The never-ending debate over what is harder – a nine-darter or a 147 break – has been given a new twist after Luke Humphries was backed by snooker legend Stephen Hendry
Stephen Hendry has partially backed Luke Humphries amid a long-running snooker versus darts debate. The dispute over what is tougher – a nine-darter or a maximum break – is rumbling on.
Shaun Murphy has regularly stirred the pot after claiming to have completed the unique treble of a nine-darter and a hole-in-one, as well as several maximum breaks in his top-level snooker career. Murphy and world darts No.1 Humphries clashed over the issue at a charity event involving players from both sports last year.
Humphries said a 147 was tougher for an amateur player, but not so for a pro. He argued: “You don’t play snooker, you don’t play golf, you don’t play darts – you give them a snooker cue, some darts and a golf club…
“I think they’d do the hole-in-one first, the nine-darter second and then the 147 last. I think that would be harder. But to a professional, I think a nine-darter is harder than a 147.”
Overhearing, Murphy jokingly replied: “I didn’t know you were a comedian too.” Humphries then shot back: “What’s funny about that? When you’re a professional, you make it look easy to hit a 147. Stats show it too. In frames and legs of darts, there are more 147s than nine-darters.”
While remaining loyal to snooker, Hendry can see Humphries’ point of view. Speaking on the Snooker Club podcast earlier this year, the seven-time Crucible champion said: “It was Luke Humphries that said it, if you took each sport as a professional… anyone can luck into a hole-in-one but if you’re a professional trying to get one, that’s very, very difficult.
“A darts player, under pressure, trying to get a nine-darter… Obviously, I still think the 147 [is harder], I’m always going to go that way because it’s 36 shots of perfection. But it does bring another argument into it if you say what is the hardest to do as a professional in competition?
In March, Murphy couldn’t resist another subtle dig at darts after hitting a maximum break at the World Open in China, saying: “Maybe we’re just better at what we do, I don’t know. That has been said by some.”
But he added: “In all seriousness, I never really wanted to compare the things. It started with me and [darts commentator and ex-player] Wayne Mardle having a drink, discussing which was more difficult.
“I’m sure there are more things out there more difficult than each other. Listen, I’ve made snooker look very difficult at times. When it goes well, I’m really pleased.”
