More 147s because of bigger pockets? 'Nonsense,' says latest maxi man Aaron Hill at Xi'an Grand Prix
By Jonny Bray
Published 08/10/2025 at 12:34 GMT+1
React to this story
Aaron Hill has hailed the "crazy" 147 tally during the 2025/2026 season, but also admitted that he would trade them all for a tournament triumph. The Irish star spoke after producing a 147 in his 5-2 victory over Huang Jiahao in the Round of 64 at the 2025 Xi'an Grand Prix. He now has two maximums this season, with the other coming against Sami Erkkila at the English Open.
‘Standard of players is so good’ – Hill on ‘crazy’ surge in 147s after hitting maximum
Video credit: TNT Sports
Aaron Hill believes that the number of 147s during the 2025/2026 season has been "crazy" and says it is not down to rumours of tables having bigger pockets.
The Irish star produced a glorious 147 in his 5-2 victory over Huang Jiahao in the Round of 64 at the 2025 Xi'an Grand Prix to take his tally for the season up to two.
Hill’s other perfect break came in a 4-2 triumph over Sami Erkkila at the 2025 English Open less than a month ago.
It was the 13th maximum of the season, meaning we are just two 147 breaks away from beating the previous season record of 15, despite only being in October.
"Yeah, it is a great feeling [to make his second 147 in a month]," he said.
"It is always a habit in practice, when you make one, you always seem to make another one that week or the week after and then they may go missing for a while.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/10/08/image-abd8b8bb-f31e-4c77-a570-a15829aebd8d-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
‘Houdini-like comeback’ – Trump forces decider after ‘miraculous’ frame
Video credit: TNT Sports
"It is a great feeling to make my second max on the tour in such a short space of time, I’m delighted.
"I don’t know, it’s crazy, we’ll probably beat the record this month, the way it is going.
"Nothing has changed, it is just that the standard of players is so good these days.
"People are saying the pockets are bigger and all that, it's nonsense, the players are so good.
"Obviously, the chances are breaking well for them when the balls are open and there for a max, so long may it last. It is great to see."
Judd Trump has previously stated that he gets more of a buzz from a maximum than winning a tournament.
However, Hill insists he would trade all his 147s to win a tournament this term.
"I’ll swap all my maximums to win a tournament," he said.
The 23-year-old has enjoyed a strong start to the season, and he believes he is ready to compete in the latter stages of tournaments this season.
"Yeah, 100% [he can now mix it in the business end of tournaments].
"I feel like it has been coming for a while. I have been staying patient and keep doing the right things and working closely with my coach. It is a great help to have him in my corner.
"I was really calm out there today, so hopefully I can take it into the next round."
- Relive how snooker went loopy for 147s with 13 maximums in only 82 days
- How 147s are becoming ‘new normal’ in snooker – ‘More special than tournament wins’
- Xi'an Grand Prix Snooker 2025: Scores, results and schedule as O'Sullivan returns to action
The Breeze also revealed that he would celebrate his victory with a KFC in a bid to avoid the local cuisine in China.
"I struggle with the local food," he said.
"I actually gave some of it a try the other night. I found a few beef skewers that weren’t too bad.
"I’m quite fussy, but the rice is nice. [I’ll celebrate with] a boneless banquet."
- - -
Watch and stream top snooker action, including the Xi’an Grand Prix, live and on demand on TNT Sports and discovery+
Related Topics
Advertisement
Advertisement