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When does a maximum become a 180? When it's Ronnie O'Sullivan, crafting yet another chapter in the record books. That's when.

In a period when snooker's 147, once considered as rare as the Abominable Snowman, has repeatedly shown up for the cameras, it fell to O'Sullivan to show that nobody does it better. Sinking his second 147 in just over 120 minutes at the Saudi Arabia Masters in August, O'Sullivan secured a historic £180,333 in bonuses.

As his half-century milestone approaches in December, O'Sullivan retains an daring streak that sets him apart. Almost three decades after his iconic five-minute 147 at the Crucible, he continues to be pure box office.

But O'Sullivan, who starts his quest for a unprecedented ninth title, is in good company in knowing the route to a maximum. There have been an eye-watering twenty-five so far on the professional tour in 2025, smashing the calendar year best of 14.

'Any tour professional is now capable'

"Picture Moira Stuart in 1983 appearing on the Six O'Clock News and telling the nation Cliff Thorburn's had a 147 at the Crucible. It would now get missed because it's just like, 'oh, there's been another 147'."

That's the verdict of Shaun Murphy, ranked fourth on the historical rankings with 10 maximums. He is not wrong. Thorburn's maximum was a defining moment for 1983's television viewer. It was only the second official maximum, with Steve Davis making the first. Davis' prize? One of the sponsor's cars.

There were just eight 147s across the whole 1980s, a snooker decade bursting with soap opera drama and towering characters. For pure technical standard, few eras rival the current one.

"Professionals are pursuing their career records and the tour are putting incentives out there," says Murphy. "People are more aware of these challenges. They're training specifically for them."

Legendary figures like Alex Higgins never had a maximum break on tour. Nor did fellow world champions. Yet promising talent Aaron Hill made two inside four weeks. The 23-year-old is amazed that Higgins never managed one.

Hill states: "There are a lot of players who haven't had one. It was always a goal to have my name on the board. The buzz is unreal. Everyone on the tour now has the potential. We're almost expecting one in every tournament. It's everyone egging each other on."

What is the secret to a 147?

"I think if there is a knack to it, it's seeing it early," explains Shaun Murphy. "If you come to the table early and pot a couple of reds and some blacks, and you see the black's on to both pockets... we all think 'hang on a minute, there's a 147 on here'.

"I remain proud of the one I made in the Shoot Out because I tried to make it from the very first pot. To have the personal challenge and then get it in the pressure cooker of the Shoot Out was really something."

Murphy reflects on the unique atmosphere: "When you're on a maximum, everyone in the room knows it and it heightens their attention. Everyone's focus zooms in on you." Are maximums losing their magic? "Not in my view."

What's next if the 147 code has been cracked?

• Snooker awaits its first ratified 147 by a woman. China's Bai Yulu had a 145 at a recently held championship.
• Two 147s in the same match has been accomplished. Two in successive frames next?
• The 155 (a 147 plus eight points from a free-ball scenario at the start) has yet to be made in tournament play. Footage exists of a player making one in practice.
• The 167 is "perhaps the next step," says Murphy, referring to a new challenge involving a special bonus ball for a massive financial prize.

The chase for the record is on

Murphy suggests the surge of maximums is easily explained. "I just think everyone's getting better. Some of the players lower in the standings that the average fan have never heard of, on their day they can beat anyone."

The ever-higher "quality and consistency of playing conditions" is also cited as a factor. But in the end, the players are the ones sinking the balls.

Hill now owns two maximums. O'Sullivan holds the record of 17. "Look out Ronnie, he's coming for you." It is meant lightheartedly, but Hill welcomes the challenge.

"At the end of my career, I believe I'll be ranked highly with maximum breaks," he says. At the very least, players now go about their daily business with the idea that the next frame is full of potential.

Sink the red, follow with the black. Again and again.