How to Bet on Snooker
Snooker betting has become increasingly popular as the intricacies of the game, as well as the ability of players to master the art of precision under pressure, continue to captivate connoisseurs around the world. The 1985 World Championship final was watched by 18.5 million people in Britain alone and the game has now gone well and truly global, with regular tournaments throughout the year which can all be followed closely and bet on.
Where to Bet on Snooker
The following online sportsbooks feature snooker betting in detail and offer lots of exciting markets:
Common Bets
The beauty of a snooker tournament is how many matches there are to enjoy as a large field of competitors is whittled down to one winner. The most common snooker bets are on who will win a match or who will go on to be crowned champion of the whole competition, but there are plenty of other options available for avid fans.
There are sometimes handicaps when one player is a clear favourite, giving the other participant a specified advantage in terms of frames. Other bets include predicting the correct score, who will rack up the highest break, the number of centuries and which player will be the first to reach a certain number of frames, while there are also some wagers which are closer to a 50-50 chance, like who will pot the first ball in a frame. In-play, it is also possible to back the winner of either a current frame or the next one to be played.
Aside from individual matches, customers can back who they think will score the top break in a tournament or whether anyone will get a maximum 147. Punters can also try and name the finalists in advance, predict the nationality of the champion or pick who they think will come through a particular section of the draw.
Tips and Strategy
The strength and depth in modern snooker is exciting in that lower-ranked players can claim some notable scalps, making it a betting world that has some great opportunities but also needs to be approached with care. The key is to spot when a player clicks into top gear or suddenly starts to struggle, so it is a good idea to monitor performances over a few matches and not only note their results but also how frequently they are knocking in frame-winning breaks. It may be that one player is not a household name but they have scored a number of centuries in each of their last two matches, and so could be worth having a flutter on.
Following qualifiers and minor events will help to develop an understanding of the game, while close scrutiny of the draw in a tournament will allow customers to see gaps where an unfancied player could sneak through. Lay betting can also be an effective strategy in snooker, as matches often turn around quite quickly and odds shift suddenly, making it more appealing to bet against a favourite when the odds are favourable.