Differences Between 9-Ball Pool and Snooker Betting

While cue sports such as 9-Ball pool and snooker enjoy popularity around the globe, there are subtle differences with respect to the nature of the game as well as the associated betting markets.

Given the ever-growing popularity of 9-Ball pool and snooker, it’s no surprise to see top betting sites providing plenty of wagering opportunities for punters.  

If you’re considering betting on 9-Ball pool or snooker, understanding the key differences between them can help you make more informed decisions and maximize potential returns.

Overview of 9-Ball Pool and Snooker 

9-Ball Pool 

9-Ball pool is a fast-paced game which sees players attempt to ‘pot’ or sink balls following a numerical order. From a betting perspective, many punters argue that luck plays a greater role in the outcome, and when you consider the fast-paced nature and the dependency on the positioning of the ball or break shot, you can understand why.

The break shot is absolutely crucial. It dictates the flow of the game and can give even the so-called weaker players a greater chance of staying relevant in the encounter.

Snooker 

Snooker is played on a bigger table with more balls, a longer cue stick and pockets in the table. 

In snooker there is one cue ball, fifteen red balls, six colored balls and six pockets, with points awarded in a sequence the balls are scored in. 

Pocketing a red ball is one point, and the colored balls have varying points. A yellow ball is worth three points, while brown, blue, pink, and black balls are worth 4, 5, 6 and 7 points, in that order. 

Betting Markets in 9-Ball and Snooker 

9-Ball Pool Betting 

Match winner, the correct score (a race to a specific number of racks), the first player to pot a ball, the total number of racks played in an encounter as well as handicap betting all make up the betting markets often associated with 9-Ball pool. 

Popular bookmakers offer competitive betting on these markets and given its popularity across Europe and North America, punters can enjoy generous odds and occasional promotion.

Snooker Betting  

Snooker, because of its popularity and the number of tournaments played, also boast many betting markets for punters to take advantage of. 

Punters have plenty to choose from. Tournaments are frequent and that bodes well for the creation and availability of many markets. 

An outright winner market is there to choose from, where you predict the winner of a said tournament before its commencement or while it is taking place. 

Frame winner and highest break are some of the other available markets. The betting sites have essentially covered the dynamism of the sport with the plethora of markets. 

Key Differences in Betting Strategies 

Match Duration 

Whilst 9-Ball pool is fast paced and heavily reliant on momentum swings, snooker is far longer and arguably more tactical. Whilst the former is a sprint to a set number of racks, the latter enjoys multiple frames and an identifiable methodology of the players. 

What has this got to do with betting you might ask? 9-Ball pool might be riskier to punt on an outright winner, but the live-in-play options might be profitable given the potential for changes in fortune. Snooker, on the other hand, entertains the idea of form and historical data. Punters are more likely to wager on trends and past performances. 

The (Real) Role of Skill  

We’ve spoken already about the role luck plays in 9-Ball pool. We are not suggesting that there isn’t a level of skill involved – not at all! However, for the purposes of betting, it might pose or demand a different approach. 

Given the impact the break plays in 9-Ball pool, the so-called lower ranked players are never quite out of it. Therefore, in matches which have a short race (in terms of the number of racks required for a win) an upset is rife!

Snooker has less of this sort of deviation, the top players win on a more consistent basis. Through break-building and a tactical depth, the favourite and arguably better player will likely win over a longer period of time.

Tips for Bettors 

To get better value for your wager as a punter, it is important that you familiarize yourself with the specific rules and nuances of each game. 

Doing so will give you a more analytical approach to your betting strategy, which is more advantageous in the long-term, as it saves you from unnecessary losses. 

We advise keenly following the matches and respective tournaments. This will serve you well in making informed betting decisions. 

And as always, we implore you as bettor to gamble responsibly and do so using reputable sites that are licensed for your own safety.