Master the Cue: Top Snooker Betting Strategies

As one of the most skilful and strategic cue sports, snooker offers a wealth of opportunities for bettors to enjoy the game on a deeper level. In this guide, we'll explore everything from the fundamental rules of different snooker bets to advanced betting strategies designed to give you an edge in snooker betting. Whether you're a newcomer looking to understand the basics of snooker betting or a seasoned bettor trying to improve your winnings, this guide will equip you with the knowledge and tools needed to navigate the world of snooker betting with confidence. So, cue up, clue up and get ready to learn the art of snooker betting strategies.

In the world of snooker betting, there are a range of different bet types you can place. These are split in to different categories of snooker bet.

Pre-Tournament Bets

This type of bet is placed before a tournament begins. Typical bets include who you think the tournament winner will be (Outright Winner), whether a certain player will reach the final of the tournament (To Reach Final) and whether the winner of the final will be a first-time winner. 

Match Betting

Match bets are typically placed before a match begins, but you can also place In Play bets whilst the match is being played. Typical bets include Match Winner, Total Frames and Handicap Bets.

Frame Betting

These bets cover events that can happen during a specific frame, usually the current or next frame in a match. Typical frame bets include Frame Winner, First Colour Potted and Total Points.

Centuries Betting

Century markets are snooker bets that back players to hit 100+ breaks during a match. Typical century bets include Player Centuries Over/Under, Match Centuries Over/Under and Total Match Centuries. 

Snooker Betting Rules

Snooker odds markets can be confusing if you’re not familiar with the sport, but once you know what each bet means, you’ll be betting with confidence in no time.

Match Winner

This bet is on which player you think will win the match overall.

Example bet: Mark Selby to beat Gary Wilson – 1.33

Match Handicap

In a handicap bet, you are betting on the player chosen to win with either a + or – handicap applied to their final score.

Example bet: Mark Selby to beat Gary Wilson with -2.5 frames handicap – 1.73

Total Frames

This Over/Under bet is on how many total frames you think will be in the entire match.

Example bet: Over 16.5 frames in the Gary Wilson v Mark Selby match – 1.91

Correct Score

You are betting on the exact final score of the snooker match. This type of bet carries some high value odds.

Example bet: Mark Selby to beat Gary Wilson 10-6 – 7.0

Match Centuries Over/Under

With this bet you are predicting how may century breaks both players will achieve in total over the entire match.

Example bet: Over 2.5 centuries in Gary Wilson v Mark Selby match – 1.57      

147 Break in Match

This is a simple yes or no bet predicting whether either player will achieve a maximum 147 break in the match.

Example bet: Yes to a 147 break in Gary Wilson v Mark Selby match – 11.0

Race to X Frames

You are betting on a player to win a certain number of frames before the other player.

Example bet: Mark Selby to win 4 frames before Gary Wilson – 1.44

X Frame Highest Break

With this bet you are backing which player you think will hit the highest break in a certain frame.

Example bet: Mark Selby to hit highest break in Frame 1 – 1.67

Backing the Favourite Accumulator Strategy

This tactic involves consolidating multiple match winner bets, all favourites, onto a single bet slip, consequently increasing the odds with each additional selection. Here's a breakdown of how it works:

• Identify snooker matches featuring a distinct favourite, indicated by relatively low odds.
• Add these favourite match winners onto your bet slip to construct a snooker accumulator bet.
• Keep in mind that, while each added selection boosts the odds, it also increase your associated risk factor.

Hedge Betting

Hedge betting is a strategic approach aimed at mitigating potential losses or enhancing profits. In snooker betting, this strategy works as follows:

• Suppose you've bet on a player to win a tournament, and they progress to the later rounds. At this juncture, you can hedge your initial bet by backing their opponents in subsequent matches. This ensures a return on your investment, regardless of the outcome.
• Assess the potential payouts and the odds associated with your hedged bets to determine the optimal stake amount. By carefully considering these factors, you can effectively manage risk while maximising potential returns.

Value Betting

Value betting involved identifying bets where the odds offered surpass the likelihood of the outcome. To capitalise on value betting in snooker, consider the following strategies:

• Thoroughly research player form, match statistics, and past head-to-head encounters.
• Scrutinise odds across various bookmakers to identify discrepancies.
• Utilise an odds margin tool to evaluate the perceived probability of an outcome and compare it against the odds provided.
• Opt to place bets where the odds provide value, indicating potential opportunities for profit.