Snooker is a game that fits into the tradition of UK sporting culture, attracting millions of fans from around the world. Given this momentum, more people are seeking out how to have a cheeky flutter on a snooker match, it isn’t just for die-hard fans. If you’d like to know more check out our guide to basic terms, the terminology of snooker bets and how the game works before betting on snooker tournaments.
Snooker betting rules
In snooker, the table is set up with the 15 red balls in a triangle at one end of the table, with the black ball sitting behind the triangle. The pink ball is at the top of the triangle and is worth six points. The black ball is the highest-scoring ball and is worth seven.
As we move up the table, the colours become less valuable. The blue is in the centre of the table and is worth five points, while the yellow, brown and green balls are in a straight line (and worth 2, 3 and 4 points respectively) running across the top quarter of the table.
The game’s purpose is to pot a red, get the point on the board, and then strategically make your way around the table, potting the highest colour you can. You must stay on the table with each successful shot. Ultimately, when your score exceeds the number your opponent could reach, you will win that frame. The World Championship Final takes place over 35 frames, often over several days — especially if it is a tight-knit affair.
How to bet on Snooker tournaments
Snooker tournaments are popular among fans all year round, but a select group of prestigious tournaments catch the attention of even casual viewers. Unsurprisingly, these tournaments see a lot of betting action; here are the big three events in the calendar to watch out for, which are also referred to as the Triple Crown.
The World Championships
Hosted at the world-famous Crucible in Sheffield, UK, the snooker World Championships bring together the absolute best in world snooker. While the Crucible might be the notable home of modern-day snooker, the first Championships took place in 1977. At this time, there were an array of different London-based halls which accommodated the tournament.
Since the switch to Sheffield, the tournament format hasn’t changed. After the mammoth 128-player qualifier, the top 16 qualify for the final tournament. The opening round has fewer frames than the final, initially starting with the best of 19 frames in round one, followed by the best of 25 in the second round and quarterfinals, before 33 in the semi-final and 35 in the deciding round.
Alongside the highest viewing numbers, the World Championships is considered the top tournament as it offers the highest prize money in the business — a nice half a million with a respectable £200,000 for the runner-up.
The Masters
The second of the Triple Crown events, the Masters, is one of the jewels in the snooker calendar. While it’s not technically a ranked event, you’d have a difficult time arguing with any fans or players about the esteem of this tournament that takes place in Alexandra Palace in London every January.
The format of the Masters is more compact than the Worlds; it’s a straight knockout of the 16 invited players, which are usually the top 16 ranked players in the world. Every round consists of smaller games of 11 frames apart from the final, which is the best of 19.
UK Championships
Finally, there’s the UK Championships, which completes the trio of elite competitions. Keeping a lookout for when these tournaments occur is a good start for those who want to know how to bet on snooker. The UK Championships see a flurry of snooker bets, especially as the tournament reaches its conclusion.
The UK Championship format takes a little bit from the Masters by including the top 16 in the world, and throws them into the mix with 16 additional players who have been able to emerge triumphantly from the qualifiers. From this stage, it is a 32-person knockout competition, with every game scheduled as best of 11 frames, other than the final, which is 19, a game format that is identical to the Masters.
Exploring popular snooker betting markets
No snooker betting guide would be complete without covering the top markets and events. The Triple Crown events see the most activity. Although there are plenty of other snooker events that fans will watch throughout the year, there’s no escaping the prestige and popularity of the top three, especially the World Championships.
The same betting markets exist as they do for the Worlds, including the outright winner, winning frame amount and the first player to get a 147. Let’s explore the top markets.
Outright Markets
Place a bet before the action gets started. Aside from the obvious tournament winner, outright markets also include the fastest 147 and who will contest the final. An outright market factors in the duration of the tournament instead of being based on one specific game or frame.
In-play Markets
Just as the name suggests, an in-play market allows bets as the games as happening. Choose the players you think will win individual frames, whether they’ll get a 147 and clean up and how significant the winning margin will be.
Over And Under Markets
Let’s say a game is the best of 19, and it goes down to the final frame. This means there are 37 games in total. You can bet on the number of frames that occur in the game. For example, if Shaun Murphy is playing Ronnie O’Sullivan in a best of 19 game, and you feel Ronnie will win convincingly, you can bet on him to win within 30 games.
Factors to consider when exploring snooker betting opportunities
Snooker bet types consider many variables, and just like any other solo sport or game, a lot depends on the temperament, form or skill of the player who is out there trying to write their name into snooker history.
Why form or temperament?
Momentum is vital in sports, especially in a game like snooker where it’s one person out there on their own; mentality and form are huge. There have been many instances throughout snooker history where underdogs or players thought to be past their best have rewound the years and become victorious again, and a lot of it has to do with form.
Players like Ronnie O’Sullivan definitely fit into this billing, and he’s recently shown that despite being written off numerous times in his career, he still has the temperament and consistency to perform at an elite standard. If a player hits a good vein of form before a World Championship, they can often surpass expectations, but this is just one element to consider.
Statistics
Aside from form, another significant indicator to observe revolves around the quality of a player. Often, you can get a firm idea about the quality of a snooker player by looking at their career stats and how they perform when the pressure and the spotlight is on them. Consistency at an elite level separates the truly great talents from the promising world-level players, and knowing how this looks on paper will help you shape your strategy.
Stats include head-to-head, performance in previous championships and how the player fares against the top-ranked players. Understanding all this doesn’t mean you will have a crystal ball and know how to bet on snooker perfectly, but it does add another layer to your approach.
Final thoughts
If you’re a fan of the game of snooker you’ll understand where the excitement lies, the frames that change everything. Now you have the options available in the betting market you can make the right choices for you, keeping it safe and within your limits.
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Please note that the information provided in this article is for entertainment purposes only. We do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information provided. Any action you take upon the information on this article is strictly at your own risk, and we will not be liable for any losses and damages in connection with the use of our article. We do not encourage gambling and remind you to gamble responsibly.
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