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From simple beginnings as a children’s game to a global juggernaut with millions of fans across every continent, cricket is a sport unlike any other. That fandom includes a significant portion that consider the betting market as an extension of their interest in the sport.
For some, betting on cricket is a daunting prospect. There are so many statistics and numbers that it can be overwhelming, almost as if it is an entirely different language – one that’s made more complicated by cricket’s multiple formats and play styles.
If you’re new to the sport and seeking an easy-to-follow introduction to the cricket betting landscape, look no further. By understanding the odds and how to identify the different factors that can impact the outcome of a match, you’ll find watching live cricket even more entertaining.
The Basics of Cricket Betting
Cricket’s unique structure and varied gameplay formats make the betting landscape different compared to other sports. Each of the three main formats, Test matches, One Day Internationals (ODI) and Twenty 20 (T20) has its own distinct betting markets that are tailored to the gameplay. Understanding the difference between them is the first place to start learning about cricket bets.
How Test, ODI and T20 Formats Affect Betting
Test cricket is the long-form version of the game, and the classic form people think of. Each test spans five days and is traditionally part of a 3-5 test series. One of the most famous cricket series, the Ashes, is a five-test series contested between England and Australia.
ODIs offer faster-paced 50-over matches with aggressive scoring. T20s compact the action into explosive several-hour games with sudden momentum shifts.
Each format of the game requires different analytical approaches, as variables such as pitch condition, weather and player fatigue impact the potential outcome in different ways. The betting market rewards T20 teams that are aggressive and swing the bat with confidence. Conversely, test cricket is a game of patience and working to find an opening.
Understanding Odds and Probability
Odds are the expression of a bookmaker’s view on the likelihood of an event happening against the amount you stand to win if it happens.
Bookmakers express odds in three primary ways:
- Fractional odds (4/1) show the amount that would be won over the original stake. The original stake amount is also returned on top of the winnings.
- Decimal odds show the amount that could be won, including the initial stake.
- Moneyline odds are expressed as a positive or negative number that represents how much would need to be bet to win $100. A negative number indicates a favourite.
For beginners to cricket betting, it is best to work with decimal odds. These are the simplest to calculate what you stand to win. Anybody looking to place frequent bets needs to understand the meaning of probability, as this reveals what odds present the best investment versus the return value.
The Difference Between Pre-Match and Live Betting
In most instances, odds are adjusting constantly during the match. This is most prevalent in games where sudden momentum shifts are common. Quick wickets, aggressive batting and strategic play during powerplay overs have the biggest impact on match odds.
Pre-match betting is driven by team selection, pitch reports and, for many bettors, form heading into the match. In-play betting is driven by on-field action. A mid-order collapse can quickly swing the odds.
Beginners to cricket betting should use pre-match bets and study the game and how in-play odds adjust because making good decisions under heavy time pressure takes experience.
Popular Cricket Betting Markets
Cricket offers bettors dozens of different betting markets, from straightforward match winners and total runs to top player performance and even over-by-over predictions. Anybody looking to bet on the more specific markets should ensure they understand the full mechanics of that market before placing any bets.
Understanding Match Winner Markets
When looking for the most straightforward betting markets, match winner odds are consistently available against all play types. Limited-overs matches tend to only offer winner markets. Test matches, which span multiple days, also include draw options. While there are statistically far fewer draws in modern test cricket than in previous years, it is still a valid betting market.
For newcomers to cricket betting, there are several key points that should be studied before placing any serious bets. These include Duckworth-Lewis adjustments, super overs and abandoned matches.
Individual Performance Bets
While cricket is a team game, players typically have different roles and expectations on their shoulders. Not every player is expected to score a lot of runs, as their contribution to the team comes from other sources, such as bowlers.
Player performance markets look at top batsman or bowler statistics, which look specifically at individual performances and exist independent of the match result. Many bettors study current form and historic performances against specific opponents or grounds.
Beginners to player performance markets should focus on established names whose performances are often more consistent; it’s a lower reward but also a reduced risk.
Team Totals and Phase-Specific Bets
Total runs odds are based on the likelihood that a team will score more than a set number of runs. The odds are influenced by pitch condition and the team’s overall batting depth.
Fall of next wicket bets require quick decisions and are focused on immediate outcomes during specific moments of the match. Similarly, powerplay total markets are another moment-specific bet only applicable during the ‘powerplay’ overs at the start of a match. Partnership bets are also difficult as partnerships are determined by the fall of wickets, and so can only be placed while the game is in progress and could end at any time.
Much like the way someone will play roulette games online, these phase-specific bets are highly unpredictable, particularly in limited-overs games.
Factors That Change the Odds
Numerous factors can influence a cricket match. Pitch conditions, weather patterns, team selection and general match context impact overall probabilities. Understanding these factors, what they are and how they impact the game gives beginners an advantage over casual bettors who only work on rankings and supporter bias.
The Impact of Pitch and Weather
Playing surfaces vary greatly in cricket and can have a significant impact on match odds. Green pitches favour fast bowling, while dusty wickets are more prone to spin and flat grounds tend to produce higher run totals. Teams will keep this in mind when determining the starting team and overall match strategy.
Match day weather significantly impacts odds. Rain delays mean teams can face a reduced overs finish. Seam bowling benefits best from overcast play sessions, while spin is more pronounced on bright sunny days.
Study ground history, average scores and weather patterns before placing bets to better understand match odds.
Why Match Context Matters
While every game is competitive, some carry more weight than others. League matches give more room for experimentation, while must-win games, such as in knockout phases of a competition, carry a weight of expectation and need for solid pressure. Net run rates influence how aggressive a team plays, and conversely, what type of bowling strategy will be used.
Qualified teams might rest players, while teams fighting for qualification rely on star performers.
Why Match Context Matters
Casual bettors treat cricket betting as simple entertainment. While there is no guaranteed strategy to win, anybody looking to play bets is best to approach it as a skill-based analytical exercise. Study the matches and research the teams, the players and the pitches. Be systematic and psychological in the bets you pick and when you make them.
This approach protects bettors, especially beginners, and keeps them from making costly mistakes while building up healthy and sustainable betting habits.
Setting Limits and Staying in Control
Setting a betting budget is the best thing anybody can do, whether they are new to cricket betting or not. Identifying your disposable income and recognizing what you can realistically afford to lose is essential. Even the most well-researched bets are not guaranteed, so losses are to be expected. The key is to not chase a losing streak with bigger bets or emotional decision-making. Every bet should be carefully considered.
Many online platforms allow users to set daily, weekly and monthly spending limits, which also help ensure things never get out of hand.
Cricket betting summed up
Cricket carries a greater degree of complexity than many other team sports, and betting on it takes a measured approach to match. Careful consideration and skill-based analysis are what is needed, as opposed to chasing quick wins. Success means understanding the different markets, how odds are created and the different influences that can impact results along the way.
Anybody interested in wagering on cricket matches needs to be responsible and ensure protective measures are in place before they start.
With a thoughtful approach and proper structure, beginners can safely enter cricket betting markets without being overwhelmed.
