Beginners Guide to Snooker Betting

What’s better than watching and playing a game of snooker? Well, betting on the sport online is! If you've ever played snooker, then you understand how a lot more goes into the game than merely striking balls and hoping for the best. Skill, strategy, and tact are required if you’re hoping to land the ball in one of the six pockets.

  2. Betting Academy
  3. Snooker Betting Guide
Lucky for you, snooker betting doesn’t need to be as intimidating if you’re armed with the right knowledge. You simply need to understand the ins and outs of the game, familiarize yourself with the rules, and equip yourself with a few snooker betting tips.

In case you’re new to the game, this is the ultimate guide of snooker betting explained. We’re going to unpack all you need to know about the game and inform you of popular snooker betting competitions worth checking out. By the end of the article, you’ll be a pro in all things snooker betting online. Let’s get right into it!

Page Navigation
Page NavigationTOP

Understanding the rules

snooker balls

The game is played with 22 balls. There is one white ball which is also known as the cue ball.

15 of the balls are red, and the remaining six are coloured yellow, green, brown, blue, pink, and black. Each ball is worth a certain number of points as follows:

  • Red – 1
  • Yellow – 2
  • Green – 3
  • Brown – 4
  • Blue – 5
  • Pink – 6
  • Black – 7

Snooker can either be played by two players or more than two sides. Generally, players take turns to hit the balls into any one of the six pockets by striking the white ball with the cue. The goal is to put the red ball in the pocket first, followed by a coloured ball, and the sequence continues. If a player successfully lands a ball into a pocket, he or she has another go.

If a player misses or pots the wrong ball, the opponent takes a shot. Once all red balls are potted, players attempt to pot the remaining balls according to their ascending order of points. The player who has more points wins the frame. The player who wins a set number of frames ultimately wins the match.

Where to find Snooker betting websites?

Rating: 5.0/5
  • Trusted Online Betting Website
  • Licensed by the UKGC
  • Best Sports Betting Features
  • High Odds
New Customers only. Registration required. Bet £10* & Get £30* in Free Bets. Sign up, deposit between £5* and £10* to your account and bet365 will give you three times that value in Free Bets when you place qualifying bets to the same value and they are settled. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits. Min odds/bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. +18 | Terms & Conditions time limits & exclusions apply. | gambleaware.org #Advertisement
Rating: 4.9/5
  • Trusted & Secure Online Betting Site
  • Competitive Sports Betting Odds and Markets
  • Great Range of Casino Games
  • Professional Customer Support
New customers only. This offer is valid for 7 days from your new account being registered. Min Deposit: £10. Free Bet awarded: £10. 1 x £10 must be wagered at odds of 1.75+ to unlock Free Bet. Debit Card deposits only (exclusions apply). Free bet will expire 7 days after the 1st deposit. 18+. gambleaware.org. Bet The Responsible Way. Full Terms apply | gamstop.co.uk
Rating: 4.6/5
  • Fantastic bonuses
  • Good sportsbook
  • Amazing casino games
  • Many payment methods
#ad • +18 Min deposit £10 • A qualifying bet is a ‘real money’ stake of at least £10 • Min odds 1/2 (1.50) • Free Bets credited upon qualifying bet settlement and expire after 7 days • Free Bet stakes not included in returns • Casino Bonus must be claimed within 7 days and expires after 14 days • Bonus valid on selected Casino games only • Bonus wins capped at £500, excluding Jackpot wins • You must wager Bonus amount x40 – this requirement varies by game Full T&Cs apply | begamblingaware | gamstop.co.uk | Play Responsibly
Rating: 4.2/5
  • An amazing sportsbook
  • Superb bonus offers
  • Cash-out feature available
  • Mobile apps
18+ | New Players only | Get up to £50 in FreeBets, an Odds Boost Token, 20 Free Spins and £10 Casino Bonus when you sign up to Sportingbet today. | T&C apply | gambleaware.org | gamstop.co.uk | Play Responsibly
Rating: 4.6/5
  • Extensive sports library
  • High odds
  • Separate apps for sports, casino, and poker
  • Fully legal and licensed
18+ | New UK players only | Min deposit req. £10 | Certain deposit methods excluded | Pace 1 sport bet (3+ selections) } Excl Horse Racing | Min stake £10 | Max stake £20 | Min odds 2/1 (3.0) for each selection | Max FreeBet £20 for football only | FreeBet valid for 7 days | FreeBet stake not returned | T&Cs apply | gambleaware.org | gamstop.co.uk
Rating: 4.9/5
  • Trusted online betting site
  • Great range of Sports Betting markets
  • Top-class Customer service
  • Various Payment methods
18+. Play Safe. From 00:01 on 18.10.2022. ￡30 bonus. New customers using Promo Code R30 only. Minimum ￡10 stake on odds of 1/2 (1.5) or greater on sportsbook (excluding Virtual markets). Further terms apply. #ad T&C apply | gambleaware.org | gamstop.co.uk | Play Responsibly
Rating: 4.3/5
  • Generous welcome pack + Free Spins
  • High-quality games by top suppliers
  • Regular Tournaments & Must-Drop Jackpots
Only available to new verified customers residing in the UK. Place a first ever sports bet (￡10 min. stake; single bets only; min. odds 2/5). Get 2x￡5 in free sports bets, ￡10 in bonus money at Casino and 20 free spins (￡0.10 per spin) on eligible NetEnt Slots. Payment method restrictions apply. T&Cs apply. | 18+ | gambleaware.org | gamstop.co.uk | Play Responsibly
Rating: 4.6/5
  • Great Range of Sports Betting Options
  • Casino Games are Available
  • Generous Welcome Bonus and More Promos
  • Different Sports betting features
18+ T&C apply | gambleaware.org | gamstop.co.uk | Play Responsibly
Rating: 4.4/5
  • Great Sports Betting Coverage
  • Secure Deposits and Withdrawals
  • Enhanced Player Security
  • Various Promotions
New reg only. Claim by placing a min deposit £10 via ‘My Offers’ page within 30 days. 7 days to stake max £10 in-play, min odds 1/1 (2.0). Max. extra winnings £100. Once claimed, 30-day expiry. Cashed out, System & EW bets do not qualify. Other Promotional Play Restrictions Apply. T&Cs apply | 18+ gambleaware.org | gamstop.co.uk | LeoSafePlay
Rating: 4.4/5
  • Trusted & Licensed UK Brand
  • Great Customer Support
  • Competitive Odds
  • Various Sports Betting Features
18+. UK Customers (Excluding NI) only. Cash stakes only. Min £10 stake required for initial £5 free bet. Min odds ½. Max £25 in free bets. Subsequent free bets equal 50% average of each 3 £5 max qualifying bets. 13 settled bets required to receive full £25 free bet. Qualifying bets must be placed on sportsbook within 30 days of opening account. Cashed out bets will not qualify towards your average stake. One free bet offer per customer, household or IP address only. Free bet expires after 7 days. Payment method restrictions apply. 18+. T&Cs apply. | gambleaware.org | gamstop.co.uk
Rating: 4.6/5
  • Good looking website
  • An operator with a long history
  • Great selection of sports
  • Helpful customer support
18+ Eligible UK+IRE players. Paypal & some deposit & bet types excl. Min first £5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 = 4 x £5 free bets. Free bets valid for 7 days, stake not returned. No cashout, restrictions + T&Cs apply. | gambleaware.org | gamstop.co.uk
Rating: 4.6/5
  • Huge amount of promotions
  • Live dealer and casino games
  • VIP program
  • Helpful customer support
New Players Only. Free bet is a one-time stake of €/$/£10, minimum odds of 1.5, stake is not returned. 10X wagering the winnings. Wagering occurs from real balance first. Wagering requirement is calculated on bonus bets only, wagering starts from real funds. Max conversion: €/$/£20. Valid for 7 Days from issue. Excluded Skrill deposits. 18+ T&C apply | gambleaware.org | gamstop.co.uk | Play Responsibly
Rating: 4.6/5
  • Attractive Odds
  • Fun bets available
  • Cash-out feature
18+ | UK new customers only | KYC verified | Min £10 bet | Max £20 free bet (2 x £10) full amount awarded on losing first bet only | Min odds 7/10 (1.70) | Free bet stake not returned | Certain Markets/sports/payment methods restrictions apply | Cashed-out and Bet Builder bets are excluded from this offer | Qualifying bet must be made within 30 days | Free bet valid for 30 days | T&C's apply | gambleaware.org | gamstop.co.uk | Play Responsibly
Rating: 4.5/5
  • Good welcome offer
  • Active cash-out option
  • Plenty of sports
New bettors; Code SPORT; Wager deposit & bonus 8x; Max qualifying bet stake=initial bonus; Valid 60 days; Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply; T&C apply; 18+ gambleaware.org | gamstop.co.uk | Play Responsibly
Rating: 4.5/5
  • Reliable & professional brand
  • UKGC licensed
  • Great betting features
  • Wide variety of horse races
New UK/IE customers only. Sign up and place your first sports bet at odds of Evens (2.0) or greater and if it loses, get a free bet equivalent to 50% of your first bet stake (min £10), to a maximum value of £25, plus 25 free spins on Gold Horsey Winner. Full T&Cs apply.18+ | gambleaware.org | gamstop.co.uk | Play Responsibly
Rating: 4.6/5
  • UKGC Licensed Bookmaker
  • Wide Range of Sports Betting Options
  • Competitive Odds
  • Professional Support
18+ Opt in, bet £10 on football (odds 2.00+). No cash out. Get 6x£5 football free bets at specified odds for set markets, 7 days expiry. Valid from 12:00 UK Time on 25/08/2023. Card payments only. T&Cs apply | gambleaware.org | gamstop.co.uk | Please gamble responsibly
Rating: 4.7/5
  • Trusted & Licensed UK Brand
  • A wide array of promotions
  • Various Sports betting features
  • Various payment options
New customers only. Register with BETFRED50. Deposit £10+ via Debit Card and place first bet £10+ at Evens (2.0)+ on Sports within 7 days to get 3 x £10 in Sports Free Bets & 2 x £10 in Acca Free Bets within 10 hours of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility & payment exclusions apply. Full T&Cs apply. | gambleaware.org | gamstop.co.uk | Play Responsibly
Rating: 4.4/5
  • Licensed bookie
  • A lot of betting features
  • Live betting
  • A ton of payment options
NEW CUSTOMERS ONLY. MAX ONE £10 FREE BET. QUALIFYING BETS MUST BE PLACED AT ODDS OF 1/1 OR GREATER. PAID AS BONUS TOKEN WITH MIN 4/5 ODDS REQ. SKRILL, NETELLER & PAYPAL NOT ELIGIBLE. T&C APPLY. 18+ | gambleaware.org | gamstop.co.uk | Play Responsibly
Rating: 4.4/5
  • Great range of sports betting options
  • Cash out is available
  • Wide array of casino games
New Customers Only. Max one £10 Free bet. Qualifying bets must be placed at odds of 1/1 or greater. Paid as bonus token with min 4/5 odds req. Skrill, Neteller & PayPal not eligible. T&Cs Apply. 18+ gambleaware.org | gamstop.co.uk | Play Responsibly
Rating: 4.4/5
  • Extensive Sports Selection
  • Range of betting features & responsible gambling tools
  • Diversity of slots, table games & Live Casino
  • 24/7 Customer support
New players only. Min deposit £15. Max free bet token amount: £10. 18+ T&C apply | gambleaware.org | gamstop.co.uk | Play Responsibly
Rating: 4.2/5
  • Cash out option is available
  • Modern and stylish approach
  • Huge selection of games from several providers
Bet £10 Get £10 Free Acca Bet | T&Cs apply. New players only. Qualifying bet(s) must have minimum odds of 4.0 and must be settled before triggering free bet. Free Bet must be used on an accumulator with 3 or more selections. 18+ | gambleaware.org | gamstop.co.uk | Play Responsibly
Rating: 4.2/5
  • Slight and easy-to-navigate design
  • Fast and secure payments
  • Welcome sports bonus for the first deposit
  • Live betting & other betting features available
18+ T&C apply | Play Responsibly
Rating: 4.1/5
  • available cash-out option
  • offers live streaming function
  • has apps for iOS and Android
If your account has Sportsbook losses at the end of your first day's betting, QuinnBet will refund 50% of your losses as a Free Bet up to £35 (min 3 bets) Plus 10 Free Spins on Smoking Hot Fruit Stacks. Even if your account is up, you're guaranteed a £5 Free Bet Plus 10 Free Spins provided you place at least 1 bet of £10 or greater at the minimum odds. T&Cs apply | gambleaware.org | gamstop.co.uk | Play Responsibly

Show More

To enjoy snooker betting online, you’ll need to visit a sports betting website offering the sport. We’ll have to warn you that with sports betting on the rise, you’re bound to come across numerous snooker sportsbooks. However, not all sports betting sites will provide you with the best snooker betting opportunities.

As such, you need to look out for certain factors before you pledge allegiance with any site for an ultimate snooker betting experience. The first thing you want to check is if the site is licensed. Next, you want to look if the bookie offers special promotions tailored explicitly for snooker betting fans.

Also, the best betting sites for snooker offer multiple betting markets, the likes of Snooker Outright Betting and Live Snooker Betting. The latter allows you to watch the game or match you bet on live. Ideally, you also want to look for a snooker betting platform that provides players with the best odds, the latest snooker betting tips, updated tournament previews, and engaging debates related to the game.

How to Place a bet on Snooker & Make The Most of It

To place a bet on snooker, you can follow these steps:

  • We have provided you with a list of top-tier snooker betting websites, so pick the most appropriate one.
  • Register with the brand.
  • After logging in, we recommend going over the KYC process and then making a deposit. However, you should be able to add funds to your account even if you haven’t verified it yet.
  • The chance of finding live snooker matches is slim, but there will be at least a few pre-match options. So, go to the sportsbook and check what’s available.
  • Normally, snooker does not offer a lot of markets, so you may only have a couple of options. Compare the odds and pick the one that you feel is best.
  • Once it lands in your betslip, it’s time to place a bet.

Snooker may not offer the same number of options as football, for example, but there are tricks that will allow you to make the most of it. The first one is related to betting on the Outright winner of a given tournament. Some people decide to wager on several players so that they have a better chance of winning.

There are many other tactics that people rely on, but in the end, bettors have to know what they’re doing. That’s why we’ve provided you with a lot of information about the sport.

Which are the most popular competitions?

snooker player

The best snooker betting site also avails several snooker competitions that players can bet on and enjoy. But you need to understand that not all snooker competitions are popular and worth your time. The best tournaments are played on a bigger stage and therefore provide better snooker betting odds. That ultimately means they attract more prize money making them more rewarding for punters.

Also, with significant snooker tournaments, you’re guaranteed a fun and worthwhile gambling experience. That’s because only the best and skilled players are part of the action. Below we’ll briefly outline some of the most famous snooker competitions to watch out for.

Masters

The Masters’ Tournament is deemed the second longest-running competition in the snooker world, after the World Championships. It’s considered one of the most prestigious snooker competitions played by some of the best players in the game. The tournament has been running annually since 1975, and Alexander Palace has been hosting the Masters competition each year.

It’s a strictly by invitation type of tournament. While initially only 10 players were invited to play, the number of invitees increased to 16. Ronnie O’Sullivan holds eight titles of the exclusive tournament since 2021.

World Championship

The World Championship is undoubtedly the mother of all tournaments in the snooker world. To say watching the competition is a thrilling experience is an understatement. Some of the best players in snooker take part in this ranking tournament to give punters an exhilarating experience.

The World Championship snooker tournament is a gruelling affair that ultimately puts a snooker player’s credentials to the test. In short, this is the snooker event that every player wants to win. That doesn’t come as a surprise since ￡500,000 is up for grabs to the tournament champion! For you, that means exciting gameplay and higher snooker betting odds.

Premier League of Snooker

The Premium League of Snooker is a professional non-ranking snooker tournament that started back in 1987 up until 2012. The tournament was played seasonally between mid-September right up to early December. The Premier League of Snooker was also an invitation-only event that accommodated up to 10 players.

This competition doesn’t follow a strict criterion when selecting players. Rather, a combination of popular and up-and-coming players are invited to take part in the competition. The prize fund of this competition was quite sizable where the winner walked away with ￡50,000 and the runner up ￡25,000.

UK Snooker Championship

Avid snooker fans should know that the UK Snooker Championship is one of the most popular professional ranking snooker tournaments not only in England but all over the world. The event garners a lot of attention and coverage and is screened live on BBC. The UK Snooker Championship is held at the Barbican Center in York.

The winner of the exclusive tournament walks away with a staggering ￡200,000, which essentially makes it a competition with high betting odds for punters. Ronnie O’Sullivan has been the winner of the coveted tournament eight times and has been impressively consistent in gameplay. This tournament is only open to UK players and UK passport holders.

Scottish Snooker Open

The Scottish Snooker Open is another professional ranking snooker tournament that punters can watch and bet on. As the name suggests, this tournament is held in Scotland but is open to players from other nations. It started back in 1981 and went through numerous name changes such as the International Open, Matchroom Trophy, and Players Championship. Steve Davis is the tournament’s consistent winner after recording six wins from eight final matches. This tournament is still in full swing, with the actual season’s fixtures and results on display online on various sports betting sites.

Short history and facts

Snooker is believed to have begun in 1875 after being created by Lieutenant Neville Francis Fitzgerald Chamberlain. The Lieutenant was busy playing black pool, a billiards game comprising one black ball and 15 red balls. Chamberlain decided to include other coloured balls in the game, giving birth to Snooker. As for the name, novice cadets studying at the Royal Military Academy were nicknamed “snookers”.

Chamberlain realized that all the players who enjoyed playing this new version of the game he created were snookers, and the name instantly stuck. Shortly after, Chamberlain introduced the game to his friend based in England, who then introduced it back in the UK.

The first snooker competition took place in 1916. It was called the English Amateur competition, while the first professional competition known as the Professional Snooker Competition started in 1927. The competition later became known as the World Snooker Championships. It ran for 15 consecutive years giving way to various tournaments now available.

Final thoughts

Betting on snooker is increasingly becoming popular as the sport gains more coverage. The sport’s increasing popularity also means snooker betting sites are on the rise. Therefore, to enjoy most of your betting experience, we advise you to register with a legit site regulated by reputable gambling authorities.

Before you start betting real money, it pays to familiarize yourself with the rules of the game. Study the game as well as the players involved before placing any bet. Make sure you check their form and past accomplishments. Also, remember that a snooker game takes time, so you’ll need a lot of patience if you decide to bet on the sport. Overall, betting on snooker isn’t too challenging to understand the sport and know the players you’re betting on.

FAQ about Snooker betting

How to bet on Snooker?

There are plenty of betting options in snooker, such as Outright Bets, where you bet on which player will win the tournament, reach the final, win a quarter, or highest break. Or, you can back a player to win a particular match, which is known as Match Betting, among other options.

Who is the best snooker player in the world?

Judd Trump holds the position of the undisputed number one snooker player in the world. Season 2020-2021 he won five ranking events. He was voted the prestigious World Snooker Tour’s Player of the year for three consecutive years.

Who has won the most titles in snooker?

Ronnie O’Sullivan has won the most titles in snooker tournaments, which include the World Snooker Championships, Masters, and UK Championships.

Is snooker betting online fair?

Yes, snooker betting is fair. You just have to ensure you register with a reputable sports betting platform to avoid being ripped off. Sceptics can even watch the match play out live if the sports betting site permits.

Is there In-play betting with snooker?

Yes, several snooker betting sites allow in-play betting. In this case, punters have the opportunity to place a bet in the middle of the game.

Author
Veselin Ignatov
Veselin IgnatovVeselin's primary job is to create unique content, such as reviews and analyses of different bookmakers and other topics from the iGaming industry.