Kirk Stevens 147 vs Jimmy White (1984) - Benson & Hedges Masters

147

[@theoworboys1152]

Probably one of the greatest pressure shots on the green in the history of snooker.

[@Garrett1974]

Watching a maximum break never gets old or boring. I could watch stuff like this for hours and hours :)

[@dot2562]

Bit to common now,but then was an achievement, cliffs in the masters was goid aswell

[@davidgoulden5956]

Met him once on Park Lane. Bonfire Night, late 1980s. He was alone, walking ahead of us. My younger brother recognised him. We only talked with him for a few moments but he could not gave been friendlier. Cool guy, GREAT snooker player.

[@Giskard1000]

What an awesome final green that was - and the pink to black was fantastic!

[@ianheaver3217]

I remember this well. Widely regarded as one of the best, if not best matches ever!

[@kashattack]

You never see that level of joy from players when making a 147 anymore. Great to see Kirk celebrate like that.

[@eryhasmie6769]

what about ding first 147?he shouted after he made that break

[@Hi-kq1vi]

Probably because they come along as often as buses in this era-they ceased having the same meaning years ago, because they are made so often due to the ultra fine cloths & attacking style of today.

[@BiggyInHD]

Yeah, he probably had a gram of cocaine stuck up his nose at the time.

[@davidmellish3295]

​@@Hi-kq1vi It's down to the players playing to a MUCH higher standard today,not just because of the cloths the players are simply better

[@seanscanlon9067]

@@davidmellish3295 Yeah if it was down to the clothes then Kirk's white suit would make him a winner every time.

[@ianwatkins6202]

I've seen all the 147 breaks on the tv, In my humble opinion, this is the best one!!

[@SahilC1912]

Really man 🔥

[@UguysRnuts]

I watched Jimmy win the Canadian Masters back in 1987. Went out celebrating with him and Cliff Thorburn that evening. Fun? You bet!

[@pudsrus2]

I imagine a few 🎱 were sniffed that night👃

[@simonlevett4776]

1984 much happier days.

[@joe2grand]

Love that pale ash looking BCE table ! Lovely colour !

[@castleanthrax1833]

Yeah... and the 147 was alright, too. 😂

[@JJmoony]

I was thinking that too great looking table.

[@jchopra]

Good ol' Jack Karnehm - best snooker commentator of all time. As for the 'break' - top 3 147's ever.

[@bernarddover1442]

John virgo is

[@theinvisibleman9410]

The pressure The adrenaline The heart pumping away...nice one Kirk...

[@Mssmaimone]

I think that was the most difficult 147 in history... Look where the colours were... Simply amazing, you've gotta love Kirk, his hapiness is wonderful!

[@Mssmaimone]

***** That was a wornderful maximum as well (and again with two great figures involved, Jimmy and Tony) but in my opinion Kirk was more difficult. Two great breaks and players though, gotta love them both.

[@poolmaster18]

+Mssmaimone colours are in open play, not that difficult

[@morriszachrisson8359]

+Ryan Mannie Totally disagree, Ronnie's fastest 147 is impossible. The best 147 in former and future history.

[@Firestone1]

If Kirk had not sucked coke up his nose for years, he might have ended up a legend.

[@LIVERNIL723]

Completely agree. Very understated in terms of the calculated effort put in. It was a steady and smooth and don't forget this is a Kirk Stevens who in general during this particular point of planet earth was a flamboyant talent. Cheers

[@rockywaters9592]

This is brilliant, not all pros have made a 147, Dennis Taylor, Terry Griffiths, Ray Reardon, even Alex Higgins, all of them never hit a 147 in a professional tournament. That green to brown was superb from Kirk, great clearance.

[@allthekingshorses7178]

Kirk Stevens seemed to have a relaxed and skilled style of play, really good to watch. If only he'd been more consistent

[@rockywaters9592]

​@@allthekingshorses7178 definitely underachived with his skillset and composure. He was the pinup of snooker in them days, i can't say for certain but maybe the lifestyle of being THAT guy was detrimental to his consistency, like George Best I suppose but not as extreme.🤷🏼‍♂️

[@paleshelter5376]

..as a fellow Canadian...I agree...another one is Bob Chaperone...1990 British open champion

[@dot2562]

My m8 hit a 146, works in a snooker hall llf no interest in turning pron😂 my highest breK 45😂😂 shite lol

[@dot2562]

Ciiff thorburn in the crucible is good,,people from the next table stop playing and watch! Big bill werbenek 😂😂

[@TheCadandbounder]

My two favourite players as a lad, remember that match, it was awesome

[@anthonykilgannon3443]

I remember watching this and turning round to my brother and saying"I'm gonna do that one day"...................still haven't.

[@58710victor]

ha ha

[@97channel]

Fresh from the disco.

[@seanscanlon9067]

This was a best of ten match and Jimmy was leading 5-3 at the time, so this 147 meant Kirk was Staying Alive.

[@jerryjungle5717]

​@@seanscanlon9067 🎶Ah ah ah ah staying alive 🎵

[@eugenelafebre921]

And it was on a saterday night?

[@glxxyz]

@@seanscanlon9067best of ten?

[@seanscanlon9067]

@@glxxyz Sorry best of 11. I only wanted to do the Staying Alive joke really but looked up the result online and the first two times they played each other in 1984, the website I used said Jimmy won in the Professional Snooker League 6 (10) 4 and this one in the Masters with Jimmy winning again 6 (11) 4. But between me switching back and forth between browser tabs from the snooker website and here to type my message, I inadvertently looked at the best of 10 match, where because it is a league I think you can have a 5-5 draw, even though Jimmy won 6-4 anyway.

[@thechessstick]

I was fortunate enough to see all 3 of these 147's live.

[@krisorgan]

For me, the greatest 147 in snooker history. Those shots on the colours were absolutely outstanding. The pockets on them tables look tiny too.

[@duncanholding7636]

Agreed. Classic break

[@ZEUSDAZ]

I remember seeing this when it happened, I was and still am playing snooker myself and as I said then to this day probably the most beautiful 147 break ever seen, not too fast, not too slow, just a wonderful break from the 1st pot to the 36th.

[@dlamiss]

+Zeusdaz - The Unemulated Retro Game Channel Agreed it was a lovely sophisticated break with very few shots "to recover position" also like the commentary of jack karnhem... very understated

[@paleshelter4002]

Yes agree.. and left little up to chance, owned and steered that ship in👍

[@eugenefarrar1959]

​@@dlamiss Jack was one of the best commentators. Why on earth the BBC sacked him, daft decision.

[@1987-8]

Love the hug he gave the ref, the ref sounds like a serious school teacher and the way he hugged him first classic

[@user-xo4lg5se3d]

The most beautiful maximum break ever seen.

[@spleeeen4it]

best break ever made in terms of atmosphere

[@mikeb6385]

Here after Mark Allen's brilliant 147 at the 2024 Masters. Great to see Kirk at his best, a great and charismatic player in his day.

[@arnie8604]

I can just remember walking in front school at age 13 to this.... simply magic.

[@JohnSmith-su3ze]

You walked in front of your school while watching this at 13? How did that work exactly?

[@parkerbohnn]

Kirk was a natural he could always play snooker. He grew up at the Golden Cue in Scarborough, Ontario Canada. He played for free his whole life there thanks to Joe the owner. Kirk never went to school they used to phone from Bendale every morning to make sure he was there at the Golden Cue. Kirk played a lot for money and Joe would back him. He took a guy from America a pool player for 15 thousand when he was only 14 years old.

[@Firestone1]

He used to hustle at Times Square Billiards at Yonge/Dundas in 1979-80. He cleaned everyone out. I saw him a few times at Golden Mile Billiards, and at Cliff Thorburn's pool hall at Yonge and Gould. He was the best player to ever come out of Canada with the possible exception of Thorburn and George Chenier.

[@cambellblack9166]

parkerbohnn if it was not for crack cocaine he would have been at the top level for another ten years... Shame, was a really good player and character.

[@ihaveatalkingpenisanditsay6699]

@@cambellblack9166 Not only crack and powder coke but he liked to drink as well.

[@ihaveatalkingpenisanditsay6699]

@@Firestone1 At the time Cliff Thorburn was ranked #1, Kirk Stevens was #2 and Jim Wych was #3. I think Jimmy was way better than Chenier ever was.

[@Firestone1]

@@ihaveatalkingpenisanditsay6699 I saw Wych play at the CNE back in the 80's, and he was good. Kirk was probably the best shooter of those 3, but he was inconsistent.

[@HippieChick]

I remember this well.....sitting in the audience!!

[@prostynick]

Damn.. you.... old ;) I was 1 back then

[@brianethompson768]

My late wife and I also attended, and so did Donald Sutherland who jumped up to congratulate Kirk immediately after he sank the final black -- I think it's Donald (off camera) who shakes Kirk's hand after Kirk hugs the referee and his opponent, and before Kirk went back to his corner.

[@jamiehammond7401]

Brian Thompson Cool , Kirk is a nice guy , talked to him a couple times in Kitchener Ontario Canada . couldn't have happened to a nicer guy.

[@chrisevans5259]

Like all sports in the 70s and 80s there seemed a more magic atmosphere in these times, the 80s was golden time for snooker with some great characters

[@lifeisyours8250]

Certainly was, sports like these have been killed by forcing players to be robotically professional at all times. I dont want to see that, i want the dramas of your MacEnroes and Higgins's with characters and humour. These are the very concepts that give the public someone to route for. Who we going to route for if they are all forced to act the same... what a shame.

[@lardy70s]

Brilliant times. Unfortunately the media and society have ruined the future of great sporting moments. In those days we had 4 tv channels available unlike the hundreds we have now. We had great tv shows and great sporting events which were there for everyone to watch. Today you need satellite or cable and then pay for PPV. We have crap reality tv and snowflakes on our screens 24/7. Those glory days from my childhood are gone forever I'm afraid.

[@nuntana2]

Indeed it was. Being able to have a beer or smoke, sponsored by booze and cigs firms etc. The camaraderie while still being professional. Ok, cutting out those vices is probably a good idea and the game has never been to a higher standard and cleaner than today, but at what cost? It is staid and tough to watch some matches as a result. Just look at the 147, for example. Kirk probably got paid £100k for that, 300k today's money? What's it today, 10k, and then you have to split it if there's more than one maxy? Ok, more of the money goes to lesser players, but it's a farce, which is why Ronnie has turned it down on more than one occasion. Get to that level and not be paid properly for it...

[@MikeJH82]

@@nuntana2 He only got £11,000 for it. £10,000 for the 147 plus £1000 for the high break prize, which is about £35,000 in today's terms. The winner's share was only £35,000, which is about £110,000 today. The prize for the masters today is £250,000. The money for snooker in the 1980s heyday of the sport was pretty shit.

[@ivorgriffiths1859]

My favourite 147 break

[@fishwithivan8562]

my god i was only 14 year old at the time my parents let me stay up and watch it

[@JohnSmith-su3ze]

Being allowed to stay up an extra 14 minutes must have been thrilling

[@SahilC1912]

Toughest and Greatest 147 from Kirk Stevens never seen any other 147's with this amount of interest. Legendary Play man 🔥

[@marieadams3720]

Just great, and I love that Jimmy kept back at the end there and let Kirk have the glory.

[@aristotle358]

Quality! Great to see this after so many years. I remember Kirk but I didn't realize that he was that good. I can't believe I used to have hair like that then.

[@jonathanmeehan7910]

Everybody had hair like that back then lol

[@JJmoony]

That was the best 147 I’ve ever seen

[@daveboxer8486]

How I miss the snooker from these days and this maximum from Kirk was just sensational I probably celebrated it more than he did around my telly

[@inthenameofjustice8811]

I liked Kirk Stevens. He was a talented player ruined by drugs but he would sit and cheer with the rest of us if his opponent did something special on the table. Just a bloody shame he dressed like an ice cream man.

[@kalistalev]

Love the unstained wood table look...Oh and the pool cue, quality

[@ianholmes5964]

Doesn't look like a pool cue to me..pool cues had screwable tips and brass ferrel was longer

[@sallysmith1484]

The ref was John Smyth, who was a driver on the London Underground for many years. When Kirk came over from Canada aged 20 in '78 John used to drive him around to exhibitions - Kirk never passed his driving test while living in the UK, just like Alex Higgins. Both needed chauffeurs in England their whole professional careers.

[@tomfullerton9388]

John Street

[@Hi-kq1vi]

Pretty lucky considering what substances they had in them, the roads were much safer with them as passengers.

[@user-bb3rx7mh8k]

Oh shut up

[@johnsrabe]

And that explains the big hug for the ref. Thank you.

[@duncanholding7636]

It was John Smyth. John Street was a different referee from Devon

[@kevinbrookes4870]

The shot on the green was out of this world.

[@digitalsketchguy]

Those were the days and the B & H Masters was always electric

[@eugenefarrar1959]

very true! Stevens is often overlooked when people mention the naturally talented entertaining players, waa always great to watch.

[@mickrodgers4294]

without a doubt the finest 147 ever. kirk was the essence of cool!!! legend.

[@nuntana2]

In your opinion maybe, but no, it wasn't/isn't. Kirk was great and the golden era of snooker was a fine time to be around to watch the sport. This was good (I remember watching live) and probably on par with Thorburn's (also watched live), but there were just too many loose shots and faffing for it to be considered 'best' material. There have been so many great 147s over the years but none can be compared to O'Sullivan's maximum in the 1997 World's of just over 5 minutes. Not just because it was so fast, but because of the flow/quick decision making and the pretty much spot on positioning throughout the break. He had the white on a string. As a fan and player of the game of many years, that is about as good as it gets... IMO.

[@davidmellish3295]

​@nuntana2 You're totally right,Ronnie's maximum break in world record time of 5.08 was the best ever. The white on a string ,never goes out of position and does it quicker than most pros make a ton. Just incredible

[@jester5019]

The final green was a great shot, perfect positioning around the table

[@201081hero]

"Good heavens above Rex isn't that marvellous?"

[@shubhammalgaonkar]

201081hero

[@Swat-ed5bt]

Legend ❤

[@paulhiggins8662]

Whatever happened to Canadian snooker? Back in those days Cliff Thorburn (aka The Grinder) was a world champion and a perennial contender, Kirk Stephens was one of the most exciting and talented players on the tour and Big Bill Werbeniuk was...well a big character! But since they all left the scene I haven't been aware of any Canadian players on the world snooker circuit.

[@djknox2]

I just met Cliff at the Crucible less than a month ago. I had a chance to reminisce about the snooker tournament held every summer at the CNE throughout the 70s. Cliff was surprised to meet some who remembered those matches...

[@scottthomson9813]

Daryl Wouters played in the UK briefly back in the mid 90's. And Marco Fu was Vancouver based of course.

[@VinegarTom68]

Gotta admire the man's panache-that suit is worthy of Tony Montana,minus the Cuban heels!

[@sjake8308]

If I recall correctly, he bought that suit because it was the only one he could afford! 😆

[@samcoburn9527]

Kirk Stevens was the coolest snooker player ever!

[@forgive7449]

cos he was high all the time 😛

[@eddt430]

Haha Tom cruise!!!

[@ianhowlett4682]

Back when snooker was played on a square table!

[@killerqueen501]

This is easily the BEST played 147 you'll see. The amount of tough shots he pulled out the bag is mind boggling. Truly deserved. Who else thought he'd missed the last black tho ha ha!

[@paulwilliams8389]

I think the black had decided to stay out until Jack Karnehm shouted "GERRRIN!!!"!

[@davidmellish3295]

Not the best at all,the mere fact that he had to pull off tough shots just shows how he lost the white and ran out of position. In a real decent break the white is on a string and no tough shots are needed because of the top notch cue ball control

[@georgemorley1029]

@@davidmellish3295Bet you’re fun at parties. “Actually this isn’t their best song ever, a really good song demonstrates more lyrical variety and tonal distinction”. 🥱

[@duncanholding7636]

​@@davidmellish3295 so how many 147s have you seen when the cue ball is on a string. This was 40 years ago and Stevens was brilliant in executing it

[@davidmellish3295]

@@duncanholding7636 I've definitely seen better 147s, yes he pulled out some great shots but come on, it's all about cue ball control and so many great breaks look easy ( I know they're not for most of us) because the top pro's don't lose the cue ball, they're that good that they rarely run out of position

[@jamiehammond7401]

Kirk was a humble professional, good for him.

[@Kill--alllll---IDF]

I'm not a snooker fan but at 13:43 wen he dives on the referee is a lasting image it's an iconic moment in snooker history. I remember vividly in 1984 I was 6 years old and my uncle and dad everyone watching this frame and everyone cheered in my house

[@maxlee8183]

When he first opens the pack,that was a Lovely shot.

[@geraldrussell3351]

Must have seen it 20 times, one of the greatest players EVER!!

[@johnblack9298]

😂

[@thegodofpez]

Stunning skill. Every shot was picture perfect.

[@jamiehammond7401]

Thanks for the memories!

[@philipriggall5271]

Absolutely fabulous break, and Kirk’s joy 👏🏼

[@copee2960]

Watching this you can see the difference concerning the nature of the table compared with todays tables not that i'm complaining, this is still one of my all time fav 147's.

[@cjones1499]

Cracking 147.

[@jupiter-8405]

The skill level was astounding! He kept it all together when it got tough!

[@BillODriscoll-jo2ve]

I love this old snooker archive footage Really brilliant 👏 👌 The tables looked so different back in the 70s and 80s compared to now in 2024

[@eugenefarrar1959]

green to brown is as good a shot as you'll see by anybody, under that pressure!

[@sphericalempirical9359]

... sheer class wasn’t it.

[@eugenefarrar1959]

@@sphericalempirical9359 , yeah, I remember watching live and calling the max after approx five reds. The standard is much higher generally now, but for entertainment cand tension, these were the golden years of Snooker! Fantastic.

[@antwan.]

love the way he left his leg cocked on the table after the pink 😅

[@chinmaykalyankar1291]

Kirk is one of a kind. He's always happy even when his opponent plays well. Love his spirit ❤️

[@johnbrand1893]

I remember watching this break of 147 from Kirk, it was enthralling to witness, he seemed so calm, but I’m sure he was trembling inside, also these were the days when there was quite a few Canadians in snooker.

[@simonmallett9310]

The famous all white suit. Only Kirk Stevens. What a break. Love the table, wish they had them now.

[@rokerlad49]

those were my favorite times in snooker where are they now big bill rip , cliff , kirk , no one since from over the atlantic happy days thou

[@simonbrampton]

A 147 was truly rare and special back then which made it even more emotional. And is definitely my fave of all time along with the O sullivan fastest

[@haworthtrevor]

I remember watching this match. Both players were brilliant throughout, and Jimmy White won it 6-4. At the time this was only the 3rd televised 147, and it was a few years before the 4th. Nowadays they happen every month....

[@thespursfan7564]

seen everey maxi as im 49nthis is by far the best all things considered , that running side green to brown was off the hook , magic thanks Kirk Stevens

[@yukinakai4683]

Natural man.kirk is underratted in history.beautiful break that.classic

[@djcpianist]

The table roll-off from pink to black was astounding 🤯

[@leightonsteven7059]

Great to see this again , my favourite 147 from my favourite player of that era

[@sjake8308]

Kirk Stevens was also my favourite player back then!

[@gordonmathers6489]

White was brilliant that night. Kirks 147 was great. Been a lot since but no-one enjoyed it more.

[@johnmc3862]

Co-incidentally Jack Kahrnem is the commentator who was also the commentator when fellow Canadian Thorburn got a 147 the year before at the crucible.

[@Mogget5]

Thorburn made that world championship 147 a year earlier than Kirk (in 1983)

[@mstevens113]

Love the 70s and 80 fashions and decor. So much more character.

[@desimahool9235]

Mind blowing really old iz gold

[@frankylee7063]

Fantastic! I even clapped 40 years later.

[@eugenelafebre921]

The most beautiful 147 I have ever seen! Very exiting till the end! You could not follow the green ball going in the cornerpocket because of the color of the cloth 12:00. I hold my breath when Kirk potted the last pink ball! What a fantastic maximum break Kirk! Love it!

[@Zebsy]

Brilliant reaction at the end, loved it

[@kfalkowski93]

Fantastic 👏

[@9Ballr]

Wow, that was incredible.

[@nickmorris9689]

One of the greatest breaks of all time

[@starkRECORDINGS]

GEEZER! I love it!!!

[@growlerthe2nd712]

Highlight of his career

[@CRyan71]

Brilliant. Some fantastic shots. Back in the day when 147's were rare. He obviously wasn't a fan of the rest. How he didn't rip the arse out of his trousers I'll never know😆

[@sjake8308]

Almost nobody liked using the rest back then.

[@kingeric2468]

I bet some of the ladies were loving the shots that Kirk played without the rest. Plenty of r stretching.

[@retrogamesrevived1189]

The way he hugged the ref 😁👍

[@jbdoggy]

Certainly one of the finest 147s ever played.

[@eddie7112]

Brillant that Shot right from the start by Kirk Stevens. Red into the mid and a touch in the red cluster open up an awesome 147 break

[@SAJuk-lb4dh]

I still remember watching this , it was played on a Saturday night , if i remember correctly, this maxi was sandwiched between to tons + from jimmy ,,,,,,,does anyone remember the two commentators on here ? I think it's maybe jack karnhem and rex Williams ?

[@alanwatkins344]

Great break, balls harder to play side with then too. Slightly heavier than today. Cloths were thicker aswell.

[@haydenwalton2766]

yep, the balls then were terrible, and don't get me started on the cushions ! but the table did seem to be running quick. great to see the old nth american style two piece cue

[@robertmeadows1657]

Call my dealer

classic ! one of the best :D

[@bhatmursaleen2555]

one of D best 147's i have eve seen 👍

[@freemanedwards5663]

That was a nice 147!!!!

[@pinchopaxtonsgreatestminds9591]

Jimmy White is watching it all intently, not like some of the players sitting down today.

[@alanmansell9845]

The greatest 147 of all time, out of position on every shot, love the way he hugs the ref at the end.

[@jameshickey1294]

After watching dings 147 I came back to the first in this competition an I remember watching kirk do it -it was a great moment in snooker history- magnificent 147.by kirk

[@adriancooper554]

Bought back so many memories.. Was only 11 years old when kirk made that awesome 147... That last green to brown was just a magnificent shot.. Last pink in and out of baulk perfect for the last black..😊😊😊.. What a player...

[@Enpassantful]

And with a 2 piece cue as well, practically unheard of back then, and now even.

[@letsdiscussitoversometea8479]

I had that same ash cue about 30 years ago. Very distinctive design with that brass "joint" in the center. Bought for me as a gift by a family friend. Sorry to say that it didn't "fit" me particularly well...a Riley 2 piece cue I received from a relative about a year or two later was *much* more comfortable. Still have it to this day in fact.