Snooker Review

Introduction to Snooker Betting

Snooker is a head-to-head sport which means in most cases there is a definite outcome. Players do withdraw during a match, but this is rare. Bookmakers have rules which determine how to settle bets when there is no finish to a match. There was an explosion in snooker TV coverage in the UK in the 1980s. There was a similar boost in interest in other parts of Europe at the start of the century. This trend coincided with ranking and invitational events shown on live Eurosport, which can be viewed all around Europe. The frame scoring system can be complex, but the match outcome simply depends on which player wins the most frames.

Betting Events

The core professional snooker season runs from September to May. The calendar features ranking tournaments and invitational events. There are now ranking tournaments all around the world whereas in the past they were concentrated in the UK. Players earn ranking points, and there is an ongoing ranking table. The players at the top of the rankings qualify for tournaments automatically. Players further down the standings play qualifiers to earn a place in the main draw of tournaments. The snooker season culminates in the World Championship played in Sheffield in the UK. The event brings together 32 players based on world rankings and qualifying matches. The tournament is the pinnacle of the sport and by far the biggest for betting.

Betting Types

Snooker is typical amongst betting sports because customers can place bets in pre-match, in-play and ante-post markets. Some bookmakers offer the cash out facility for selected tournaments and markets. Cash out betting is available for single and multiple bets.

Snooker Markets

The most popular snooker bet is the two-way match winner. Matches are played over a specific number of frames and the best of this number. For example, in a best of 19 frames match, the first player to win 10 frames progresses to the next round. Correct score betting is more speculative, but bettors can win a decent amount for a small stake. Other popular frame bets are the first colour to be potted, race to 30 points and the total number of points.