Cricket Betting

How Cricket Betting Online works

Cricket betting has gained popularity due to various factors. It is a fast and easy way to make more money. Likewise, the rapid proliferation of online betting sites has fueled cricket betting growth. The cricket gambling market will see more expansion in the future, making it a safe investment option for fans in the Arab world. But how does cricket betting works? Here is how it works and how you can bet on cricket.

Find a Reputable Betting Site

Finding a reputable betting site is not easy. It requires thorough research and evaluation of various things. First, determine whether the site is licensed and controlled by a credible agency or corporation, such as the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA), Curacao, or the UK Gambling Commission.

In addition, look for user reviews online and read their feedback on bonuses, customer support, payment processing, and user experience. Next, check the security measures. For example, evaluate whether the website uses encryption protocols like SSL to protect users’ personal and financial information. Check the betting markets, payment options, and customer support, and ensure the terms and conditions are transparent.

Register Your Account and Place a Bet

Once you have chosen a site based on the criteria above, the next step is to register your account. Almost all sites have the same registration method. You must provide the site with your personal details, such as your first and last name, email, phone number, etc.

You must also agree to the terms and conditions before proceeding to the next step, which is choosing your preferred payment method and currency. Remember, you must verify your account by clicking the confirmation link in your email inbox. Deposit a minimum amount and claim your welcome bonus. So, you can use this amount to place bets on your favorite markets.

Cricket Betting Bonuses and Promotions

Cricket betting sites offer a variety of enticing promotions to attract new users and provide substantial rewards to the loyal ones. These bonuses can substantially boost your bankroll and improve your overall betting experience. However, you must know the wagering requirements; some even have 40x wagering requirements.

Best Cricket Betting Sites with Bonuses For 2024

How to Bet on Cricket?

Betting on cricket involves choosing from a wide variety of wager types. Here are some of the most popular options:

• Match Winner or Moneyline
• Top Batsman/Bowler
• Innings Runs

Match Winner or Moneyline

It is the simplest and most common bet. You choose a team and predict whether it will win the match. Bookmakers assign odds to each cricket team based on their winning probabilities. For example, India might have odds of 1.80 in a match between India and Australia. It means a $10 bet would return $18 if India wins. On the other hand, Australia has odds of 2.20, which means a $10 bet would return $22 if Australia wins.

Top Batsman/Bowler

You predict which cricket player will score the most runs (batter) or take the most wickets (bowler) in the match. Odds vary depending on the player’s reputation, form, and the conditions. For example,  in a game between England and South Africa, you might predict Joe Root (England) as the Top Batsman with an odds of 4.50.

So, a $10 bet would return $45 if Root scores the most runs. Likewise, Kagiso Rabada (South Africa) is the Top Bowler with odds of 5.00. Therefore, a $10 bet would return $50 if Rabada takes the most wickets.

Innings Runs

You bet on the total number of runs a team will score in an inning. Bookmakers set a projected total, and you bet on whether the total will be over or under that mark. For example, during the first innings of a test match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka, the bookmaker might set the total run line at 250.5. You could bet on “Over 250.5” (predicting a high-scoring innings) or “Under 250.5” (predicting a lower-scoring innings).

Popular Cricket Betting Markets

The most popular cricket betting markets that can increase your winning chances are:

• T20 Leagues
• ODIs & T20s
• Test Matches

T20 Leagues

The fast-paced, action-packed nature of Twenty20 cricket has ignited a betting frenzy. Leagues like the Indian Premier League (IPL), Big Bash League (BBL), and Caribbean Premier League (CPL) attract massive betting volumes due to their short duration and unpredictable outcomes. During the IPL, bettors wager heavily on match winners, top run-scorers, and the tournament champion. The tournament’s popularity and the availability of live betting options further increase the excitement.

ODIs and T20s

Matches between national teams always generate significant betting interest, especially during major events like the Cricket World Cup or ICC T20 World Cup. These contests showcase the best talent worldwide, making them attractive for bettors seeking high stakes and diverse wagering options. In an ODI, bettors might wager on the highest opening partnership, the player to score a century, or the total number of sixes hit in the match.

Test Matches

While slower-paced than limited-overs formats, Test matches offer unique betting opportunities. The longer duration allows for wagers on session-by-session outcomes, player milestones (e.g., reaching 50 or 100 runs), and the method of dismissal for specific batters. In a Test match, bettors might predict the team leading after the first day’s play, the number of wickets to fall, or whether a catch or a bowled delivery will dismiss a particular batter.

Betting markets fluctuate based on various factors, including team form, player injuries, pitch conditions, and weather forecasts.

What are Cricket Betting Odds?

Cricket betting odds are statistical representations of the likelihood of a particular event occurring during a cricket match or tournament. They serve three crucial purposes:

• Indicating Probability
• Calculating Payouts
• Revealing Value

Types of Cricket Betting Odds

Decimal Odds

Let me give you an example: India vs. Pakistan T20 match. India’s decimal odds of winning are 1.65. For every $1 you bet on India, you will receive $1.65 back if they win (your $1 stake + $0.65 profit). If you bet $50 on India, your potential return is $50 * 1.65 = $82.50.

Now, look at another example to help you understand decimal odds in cricket betting. England vs. Australia Test match. Draw odds are 3.20. For every $1 you bet on a draw, you will receive $3.20 back if the match ends in a draw (your $1 stake + $2.20 profit). If you bet $25 on a draw, your potential return is $25 * 3.20 = $80.

Fractional Odds

Fractional odds are intuitive for experienced bettors, as they clearly show the potential profit relative to your stake. For example, South Africa vs. New Zealand ODI. Quinton de Kock’s (SA) odds to be Top Batsman are 7/2.

Let’s say you are a big fan of Quinton de Kock, and after analyzing recent player performance and pitch conditions, you feel he has a good chance of scoring the most runs. Fractional odds are a helpful way to assess the potential return on your bet. In this case, for every $2 you bet on de Kock, you’ll receive $7 in profit (plus your $2 stake back) if he achieves it.

Using the formula (stake x numerator) / denominator, if you bet $10 on de Kock, your potential return is ($10 * 7) / 2 = $35.

American Odds

American odds, while less common in cricket betting, are gaining popularity. Positive odds (e.g., +150) show the potential profit on a $100 bet, while negative odds (e.g., -200) indicate the amount you need to bet to win $100.

For instance, if India has +150 odds to win a match, a $100 bet would yield a $150 profit. Conversely, if Australia has -200 odds, you must bet $200 to win $100. Before placing your bets, read online reviews to find reputable bookmakers offering American odds and compare their values to ensure you get the best deal.

Tips for Successful Cricket Betting

The best ways to ensure you have successful bets in cricket are:

• Perform Research and Analysis
• Understand Team Forms and Conditions
• Manage Your Bankroll
• Stay Updated on News and Injuries
• Specialize and Diversify

Perform Research and Analysis

Don’t rely solely on gut feelings or team loyalty. Dig deep into statistics, player form, head-to-head records, and expert analysis. Consider factors like recent performance, batting and bowling averages, and the impact of specific players on team outcomes. Look for patterns in team performance under different conditions. Some teams excel on spinning pitches, while others thrive on bouncy tracks.

For example, before betting on an IPL match between Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings, analyze their head-to-head record at the venue. Likewise, analyze the current form of their key players (e.g., Rohit Sharma for MI, Ravindra Jadeja for CSK).

Understand Team Forms and Conditions

Cricket is highly influenced by momentum and playing conditions. Analyze recent team form, player fitness, and the pitch and weather conditions expected for the match. Pay close attention to toss results. The team winning the toss often has a significant advantage, especially in matches where pitch conditions change drastically throughout the day.

If you are considering a bet on a Test match in England during early spring, anticipate overcast conditions and a pitch favoring swing bowling. Teams with strong seam bowling attacks and experienced batters who can handle swing bowling will likely succeed.

Manage Your Bankroll

Set a reasonable budget for your cricket betting activities and stick to it. Never chase losses, and avoid betting more than you can afford to lose. Consider using a staking plan, such as the Kelly Criterion or flat betting, to manage your bets systematically and maximize your potential returns while minimizing risk.

Let’s say you have a $500 bankroll. Using a flat betting strategy of 5% per bet, you would wager $25 on each bet. Remember, this disciplined approach helps you avoid impulsive decisions and ensures your bankroll can withstand losses.

Stay Updated on News and Injuries

Player injuries, team changes, and other news can significantly impact match outcomes. Stay informed by reliable cricket news sources, social media updates, and expert opinions. Look for “insider” information, such as team training reports or player interviews that might offer insights not readily available to the general public.

For instance, if a key batsman like Virat Kohli is ruled out of an upcoming India match due to injury, it could significantly impact the team’s batting strength and potentially affect the match odds. Staying informed about such developments allows you to adjust your betting strategy accordingly.

Specialize and Diversify

Focus on specific leagues or formats you understand well. While diversifying your bets is beneficial, specializing allows you to develop deeper knowledge and identify valuable betting opportunities more effectively. Explore less popular markets like player props or partnership bets.

If you deeply understand the Big Bash League (BBL), focus your bets on that tournament. You might specialize in predicting individual player performances based on their recent form and the specific match conditions. At the same time, consider diversifying your bets by exploring markets like the highest opening partnership or the method of the first dismissal in a match.

Cricket Betting Strategies

Some of the best cricket betting strategies are:

• Value Betting
• Spread Betting
• In-Play Betting
• Hedging Bets

Value Betting

While stats are essential, delve into the narrative. Is a player returning from injury and likely to be undervalued by the bookies? Has a team changed their batting order, creating a potentially lucrative prop bet opportunity? Cricket is notoriously affected by weather. Has rain been forecast? How does each team’s batting lineup perform on a wet pitch? Identifying these nuances can reveal value bets.

Bookmakers sometimes overreact to a single performance. Did a team lose badly in the last match? They might be undervalued in the next, especially if the loss was due to an anomaly like an unexpected batting collapse.

Spread Betting

Don’t just predict the winner, but by how much. Analyze not just head-to-head records but also average run rates and net run rate (NRR) trends. In certain conditions, the toss is crucial. Consider this in your spread predictions, as it can significantly influence the match’s momentum. As a game starts, spreads can change dramatically. If you spot a team exceeding or falling short of expectations, capitalize on it with live spread bets.

In-Play Betting

Cricket is a game of momentum. If you sense a shift,  a key wicket falling, a flurry of boundaries, etc., act quickly with in-play bets. The first few overs (the Powerplay) are crucial in limited-overs cricket. Bet on the total runs scored in the Powerplay based on the teams’ batting aggression and the bowling conditions.

Hedging Bets

Many bookies offer the option to cash out your bet early. Use this to lock in a profit or minimize losses if a match is not going as you predicted. If unsure of a match outcome, bet on both teams to win or draw. So, this guarantees a return if either outcome occurs, albeit with a smaller potential profit. In addition, if you have bet on a player to score a century, consider hedging by betting on a lower scoring milestone (e.g., 50 runs).