147 or 9 dart finish

Whats harder?

  • 147 snooker

    Votes: 44 89.8%

  • 9 dart finish

    Votes: 5 10.2%
  • Total voters
    49
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If the balls aren't in overly awkward positions then I'd say a 147 is easier for a top level player. A lot of snooker shots are (technically) run of the mill in a 147 with a very high potting percentage.

I'd guess the conversion percentages for the consecutive trebles required for a 9 dart clearance are much lower.
 

It's a very different debate depending on whether you're talking about the difficulty for the elite professionals or your average run of the mill player.

Luke Littler threw a 9 darter 4 times in competitions in 2024 and probably 10+ times in practice.

Ronnie O'Sullivan has the record of 15 maximum breaks in competitive games but that's over a 30 year career so an average of 1 every 2 seasons. Again he's probably had many, many more in practice.

So at an elite level the 147 seems to be statistically harder and if it's that hard for someone like Ronnie, imagine how hard it is for your average person that plays for fun.

So the only answer to the question is the 147 is harder.

........ Now what about a hole in one?
 
YoboCopter said:
Not that simple mate
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The other player rarely has any say in your 9 darter. He can't affect your board. The gymnastics snooker players have to perform to work difficult positions or tied up (ahem) balls is occasionally genius. We're in a high point of snooker talent (although aging maybe) yet the quickest century is still Drago from 30 years ago.
9 darters turn up more regular. There is no 'run of the arrows'. Get more flukes in snooker as well.
 

Rita_Poon said:
The other player rarely has any say in your 9 darter. He can't affect your board. The gymnastics snooker players have to perform to work difficult positions or tied up (ahem) balls is occasionally genius. We're in a high point of snooker talent (although aging maybe) yet the quickest century is still Drago from 30 years ago.
9 darters turn up more regular. There is no 'run of the arrows'. Get more flukes in snooker as well.
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If a player is in a good position for a 147 then the other player can no longer affect things either. And there are no interruptions unlike darts where the stop start nature and the other player coming to the oche is mandatory. Once any tied up balls are dealt with, and they aren't always an issue, then the rest of the frame arguably throws up higher percentage shots than trebles in darts.

Another thing to point out is that during a 147 it's not really thought of as a potential 147 until a time where the frame is pretty much done and dusted in competitive terms and a player can slip up without it costing them anything. A potential 9 darter is seen as such much earlier and is more often performed under higher competitive pressure where one poor throw can instantly matter.

The 147 can also remain in play for several visits to the table. A nine darter doesn't afford a few opportunities to come to the oche or benefit from a loose shot by the opponent.

Needless to say I'll never achieve either. They're both freakish achievements by freakishly talented people.
 
ClausThomsen said:
If a player is in a good position for a 147 then the other player can no longer affect things either. And there are no interruptions unlike darts where the stop start nature and the other player coming to the oche is mandatory. Once any tied up balls are dealt with, and they aren't always an issue, then the rest of the frame arguably throws up higher percentage shots than trebles in darts.

Another thing to point out is that during a 147 it's not really thought of as a potential 147 until a time where the frame is pretty much done and dusted in competitive terms and a player can slip up without it costing them anything. A potential 9 darter is seen as such much earlier and is more often performed under higher competitive pressure where one poor throw can instantly matter.

The 147 can also remain in play for several visits to the table. A nine darter doesn't afford a few opportunities to come to the oche or benefit from a loose shot by the opponent.

Needless to say I'll never achieve either. They're both freakish achievements by freakishly talented people.
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How many legs per set and how many sets?

Sometimes the good position is earned through good tactical play or amazing long potting.

"Once any tied up balls are dealt with, and they aren't always an issue," - excellent!

147's get ruled out after the first colour that's isn't black is taken whilst there's reds still left.

I reckon more opener 180's are hit than 80 openers on the baize.

I've hit 180's and outstanding high finishes (141) back in my regular standing days, best I ever got on the table was a few stitched together long pots and very low breaks. Darts can be done and dusted in a couple of minutes tops, rarely are snooker frames.
 
Rita_Poon said:
How many legs per set and how many sets?

Sometimes the good position is earned through good tactical play or amazing long potting.

"Once any tied up balls are dealt with, and they aren't always an issue," - excellent!

147's get ruled out after the first colour that's isn't black is taken whilst there's reds still left.

I reckon more opener 180's are hit than 80 openers on the baize.

I've hit 180's and outstanding high finishes (141) back in my regular standing days, best I ever got on the table was a few stitched together long pots and very low breaks. Darts can be done and dusted in a couple of minutes tops, rarely are snooker frames.
Click to expand...
How many times are players going for a 147 though? If there is an easier shot that keeps you at the table and in a stronger overall position then you're not gonna risk the frame chasing a potential 147. If a snookering opportunity comes up there's a chance you opt to not continue the break in order to retain tactical advantage.

Opting for the shot that keeps a 147 open is rarely the wisest tactical choice unlike aiming to win a set in as few visits as possible. That's arguably why you see one more than the other in a professional setting. How often it happens isn't an absolute measure of it being 'harder' than the other. It's a measure of risk and reward.

Though end up in semantic circles of hell arguing about the context of what harder means. And I'd like to cling to the self delusion that my Saturday nights haven't dipped to those levels yet. I'm off watching Scarface.
 
ClausThomsen said:
How many times are players going for a 147 though? If there is an easier shot that keeps you at the table and in a stronger overall position then you're not gonna risk the frame chasing a potential 147. If a snookering opportunity comes up there's a chance you opt to not continue the break in order to retain tactical advantage.

Opting for the shot that keeps a 147 open is rarely the wisest tactical choice unlike aiming to win a set in as few visits as possible. That's arguably why you see one more than the other in a professional setting. How often it happens isn't an absolute measure of it being 'harder' than the other. It's a measure of risk and reward.

Though end up in semantic circles of hell arguing about the context of what harder means. And I'd like to cling to the self delusion that my Saturday nights haven't dipped to those levels yet. I'm off watching Scarface.
Click to expand...
I'm not sure you follow much snooker. That's ok. I am also watch Tony Montana. He's hilarious.
 

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