When I first started learning how to bet on cricket, I soon realized it required more than just luck and mindless predictions. Understanding the game, researching teams and players, and analyzing match conditions are essential for a successful bet.
With time, I got the hang of it, and cricket betting didn’t seem as complicated as I once thought. If you’re new to this sports market, you’re in luck. In this article, I will share all you need to know as a beginner in cricket betting and the best strategy for betting on cricket.
Aspect | Test matches | One Day Internationals (ODIs) | Twenty20 (T20) |
---|---|---|---|
Duration | Up to 5 days | 7–8 hours | Up to 3 hours |
Overs per inning | Unlimited | 50 overs | 20 overs |
Match structure | Two innings per team | One inning per team | One inning per team |
Popular tournaments | The Ashes | ICC Cricket World Cup | T20 World Cup, IPL |
Before I discuss how to bet on cricket, you should know that there are three formats of cricket played at international levels. These formats influence the general match gameplay, and learning how each works helps you place more informed bets. The three cricket formats are:
Cricket test matches are one of the most extended forms of cricket, usually lasting up to five days. The gameplay of this format is pretty simple: each team has two innings (takes a turn to bat), and the team with the most runs and bowls the other out twice wins.
One Day Internationals (ODIs), as the name implies, are played in a day and involve two cricket teams with 11 players each. Each team takes turns to bat and bowl and tries to score as many runs as possible in 50 overs (300 balls) than the other. The team with the most runs wins. However, if both teams score the same, the match is a tie.
The Twenty20 cricket format is the newest addition to cricket gameplay. This game is a short cricket match limited to 20 overs of gameplay lasting 80 minutes per inning. The team that bats first tries to set a high score, while the second team tries to beat that score within their 20 overs.
There’s always something to bet on in a cricket game, which makes this sports market flexible. However, like every other sports betting market, cricket has advantages and disadvantages. Here’s a summary of the pros and cons of betting on cricket:
The cricket sports industry is a broad one, with several betting opportunities. These bet types are related to specific aspects of the match, so you shouldn’t be surprised to find diverse bet options. Here’s a betting guide on some common cricket bets I recommend you familiarize yourself with as a beginner:
In cricket, an outright (winner) bet is pretty simple. This wager is placed on the likely overall winner of the tournament. So, it’s simply betting on the team most likely to win the season. You should know that the outright bet is long-term and is placed before the start of the tournament.
Another betting market you can try out is the over/under bet. This bet involved predicting if a particular statistic, for example, total runs or wickets in the match, would be over or under a specific value. The uniqueness of the over/under bet is that it offers a straightforward betting option without you having to worry about the overall outcome of the match. This is another ideal bet for beginners, which is why I have expensively explained the over/under bet in another reivew.
This bet involves predicting the first ball or first over in a cricket match. The first ball/first over bet is perfect for players seeking immediate bet results, as you see the bet outcome at the beginning of the game.
The inning bet is one of the most common bet options found in sportsbooks. This bet predicts the number of runs a team will score during the initial battling period. However, unlike most bets, you don’t need to predict the exact score but rather if the runs will be above or below a specific number, which makes this bet exciting.
Unlike player performance bets, the team bet focuses on the team’s overall effort during a match or tournament. Some popular bets you’ll find under the team bet market are:
The player bet focuses on the individual player’s performance during the match rather than the overall match result. You can place this bet on different statistics. Common types of player performance bets include:
Cricket prop bets are not directly tied to the outcome of the matches. So, what are prop bets in cricket? These are bets based on performance in the game. There are several elements in cricket matches, so there are tons of prop bets for this market; however, some common options are:
Live or in-play betting is one of the newest innovations in cricket betting. Here’s a summary of in play betting explained. The in-play/live betting features allow you to place bets during the live streams of the cricket games. Live betting offers dynamic experiences as odds and markets change in real time. However, this betting option isn’t always available at all sportsbooks.
As a cricket fan, you’ve got a wide list of betting markets ranging from several tournaments. This sport has several variations; you’re sure to find several betting opportunities. However, if you’re new to the world of cricket, here’s a list of some of the biggest cricket tournaments.
Before placing bets on a cricket game or tournament, there are certain vital factors to consider. While these factors may seem unimportant, they help in placing strategic bets. So before every match, you need to consider the following:
Before placing bets on a cricket team, you need to gather data on the team’s performance and players’ form in previous seasons. Despite being a team sport, each player can influence the result of every match. Therefore, you should analyze the team’s strengths and weaknesses before proceeding with your bet.
The nature of a pitch, as well as weather conditions during a match, play a vital role in every cricket game. Unlike other sports, a cricket pitch must be favorable so that the batsmen and bowlers can have a favorable match. By discovering these conditions, you’ll be able to determine the outcome of a play-off.
What better way to predict the best outcome than carrying out head-to-head statistics on both teams? By finding out who the top players are, you’ll know which player will be the best fielder, which will be the best batsman, who’ll be the best bowler, and who’ll be the most valuable player.
The concept of home advantage cuts across all sports. For cricket players, it is the comfort of playing on a familiar pitch and the cheers from supporters that help boost their morale. However, for away games, the fatigue from traveling long distances and the hostility from the home team’s fans can dampen a team’s spirit. Therefore, betting according to the home or away advantage can influence the outcome of your wager.
To bet and win your cricket predictions, combining research with strategy is your best bet. Thankfully, the key areas of research have been discussed extensively above. So now, it’s time to discuss the strategy for betting on cricket games. After signing up at a bookmaker, here’s how to place strategic cricket bets with increased winning chances:
Without proper guidance, betting on cricket undoubtedly appears complicated. However, as I’ve discussed, like any other bet market, betting on cricket successfully requires combining knowledge and strategy. Once you understand the game format, rules, teams, and players, creating a strategy for betting on cricket becomes easy. So follow the above guidance today to enjoy a more rewarding cricket betting experience.
Cricket betting is placing wagers on a cricket match based on various aspects of the game. These bets could be based on the match’s outcome or the effort of an individual player or team.
To bet on cricket, you need to sign up for a sportsbook with a cricket betting market. After registration, you’ll need to fund your gaming account, select your preferred league, and place your bet.
Yes, you can bet on live cricket matches. Several sportsbooks support in play or live betting features, enabling you to bet on an ongoing cricket game.
Yes, cricket, like any other sports market, is pretty easy to bet on. All you need to do is understand the game rules and the different bet types available.