If you have made several successful bets on 22Bet and are wondering which sport to bet on next, read about betting on billiards.
Billiards is not just a casual bar game but a full-fledged international sport with a long history, a variety of disciplines, and world-class championships. In recent decades, billiards has been gaining increasing attention not only from players but also from betting enthusiasts, offering a unique approach to predicting outcomes.
Billiards as an International Sport
Billiards is a collective term for numerous games involving cues, balls, and specialized tables. With a history spanning centuries, it is widely popular across various countries, particularly in Europe, the United States, and Asia. Competitive billiards features numerous international tournaments, including world championships, events under the auspices of the World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA), the World Snooker Tour, and national championships.
The popularity of billiards as a sport is due to its spectacle, strategic depth, and the high level of precision and concentration required from players. Professional athletes spend years honing their skills, and their matches attract millions of viewers and fans.
Main Types of Billiards
There are several major varieties of billiards, each with its own rules and unique characteristics:
Pool
The most widespread form of billiards globally, consisting of several variations:
- 8-ball – The most popular version, where players break a rack of 15 balls and must pocket either the “striped” or “solid” balls before sinking the black 8-ball to win.
- 9-ball – A fast-paced game using only 9 balls, where shots must be played in numerical order from the lowest-numbered ball on the table.
- Straight Pool – A classic version in which players earn points for each ball pocketed.
Snooker
One of the most complex and strategic forms of billiards, particularly popular in the UK and Asia. Snooker is played with 22 balls (red and colored), and players score points by alternating between potting red and colored balls in a specific sequence.
How Billiards Betting Differs from Other Sports Betting
Billiards betting has several distinguishing features compared to other types of sports betting:
Individual Nature of the Game
Unlike team sports (such as football or basketball), billiards outcomes depend solely on one player. There are no team-related uncertainties, key player injuries, or weather conditions, making game analysis more predictable.
Strategic Depth
Billiards is not just a game of luck; it is a battle of strategy. Players exhibit different playstyles—some favor aggressive tactics, while others prefer a cautious approach with defensive shots. Understanding a player’s style helps make accurate predictions.
Tournament Formats and Scoring Systems
Different billiards disciplines have unique scoring systems and match formats. For instance, a single snooker frame can last over an hour, whereas a 9-ball pool game may be completed in just a few minutes. This variation affects betting strategies.
Lack of Clear Favorites
Unlike football or tennis, where top-ranked athletes consistently dominate, billiards allows lower-ranked players to defeat favorites due to well-executed shots or an opponent’s mistake.
Popular Billiards Betting Markets
- Match Winner – A straightforward bet on the winner of a match.
- Correct Score – Particularly relevant for games with a fixed number of frames (e.g., first to five wins).
- Totals – Betting on the total number of frames or points in a match.
- Handicap Betting – A points or frames advantage given to balance the odds.
- Live Betting – Popular due to the game’s dynamic nature, allowing bettors to assess a player’s form in real-time.
Conclusion
Billiards is a complex, intellectual, and strategic sport that has long transcended casual entertainment to become a serious global competition. Betting on billiards differs from other sports betting due to its individual nature, strategic intricacies, and lack of clear favorites. To make successful predictions, it is crucial to understand the discipline’s rules, analyze player styles, and consider the tournament format.
Thanks to its uniqueness and entertainment value, billiards continues to grow in popularity among fans and players, remaining one of the most exciting sports for betting.