a slice of history.

And history it certainly was, with Allen the first player to hit a 147 in the three triple-crown events - the UK Championship, the Masters and the World Championship.

Watch Mark Allen’s incredible 147 in full

Video credit: TNT Sports

While Allen also finds himself a little richer after his break in the 13th frame, he will be more concerned with winning the match and keeping his bid for World Championship glory alive.

But for the fan in question, concentration on the rest of the session might prove harder to come by.

"There is another person in this arena who is no doubt shaking, overjoyed. It is the gentleman sitting in seat A10, £25,000 better off," explained the commentators.

The highest break prize in the tournament is £15,000, with Allen and Jackson Page the only two players so far to hit maximums.

Page actually managed two 147s in his match against Allan Taylor in the qualifiers, and he picked up a whopping £147,000 - that prize money awarded to any player who can hit two 147s in any of the three triple-crown events and/or the Saudi Arabian Masters across the 2024-25 season.

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