The most frenetic snooker event of the calendar is set to kick off at the Swansea Arena today. With the Snooker Shoot Out presenting matches of only 10 minutes, governed by a shot clock set at 15 seconds for the initial five minutes, an animated Swansea crowd will be fully invested in the excitement and drama of the 2023 edition of this single-frame snooker spectacle.
This, however, is not the first Snooker Shootout we’ve had in 2023. It’s the second round this year, with the tournament finding a new spot on the calendar in December. Chris Wakelin emerged victorious in January and now he’s up for his title defence against Pang Junxu. Is Wakelin likely to be the top pick again for the December edition of Snooker Shootout 2023?
We will assess the top odds for the Snooker Shootout 2023 and identify the most favourable bets for the competition before it begins later today on the south coast of Wales.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: December 6th, 5:00 A.M. (GMT)
Even though Ronnie O’Sullivan, Mark Selby, Judd Trump, and Luca Brecel have chosen not to pick up the cue in Swansea, the Snooker Shoot Out 2023 will bring together a host of high-profile names in the scene.
The most recent odds from bookmaker bet365 position Mark Allen, Mark Williams, and Shaun Murphy as the leading favourites for this event, returning 26.00. Surprisingly, the defending champion, Chris Wakelin, isn’t favoured, potentially due to the competition’s past trends. With no player having won the Snooker Shootout more than once, oddsmakers are confident that the 14th edition of the tournament will also produce a 14th different champion.
If you’re seeking more daring alternatives, Gary Wilson emerges as a potential option. Having secured his maiden ranking title at the Scottish Open last season, the Tyneside Terror is a formidable title contender in any competition. With odds set at 51.00, backing him in Wales could yield lucrative returns.
Elliot Slessor is also an excellent choice beyond the conventional picks. The 29-year-old has reached the semi-finals of two ranked events in his career. Considering the remarkably unpredictable nature of the Snooker Shoot Out, it wouldn’t be inconceivable for him to lift the trophy on December 9.
Although Slessor faced defeats in the first round of the last two ranking events, he encountered Kyren Wilson in the International Championship and then pushed the in-form Zhang Anda to a final frame in the opening round of last week’s UK Championship. At 67.00, Slessor is a tempting high-risk, high-reward option.
