Shaun Murphy Proposes Spotted Cue Ball to Enhance Snooker Viewing

Snooker star Shaun Murphy has proposed a significant change to the rules of the sport that he believes could enhance the viewing experience for fans. The 2025 Masters champion, who is enjoying a resurgence in his career while also engaging in media work, hosts a YouTube series called "In the Frame" where he teaches viewers different snooker skills.

In his videos, Murphy has been using a spotted cue ball, which he claims helps his audience better understand the shots he is taking. This experience has given him an idea for a potential rule change in professional snooker tournaments.

Murphy explained, "You guys are loving seeing the spin, how the spin manipulates the cue ball and what it's actually doing. It's great that you can see it with one of these." He went on to suggest that using a spotted cue ball in tournament play could be beneficial, as it would allow spectators to see the intricacies of the shots being played.

The world No. 10 pointed out that snooker is currently the only cue sport that does not use a spotted cue ball, with billiards and nine-ball already employing this feature. "Maybe it's time that snooker moved on, just so you guys can see what's happening," he added.

Murphy's proposal comes amidst a successful season for him, having recently won The Masters in January. Following this victory, he decided to step down from his role as World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association players chairman, a position he had held since May 2023.

The snooker community has yet to respond to Murphy's suggestion, but his idea has the potential to spark a debate about the future of the sport and how it can evolve to better engage with its audience.

Key Takeaway:
Shaun Murphy, a prominent snooker player and recent Masters champion, has proposed the introduction of a spotted cue ball in professional snooker tournaments. He believes this change could improve the viewing experience for fans by allowing them to better understand the spin and manipulation of the cue ball during shots. While the snooker community has not yet responded to this suggestion, it could potentially lead to discussions about the evolution of the sport and how it can better connect with its audience.