Antrim snooker star Mark Allen believes Riyadh Season Saudi Snooker Invitational organisers should change the position of the Golden Ball if they want someone to make history with the first ever 167 break.
There is a mouth-watering $1million pre-Christmas bonus up for grabs, doubled from last year, for the first player to make a 167 at this week’s tournament.
Defending champion Ronnie O’Sullivan, world No.1 Judd Trump and world champion Kyren Wilson are just some of the snooker stars in Saudi Arabian for the competition.
The Golden Ball, placed midway along the top cushion, is worth 20 points after a traditional 147 maximum.
World No.5 Allen, who faces four-time world champion Mark Selby on Wednesday, told SportsBoom.com: “If anyone can pot that along that baulk cushion for a million dollars then they deserve it.
“I genuinely think if they want to see a bit of history with the 167 then they should put it somewhere else.
“Outside of maybe Ronnie, I don’t know who could pot that ball for a million. It’s a massive amount of money.
“I know John [Higgins] had a chance last year and he said his hands and legs were shaking because it was a lot of money.
“You’re talking about a four-time world champion and one of the greatest ever. If he’s talking like that, what chance have the rest of us got.
“They could put it somewhere more sensible and then a lot more people would go for it I think.
“Because of where it is, a lot of people would be put off by it straightaway.”
“For argument’s sake if people knew it was going on the blue spot once you pot the blue and pink it would make it a bit more exciting.”
But how would Allen fare if faced with the million dollar pot?
He told SportsBoom: “I don’t think I’d be able to feel my hands, I’d just be trying to get the cue through as best I can and be hoping for the best really.”
“It’s got people talking. We’re talking about it now. It’s a clever thing they’ve done for the event.”
“The event itself is a great event, but that bonus is a major talking point.”