I’m watching a snooker match from the recent (or current?) Riyadh tourney. I think the introduction of the golden ball is, at least as it’s currently being done, really stupid.
I googled the subject and found this:
If a 147 is possible in the frame, the Golden Ball will remain on the table. If a player completes a 147 maximum, he will then have the chance to pot the Golden Ball to complete the 167. Once a 147 is no longer possible, the Golden Ball will be removed from the table, until the start of the next frame.
In my view – not that there’s any need to add a golden ball at all (I wouldn’t bother, personally) – if you are going to have it as a way to extend the 147, don’t have it cluttering up the table and wrecking game play by being there from the beginning of each frame. Only put it on the table once a 147 has been achieved.
But as I say, I think it’s a crap idea anyway. Saudi Arabia’s isn’t a very morally sound culture. At least as far as I’m aware. And this idea is rather a crass thing, I think, in a country of that sort.
But I’m going to watch this match – O’Sullivan vs Higgins – anyway. See how it pans out. So far Ronnie is thrashing Higgins!
Some time later…
Po’ John! Ronnie utterly thrashed him. I think the only points he scored were from a four point foul!? Higgins didn’t pot a single ball. That must’ve been awful for him? Ronnie, on the other hand, was sublime. Getting a century in every frame.