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.

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!

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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
  • Different bonuses
  • Cash Out
  • Different payment methods
  • 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. #Advertisement
Rating: 4.9/5
  • High odds
  • Great markets
  • Superb support
  • Welcome offers
New customers only. Min Deposit: £10. First deposit matched up to £10. 1 x wagering at odds of 1.75+ to unlock Free Bet. Debit Card & PayPal deposits only. This offer is valid for 7 days from your new account being registered. Terms apply 18+ | begambleaware.org | 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 | begambleaware.org | gamstop.co.uk | Play Responsibly
Rating: 4.7/5
  • Big range of sport betting options
  • High odds
  • Casino games
  • Poker platform
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 1/5 (1.5) for each selection | Max FreeBet £20 for football only | FreeBet valid for 7 days | FreeBet stake not returned | T&Cs apply | begambleaware.org | gamstop.co.uk
Rating: 4.9/5
  • Wide range of casino games
  • Hundreds of sports betting markets
  • Lots of other betting options like bingo and poker
  • Cash Out option
New customers using Promo Code P30 only, min £10/€10 stake, min odds 1/2, free bets paid as 2 x £15/€15 (30 days expiry), free bet/payment method/player/country restrictions apply. 18+ T&C apply | begambleaware.org | gamstop.co.uk | Play Responsibly
Rating: 4.4/5
  • Excellent promotion package
  • Convenient payments
  • Mobile apps for iOS & Android
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. Real money bets required for Karamba battle. Participants subject to timeout. £1000 Winner cash prize guaranteed. 18+ | | begambleaware.org | gamstop.co.uk
Rating: 4.5/5
  • Variety of sports markets
  • Good odds
  • Mobile apps for Android & iOS
  • Bonuses for existing customers
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. T&Cs apply | begambleaware.org | gamstop.co.uk
Rating: 4.6/5
  • Great selection of sports betting markets
  • Competitive Odds
  • Various Betting Features
  • Android and iOS mobile apps
NEW Significant terms: T&Cs apply. New customers, Deposit & Place a Bet within 7 days, and settle a £10 minimum bet at odds of 4/5 (1.8) or greater, to be credited with 3x £10 free bets: 1 x £10 Horse racing, 1 x £10 Free Bet Builder and 1 x £10 Football. Stake not returned. Opt-in required. 18+ | begambleaware.org | gamstop.co.uk | Play Responsibly
Rating: 4.6/5
  • Great selection of sports markets
  • High-level Odds
  • Casino Games
  • Excellent Betting Features Included
*New members. £10 min deposit & bet on sportsbook, placed & settled at 1.5 min odds within 14 days of sign-up. Register before 17:59 8/04/20022 and after 18.00 9/04/2022. Win part of the E/W bets. 2 non-withdrawable £10 Free Bet Tokens: accept in 7 days, valid for 7 days from acceptance (ex E/Ws & Multiples), stakes not returned. 18+ T&Cs Apply | begambleaware.org | gamstop.co.uk | Play Responsibly
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. | begambleaware.org | gamstop.co.uk
Rating: 4.6/5
  • eSports betting markets
  • Live Casino
  • Mobile apps for Android and iOS
  • Cash out option
New Customers only. Deposit, opt in and place a £5 qualifying bet at odds of 2.00 or greater within 7 days of opening a new account; excludes cashed out bets. Receive 2x £10 Free Sports Bets, valid on set events only at odds 2.00 or greater, expires in 7 days.  Plus a £10 Game Show Bonus, selected games, wager 40x to withdraw a max of £250. PayPal and Card Payments only. Geographical Restrictions and T&Cs Apply. Please Gamble Responsibly. | begambleaware.org | gamstop.co.uk
Rating: 4.6/5
  • Good bonuses
  • Big range of sports betting options
  • Different casino games
  • Mobile apps
New customers only. Min deposit £10. Money back as bonus if first bet loses. Wagering requirements: sportsbook 3x at min. odds of 1.40 (2/5), casino 50x. Unless forfeited the sportsbook bonus must be wagered before using the casino bonus. Bonus expires 7 days after opt-in. No deposit required for NI customers. Call 08081699314 to claim. Full T&Cs apply | 18+ | begambleaware.org | gamstop.co.uk | Play Responsibly
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 | begambleaware.org | gamstop.co.uk | Play Responsibly
Rating: 4.6/5
  • Licensed Brand
  • Easy-to-navigate Platform
  • Excellent Odds
  • Great Betting Products
New customers & 18+ only. Min. deposit of £/€10. Qualifying real money bet of £/€10. Min. odds greater than or equal to 1.50 required. Each way bets excluded. Offer credited within 48 hours. Additional T&Cs apply. | 18+ | begambleaware.org | gamstop.co.uk
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 | begambleaware.org | gamstop.co.uk | Play Responsibly
Rating: 4.5/5
  • Odds promotions
  • Good sports betting
  • Opportunity to watch the games live
New 18+ UK customers only. Register using the promo code WELCOME40, deposit and place first bet of £10+ on Sports (cumulative Evens+) within 7 days of registration. First bet must be on Sports. £30 in Free Bets and £10 in Free Spins (50x20p) credited within 10 hours of bet settlement. Free Bet stakes are not included in any returns. Bonuses have a 7-day expiry. Payment restrictions apply. SMS verification and/or Proof of I.D and address may be required. Full T&Cs apply. | begambleaware.org | gamstop.co.uk | Play Responsibly
Rating: 4.5/5
  • Many betting markets
  • Cash-out option is active
  • Superb website design
  • Fantastic casino section
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+ | begambleaware.org | gamstop.co.uk
Rating: 4.5/5
  • Good welcome offer
  • Active cash-out option
  • Plenty of sports
New bettors get 50% of deposit up to £50; Once per household; Min deposit £15 (no Skrill/Neteller); Wager 8 times deposit + bonus, max qualifying bet equal to initial bonus amount; valid for 60 days; Min odds of 4/5 on singles or 2/5 per acca leg; Some bet types excluded; See full terms; 18+ begambleaware.org | gamstop.co.uk | Play Responsibly
Rating: 4.5/5
  • Reputable and licensed brand
  • Excellent horse racing section
  • Outstanding Club in Central London
  • Good odds
New customers only aged 21+. Minimum deposit £10. Qualifying bet must be placed at odds of evens (2.0) or greater. Get 50% back on first day losses as a free bet up to £50 plus 10 free spins on Reel King, credited within 24 hours. Free Bet and Spins expire in 7 days. T&Cs apply. Please bet responsibly. | begambleaware.org | gamstop.co.uk
Rating: 4.6/5
  • High Odds
  • Good Mobile Apps
  • Reliable Customer Support
  • Quick Payments
18+ New UK+IRE customers. Certain deposits and bet types excl. Min £/€5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 = 4 x /€5 free bets. Free bets valid available to use on selected sportsbook markets only. Free bets valid for 7 days, stake not returned. Rrestrictions + T&Cs apply. | begambleaware.org | gamstop.co.uk | Play Responsibly
Rating: 4.5/5
  • Variety of sport markets
  • eSports and Virtuals in place
  • Cash-out option available
  • Helpful customer support
New Players Only. Minimum £10 qualifying bets, stake not returned. Free bet is a one-time stake of £10, minimum odds of 1.50, 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. Full Terms apply. 18+ | begambleaware.org | gamstop.co.uk
Rating: 4.7/5
  • Licensed bookmaker and casino
  • Trusted brand
  • High odds on sports
  • 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 | begambleaware.org | gamstop.co.uk | Please gamble responsibly
Rating: 4.5/5
  • Competitive Odds
  • Great range of betting markets
  • Exclusive Features like Bet.Battle
  • Various Payment Methods
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+ | begambleaware.org | gamstop.co.uk | Play Responsibly
Rating: 4.5/5
  • Good welcome bonus
  • A ton of sport markets
  • Casino games in place
  • Helpful customer support
New Players Only. Minimum £10 qualifying bets, stake not returned. Free bet is a one-time stake of £30, minimum odds of 2, stake is not returned, maximum Conversion £30, 10X wagering the winnings. Wagering occurs from real balance first. Wagering requirement is calculated on bonus bets only, wagering starts from real funds. Valid for 5 Days from issue. Excluded Skrill deposits. Full Terms apply. 18+ | begambleaware.org | gamstop.co.uk
Rating: 4.5/5
  • Great selection of sports
  • Casino games available
  • Helpful customer support
  • Competitive odds
New customers only. Max one £10 Free bet. Qualifying bets must be placed at odds of 1/1 or greater. Paid as bonus toket with min 4/5 odds req. Skrill, Neteller & PayPal not eligible. Real money bets required. First bet required to opt into next tournament. T&Cs apply. 18+. | begambleaware.org | gamstop.co.uk | Play Responsibly
Rating: 4.5/5
  • Good looking website
  • Great selection of sports
  • Cash-out feature available
  • Helpful customer support
Sig. terms: New customers only. First £10+ (£10 E/W) real money bet at odds of 2.0+ qualifies. £10 free bet credited following bet settlement and to be used on sports. Stake not returned, use within 7 days. begambleaware.org | gamstop.co.uk
Rating: 4.5/5
  • Generous bonuses
  • VIP program for punters
  • Lots of features for Sports & Casino
  • Great payment methods
New Customers only. Max one £10 free bet. Qualifying bets must be placed at odds 1/1 or greater. Paid as bonus token with min 4/5 odds req. Skrill, Neteller & Paypal not eligible. T&CS APPLY. 18+ | begambleaware.org | gamstop.co.uk
Rating: 4.5/5
  • Rich Sports betting section
  • High Odds
  • A lot of betting features
  • Mobile apps
18+ T&C apply | begambleaware.org | Play Responsibly
Rating: 4.5/5
  • Useful and good looking design
  • You can easily get mobile apps for Android & iOS
  • Good promotions including a welcome bonus
Deposit at least £10 to claim £20 free bet credit. Winnings from free bet credit paid into cash balance, minus the free bet credit amount. Match condition for the first three Bet Request received. Any losses from first three Bet Requests covered by free bet credit up to a maximum of £20 in total. | 18+T&C apply | begambleaware.org | gamstop.co.uk |
Rating: 4.5/5
  • Amazing sportsbook
  • Offers a welcome bonus for new customers
  • Provides applications for iOS and Android
FIRST SINGLE & E/W BET ONLY. ODDS OF 1/1 OR GREATER. 4 X £5 BET TOKENS. FREE BET STAKES NOT INCLUDED IN RETURNS. FREE BETS ARE NON WITHDRAWABLE. NO FREE BET EXPIRY. ELIGIBILITY RESTRICTIONS. 18+ T&C apply | begambleaware.org | gamstop.co.uk | Play Responsibly
Rating: 4.4/5
  • Awesome bonus campaign
  • Lots of sports markets
  • Great odds to choose from
New Players Only. Minimum £/€10 qualifying bets, stake not returned. 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. Valif for 7 Days from issue. Excluded Skrill deposits. 18+ T&C apply | begambleaware.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.


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 seven 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 seven 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 1975 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. But it’s not until the 19th century that the game became commercially viable.

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