It seems that the controversial “golden ball” at the upcoming Saudi Arabia invitational has a verified starting point.
From March 4–6, ten of the world’s top snooker players will be in the Middle East for the Riyadh Season World Masters of Snooker.
Luca Brecel, Mark Allen, and Ronnie O’Sullivan are a few of the competitors expected to compete for an £800,000 prize fund.
However, because there will be a new ball on the table, everything during the event will be very different.
There will be a golden ball that is worth 20 points that can be utilized to break 167.
“Every game will be played under World Snooker rules and regulations but with the introduction of an innovative new concept, a 23rd ball known as the Riyadh Season ball,” the World Snooker Tour said.
The gold ball has a value of 20 points and can only be potted if a player is on a maximum break to make it 167 and all other balls have been successfully removed from the table.
It’s still unclear where the new ball will be placed on the table, if it will be available the entire frame, and whether it will only be added after the maximum 147 break has ended.
The 38-year-old Northern Irish player Allen, who has won 11 tournaments, has now offered a crucial hint as to its potential location.
He disclosed on Instagram that the golden ball will only be taken out if a 147 is unachievable upon being in play off
