Best Snooker Betting Sites in the UK 2024
Not too long ago, another World Snooker Championship concluded at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, with Belgium’s Luca Brecel triumphing in a dramatic encounter against Mark Selby (18-15). If any of you dared to bet not on Ronnie O’Sullivan, who is the favourite in every snooker tournament (including the upcoming 2024 championship) and chose Luca instead, you could have made a decent profit. In this review, we’ll tell cover the best snooker betting sites that are the most engaging and rewarding, and what strategies you can use in snooker betting.
List of Snooker Bookmakers
Best Snooker Betting Sites Review
Bet365 Snooker Betting Site
Bet365 offers a number of popular snooker betting markets including Match Winner, Frame Winner, Points Scored in a Frame, Number of Frames Played, Win (including with a Frame Handicap), Exact Score, Frames Won by a Particular Player, First Red Scorer, First Coloured Ball Scorer, Outrights, and Snooker Specials. With more than 30 bets available per match, bettors have an array of options to choose from.
The platform doesn’t offer a Cash Out option, which might be a disadvantage for some snooker punters.
When it comes to odds, Bet365’s snooker odds might not be the most competitive in the field. For win markets, the margin is usually more than 7% have been observed, while for total markets, the margin is a little higher than 6% on average. These odds are slightly below par compared to other leading online bookmakers.
The live snooker betting experience is quite comprehensive, featuring match handicap by points, frame totals, 50 and 100 break, who will make the break, what the break will be (point spread), the first coloured ball, and whether or not there will be a foul.
William Hill Snooker Betting
William Hill is a renowned snooker betting site that offers an extensive range of betting options, including over 30 bets per snooker match. This makes it an attractive bookie for both new and experienced snooker bettors.
The snooker markets offered by William Hill include Frame Winner, Points Scored in a Frame, Number of Frames Played, Win (including with a Frame Handicap), Exact Score, Frames Won by a Particular Player, First Red Scorer, Outright Scores, and Specials. However, it’s important to note that some snooker bet types might be not available, such as bets on Century and 147 breaks, speed of scoring, and who will be the first to score a coloured ball or some points. The platform does, however, provide a Cash Out option.
The snooker betting odds offered by William Hill are generally quite competitive. For win markets, the average margin is approximately 6%. The same for total markets. While these odds are quite good, they are not the best in the market.
William Hill’s live betting suite is robust, offering more than 30 live markets, including results, handicaps, and totals. The only notable absence is betting on a foul.
Ladbrokes Snooker Bets
Ladbrokes is a reputable bookmaker offering a wide range of betting options. For snooker fans, the platform provides over 25 bets per match, covering several markets that cater to different betting preferences.
The snooker markets at Ladbrokes include Frame Winner, Who Will Pot the 1st Legal Ball in Frame 1, Race to 30 Points in a Frame, Win and Frame Handicap, Correct Score, as many as 5 Outrights, Century and 50-break (sometimes for an individual player), and Specials.
When it comes to margins, the numbers provided for Win markets are approximately 7,08% in average. For Total markets, the margin is approximately 6,47%. While these snooker betting odds are quite reasonable, they are far from the best in the market.
Ladbrokes’ live betting offering all the pre-match snooker betting markets along with Cash Out functionality. This extensive range of live betting options certainly places Ladbrokes as a top contender in the live snooker betting market.
TonyBet Snooker Betting Site
Tonybet is a snooker betting site that, while offering fewer betting options compared to some other platforms, stands out for its brilliant odds. With around 18 bets per match, the selection might seem limited, but it covers some of the primary snooker markets.
The snooker betting markets available on Tonybet include Win, Totals, Handicap, Decisive Frame, and who will make the Biggest Break. However, it’s important to note the absence of a significant number of betting markets, including Outrights. Additionally, the platform doesn’t offer a Cash Out option.
When it comes to odds, Tonybet’s numbers are very impressive. For Win markets, the average margin is approximately 5,26%. For Total markets, the numbers are not so solid, giving an average margin of approximately 7,93%. For the Win markets the odds are among the best snooker betting sites in the market.
As for live betting, it’s worth mentioning that Tonybet doesn’t offer an extensive range of markets.
Best Snooker Betting Apps
The experts at Match.Center assess bookmaker apps not only based on general criteria but also on their technical aspects. You have already seen the list of the best snooker betting sites UK, and in this section, we have gathered the top 5 snooker bookmakers that offer mobile sports betting on snooker and at the same time have the most technically appealing apps.
William Hill
According to Match.Center experts, the William Hill app is among the top five betting apps in the UK. It stands out for its good navigation, speed, and reasonable app size. Additionally, WH receives high ratings on both Google Play and the App Store, with an average score exceeding 4 out of 5.
Bet365
It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that Bet365 has never been particularly strong in website or app design. However, this bookmaker’s app has several advantages inherited from the excellent functionality of the website. Add to that its wide range of betting options, including all the existing betting features today. The main downsides of the betting app for snooker are its unattractive design and considerable size. Nevertheless, its other advantages clearly outweigh these factors, which is why we also gladly recommend this app.
BetVictor
The BetVictor app also ranks among the top five best UK apps according to Match.Center experts. While this sports betting site may not be at the top for snooker betting due to its somewhat limited selection (no more than 10 match bets) and average odds (margin around 6.3-6.5% for snooker), we highlight the app as one of the fastest and most convenient.
Coral
The Coral app is also suitable for snooker betting. Although it lags behind the previous snooker betting sites in terms of speed and external ratings (only 3.2 on the App Store), it is still a good app with an excellent selection of snooker bets — over 40 per match — and features like Cash Out and reasonable odds.
Unibet
The Unibet app closes our top list, albeit with some shortcomings. Technically, the app falls behind the previous four in almost every aspect, so it cannot be called brilliant, but it is an acceptable product. The main advantage of Unibet is its excellent snooker odds, with the margin often not exceeding 6%.
Snooker Betting Odds
In snooker, the odds are usually not the highest. You’ll hardly find a margin below 5%, except for individual matches. On average, the margin for snooker on most snooker betting sites is over 6%, and sometimes over 7%. The margin on totals is usually about 1% higher than on win markets.
We’ve selected a few snooker bookmakers who offer the best odds on snooker.
Bookmaker | Win markets average margin | Total markets average margin |
---|---|---|
Betway | 5.03% | No total markets |
TonyBet | 5.26% | 7.93% |
Bar One Racing | 5.37% | No total markets |
Mr Play | 5.58% | 7.24% |
Unibet | 5.86% | No total markets |
In-Play Snooker Betting
Live betting, also known as in-play betting, is an exciting and dynamic form of wagering where you can place bets while a snooker match is in progress. This offers a unique opportunity to respond to events as they happen, possibly gaining an edge if you’re quick to spot and respond to changing circumstances. In addition, it would be useful to be able to watch live snooker streaming.
Types of Bets
Just like pre-match betting, a variety of snooker bet types are typically available in live snooker betting. These may include:
- Frame Winner
- Match Winner
- Total Points
- Next Player to Score
- Next Colour Potted
- Handicap Betting
- Next Break Score
Strategy for In-Play Betting
In-play betting requires a different approach compared to pre-match betting. Here are a few snooker betting tips:
- Understand the players. Knowing the players’ strengths, weaknesses, and styles can give you an edge in live betting. Some players may start slow but get stronger as the match progresses, while others may tend to lose concentration over time. These tendencies can influence your betting decisions.
- Watch the game. In-play betting is all about reacting to what’s happening in the match. It’s crucial to watch the match closely to spot momentum shifts, snooker player reactions, and other factors that could affect the outcome.
Features of In-Play Betting
- Slow Pace of Play. Snooker matches can be slow-paced, with players taking time to plan their shots. This gives you time to think about your bets and make better decisions.
- Changing Odds. The odds in live betting are constantly changing based on what’s happening in the match. This volatility can create both risks and opportunities.
- Lack of Cash Out. Many snooker betting sites do not offer a Cash Out option for in-play snooker betting. This means you’ll have to wait until the outcome of your snooker bet is decided.
Snooker Betting in a Nutshell
History of Snooker Betting
Snooker originated in the late 19th century by British Army officers in India, combining elements from pyramid and black pool games. The term “snooker” was used to mock inexperienced players, coined by Colonel Sir Neville Chamberlain.
Formal rules were established in 1882, leading to the formation of the Billiards Association and Control Club in 1919.
The first World Snooker Championship was held in 1927 and won by Joe Davis, who dominated the sport with 15 consecutive titles. Snooker gained popularity in the UK, especially in the 1970s and 1980s with televised championships. Notable players like Ray Reardon, Steve Davis, Stephen Hendry, and Ronnie O’Sullivan have made significant contributions.
Today, snooker has a global presence, particularly in the UK, China, and Asia, known for its skill, strategy, and dramatic moments. The World Snooker Championship remains a highly anticipated event, attracting millions of viewers annually.
How To Bet on Snooker
Understanding the player’s Form. When betting, you should consider the snooker player’s recent performance, their play in similar tournaments or venues, and against similar opponents. All of these can give you an idea of how well a snooker player is likely to perform in an upcoming match.
Understanding the psychology of the game. Snooker is as much a mental game as it is a physical one. Consider the player’s mental toughness, their ability to play under pressure, and their history in high-stakes matches.
Understanding the rules. Snooker has a unique scoring system, and understanding it can give you an edge when betting. For instance, knowing when and why a player might opt to take on a difficult pot or play a safety shot can help you predict the flow of a match. Similarly, understanding the importance of the break-off shot and how it can set the tone for a frame can also be useful.
Other factors to consider. There are several other factors that can influence the outcome of a snooker match. These include the player’s history at a particular venue, their head-to-head record against an opponent, and external factors like the crowd and playing conditions.
The unique aspect of live betting on snooker is that the game proceeds rather slowly. Unlike disciplines where everything changes instantly, such as basketball, tennis, or Esports, in snooker you have time to think while the player is contemplating their next decision.
Snooker Betting Terms
Frame. The individual games that make up a match. Each frame begins with all the balls placed in their starting positions and ends when all the balls (except the white) are potted or a player concedes the frame.
Match. A contest between two players consisting of an odd number of frames. The player who wins more than half of the frames is the winner of the match.
Century break. A break of 100 points or more.
Maximum break or 147. The highest possible score in one break in snooker, made by potting 15 reds with 15 blacks for 120 points, followed by potting all six colours for a further 27 points.
Outright betting. Betting on the overall winner of a tournament.
Session betting. In longer matches, betting on the outcome of individual sessions rather than the whole match.
Colored balls. Formally in snooker, almost all the balls are colored. However, according to the rules of the game, the red balls are not considered colored as they each yield one point. The balls of all other colors, except for white, have different point values:
- Yellow – 2
- Green – 3
- Brown – 4
- Blue – 5
- Pink – 6
- Black – 7
Yes, in snooker, the black ball is referred to as colored, while the white ball is not.
Most Popular Snooker Betting Markets
Match Win Bet
Elementary betting on who will win the match.
Total
This is an Over/Under bet. Here you’re predicting whether the total number of frames played in a match will be over or under a given number.
Handicap
Here, you’re betting on who will win the match, but one player is given a hypothetical advantage or disadvantage. For instance, if a player has a -2.5 frame handicap, they must win by at least 3 frames for bets on them to pay out.
Exact score
In this type of bet, you’re predicting the exact scoreline of the match. For example, if you place a snooker bet on a score of 18-15, you only win your bet on snooker if that’s the final score.
Outrights
A bet on the outcome of the snooker tournament. Most of the top snooker betting sites offer bets on the outcome some time before the tournament starts, if it is a major event such as the World Snooker Championship.
Frame winner
This is one of the simplest types of bets in snooker. You’re predicting who will win a particular frame.
First Red
This snooker bet is on which player will pot the first red ball of a frame.
First color
Similar to the above, but here you’re betting on who will pot the first coloured ball (yellow, green, brown, blue, pink, or black) after a red ball in a frame.
Highest Break
Betting on what the maximum break will be. Offered as a range of points, e.g. 100 – 146.
50-break and century
Betting on whether a player will break 50 or 100 (century) points.
147-Break
This is a bet on whether a player will achieve a maximum break (147 points) in a match or tournament. But note that it happens quite rarely.
By the way, it was not until 1955 that the first maximum break was made. It was, of course, by Joe Davis.
Snooker Betting Tips And Strategies
Betting on snooker differs from betting on football, tennis or basketball. This sport is less dynamic and more intellectual in nature. A match can last several days, which is also worth considering: a player may perform poorly in the first session, then rest and outplay the opponent in the second.
The length of matches in the deciding stages of major tournaments rules out randomness in the result of the whole game (for instance, in the World Championships, the final is played over 35 frames, meaning up to 18 victories from one player). Yes, a player can get lucky in a single frame, but not in 18 in a row.
Below are a few more tips that could help you start betting on snooker more successfully.
- Head-to-Head history. Understanding how two players have performed against each other in the past can give you an idea of how a match might play out. Some players might have a psychological edge over others.
- Venue and tournament history. Some players perform better in specific venues or tournaments due to their style of play, comfort level, or past experiences.
- Understanding player styles. Different players have different styles and strategies, which can affect the outcome of a match. Some are more aggressive, like Judd Trump or Ronnie O’Sullivan, others more defensive, like John Higgins or Mark Selby.
- Monitoring player fitness. Snooker requires high levels of concentration and precision, both of which can be affected by a player’s physical and mental health. Keeping track of any publicly available information about a player’s fitness can be helpful. But don’t get too carried away: Shaun Murphy showed outstanding play even when he was very overweight and Mark Allen had the best snooker season of his career last year when he lost a lot of weight.
- The importance of break-building. The capacity to build large breaks consistently is a key factor in winning snooker matches. Pay attention to players’ break-building habits, cue ball control and their highest breaks in recent tournaments. This could help predict outcomes such as ‘Highest Break Score’ or ‘Total Points Scored’.
- Weathering the pressure. Consider a player’s ability to handle pressure, particularly in decisive frames or high-stakes situations. Some players thrive under pressure, while others tend to crumble.
Popular Snooker Tournaments For Betting
At the moment, all major snooker tournaments are far ahead, and the 2023 Snooker World Championship has recently concluded and the snooker season is over. Therefore, it is currently impossible to assess specific betting lines as they have not yet been set. In light of this, when discussing the most prestigious tournaments in the world, we will focus on the overall approach to snooker betting offers and mention several snooker bookmakers with top-quality products. We will also provide some information on outrights, which are already available for betting at many UK bookmakers.
World Championship
The World Snooker Championship is the most prestigious tournament in the world of snooker. It’s been held at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, England since 1977 and is known for its unique atmosphere. The tournament runs over 17 days in late April and early May. The format is longer than most other professional tournaments in World Snooker Tour, which makes it a real test of endurance and concentration. Winning the World Championship is considered the highest achievement in snooker.
World Championship Betting Sites
Masters Snooker
The Masters is another top-ranking tournament and is considered one of the Triple Crown snooker events along with the World Snooker Championship and the UK. Unlike other tournaments, the Masters doesn’t carry ranking points. It’s an invitational event for the top 16 players in the world rankings. The tournament is held in London, usually in January, and is known for its high level of competition. Judd Trump is the previous winner of the 2023 event.
Masters Snooker Betting Sites
UK Championship
The UK Championship is one of snooker’s most prestigious “Triple Crown” events, alongside the World Snooker Championship and the Masters. It was first staged in 1977 and is held annually, usually in late November or early December. The tournament has been based at the Barbican Centre in York since 2011. Last season it was Mark Allen who won the UK.
UK Championship Snooker Betting Sites
Scottish Open
The Scottish Open is a ranking tournament, meaning that performance in the tournament influences a player’s world ranking. The tournament has been a regular fixture on the snooker calendar since the mid-1980s, with a brief hiatus in the 2000s. It’s usually held in December, and has seen many top players lift the trophy.
Scottish Open Betting Sites
English Open
The English Open is one of the Home Nations series tournaments, alongside the Northern Ireland Open, Scottish Open, and Welsh Open. It’s a ranking event open to all professional players. The tournament is typically held in October, and it has a large field, with over 100 players competing in the early rounds.
English Open Betting Sites
Snooker Betting FAQs
What Are The Advantages Of Betting On Snooker Online?
The benefits of online snooker betting are the same as online football betting: fast, convenient, often with Cash Out options, and sometimes with odds boosts. The drawback is that even the best snooker betting sites usually don’t offer specific snooker promotions, but you can still take advantage of the welcome offer and join VIP clubs.
What To Consider When Choosing A Snooker Betting Site?
When choosing the best snooker betting site, there are only a few factors to consider: whether they offer a full range of bets or just the win market (other options are less common), the quality of the odds, and the convenience of using the bookmaker’s website or app. Good snooker odds are when the margin is not more than 6%, and a good betting offer includes at least 20 markets. You can assess all these indicators by reading this review.
Which Snooker Tournaments Are The Most Popular For Betting?
The most popular tournaments for snooker betting are the World Championship, the Masters, and the UK Championship. These snooker events draw the highest level of interest from the snooker online betting community due to the high profile of the players and the extensive media coverage.
What Are The Best Masters Snooker Betting Sites?
After pondering for what felt like an eternity, the experts at Match.Center singled out Ladbrokes, bet365, and Betway for betting on the Masters, but it was not an obvious choice. In Britain, there are many sports betting sites that offer a good snooker betting. You can find the very best snooker betting sites in our selection at the beginning of the review.
Which Bookmakers Have The Best Snooker Betting Apps?
According to our experts’ research, the best betting apps for snooker are provided by William Hill, bet365, BetVictor, Coral, and Unibet.
Which Bookmaker Has The Best Snooker Odds?
The best snooker odds currently are observed at the following bookmakers (in descending order): Betway, TonyBet, Bar One Racing, Mr. Play, and Unibet. The margin on snooker averages from 5% to 6%.
Which Snooker Bookmaker Offers The Best Welcome Bonus?
It is difficult to choose a single best welcome offer as it depends on the player’s preferences. Among the best, in our opinion, are the Welcome bonuses from Bar One Racing (£50 in Free bets), William Hill (£40 in Free bets), bet365 (£30 in Free bets), Unibet (up to £40 money back), Spreadex (£35 in Free bets), and Gatobet (£30 Free bet + 30 free spins).