What does playing snooker have to do with investing?

At first glance, not much. Snooker is a game played on a green table with balls and a cue stick. Investing deals with money, charts, stocks, and markets. But beneath the surface, snooker and investing share fascinating, often overlooked similarities.

Both require foresight, patience, discipline, and the rare ability to think not just one move ahead, but several.  For snooker, it isn’t just about sinking a ball into a pocket. It’s about setting yourself up for the next shots. The same goes for investing. The best investors, like the best snooker players, don’t rush. They think carefully. They know when to take a shot, and when to play it safe.

So, let’s break it down. Here’s what the game of snooker can teach us about smart investing.

The Break-Off

Every snooker game starts with a break-off shot. You’re not trying to win with that one shot. You’re just getting started carefully, trying not to make a mistake. If you mess up, your opponent can take advantage.

Same with investing. Your first investment isn’t about making a fortune. It’s about building a strong foundation. You might start with something safe, like Bravewood’s safe investment options or mutual funds. 

The goal is to have a thoughtful beginning that sets you up for success down the line.

Positioning Over Potting

In snooker, potting (sinking) a ball might feel satisfying, but if you leave the cue ball in a bad position, your turn can end in a heartbeat. 

Investing takes a similar approach. It’s not just about picking a good stock. It’s about planning what comes next. Is your investment mix balanced? Are you taking too much risk? Are you thinking long term?

Great investors, like great snooker players, look ahead. They make a series of smart moves, not just one lucky shot.

Safety Play

In snooker, there’s something called a safety shot. Instead of trying to score, you play it safe—making it hard for your opponent to take a good shot.

In investing, this is like holding onto your money or sticking with your current plan instead of always chasing the next big opportunity. The markets are noisy, and it can feel like you have to act. But often, waiting and being patient is the smartest move.

As legendary investor Warren Buffett said, “The stock market is a device for transferring money from the impatient to the patient.”

The Long Frame

Sometimes, a snooker game gets slow. Players take lots of safety shots. It’s not exciting, but it’s part of the game.

Investing can be like that too. The market doesn’t always go up. Sometimes, it moves sideways. Or there’s a recession. These times test your patience.

But the best investors don’t panic. They stay calm, keep investing, and wait for better days.

Cue Ball Control

Ask any good snooker player what’s most important, and they’ll say: cue ball control. It’s not just about potting balls, but about placing the cue ball exactly where you want it.

In investing, this is called risk management. Anyone can make a lucky investment. But smart investors control their risk. They spread their money across different types of investments. They know how much risk they can handle.

If you don’t manage your risk, you might win today—but lose big tomorrow.

Clearing the Table

Sometimes, in snooker, everything lines up. The balls are in a good position. That’s when a player goes for it—clearing the table and winning the game.

In investing, these moments happen too. Maybe the market drops, and you see a great opportunity. If you’ve saved and planned well, this could be the time to invest more.

The Final Black

At the end of a close snooker game, the last ball—the black—can decide everything. One mistake can ruin it all.

In investing, this is like retirement. You’ve spent years saving and investing. Now it’s time to use that money wisely. You need to switch from growing your money to using it carefully—so it lasts.

A messy retirement plan can undo all your hard work. But a smart, calm approach? That’s how you finish strong.

Final Thoughts

In the end, the worlds of investing and Snooker are not loud or fast but entirely of strategy and focus.

Both reward patience and planning. The best players, like the best investors, don’t rush. They think carefully. They stay calm. And they play the long game.

So next time you see a snooker match, pay attention to the thinking behind each shot. Then ask yourself:

Am I investing like a snooker player?

Because in both worlds, the winners aren’t the ones who move the fastest—they’re the ones who plan the furthest.

Bravewood provides Nigerian professionals with low-risk, high-return investment products, licensed by the Central Bank of Nigeria.