Cricket Betting: How To Bet And Win — Tips

Listen to this article

Despite regulatory restrictions, the betting and gambling market in India has experienced substantial growth. According to a report by India Change Forum, the Indian betting market, combining both online and offline activities, boasts a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 7% from 2012 to 2018. Cricket betting is a dominant force in this market, with an estimated USD 200 million wagered on each Indian cricket One-Day International match. On a global scale, the sports betting market is flourishing, reaching a valuation of USD 70.23 billion in 2021 and anticipating a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 11.7% over the last decade. Contributing factors to this growth include the expansion of digital infrastructure and increased smartphone usage.

Cricket stands out as the frontrunner in the sports betting landscape in India, accounting for a significant portion of the market. Approximately 80% to 90% of sports betting revenues in India are attributed to cricket, showcasing the sport’s immense popularity in betting circles. The cricket betting industry is projected to surpass $2 billion by the end of 2023, underlining the substantial economic impact of this sector. Notably, during major events such as the Indian Premier League (IPL), the report indicates that a staggering 340 million Indians actively participate in betting, underscoring the widespread engagement with cricket betting during high-profile tournaments.

Is Online Betting On Cricket Is Legal In India?

Cricket betting in India exists in a legal grey area, with varying regulations across states. The Public Gambling Act of 1867 is the central law dealing with betting, but it doesn’t explicitly declare online betting legal or illegal. 

The constitution designates gambling as a state subject, allowing states to formulate their regulations. Offline casinos are legal in Goa, Daman, and Sikkim, while online domestic casinos are permitted in Sikkim and Meghalaya with valid licenses. 

However, they are illegal elsewhere. Offshore casinos and online betting sites are generally not prohibited, except in Tamil Nadu and Telangana. 

The Reserve Bank of India has introduced FDI policies to regulate the flow of money for betting and gambling activities but doesn’t explicitly cover offshore betting sites. Therefore, engaging in online betting on platforms (like the 4 RaBet Download App for PC) is theoretically permissible, as there is no concrete RBI policy explicitly stating online betting is illegal in India. The lack of clear regulations has led to ambiguity, leaving potential bettors uncertain about the legal status of online cricket betting in India.

Cricket Formats & Rules

Cricket is a bat-and-ball sport that is played between two teams, typically consisting of 11 players each. There are three main formats of cricket, each with its own set of rules and characteristics. 

Characteristic	Test Cricket	One Day Internationals (ODIs)	Twenty20 (T20)
Duration	Up to 5 days	Approximately 8 hours	Approximately 3 hours
Overs per Inning	No limit	Typically 50 overs	20 overs
Attire	White clothing	Colored clothing	Colored clothing
Ball Color	Red	White	White
Fielding Restrictions	None	Powerplays and fielding	Powerplays and fielding
		restrictions apply	restrictions apply
Strategic Aspects	Emphasis on strategy and	Balancing aggressive batting	Fast-paced, aggressive
	endurance. Teams must perform	with disciplined bowling.	batting and dynamic bowling.
	well in both batting and		Power-hitting is crucial.

Each format has its appeal, and players often specialize in one or more formats based on their skills and preferences. International cricket features all three formats, providing a diverse and engaging experience for players and fans alike.

National Indian Cricket Leagues

The major cricket leagues in India include:

• Indian Premier League (IPL): The IPL is the most prominent and widely followed T20 cricket league in India. It typically takes place annually, featuring franchise teams representing different cities or regions. Players from around the world participate, making it a highly popular and competitive league.
• Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy: This is the premier domestic T20 cricket competition in India. It involves state teams and serves as a platform for players to showcase their T20 skills, aiming for selection in the IPL and the national T20 side.
• Ranji Trophy: The Ranji Trophy is the premier first-class cricket competition in India, played among regional teams. It has a long history and is considered a vital tournament for players to prove their mettle in longer-format cricket.
• Vijay Hazare Trophy: This is the premier one-day domestic cricket competition in India. It features state teams competing in 50-over matches, and its importance has grown as players vie for spots in the national ODI team.

Leagues In Other Countries, Which Popular To Bet In India

The Big Bash League (BBL) is a highly regarded cricket tournament in Australia, recognized for its dynamic T20 format and entertaining style of play. Comprising city-based teams, the BBL is renowned for its fast-paced matches that captivate cricket enthusiasts. The tournament features top-tier domestic and international players, contributing to its popularity among fans and bettors alike. The BBL has become a significant platform for online betting on cricket, offering a plethora of opportunities for individuals to engage in wagering on match outcomes, player performances, and various other betting markets. With its festive atmosphere and thrilling cricket action, the Big Bash League remains a key fixture in the global cricket calendar, attracting widespread attention and participation in the realm of online betting on cricket in India.

The Pakistan Super League (PSL) stands as a riveting cricket tournament hosted in Pakistan, showcasing both domestic talent and international cricket stars. As one of the most eagerly anticipated events in Pakistan’s cricket calendar, the PSL has gained recognition for its high-quality matches and vibrant atmosphere. The league’s appeal extends to online betting enthusiasts, providing them with a diverse array of opportunities to wager on different aspects of the tournament, including match outcomes and player performances. Engaging in online betting on the PSL adds an extra layer of excitement and involvement for fans, allowing them to immerse themselves in the thrilling world of cricket while exploring various betting markets associated with this prestigious league.

The One Hundred is a recent addition to cricket competitions, designed to infuse speed and excitement into the game. Launched by the England and Wales Cricket Board, this limited-overs tournament features two teams, each playing a single inning of 100 balls. The primary objective of The One Hundred is to attract a younger generation of cricket players to the sport, emphasizing a faster and more entertaining format to engage both players and fans.

The Ashes stands as one of the most iconic test match cricket series globally, dating back to 1882. The series unfolds in a 5-match format and is a fierce contest between cricketing powerhouses England and Australia. Throughout its long history, Australia has established itself as the most successful team in The Ashes. This historic rivalry is not only a testament to the endurance of cricket traditions but also a source of intense competition and passion between two cricketing nations.

How To Understand Cricket Betting Rates

Understanding cricket betting odds can seem complex at first, but once you grasp the basics, it becomes more straightforward. Here’s a simplified guide.

Decimal Odds:

• Most betting sites use decimal odds (e.g., 2.50, 1.75).
• The number represents the potential return for every unit you stake, including your initial stake.
• For example, if you bet $10 on odds of 2.50 and win, you get $25 in total (initial $10 + $15 profit).

Favorites and Underdogs:

• Lower odds (e.g., 1.50) indicate a favorite, but the potential profit is lower.
• Higher odds (e.g., 3.00) suggest an underdog, offering higher potential profits.

Calculating Payouts:

• To calculate potential profit: (Stake x Odds) – Stake = Potential Profit.
• To calculate total returns: Stake x Odds = Total Returns (including initial stake).

Understanding Negative Odds:

• Negative odds (e.g., -150) indicate favorites.
• You need to stake the displayed amount to win $100.
• For example, -150 means you must bet $150 to win $100.

Understanding Positive Odds:

• Positive odds (e.g., +200) represent underdogs.
• The number shows how much profit you make on a $100 bet.
• For example, +200 means a $100 bet earns you $200 in profit.

Implied Probability:

• Odds also indicate implied probability.
• To calculate: Implied Probability = 1 / Odds.
• For example, 2.00 odds imply a 50% chance (1 / 2.00).

Bookmaker Margins:

• Bookmakers include a margin in odds to ensure profit.
• The higher the margin, the less favorable the odds.

Comparing Odds:

• Different bookmakers offer varying odds.
• Compare odds across platforms to find the best value.

Types of Bets:

• Different bets have different formats (e.g., match-winner, over/under runs).
• Ensure you understand the specific type of bet you’re placing.

Most Popular Types Of Bets On Cricket: Meanings

Any betting platform offers several betting options. The differences lie in what event (what achievement) the bettor makes a cricket prediction for.

Outright Winner Bets

Outright winner bets allow you to predict the winner of a match, tournament, or series. Commonly referred to as “Outright Winner,” this bet requires you to decide which team will emerge victorious. For example, in a T20 match between Pakistan and Australia, selecting the “Winner” entails choosing the team you believe will win the event.

While seemingly straightforward among the available cricket betting markets, thorough research on both teams is essential for making informed predictions.

Handicaps

Handicaps have become a commonplace occurrence in cricket betting, with more players opting for this market. The bet involves the operator balancing the outcome by creating an advantage for the underdog. Essentially, handicaps can offer higher odds when compared to situations where the odds might be less competitive. For instance, if Scotland is playing against Oman and scores 400 runs in a One Day International match, this may result in lower odds for Scotland. However, applying a -30.5 run handicap can increase the odds, allowing you to bet on your preferred side while maintaining excellent odds. Yet, Scotland would need to overcome the handicap for your bet to win.

Over/Under Markets

The “Over/Under” market is another sports betting option for events like the Cricket World Cup. This betting type involves predicting the total number of wickets or runs in a specific match. Your main task is to determine whether the sum will be higher or lower than a specified number. For example, in a T20 match between Sri Lanka and Australia, if the operator sets the total runs at 295.5, you can bet on “Under 295.5” if you believe both teams won’t score that many runs. If the total runs in the match amount to 240, your bet would be successful. However, if the total runs reach 300, your bet will be lost.

First Ball/First Over in Cricket Bets

The “First Ball/First Over” market is recommended for those seeking immediate results. In this betting market, you can predict whether the first ball will result in a wicket or a boundary. For instance, in a One Day International (ODI) match between the Netherlands and England, you might predict a six on the first ball. Some bookmakers might offer options to bet on whether the first will be over or under a certain score.

Innings Runs Bets

Betting on innings requires predicting the number of runs a team will score during the initial overs. Unlike most bets, this option doesn’t demand an exact score but rather guesses whether the runs will be above or below a specific number. For example, in a T20 match between Ireland and New Zealand, you can forecast whether Ireland’s total runs in the innings will exceed 4.5. If you choose “Over” and Ireland scores 5 runs, your bet wins. Note that this is one of the most common markets on cricket betting sites.

Player Bets

Player bets are markets that enable you to place bets on specific players. Essentially, you can bet on players like Harshal Patel from the Indian Premier League (IPL) to become the best bowler in a match.

Similar to other bet types, accurate predictions require thorough research, but the focus is on individual players rather than the entire team. Some player betting markets include “Best Bowler,” “Man of the Match,” “Top Wicket-Taker,” “Top Run-Scorer,” and more.

Team Bets

Team bets are the direct opposite of player bets. With team bets, your focus is on the entire squad rather than individual players. For instance, in a One Day International between England and South Africa, you might place an outright winner bet on South Africa. If South Africa scores more points in the match, your bet is successful. Other examples of team bets include “Series Score,” “Team with Highest Opening Partnership,” “Series Winner,” and “Coin Toss Winner.”

Long-Term and Special Cricket Bets

In addition to the mentioned bets, you can opt for long-term and special cricket bets, particularly if you have a good understanding of the game. Long-term bets involve wagering on matches scheduled for the future. Examples of long-term bets include “League Winner,” “Best Bowler,” or “Best Batsman.” On the other hand, special bets revolve around events that don’t necessarily occur on the field. Examples include “Most Sixes,” “Method of Dismissal,” and “Coin Toss Outcome.” Keep in mind that the variety of long-term and special cricket bets you receive depends on the bookmaker you use.

On-Play Betting

In addition to traditional pre-match betting services, cricket betting sites offer live betting options, allowing users to place bets in real-time as the game unfolds. This form of gambling enables bettors to select a specific league, such as the Cricket World Cup, and choose from available live matches, offering an immediate bet on cricket.

However, live betting in cricket comes with its troubles for newcomers. With limited time for analysis during the fast-paced action, bettors must rely on their experience, and knowledge of the game, or seek advice from others to make quick and informed decisions. While not the most recommended form for beginners due to its rapid nature, live betting remains attractive for those who enjoy the thrill of reacting to unfolding events on the field. Bettors should be mindful of changing live odds and the time-sensitive nature of markets, emphasizing the need to stay aware of ongoing events to make accurate predictions.

How To Bet On Cricket Online: Step-by-step Guide

1. Understand Cricket Rules and Formats: Familiarize yourself with cricket rules and formats to gain a foundational understanding of the sport.
2. Research Teams and Players: Stay updated on team and player performance, recent forms, and playing conditions to make informed betting decisions.
3. Choose a Reputable Betting Platform: Select a reliable online betting platform or sportsbook that offers a variety of cricket betting options.
4. Complete Registration: Create an account on the chosen platform and complete the registration process.
5. Deposit Funds: Deposit funds into your betting account using the available payment methods provided by the platform.
6. Explore Betting Markets: Explore the diverse cricket betting markets and various types of bets offered by the platform.
7. Select Match or Tournament: Choose a specific cricket match or tournament you want to place bets on.
8. Analyze Odds and Identify Value Bets: Analyze the odds for different outcomes and identify value bets that offer favorable returns.
9. Place Your Bet: Select your desired market, enter your stake, and confirm your wager to place the bet.
10. Monitor Live Updates: Stay engaged with live updates during the match to assess the progress of your bet.
11. Gamble Responsibly: Always gamble responsibly by setting a budget for your betting activities and adhering to it.

Conclusion

Placing winning cricket bets involves seeking the best odds, utilizing matched and arbitrage betting, following expert predictions, appreciating small wins, and considering weather forecasts, pitch conditions, and team form. Opt for bookmakers offering competitive odds, and embrace strategies like matched betting for consistent profits.

Avoid common mistakes such as starting without a good understanding of cricket, ignoring team form and injuries, mismanaging your bankroll, and emotionally betting on your favorite team. Knowledge of the sport, thorough research, and disciplined bankroll management are essential for successful cricket betting.

How To Bet On Cricket Video

FAQ