Higgins Accuses O'Sullivan of Psychological Warfare with Chalk Choice
John Higgins believes Ronnie O'Sullivan deliberately uses an outdated brand of chalk to put his opponents off their game. Speaking on the Not Another Football Podcast, Higgins described the tactic as 'brutal' and claimed O'Sullivan leverages his superior cue ball control to gain a mental edge.
The controversy revolves around O'Sullivan's refusal to switch to Taom chalk, which is now used by the vast majority of professional players. Taom has largely eliminated 'kicks'—poor contacts between balls causing unexpected angles—and reduces mess on the cloth. O'Sullivan continues to use an older brand that produces more kicks and leaves chalk marks on the table.
Higgins: 'He Does It to Mess with Our Heads'
Higgins, who defeated O'Sullivan 13-12 in the second round of the World Championship at the Crucible this year, experienced the chalk issue firsthand over 25 frames. 'It's a nightmare with kicks,' he said. 'The very last shot, I potted a red and I was just rolling through for the black and I've got a massive kick and I think I shouted “Oh my God” because your head's gone into a jam jar.'
The Scot suggested O'Sullivan's motive is psychological. 'But I think he does it to just put everybody else off when he doesn't need to, but it's just a wee thing in the head because he knows it messes with our heads,' Higgins added.
O'Sullivan's Defense: Better Grip on Cue Ball
Higgins noted that O'Sullivan claims he uses the old chalk because it gives him more grip on the cue ball. 'He says he's tried all the chalk you are using and he feels as if he miscues more. That's what he says,' Higgins recounted. The seven-time world champion reportedly believes he can manage the kicks better than anyone else, giving him an advantage.
'Why wouldn't you take the advantage when you have got a better cue ball control than every other player? So why wouldn't you have that advantage?' Higgins said, explaining O'Sullivan's rationale.
Neil Robertson Calls for Ban on 'Crap' Chalk
Former world champion Neil Robertson was highly critical of O'Sullivan's chalk after his second-round win over Chris Wakelin at the Crucible. 'Ban that crap, please!' Robertson said. 'All the players hate it, it destroys the game. You get kicks, you get bounces. Not only that, it makes an absolute mess of the table.'
Robertson, however, disagreed with Higgins's theory that O'Sullivan uses the chalk to unsettle opponents. 'I don't think he does it to put off anyone, he's not that way inclined at all, but it's not great,' Robertson stated. 'It's hard enough to play Ronnie O'Sullivan, but he's the only player, just about, on tour who uses that chalk. Hopefully they bring in a ban, but there's only a couple of players who use it.'
Impact on the Game and Future Prospects
The chalk debate has sparked wider discussion about fairness and consistency in snooker. Higgins pointed out that O'Sullivan's unique equipment creates an uneven playing field. 'If you're going in at a level playing field, everybody's using the same chalk, no chalk marks, everything, it maybe gives players more chance of beating him,' he said.
As the sport evolves, calls for standardisation grow louder. Whether officials will intervene remains uncertain, but the controversy highlights how even small details can become strategic tools in elite competition.
