Neil Robertson calls for ban on Triangle Chalk
Neil Robertson has demanded that the traditional Triangle Chalk favoured by Ronnie O’Sullivan be outlawed from professional snooker, insisting fellow competitors despise it and that it creates chaos on the playing surface, reports BritPanorama.
The 2010 world champion expressed his concerns following O’Sullivan’s dramatic 13-12 last-16 exit against John Higgins at the World Championship on Monday. Robertson made it clear that he finds the chalk problematic, stating, “All the players hate it, it just destroys it. You get kicks, bounces and it makes an absolute mess of the table.”
Robertson, who advanced to the quarter-finals by defeating Chris Wakelin 13-7, noted his relief at avoiding a match-up against O’Sullivan and his controversial chalk choice. O’Sullivan remains one of the few professionals on the World Snooker Tour still using the traditional chalk, with most players having switched to Taom Chalk, which is deemed less disruptive.
Critics assert that the older chalk leads to more poor contacts, frequently resulting in ‘kicks’ when the cue ball strikes the object ball, thus often leaving players out of position or causing missed shots entirely. Robertson compared the chalk’s residue to a mess created by an artist, jokingly dubbing the controversy “chalkgate.” He noted, “I know he is friends with Damien Hirst, but it’s like he is making artwork with the chalk all over the cloth,” although he clarified that O’Sullivan does not use it intentionally to unsettle opponents.
During BBC coverage, seven-time world champion Stephen Hendry highlighted that O’Sullivan’s choice leaves marks on the table cushions, causing significant bounces upon contact. Six-time champion Steve Davis elaborated that when Taom Chalk entered the market, it dramatically reduced instances of poor contact caused by chalk residue interfering with cue ball and object ball interactions. Davis said, “Nearly all of the players adopted it because it’s far better,” explaining O’Sullivan simply opts for what he knows.
Higgins acknowledged encountering difficulties with O’Sullivan’s chalk during their match, stating that it makes the pockets seem tighter than they actually are. A spokesperson for the World Snooker Tour confirmed that players are currently free to choose their chalk without restrictions. Robertson went further to assert he does not allow practice partners to use Triangle Chalk on his table, adding that even snooker clubs are banning it due to its damage to the cloth and its health warning label. “Shaun Murphy and I would love to see it removed from the face of the Earth,” he remarked.
As the debate around chalk and its consequences continues, the rivalry and opinions within the sport reflect a broader tension between tradition and the evolution of snooker, underlining how even the smallest choices can ripple through the game.
