Stephen Hendry has called for significant changes to snooker rules, reigniting debates over equipment and frame endings. The seven-time world champion weighed in on the controversy surrounding Ronnie O'Sullivan's use of Triangle chalk during the World Championship.
Chalk Controversy Intensifies
O'Sullivan remains one of the few top players using traditional chalk, which critics argue causes kicks and damages the cloth. Neil Robertson, who uses Taom chalk like most professionals, recently called for a ban on Triangle chalk, a stance Hendry supports.
On his Cue Tips show, Hendry said: "That was another big talking point, the chalk — chalk-gate." Comparing his own chalk, he added: "Ronnie using Triangle chalk when everyone else is using this stuff. Stops kicks, stops bounces, there's no marks on the cloth."
Hendry agreed with Robertson's call for a ban, stating: "Neil Robertson actually called for World Snooker to ban it, which I don't disagree with if I'm honest. I think it spoils the game as a spectacle."
The World Snooker Tour has reiterated that players are free to choose their chalk, leaving the issue unresolved.
Ending Frames with Snookers Required
Hendry also advocates for ending frames when a player requires three or four snookers, arguing that the "dead time" harms television viewing. Speaking during the 2023 UK Championship on the BBC, he said: "For you guys, TV, you just know when frames are going to finish and that's it. There's so much dead time, isn't there? Who enjoys watching when someone is three or four snookers ahead?"
Shaun Murphy, who has proposed multiple rule changes, agreed: "I tweeted that last week and got widely abused for it. But I think I am onto something, I mean, the frame is over! Let's rack them up and let's go."
Divided Opinions
Critics note that attacking players like Hendry and Murphy naturally favour such changes. Fellow pundits John Parrott and Ken Doherty disagreed. Parrott said: "Typical, two players who don't know what a snooker looks like want to change the rules!" Doherty quipped: "It's called snooker for a reason, John, isn't it?"
The debate over snookers has long polarised opinion, but the rule remains unchanged. Meanwhile, O'Sullivan and Murphy will compete in the Global Snooker 900 Championship in Reading, where frames last no longer than 15 minutes. Kyren Wilson and Jimmy White are also participating.
