The 15 Reds, 15 Blacks, and Six Colours: The Sequence Required for a 147 Maximum Break

The pursuit of a 147 maximum break in snooker does not die on the final black; it usually dies on the very first red. The moment that actually determines the outcome is the initial transition from the first red to the black. Because a maximum break requires a player to pot all 15 reds and pair every single one of them with the 7-point black, losing positional control on shot number one mathematically eliminates the 147 immediately. There is no margin for recovery, no alternative colour to salvage the run, and no way to manufacture extra points later.[3][4]

Step one is securing the first red-to-black transition. The table holds 15 red balls worth one point each, and six colours ranging from two to seven points. The rules dictate that every red must be followed by a nominated colour. To reach the maximum, a player must take the highest-value route every single time, meaning the cue ball must be positioned perfectly on the black after the very first strike.[4]

Step two is building the 120-point foundation. A player must pot a red for one point and follow it exclusively with the black for seven points. This eight-point combination must be repeated 15 consecutive times. This requires 30 flawless shots navigating through the pack of reds, constantly manipulating the cue ball to ensure the black remains available and the next red is lined up.[4][7]

Step three is breaking the pack. During the 15-red sequence, the black ball is repeatedly spotted back onto its designated spot on the table. If the remaining reds are clustered tightly around the black spot, the player must use the cue ball to break them open—often playing cannons off the black itself—without losing position. This phase demands immense precision, as the player is effectively solving a 30-shot positional puzzle where the only acceptable answer is the black.[3]

Step four is the transition to the clearance phase. Once the 15th red and 15th black are potted, the player has accumulated 120 points. The table is now stripped of reds, leaving only the six colours. The rules now mandate a strict, non-negotiable sequence: the colours must be potted in ascending order of their value. This final phase is worth exactly 27 points and requires navigating the full 12-foot length of the table.[4]

Step five is clearing the baulk colours. The clearance begins with the yellow, worth two points, located on the right side of the baulk line. The player must then transition to the green for three points on the left side of the baulk line, followed by the brown for four points in the middle. Navigating these baulk colours often requires sending the cue ball up and down the table, managing speed and spin to avoid being snookered by the remaining higher-value colours.[4]

Step six is the blue-to-pink transition. After the brown, the sequence moves to the blue, worth five points, sitting in the dead centre of the table. From the blue, the player must gain position on the pink for six points, which sits just in front of the black spot. The transition from blue to pink is often the highest-pressure shot of the clearance, as the player is now just two pots away from perfection and the margins for error have vanished.[4]

Step seven is sinking the final black. If the player has navigated the 35 previous shots perfectly, the black, worth seven points, is the 36th and final pot. Sinking it brings the total to 147. This specific sequence—15 reds, 15 blacks, and the six colours in order—is the only way to achieve a maximum break under standard conditions.[3][4]

The physical execution of this 36-shot sequence is a test of endurance and nerve. The fastest officially recognised 147 in professional competition was completed in just five minutes and eight seconds by Ronnie O'Sullivan at the 1997 World Championship. Averaging roughly 8.5 seconds per shot, O'Sullivan navigated the 15 reds, 15 blacks, and six colours with a speed that Guinness World Records still recognizes as the benchmark for the sport.[1][6]

Step eight is recognizing the rare 155 exception. While 147 is the standard maximum, the absolute mathematical ceiling of snooker is technically 155. This rare anomaly can only occur if a player is awarded a free ball following an opponent's foul before any reds have been potted. The player can nominate a colour as an extra red for one point, follow it with a black for seven points, and then complete the standard 147 sequence, adding eight points to the total. However, in the absence of a foul, the 147 remains the definitive perfect game.[3][5]