According to BBC Sport, Ronnie O'Sullivan lost his World Snooker Championship last-16 match 13-12 to John Higgins after a noticeable kick affected the decisive frame, prompting Neil Robertson to call for a ban on the chalk O'Sullivan uses. According to BBC Sport, Neil Robertson has called for a ban on Triangle Chalk, which he says is used almost exclusively by Ronnie O'Sullivan on the World Snooker Tour. According to BBC Sport, Robertson said the chalk should be banned from the game and expressed disbelief that its use is permitted.
He added that O'Sullivan is about the only tour player left using that chalk, and expressed hope that a ban would be introduced. In contrast, according to Robertson and other players, almost all professionals now use Taom Chalk, which reduces kicks and leaves no marks on the table. According to critics, Triangle Chalk causes more poor contacts, leading to kicks where the cue ball deviates unexpectedly.
I would prefer to play John so I don't have to contend with the chalk that Ronnie uses, which should be banned from the game.
In O'Sullivan's match against Higgins, BBC Sport reported a noticeable kick in the deciding frame when Higgins was taking a shot on a red, and Higgins reacted with an exclamation. Robertson won his last-16 match 13-7 against Chris Wakelin, according to World Snooker Tour results. According to the World Snooker Tour, there are currently no restrictions on what chalks can be used in events.
A World Snooker Tour spokesperson stated that players currently have free choice on what type of chalk to use. It remains unclear whether the tour will consider banning Triangle Chalk, and O'Sullivan has not yet responded to Robertson's criticism. Robertson's victory over Wakelin sets up a potential quarter-final clash with John Higgins.
I don't know how you are allowed to even use it.
All the players hate it, it just destroys it. You get kicks, bounces and it makes an absolute mess of the table.
I know he [O'Sullivan] is friends with [artist] Damien Hirst, but it's like he is making artwork with the chalk all over the cloth. I don't think he does it to put off anyone, he is not that way inclined at all.
He is about the only player left on tour that uses that chalk - hopefully they bring in a ban.
It is something to bring up. It can really ruin the game and it's not fair for the players who aren't using it.
Shaun Murphy and I would love to see it removed from the face of the Earth.
Even snooker clubs are banning it - it ruins the actual cloth and comes with a health warning label, so why are we using it?
I've had people come up to practice with me and they have brought it and I've said 'you're not using that'.
No pro allows anyone to use Triangle Chalk on their table.
oh my god