Mike Russell 551 Break English billiards Top of the table at its best.

Video taken from a semi final of an IBSF world championship (which I think Mike Russell went on to win). I like to watch the man's mastery of floating white, in particular his ability to use the rescue cannon to maintain the position of his opponent's ball close to the red. This break takes him from being almost 400 points behind to having a reasonable lead which he builds on to win comfortably. Whilst some may say that it is repetitive, I can only wonder at the level of concentration required, and the skill needed to keep the scoring going.

[@mikeyhopkins6021]

Played it a couple of times in a backwater Yorkshire snooker club and my highest break was 12. Exceptionally challenging game; kudos to both these pros.

[@frank-ju4ce]

Any body who says this game is easy wants to try and play it! to control 3 balls is so hard just to get the balls up to the top of the table is hard enough but to keep them there and build a big break is a great achievement.

[@hughmackay5200]

The skill and patience in this game has impressed me no end. I used to think billiards was the poor relation of snooker. It is not.

[@NylonStrings83]

Billiards is like a Mozart symphony snooker is like a violin solo of Mozart pool is like spice girls and 9 ball is like Justin beiber

[@richardbanks1286]

Great game to play, not so great to watch

[@Chucklingsaneman]

Now make a 147. Oh wait ….

[@stukay2803]

I've been playing semi-regularly for 25 years. I've had precisely 3 breaks of 150+ at a handicap that's never been better than +30 for a (200) game. There's a guy playing Number 1 in our comp that ... well he hasn't played in a couple of years cos he's been unwell, but in a (200) game he played off a handicap of -185. It's utterly magic watching him.

[@doosrajawad]

Amazing how little the yellow ball travelled through a 100+ touches

[@bd1zzle]

I’m lost. What’s the rules or point of this? What’s happening and where is the judge placing the ball and why?

[@jdmillar86]

Question from someone who plays poorly: why do the professionals always avoid combinations? Often, it looks like they could score the pot and cannon together quite easily.

[@boffwozere]

I am sure there is a lot of skill involved in positioning the balls et cetera but damn watching paint dry becomes positively riveting after watching this for about 10 minutes

[@AnilAgrawal]

Amazing 🤩 simply amazing 🤩

[@sushrutpandia6764]

No one knows your tellent made 1139, 1125, 1134, 1152, 1312, 1276, thank you for your legand of game simply sansactional. Feeling at top of the table keep faith and honesty highest level trust in your self and make it up for once again ❤❤❤❤❤ I involve in my high standard. Not in my hard time threw. Let's enjoy friends

[@williamedwards1936]

Fantastic display of skill

[@AngrierGorilla]

And the break ended with a bloody kick, damn!

[@5wisher5weet]

22:05

[@mhoppy6639]

There’s something really strangely compelling about this. It’s trying to anticipate the shot that they’ll play and getting it (consistently ) wrong that is most fun. Cannons take real skill and they always leave on a pot or an inoff

[@dannymiles6503]

Incredible skill and discipline. How many times can u pot red off its spot before it goes on (blue?). Is it one or 2? Snookers my game and i believe he is capable of a century with his skill.

[@adrianwright8685]

21:36

[@kshgarg1]

3:52