'Don't get that at all' - Mark Allen questions anyone passing up $1million golden ball chance at Riyadh Season Snooker Championship
Updated 21/11/2025 at 22:08 GMT
React to this story
Mark Allen would have replayed the moment when he missed a red several times in his head, after failing to land what would have been a historic 167 break at the Riyadh Season Snooker Championship. Neil Robertson was willing his opponent to go on and pot the 'golden ball', but the Northern Irishman ultimately fell short. Allen was understandably disappointed not to achieve his main target.
‘Don’t get it’ – Allen confused by lack of 167 attempts in Riyadh
Video credit: TNT Sports
Neil Robertson and Mark Allen both reflected on the agonising moment when the latter missed out on landing a 167 break at the Riyadh Season Snooker Championship.
Allen was edging tantalisingly closer to becoming the first player to achieve the feat after successfully potting nine reds and nine blacks.
A 167 'golden break' occurs when a player completes the maximum 147, and then immediately pots a 20-point 'golden ball'.
Anyone who successfully does this will land $1million (£760,000), but as yet, nobody has managed to achieve this elusive feat.
When the concept was initially introduced, only the first player would receive the $1m. However, now all players that achieve the 167 will receive the prize money.
Allen successfully dispatched nine reds and nine blacks, but the cue ball did not sit kindly for him after potting that ninth black.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/11/21/image-4c73b607-53b0-423d-9f8c-8643ee32d6c0-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
‘Great effort’ – Allen thwarted in bid for historic 167 break
Video credit: TNT Sports
Allen took out the long rest to keep his flailing quest alive, but the attempted red narrowly missed.
Robertson ultimately fought back to take the frame for a 4-1 victory, leaving Allen to reflect on that pivotal moment in the contest.
"It's a once-a-season chance for us to come here and earn a million dollars for one break, so I don't understand the people that aren't actually doing it," explained Allen.
"I've seen a few boys just stunning around the black, playing for baulk colours. I don't really get that at all.
"My intention from shot one yesterday was to try and give myself as many chances for a 167."
After the match, Robertson admitted he had hoped the Northern Irishman would be successful.
- What are the golden ball rules? What is the prize? Who could get first 167 break?
- 'He defies belief' - Allen says 'a happy O'Sullivan' is great for snooker
"We both had the right intent today to kind of look for the chances to go for it," Robertson said on TNT Sports.
"So far, we've been the only two in the tournament to be actively looking to give it a go.
"In that last frame, I was so nervous for him in the chair, but then when he's missed, I've got to switch my mindset to try and clear up, because if he potted that red, I would've hoped he'd do it.
"It would be historical in our sport, and the people here have put on such a wonderful series of events, last season and this season.
"They've invested so much money and support for the players, and they want us to have a go for it too.
"They've put that prize out there for a reason, they want us to have a go to showcase what we can do.
"There is obviously a line that you can cross where it maybe gets a bit silly, but I think the players should be trying to have a go."
Robertson was ultimately defeated by Zhao Xintong in Friday night's final.
Zhao overcame the Australian 5-2, receiving the prize pot of £250,000.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/11/21/image-20bd750d-a8ac-4652-8888-c2e2b5bc5b5f-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
‘Excellent bottle’ – Zhao overcomes Trump in thrilling final-frame decider
Video credit: TNT Sports
How to watch the Riyadh Season Snooker Championship
All the action from the Riyadh Season Snooker Championship will be live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
TNT Sports is available across all major TV platforms, offering a line-up of up to four TV channels (TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports 2, TNT Sports 3, TNT Sports 4), up to six digital or red-button channels (TNT Sports 5 to 10), and TNT Sports Ultimate plus TNT Sports Box Office HD.
You can subscribe to TNT Sports through discovery+, BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media.
Related Topics
Advertisement
Advertisement