Alex Higgins Makes "The Impossible Break" | World Championship 1982

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[@judebogart]

An absolute genius. Met hi in 95 or 96 on a train from Limerick to Dublin with my late brother Colin. Colin was aa wheelchair user. He paid us so much attention, and made a big deal of Colin. He even helped fold Colin's wheelchair and put it into the cab. An absolute gentleman, and a working class hero. RIP The Belfast Boy x

[@michaelwalton-ii1ch]

fair play

[@haveatyou1]

Limerick lol. You know Kearney?.

[@TomCoppell]

Lovely story. He was an emotional guy, on and off the table he could show his bad side but I think away from the game and his addictions he was a nice guy. Such a shame what happened to him in the end. If Alex was around today with his natural talent and the amount of snooker coaches about he would’ve became an even better player than he was.

[@stormhawk3319]

The two best loved players of the game, the Hurricane & the Whirlwind. Both Alex and Jimmy drew in huge crowds and made snooker a massive sport in the 80s.

[@davep8361]

Yes, and although Jimmy never won a singles world title, I was glad when Alex and Jimmy won the world doubles together.

[@richardweir3342]

I'm almost in tears watching this. In Alex latter years he would come into a shop we had in Bangor N. Ireland, he was a very sad looking figure with the drink, cigarettes and of course Cancer. It was heartbreaking to see such a genius that way. I know the new breed of players are very good, but Alex was definitely from another planet. RIP Alex, I will never forget how you were at your best. His good friend Jimmy was always there for him at his lowest point, when nobody else would help him. He had serious demons.

[@19ARSENAL100]

Alex and Jimmy both had their demons, they spent their low points together mostly, but you are right, Jimmy stood by Alex when others shunned him. Alex was the best player I have seen bar none.

[@davidfelix2594]

@@19ARSENAL100 Lol

[@19ARSENAL100]

@@davidfelix2594 ?

[@555pontifex]

Alex was an arrogant narcissist. Steve Davis was better than him and for that sole reason he said, "I hate Steve Davis". In the end, he was a loser.

[@richardweir3342]

@@555pontifex maybe so, but the crowds didn't go to watch the incredibly boring Steve Davis

[@nottmfunguy]

It was like magic watching him. My late father used say to me, he has a lot of problems, snooker isn't one of them.

[@martydav9475]

Great quote - I like it.

[@JackieMilburnt]

99 problems but the baize aint 1

[@azertu2u2]

Alcohol is THE problem. It gets worse and worse

[@tomjoslin435]

Cue ball control is a problem for him

[@markbellew4194]

Great quote

[@josephthomas7191]

Hi all. I am from Chennai India. Alex Higgins, made snooker watchable and famous. A true entertainer, a magician. Devastating skills. Ronnie, Henry, Davis, many stars shining in this sport, but for me the brightest of all Snooker Star is the Hurricane Higgins. Huge Respect and love for this incredible ikon. May his Star ever shine the brightest.

[@nolan8336]

Thank You Sir. 👍

[@donalshanaghy6381]

Alex Higgins was a fantastic snooker player. A pure genius with a compelling tendency to take unnecessary risks. He made the game what it is.

[@nickycotton6137]

Aye, utter Pro' that potted & developed so many thereafter available shots. RIP

[@patrickkelly7085]

He would not get in the top five in a list of players playing today.

[@droceretik]

@@patrickkelly7085 Pseudo expert.

[@patrickkelly7085]

@@droceretik Nope i have never played pseudo.

[@andrewgartshore2041]

Greatrst 5 of all time. Ronnie, Stephen, Steve, Jimmy, Alex. Greatest to watch of all time. Jimmy, Alex, Ronnie, Stephen, Kirk.

[@paulfuller147]

I was very lucky to have played Alex many times during the time he had to qualify for tournaments in Blackpool. He used to drink and practice in my local club and I must say although he had a bad reputation he was a very charming , interesting and well mannered bloke with me and my mates , he got the ale in like anyone else and didn’t mind getting slagged off when he forgot. R.I.P Alex there will never be another like you.

[@benhuffer4695]

Y lie

[@mancavehobbies6213]

NO YOU DIDN'T

[@bobwallacejnr6852]

@@benhuffer4695 hes a lying bastard Ben

[@patrickkelly7085]

Wow a man gets the drinks in when its his turn and that makes him a hero.

[@ysbryd9779]

Question for Ben huffer and mancave hobbies. Why would they lie? What benefit do they get from it? And how could you possibly know if there lying or not?

[@stevenredpath6397]

Absolute genius, electric, emotional and two brilliant and exciting players. RIP Alex, genius 🙏

[@mrb7094]

Christ how I loved snooker back then. The characters. The skill. As a 14 year old I soaked it all in. Me and my Dad watched all the great games on Telly. White, Higgins, Davis, Taylor and of course, a whole host more. That was, basically my early 80s right there.

[@DonQuickZote]

Same.

[@iamme3513]

I watched this in awe and decades later I'm still in awe. Alex along with Georgie Best and Muhammad Ali were my heroes growing up. This clearance is probably the greatest break of all time. The long blue is phenomenal. Factor the reverse side spin and no other player in history could play that in this situation. Alex made snooker. He's still my hero. As are Ali and Georgie. Thanks for the video

[@Nigol66]

For my Dad. RIP. He loved watching snooker, especially these 2 guys. I’ve no doubt he watched this match. ❤️

[@zippydingding5558]

Same for me and my dad was a great player

[@rumbled5461]

i remember watching pot black every week with my dad.

[@Nigol66]

@@rumbled5461 We did too..... every week. All we have now are those memories and a glass of Jack Daniels.... to sit and reminisce.

[@peterfitzpatrick7032]

@@rumbled5461 That was QUALITY TeeVee... 😎⚫️

[@kingnicolas7262]

RIP GOOD FATHER

[@spinozacelt]

I watched this on TV at home and it was a remarkable match.The final clearance was so nerve wracking because Higgins was constantly out of position.However his shots,the outrageous blue in particular,were sheer box office.It's common to see outrageous screw shots these days but then no-one played shots like that.When he sank the final black I leapt out of my seat.Magical.

[@liamquigley891]

Cool story bro

[@RByrne]

It was a great frame for sure. That red to the middle was a hell of a lot tighter than it looks

[@slanjbo]

@@liamquigley891 GFY, I’d like to hear your story of the one time ever you got a half century that one time in a sh-t pub in nowheresville

[@DanceySteveYNWA]

I watched it on the microwave

[@patrickkelly7085]

He got himself out of position.

[@Vortigan07]

I think it's probably impossible to overstate just how insanely good this was! Surely one of the all time great iconic moments in all sport, let alone snooker!

[@JoeyDNo3]

Indeed, watch it a lot

[@bazsully4205]

100 percent magical aura about the full break 40 years later were still talking about this rip Alex 😎👍🎱

[@pmacc3557]

from two Masters :)

[@davidloughlin2238]

Absolutely, I am biting my fingernails down to the bone every time I watch it, and I am old enough to have watched it live way back then. Genius.

[@patrickkelly7085]

You see a few highlights and you foolishly think Higgins played like that all the time, he did not play like that on a regular basis, he was eratic and moody and prone to fits of temper, that was why he only won the world title twice despite many of his opponents being ameteur players.

[@thatguy7715]

Incredible the man man had a style like no other before or after him . I got back to playing snooker a few weeks ago and tried to emulate the robotic timed potting like all pros nowadays and just couldn't get it , after watching this break last week I decided to throw everurhing out the window and just play what comes naturally to me and I got a break of 48 after being back a few weeks and not played with over12 years . Snooker would be nothing with hurricane . God bless you Alex 🙏

[@macesponkeysponkyville6299]

I understand now, he Ate a deli fruit. If you get it, you get it.

[@puruwaerea7634]

I just want to say that Alex reached the far corners of the earth when i first met him here in the early 70's in the Rotorua billiards and snooker room in the B.O.P. New Zealand. After winning all of the 8 exhibition matches with flair and brilliance he was awe inspiring to all who came to watch 👍 I'll never forget how cocky he was and drinking whisky straight from the bottle, a legend and an inspiration that led myself and many to the wonderful world of snooker 🙏

[@RebeccaTurner-ny1xx]

Not sure how Higgins's misuse of alcohol was either admirable or helpful in his playing snooker.

[@motorcitycobra2009]

@@RebeccaTurner-ny1xx Didn’t hurt him here and he was probably loaded to the gills 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@kruks]

​@@motorcitycobra2009- To say it didn't hurt him here... I wonder how many championships Alex could have won had his demons not caught up with him.

[@motorcitycobra2009]

Not debating drinking and smoking like that shortened his life considerably only that there is no reason to suppose it would adversely affect his snooker, Alcohol within reason has a calming effect (those with essential tremor note a reduction in tremor, rather like with beta-blockade) and Nicotine relaxes and improves alertness

[@stevebrindle1724]

Jimmy and Alex are responsible for popularising snooker. Two great players and two great characters

[@Mark64W]

Well said !! Who wanted to watch Terry Griffiths V Cliff Thorburn taking an hour per frame until the match finished at 2.45 AM ? Not me !

[@ezriderzzr7104]

No they're not, i enjoyed watching them as much as anyone, but lets not get carried away with the hero worship for a couple of above average players.

[@droceretik]

@@ezriderzzr7104 Agree.

[@dermot51]

I remember sneaking down the stairs off The Cosmo in Dublin as a kid the balls looked the size of tennis balls, all you could see was the table everything else was black brilliant atmosphere.

[@adamjones7276]

@@Mark64W hahaha. Cold headed players.

[@Mudplucker]

Two of the finest players to grace this planet 👍🏻

[@benflannaghan4204]

Definition of charisma, genius all rolled into one. Loved John Spencer's prophecy about the standing of this break, greatest ever made

[@tommygunhunter]

Spencer said it would be greatest break in the tournament! Second only to Sullivan's 147's

[@djdefaut6869]

What a great player Alex Higgins was. Never got bored watching him. RIP Alex Higgins.

[@Palalubong]

His skills here are so raw. The way he pushed through the ball, almost like he was playing pool. What an iconic break.

[@carlhartwell7978]

Yes, he accelerated through the cue ball with an effortlessness that perhaps only Ronnie, Robertson or Trump have come close to. But none have made it look quite so effortless as Alex. I think It's all about maximally accelerating through the ball as you make contact, at just about maximal velocity, but not quite (otherwise there is no acceleration). All whilst still being accurate of course. You can likely only do that by 'feel', not something teachable imo. And I only say it's not teachable because I just can't see how it could be! Which is why the word 'natural' is used by all experts to describe him.

[@TheGrandmasterMan]

@@carlhartwell7978 Techincally it was poor, out of position on many of the balls making it harder than it needed to be. But in terms of shot making under pressure it was very good.

[@carlhartwell7978]

@@TheGrandmasterMan I've never heard anyone say he was a master positional player!🤣 He certainly wasn't always as out of position as he was in this break though, just have to say that, this was poor positional play even by his standards. Bottom line though _technically_ Alex in general was quite poor. Everything technical about his play was what a coach would say not to do.🤷‍♀

[@JimMcDonaldBoxing-pj7hb]

@@carlhartwell7978 Carl I think that is what made Alex so popular, he did it his way 😃

[@gwynmaverickjames6098]

Amazing,perfection what a character he was, ,no one like him, just fantastic to watch,one of the best ever breaks in snooker,fantastic,RIP Alex

[@gman8393]

Alex played the way he lived, he was and always will be in my eyes the most charismatic snooker player ever.

[@khemikora]

what about stephen hendry?

[@bridgetdoman1386]

@@khemikora There are and have been some really good and top notch snooker players, including Stephen Hendry, but we're talking charisma as well as ability and Alex had both in droves.

[@lukeizze]

@@bridgetdoman1386 he was being sarcastic.

[@patrickkelly7085]

@@lukeizze If he was being sarcastic, he would have said "what about Steve Davis"

[@lukeizze]

@@patrickkelly7085 It's clear that Hendry has the charisma of a deck chair, use you're brain.

[@tommointhailand]

Alex was my snooker hero growing up - I had the pleasure of meeting him in Edgware snooker hall once and had my picture taken with him - I will treasure that moment always - RIP Alex 🙏

[@oddsandwindsocks5905]

I met him also at our club doing an exhibition, he didn't say much but played terrific snooker.

[@tesorotesoro1654]

Good on ya mate,a treasure to be had for sure.

[@bossahmed4085]

The first superstars of snooker. Alex Higgins was in a league of his own, closely followed by Jimmy white. Alex was one of the most exciting snooker players to ever grace the green table! what a match. R.I.P Alex

[@nickobrien11]

I will never forget watching that match on TV in a bed sit in Tottenham. I thought it was over and was heading out the door when my flat mate called me back. I'm glad I he did. Best two frames of snooker I have ever seen. a flawed character but a genius and my favourite sportsman of all time. Rip Alex. Weill never see your like again

[@oh8wingman]

Don't forget the Mosconi cup where Alex and Jimmy were both well under the influence(s) and they played like the game was a lark and beat the Americans and took home the cup. Quite possibly one of the most amusing 9 ball series ever shot and archived.

[@bossahmed4085]

@@oh8wingman 🤣🤣 legends.

[@derekstocker6661]

This was incredible, Alex was such a natural and gifted player, similar to Ronnie O'Sullivan, Alex gave the viewing public snooker and really brought it to our living rooms. RIP Alex and thank you so much for your input to this fabulous game.

[@matthewsmith6051]

There's at least six shots in that break that most of today's top 16 would choose to play safe. The game's gone soft. Thank God for Brecel and his balls-out style. Needs more like him.

[@teresashepherd9443]

I watched this break live nearly 40 years ago it was just sensational. the whole match was electric and gripping.seen many great matches and breaks since but this is still up there as one of the very best.

[@colingeddes2172]

I loved snooker in the 80s. Mainly because of the hurricane. And ive never ever seen a better break or clearance under pressure. Some of the pots were simply amazing. That pot on the blue was incredible..

[@elonmust7470]

I found it incredibly boring!

[@colingeddes2172]

@@elonmust7470 i take it that u wasnt an avid watcher then ha ha.

[@benflannaghan4204]

@@elonmust7470 seriously?? You must be a troll so I'm ashamed of myself for replying. Anyone in the game past or present will tell you that this was the greatest break of all time. It had everything, one miss and he was out

[@tonytyrrelll9799]

Agreed it was sensational from.higgins the best clear up ever

[@oleggorky906]

It was an incredible break. I was thirteen at the time and I remember my parents letting me and my brothers stay up late to see the highlights of the concluding frames as they also were enthralled by the match. He was 15-12 down at one stage and he had to stave off defeat from behind three times to finally get level and then clinch it. He was out of position for at least six or seven shots in that frame and as such it was do or die snooker at its finest.

[@clarencebeeks2525]

He was never 15-12 down. He was 13-12 up at one stage before Jimmy won 3 in a row

[@krismorris7265]

Liar

[@markmarslandglowinggrowing8594]

@@clarencebeeks2525 So Jimmy wins 3 in a row and takes it to 15-13 making your comment pointless as he did come back from behind😉

[@clarencebeeks2525]

@@markmarslandglowinggrowing8594 my point was purely he was never 15-12 down as was posted

[@oleggorky906]

@@clarencebeeks2525 The mistake was addressed. Nevertheless, he still won all three frames from the point of no return to take the match. And I still consider the 69 he made to be one of the finest breaks under pressure. I love nit pickers. They always have something to add to the text, other then bleating about someone else’s mistakes. *Sarcasm*

[@paulloughlin6273]

For certain a true natural talent. Given the match situation I don’t think many players would have still went for their shot’s as Higgins does here. An entertaining player who played the game on his own terms. I always think he had the entertainment of the audience at the very top of his agenda. A great player to watch, a very unique technique and style. He’ll be remembered hopefully for his achievements on the table. His skill and victories. People sometimes concentrate on other aspects of the hurricane. I’ll leave that to them.For me he’s a great player and revolutionised and invented a new method of playing. He did great things for the game. Let’s focus on that!

[@prodigalparties]

Alex was a genius, a creator who generated greatness from impossibility. This break encapsulated Alex, he had no right making these balls but I guess someone forgot to tell Alex that!!!

[@johndean4765]

Tbh the pockets were like buckets

[@MattBell73]

That blue pot at 8 mins in......good lord.....how do you even make the cue ball do that! A "Higgins special" indeed. Such a flamboyant character that played the way he lived. He brought the game to life, and I'm still watching it almost 40 years later thanks to Alex. RIP legend

[@zombieman395]

Eurosport done a recreation of this shot and the way higgins done this shot and when the shot made it special the shot is difficult since you need quite a bit of bottom left to force the cue ball down (makes the already difficult pot even more difficult) but the stage of the match and that shot kept him in the match that is a stupidly hsrd pressure pot only higgins could have done it

[@elih9700]

Gold, blue gold.

[@gurdipthandi25]

His smile after that brilliant black (6:40 odd) is amazing. Totally calm and relaxed whilst facing this immense challenge. Utter genius.

[@XrpCookies]

It was towards Spencer in the commentary box

[@boleslawlukaszczyk7619]

Best break ever for me,and I am not a Higgins fan as a person,but talent,this break speaks volumes

[@jimwolfgang9433]

best break? certainly brilliant, but no way near up there with the best breaks... but then you did "for you", so who am I?!

[@arloking]

@@jimwolfgang9433 yeah just shut up bro

[@opinionday0079]

how many people saw it live on tv in 1982. As a Higgins fan I nearly had a heart attack .....several times. Also when you see how good Jimmy was in those days it is almost unbelievable how few tournaments he actually won.

[@accountformelyknownasarsen3072]

The last red that Jimbo potted in this frame summed him up, just far to careless to become a consistent winner of tournaments. He only has to finish high on the blue and the match is his. Its amazing to see how different his cue action was back then as well. I know he`s getting on in years but watching him today is like watching a totally different player. As for Higgins, the players of today are far superior but no other player before or since could have made that break. The break mirrored Higgins personality in that it bordered on the reckless. Pure genius.

[@zay4756]

Jimmy won a shed load of tournaments mate, just not the world, but an incredible record nonetheless, 6 finals, five on the bounce?! Unbelievable!!

[@accountformelyknownasarsen3072]

@@zay4756 Yes but I think what OpinionDay is saying is that Jimbo underachieved. He only won 10 ranking events and considering how naturally talented he was, that`s just not enough. I agree about his record at the Crucible but sadly he couldn`t get over the line.

[@eahannan]

Yup

[@TheAaafirst]

That black is a curse for Jimmy White, he lost his world championship to Hendry in the deciding frame, at the same angle, in 1994?

[@ScizGraffiti]

I've never actually seen this whole frame, just the blue of course. Good to see it!

[@knocksmartin5111]

I play snooker and some of the shots that Alex plays are breathtaking. He had no fear of anyone on the baize Truly remarkable talents both of them

[@josephmcdonnell8987]

I disagree mate,I was semy professional when I was 14 years old ( now 41 ) but I realised at about 15 I was no were near being good enough to make it,so I quit. I don't think the shots are breathtaking,risky yes,but nothing out of the ordinary for even my standard 20 years ago,and more so the best players in the world,these guys would be knocking those shots in all day every day in practice,the commentary just builds up the excitement of how great the shots are,and that's there job.

[@johndean4765]

I think Higgins feared Davis as he beat him almost every time.

[@EssexSilvering]

Alex was one of the best snooker players EVER!! No one will ever be like him, .. Peoples champion always will be .. R.I.P

[@theflyinghamster8442]

A true genius at work , there will never be another Alex !

[@danielmartini3229]

is this the frame he called the ball Muhammad Ali?

[@fisnik8072]

Wow what an incredible ability to throw his whole body on a shot while still keeping accuracy. A legend of the game!

[@ssbeebs]

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz pool sucks

[@jungfeller]

He wields the cue like a sword, the controlled violence of that blue is incredible

[@APCSW19]

Wow, one of the all time sporting highlights of my 52 years. The break was such a perfect combination of superb ability, personal expression and sheer guts.

[@paleshelter4002]

You could put 100 of today's pros.. replicating the exact same shots.. maybe 1 or 2 would finish

[@dermot51]

@@paleshelter4002 This was an unrepeatable one off only maybe Ronnie could replicate this and then again maybe he wouldn't be capable.

[@wardy949]

@@dermot51 Ronnie could clear up from there, however he would not do it like this, it looks good as he was potting great, but positional play was very poor, making it look harder than it was - Ronnie (who IMO is the best break builder ever) would have likely taken these, but it would not be a talking point as he would have done it, and it would not look as hard - Look at some clearances Ronnie has made, far harder than this. This one stands out, purely for the fact he never made it easy for himself until he got on the red before the colours, IMO.

[@ezriderzzr7104]

@@paleshelter4002 The only way to replicate that would for them to continually play shit positioning shots, at best Higgins was a good player, but an absolutely disgusting person.

[@ezriderzzr7104]

@@wardy949 Stephen Hendry is without the best break builder, even the top players say that, including Ronnie.

[@marcondesoliveiracavalcant5694]

This guy was a snooker monster! One of the best the world has ever seen play.

[@williamjamieson1029]

Alex no one has ever equal him since

[@PatNetherlander]

This break always makes me smile in remembrance of Alex. RIP. This break as well as that decider between Davis & Taylor will always be etched into my memory clearly as crystal! What a fabulous play indeed!

[@thatwilldonicely1314]

truly astonishing break, did we notice the black Jimmy missed on 41 was virtually identical to the one he missed in the decider against Hendry in the Worlds champs 1994 !

[@flobbingdonkey]

That blue is without doubt one of the most amazing shots ive ever seen under pressure in a snooker match. And easily gets into a top 10 greatest shots ever played.

[@kennethtalbott2233]

it's in the top one.....

[@richardcoffeygeneral]

Several of today's pro players have tried to recreate that "blue shot" , none of them got anywhere near the spin or the final position that Alex achieved. A true one off.

[@kennethtalbott2233]

@@richardcoffeygeneral yeah, i've been watching those vids. unbelievable blue.

[@qui-gonjinn7179]

@@richardcoffeygeneral both ronnie and jimmy did it live on air and managed to get better position by far lol

[@alexanderruppert1705]

@@richardcoffeygeneral lol

[@rajenkasi67]

Till today, this is the greatest ever break I've seen ever. Saw this on vhs video back then. Alex just murdered Jimmy. Extraordinary snooker. RIP great man.

[@plumberman4u]

Till today now. PURE Talent.

[@frankhornby6873]

Murdered Jimmy?...I don't think so!. Stupid comment.....

[@mikehawk9156]

I've seen better breaks by Jimmy and ronny. However the frame scoreline made this one special.

[@caiminlaws7029]

That’s not your real name? MikeHawk (MyKock) hahahah

[@GosWardHen98]

When Alex was just awesome. He had tenacity, the wit, talent & destructive instinct that inspirational shining stars possess. He was, at his best the ultimate player you feared. His emotive irrationality was his downfall. A Marvellous & Outstanding individual if there ever was one. I remember the game & Jimmy flunked his shot, Alex just ate up the canvas. 😊 Magic.

[@ChrisCoombes]

I love the gentle commentary and the restraint of the audience until the end.

[@bonkersbeast]

I wish we still had gentle commentary. Nowadays i have to hit the mute button

[@Fifury161]

Alex Higgins and Jimmy White two of the fastest players, Alex pulling of the more ridiculous shots - you can't tell me those where all flukes. The skill and flair he had around the table

[@huepix]

Oh Jimmy. Was there ever a player that could nail the most difficult shots then miss a regulation one more? Maybe Alex? Both flawed geniuses. Both wonderful to watch.

[@rajenkasi67]

I got a friend record this on vhs video and bring it back to me in Malaysia all those years ago. Snooker was starting to take off here right around then. The whole lot, Tony Meo. Davis, Taylor, Jimmy made a trip to my hometown for a more comical exhibition and it was marvellous!! Then there was me with my cue and all just ready to play some shots. It was tvs pot black that started the craze here. It just took off from there. I was parked in a snooker centre for 15 odd years. Weekdays after work and 12noon onwards on weekends. Miss those snooker loopy days.

[@mickharrison9004]

Jimmy is the biggest genius very shrewd to of course ,that's why he s a multimillionaire even spending plenty on coke .

[@Britonbear]

@@mickharrison9004 Never won the World Championship though and only one UK and one Masters. Talented but not of the top tier of snooker players.

[@mickharrison9004]

@@Britonbear fair enough with that .

[@jacktoddy9783]

A wonderful lift to the soul - such courage shown by Alex. I remebr watching this live and thought - no way! But he did.

[@domesticterrorist483]

Who won the match in the end?

[@billygray2221]

Alex was the main reason I started playing snooker many years ago like many many others I'd presume, purely inspirational

[@ENGBriseB]

Snooker owes so much to Alex Higgins who really was the frist superstar of the game. Followed by Jimmy White.

[@tribeshift]

Considering the pressure he was under and the consequences if he had missed, the blue at 8:00 is one of THE greatest pots in snooker history.

[@carlhartwell7978]

Agreed with both of you, just phenomenal.

[@williamkeery7376]

The Greatest pot in history

[@XrpCookies]

The greatest shot of all time😊

[@HoratioFitzbastard]

That long black wasn't too shabby either.

[@mrganddrlove]

Agreed absolutely brilliant shot, if anything he overscrewed it, he was probably playing for red he potted next into bottom left pocket.

[@thegameisriggednwo1099]

Always the greatest showman alex Higgins.

[@amugen]

I've watched this at least a dozen times since 82 and each time the magic still pours out. I remember I was out when this came on and my mother videoed it for me and said that I had to watch. I am still watching 39 years later.

[@keithmoncaster1905]

A total master of snooker...just amazing....Jimmy & Alex perfection...

[@Whatzzzz999]

Alex: far from a master by modern standards. Just saying.

[@gearoidpthompson5914]

Met the Hurricane many years ago in a Dublin nightclub. He was chatting to my then girlfriend now wife while I was getting drinks at the bar. She hadn't a clue who he was when I landed over. I said Hurricane don't take her way from me and bought him a pint. We had a laugh . He went away and I explained who he was. She was raging she didn't recognise him cos the poor guy was very shaken and beaten up at this stage. Still glad I met him. A legend

[@paulcolville5972]

Like George Best and Ali, still bringing joy so many years after death. Not a bad legacy! RIP Alex Higgins.

[@mickmcdonagh1557]

He was just so watchable you never knew what shot was coming next a real entertainer RIP Alex hurricane higgins

[@scotty193]

These guys back then playing on a table with pockets tighter than a Nuns you know what. Today bucket bags for TV big breaks.................Judd Trump doesnt hold a candle to this pair in their Prime and that era, plus they out their tiny on Coke and alcohol.

[@scotty193]

@Washed up bottle job ROS Yeah I do I drink with Jimmy in Pattaya Thailand and shot Pool often...........

[@scotty193]

@Washed up bottle job ROS laugh all u want the pockets way more snug and clothes no where near grade they now....u talk out your arse

[@scotty193]

@Washed up bottle job ROS I know that and ever shot was a potential wreck........My point is this Hurricane was an excite to watch out his skull on coke an booze............now am not say that is cool..............but as a viewer Trump not even close................Records so what boring player to watch .

[@scotty193]

@Washed up bottle job ROS Dont talk garbage and the clothes then were a disgrace.

[@CueBald]

A cracking frame to watch. Jimmy didn't look like missing at the start. Alex steps in with the most famous break in snooker history. RIP The Hurricane

[@AOMartialArts]

Most famous? 🤔 That's a tough one. Steve Davis is credited with the first ever official 147, and Ronnie has over a dozen, some of which he CALLED at the start of the match.

[@lamnag01]

I have to agree, this was the most intense snooker frame that I remember or will remember until my dying breath.Scintillating

[@mickharrison9004]

Got to be the most watched break ever by the legend ,and the only people's true champion .

[@elijahheyes9061]

The whirlwind was flattened by the hurricane. I doubt if anybody will believe me, but I actually remember watching this frame live on TV in our humble Council house on kentmere drive, Mereside Blackpool. This is the frame that got me hooked on snooker. I proceeded to go to the Commonwealth Snooker club on Central drive, where I paid for my first hour of table light. I didn't have a snooker cue and I was handed a set of balls and a club cue. I was just a kid and this Scottish guy came up to me within a couple of minutes of me trying to place the balls in the right positions on the table. He said I'll play for the light. I didn't know what that meant. I was just a kid and he was perhaps in his late 30s. My first experience playing snooker was pulling balls out of pockets and paying an hourly rate for the table with my paper round money. It never happened again after that. On my second visit, I met a teenage boy called Wayne holmes. He was really good and I mean really good. He was knocking in century breaks, but he also took time out to give me some tuition and he paid half of the light. Whenever I went in the club, he would always go out of his way to say hello to me and if he was practising he would always take time out and let me get on the table with him and give me some tuition. Thank you Wayne.Andrew Cairns was another boy who took time out for me... I never did become a great snooker player, I ended up as an International truck driver and later on a photographer and mixed media artist, but I still love to lean down on the green baize and pot some balls.

[@benmadukgeldim]

when he leans to play, the cue, his body, his arm, how natural and flowless, amazing. his play is some kind of a fluent poet.

[@billysuter]

You see the famous blue in compilations but half the shots under that amount of pressure this late in the game to clinch this vital frame is simply extraordinary, truly great. Unbelievable

[@supremebeing3537]

This will never be done again, ivr seen nearly every great match and break over the last 35 years and still this is on another level.

[@dermot51]

He literally dragged snooker out of the gutter metaphorically if that makes sense and it went right back there when he fucked off, the man WAS snooker.

[@Nu72ral]

Everyone in my family loved Jimmy White, that was the only sporting star we all supported. I cried in so many finals when Jimmy didn't quite make it.

[@jandekker6055]

Very much with you on this. Telling that Jimmy misses a black off its spot to open the door for Alex. Saw that again much later didn’t we😢

[@ThinPicks]

Jimmy was mega talented but always so careless, if he'd have concentrated and taken a bit more time he would have been world champion several times.

[@darenwilliams5858]

I laughed at Jimmy ( the bottler) White . Never had it in him to win the big one . Should have been a milkman instead !

[@ZuluMaximillian]

@@darenwilliams5858 😴 obvious troll 🤡

[@eclectica1]

@@darenwilliams5858 Wow, aren't you quite the jerk.

[@leslauraspurs]

Watched this live as a 12 yr old on the edge of my seat thinking no way he'll pot that to virtually every shot, amazing break.

[@irh1738]

Absolute legend what an epic win and one of the best moments in sporting history by Higgins. Jimmy White also what a legend and the start of his career! Great friendship between the two Higgins was his idol.

[@kevinbeach8915]

RIP Alex was a pleasure to watch you play. I fondly miss your talents.

[@stephenr8615]

On the other hand, notwithstanding his phenomenal potting ability, I really don't like watching him play because of his horrible positional play. If he would just put the white where it needs to be like every other great (Hendry, Ronnie, etc), he wouldn't have had to make these circus shots.

[@Welshwolf62]

@@stephenr8615 you never liked watching him play ? you dont like snooker then, the most entertaning player there has ever been.FACT

[@MattBridger]

The most enigmatic and exciting sports star of my generation. What a player Alex was.

[@IansOddInterests]

Every time I watched Alex he made me nervous...you just never knew when he was going to do one of his full body shots

[@5thnorth]

Iv seen this frame many many time with a smile on my face and a tear in my eye to what we have lost, he sure was the peoples champion.

[@studysleeprelaxmeditate4639]

The Hurricane. One of my all time sporting heroes. Having often stayed up way past my bedtime when I was a kid to watch him, I could feel the tension my whole family felt in those days rising in my chest again. My mam is gone now so I’m doubly sad watching this great artist at work. RIP.

[@richardbird8889]

Alex was the most naturally gifted player ever. Jimmy was not far behind him. The two of them were spectacular to watch.

[@alanmctavish4802]

Thats so true richard bird. Even steve davis said it. Steve said "when i played against alex it was his safety play that i feared the most about him. Becouse he was the best safety player i have played against and it was mostly his brilliant safety play that would get me beat. A remember in the early 1980s me and alex were battling it out for safety play, and on 1 shot i snookerd him really well and he stood looking at all the angles and even walking down to look at the reds but only alex knows what hes looking at and he got out the snooker and snookerd me back? He must of came of about 5 cushions to do that and iam thincking how the hell did he work that shot out, then a snookerd him again and he got out it again and snookerd me back, then on the 3rd shot it snookerd him again and he got out of and this time he put the white ball right on the brown and a thought how the hell did he do that. Then i missesd the red and he cleared up and beat me, then he did again in the next frame i missesd and he cleared up again. This was a snooker genius. i wanted to say to him alex how did you thinck of that shot and then get out it to then snooker me back and off at least 5 cushions. Your eyes wear going every where just watching his escape route and you could never remember exactly how he did it lol you would always miss a cushion some where. And a shock people when a say all this becouse they just thinck hes a brilliant long potter and all the hard screw backs he did. But nup hes safety play was second to none. And he could leave the cue ball right under the baulk cushion 10 times in a row" so if steve davis said it then thats good enough for me!

[@alanrobinson7891]

@@alanmctavish4802 that's it exactly. People can talk shit about him all the want. But the true test of how good is was comes from the guys who played the game with him. And I've never heard a single one say a bad word about Higgins as a snooker player

[@patrickkelly7085]

Between the two of them they won the world title twice in a time when pro snooker players were little better than good club players neither of these two would get in the top sixteen today.

[@josephclift3662]

@@patrickkelly7085 if you're not a troll, you should become one

[@abhishektimalsina7205]

Basically, Alex was Messi of snooker and Jimmy was Cristiano Ronaldo.

[@williambtm1]

I still have feelings for Alex Higgins, I have seen this man play legends and come out smiling. I watched a video of Alex when he was close to his departure from our lives yet he took it on the chin that his time was drawing ever so near. I have played the game but not with the skill and confidence of Alex Higgins. My heart had faltered and I had felt saddened watching this classic clawback by our now deceased friend Alex. It has hurt my memory to again watch Alex at his best.

[@josephclift3662]

❤️

[@p.graham5655]

He died of malnutrition because he couldn't be arsed eating.

[@williambtm1]

@@p.graham5655, I have no cause to doubt your claim of malnutrition, excess alcohol, a man living on his own, possibly kept smoking right to the end. This is the way of many ol farmers in Australia. Mum & Dad have worked a farm all their lives, the son supporting Mum & Dad till they are gone, the son's wife finally leaves her husband; he has become an alcoholic and without the restraints of Mum & Dad. The son finally becomes an aged alcoholic: he has no interest in cooking or meal preparation: his social engagement has always been at the local pub. I live in a small mining town now, so guess what happens to the deceased miners whose wives have died or left them, or who had never married, so have remained single all their lives? This very same beckons for me. Although I cook for myself, usually a mix of meat & vegetables, I seldom drink more than 4-5 stubbies of draught cider per work. A man living on his own will one day die; he will only be discovered missing after a fortnight or so, maybe even longer, more so if he was without friends and social acquaintances. After living on nothing but his memories and achievements, he has since gone to his perdition. Those same memories will soon be no more, for they were from a past life; now as good as gone. As if those thoughts had never been. As some might say... now gone with the wind. One day, somebody will take a look inside old Fred's home & there will be old Fred, just lying there with toadstools growing from his exposed skin surfaces. So go the days of their lives during their latter 60s or 70s. I am now 74 and still have my social contact. My daughter only speaks to her old Pop only when she wants money. The cycle of life for the soul-torn aged males.

[@suburbia2050]

​​@@williambtm1hank you for your calm but thought provoking insight, I enjoyed your warm personal contribution in your main comment too. Far too many salty and people with a chip on their shoulder on here posting Ill thoughts on what was a person's career highlight.

[@mitch3384]

I'd love to be able to see the thought process going on in Alex's head, it must be like a supercomputer working out the best way out of a dicey situation.

[@jameslatimer1432]

Cocaine

[@stevenvitali7404]

Like a hurricane

[@jungfeller]

Like a man swinging a machete as he charges into uncharted jungle. Courageous, fearless, improvisational, and a bit crazy

[@keeperlit.leterrip7722]

He's thinking the sooner I finish this the sooner I get a fag and a beer. LOL

[@StannieDum1]

Great memories. He was constantly running out of position too. Back then, clearances like that to steal a frame were almost unheard of. Today of course, the top players do this regularly. How the game has changed.

[@flappospammo]

Amazing, watch this every few days , still shows what a genius Higgins was , wow

[@crimson_idol]

The shot on the blue may well be the greatest of all time. What a frame too!

[@padraigosullivan9979]

Like watching Seve Ballesteros drive into the rough and bunkers and yet scramble birdie after birdie. He ran out of position so many times, sacrificing position to pot the current ball yet still managed to pot the next one each time. Amazing

[@pyroguitars1296]

That's exactly right. And why Higgins then White were my faves and Seve my favourite golfer.

[@scottlochans4180]

Was lucky enough to see Seve play his first British Open, such a good short game,Alex so naturally good at snooker. Shame, think he died alone and hungry.

[@stevenwinton1194]

The people's champion still to this day he will always remain the greatest of all time I still look back at what Alex did he was a revolutionary of snooker in to the modern era and tomorrow I think all these players today are in debt to Alex I'm a a decent pool player and learnt so much from this Man no one will eclipse the hurricane the dedication in his eyes meant the world to him he would manufacture a clearance with nothing on Alex still the one true genius of snooker

[@stevenwinton1194]

The hurricane was and still is the people's champion I love watching the present day great players but Alex paved the way for all these players he was ahead of his time so creative and inspired what we see in snooker today you are the ultimate legend of the game

[@drdeepakkk]

Higgings the second best player ever to hold the snooker cue … Alex Higgins, Jimmy white n so many greats of the game made the game popular until God decided to play snooker n then Ronnie started playing…. RIP legend Higgins … Love from India 🇮🇳

[@Leekellaway]

No other break makes you want to play the game of snooker quite like this one. Alex was special. RIP. ❤️

[@robbocop33r12]

He is the only player,ever,i remember watching that there was an electricity and energy came out the screen and made me nervous,on edge,and truly taking the ride along with him

[@umultme]

Yep I was there on that Saturday night. He drew us all in touching distance to the screen like he was to the table, feeling every shot in unison.. Never been anyone/thing like him, raw and pure. Moved around that table like he was missing a layer of skin!

[@antoinecringemann]

I stilp wonder how Steve Davis lost to this guy a few times, match fixing goes a long way back I guess.

[@decotronq9054]

@@antoinecringemann apt surname 🤡

[@robbiec582]

@@antoinecringemann it’s called psychology you silly sausage.

[@antoinecringemann]

@@robbiec582 It's called, letting the drunk guy win

[@nortyfiner]

"If you can imagine it, you can do all sorts." - Alex Higgins. This frame is the greatest example of his philosophy.

[@MICKEYISLOWD]

When did Alex say this? It fascinates me because I was learning guitar and I had serious doubts that I could ever play like my hero's. My guitar tutor said the same thing to me which was to imagine myself playing these very fast and difficult musical passages and this combined with a very strict practice regime, I did learn to play like my hero's. Doubt is a very negative emotion and thought process.

[@grahamluna6935]

I remember working as a lounge boy (14) in a pub when Alex was playing on the tv. Talk about silence! He captured the world's imagination. I don't know a player since who had the same charisma.

[@RFED2O]

Nothing been like it since or is there likely to be in our lifetime....the blue alone is surely the single most greatest shot in the history of snooker

[@philgarrett5498]

I remember watching this at the time but I'd forgotten just how fluid and quick Jimmy was. Pity he never won the World Championship his skill deserved.

[@andyjones7213]

He did win the world championship in 1982 beating Ray Readon ??

[@philgarrett5498]

@@andyjones7213 Alex did. Jimmy never did.

[@andyjones7213]

@@philgarrett5498 my bad miss read thought you was on about Alex 🙂

[@damianleah6744]

Seen that blue hundreds of times, insane. Best clearance under pressure of all time.imho.

[@mickmcdonagh1557]

Agree

[@rajenkasi67]

Ditto Damian.

[@kennethtalbott2233]

absolutely.

[@kevinprior3549]

Certainly hard to find anything better or even just as good since.

[@kennethtalbott2233]

@@kevinprior3549 i agree.

[@franm1721]

Magical times,where Magical things happened......Alex was one of those who could make the dream a reality....the pain as gone now may you rest in peace the demons have gone ❤❤

[@omarfarooq5602]

Alex higgins and paul hunter were the reasons why snooker is still loved . The urforgetable legends

[@gimipupo]

Jimmy White was unreal but Alex was something else. I was luckily a teen in the 80's when snooker became massive, for all you young ones watch stuff on Alex Higgins a man of his time. No coach would ever be able to teach that game the way he played it. Always seemed to be in trouble but he literally made that sport. RIP Alex

[@geoffgunner9371]

The blue at 8 minutes in. The greatest snooker shot ever.

[@raveagainstracism]

I remember watching it live and I still wonder how he broke the law of physics.

[@davidlowe4785]

I totally agree. I was only telling a friend in work this morning that I could give You a thousand Jimmy White and Ronnie shots that would be the best ever.....under the Circumstances of The Match that Blue was The Best shot I've ever seen and for it to spin back down to where he hit the cue ball from. Genius.

[@robertocurrlos7470]

I'm confused. Surely there are better shots...and Surely better breaks...

[@Blade4Life76]

​@@robertocurrlos7470 You obviously don't appreciate Alex in his prime. Under the circumstances of miss and he's out of tournement and the amount of out of position shots and the spectacular potting, no other break comes close

[@raveagainstracism]

@@Blade4Life76 you also have to remember that the tables were a lot slower and less responsive.

[@azharaltaf4952]

Alex left you speechless...sometimes there are no words to express class and such skill. God bless him.

[@matimus100]

But no blessings for gay or lesbian snooker players right?

[@religionOFFENDSme]

I’ve played pool many yrs, started playing 3 cushion a lot past couple yrs, but I’m just learning snooker. What a great game. And I’m learning about Alex Higgins. Absolute gem of a man. Sure he had his demons, but from what I been reading he owned his life for better or for worse. I really find him very intriguing and what an amazing player! RIP fella😔

[@stuartgold3602]

Blue into green pocket to come back for the reds from the wrong side of the blue pocket was insane!

[@user-xg4td3gg7e]

The Whirlwind and The Hurricane both had flair. Thanks for the entertainment and memories 😉

[@kevinmeyer6427]

Watched this live during the brief time I lived in England. Pretty sure I was 9. Higgins absolutely took the nation by storm. At first I couldn't understand why people would get so excited about snooker, but with Higgins playing it was impossible not to.

[@robbiegf900akajwalker5]

Just love Alex. Astounding frame. Thank you very much. Cheers.

[@bazsully4205]

Greatest break of all time in the circumstances Alex made snooker what it is today 😎👍🎱

[@philippankhurst6680]

How right you are. Because of Alex Higgins and the players of his era, snooker moved from smoke filled clubrooms with a handful of spectators to international television with audiences in the millions. I saw this match, the 1972 World Championship, as did most of the country. White and Higgins were two of the most exciting sportsmen of all time - in any sport - and for epic drama this match is second only to Davis v Taylor in 1985.

[@megadave1197]

Snooker today is no where near this. This was the golden era the games had tv viewings that rivalled Wimbledon. Everyone watched. Now it doesn’t even make the back page of a newspaper. The game has gone backwards.