Master the art of professional cricket betting

Cricket is one of the most followed and one of the most exciting sports in the world. It is followed and played in every part of the world and was introduced to the world by the English colonists who spread it across. There are 12 full members and 96 associate members recognized by the ICC in cricket, making it 108 member nations playing cricket globally. In addition to these members, the ICC also oversees various developmental programs aimed at nurturing cricket talent in emerging nations, ensuring the sport's growth across diverse regions. Cricket is more than just a sport in the Indian subcontinent with millions of passionate fans worshipping the game and its players.

There are three main formats of cricket, all regularly played on the international stage. 

• Test cricket, the oldest and most traditional format, spans 5 days with a maximum of 4 innings. 
• One-day International (ODI) cricket is a single-inning per side game with each team batting 50 overs. 
• The shortest format is T20 cricket, where each team has an inning of 20 overs. 

T20 has the highest number of teams in international cricket, offering action-packed matches and attracting large audiences with numerous leagues worldwide. With a large number of passionate fans worldwide, cricket betting has also become a lucrative market. The rise of digital platforms globally has made it easier for betting brands to attract a global audience.
 

• Cricket now exists in many forms. As well as Tests, there are limited overs matches called One Day games (50 overs), Twenty20s (20 overs) and The Hundred (100 balls).
• Whichever form of the game is being played, each team has 11 starting players.
• Some are specialist batsmen who score runs by hitting the ball with a bat and protect the wicket when doing so. Shots that reach the boundary along the ground are worth four runs and ones that clear it six.
• Other cricket players are specialist bowlers, whose objective is to get the batsmen out by hitting the wicket stumps and knocking off the bells.
• One player from the fielding team is always standing behind the stumps with special gloves and pads, and is called the wicketkeeper.
• A batsman is out either by being clean bowled, bowled and then caught, stumped by the wicketkeeper, run out, out lbw or timed out.
• The term Ibw is short for leg before wicket. In brief, if the batsman's leg or sometimes other parts of the body is struck by the bowled ball before hitting the bat, it can lead to a dismissal.
• A team is all out when they have lost 10 wickets. Or an innings can also be over if a captain declares or if a team bats for the allotted overs amount.
• The format of the cricket match to some extent determines the tactics. For example, in limited overs games, batting teams have to be more positive with their shots.
   

Cricket betting involves predicting various outcomes in a match. In any format of cricket, events like which team has a better chance of winning can be predicted with some basic knowledge of the sport. Predicting the number of runs scored in an over, by a batsman, conceded by a bowler, and other outcomes creates excitement among bettors.

Cricket is a complex game which involves 22 players with extensive rules. The pitch and weather conditions also play a significant role in determining the result of the game. To bet on a cricket match, one needs extensive information and knowledge about the game, playing conditions, players, teams, and their opponents. Placing a bet can bring various rewards and maximize the investment, making it an exciting prospect. Let's explore how to bet on cricket.
 

Cricket betting odds are the chances or probability that an event will occur during a cricket match. Usually, Cricket betting odds are stated as a quantity, which may be positive or negative. For example, if the odds of a team winning are 2.5, this means that there is a 25% chance that the team will win.

Cricket betting odds can be affected by many factors, including the form of the teams, the weather conditions and even the pitch. Bookmakers will often change their odds in response to these factors, so it's important to stay up-to-date with the latest information. The best way to make money from cricket betting is to find value bets. This means finding bets where the odds are higher than they should be, based on all of the available information. This takes time and effort, but it can be very profitable in the long run.

When it comes to cricket betting, the odds can be confusing for first-time bettors. However, you can take advantage of them once you know how they operate. Typically, they are stated as a fraction (such as 3/1), a decimal (such as 4.0), or a moneyline (such as +300). 

The favourite will have lower odds than the underdog, meaning that you would need to risk more money to win less if you bet on the favourite. Likewise, the underdog will have higher odds than the favourite, meaning that you could win more money by betting less on the underdog. 

It’s important to remember that cricket betting odds are not fixed and can change over time depending on the circumstances surrounding the match. Keep this in mind when placing your bets and check the odds before making your final decision. With a little practice, you’ll be able to take advantage of cricket betting odds and give yourself a better chance.

Following are some top cricket betting websites and apps that help on betting in the UK.

1. LiveScore Bet

2. BetMGM

3. Bet Victor

From reading odds to understanding the various types of bets available, a decent grasp of cricket betting rules will allow you to enjoy cricket betting even more. Below, we’ve explained what the most popular cricket bets mean and given an example of each bet, so you can start betting with confidence.

Tournament Winner

This bet is to back which team in a cricket tournament will win it outright.

Example bet: Kolkata Knight Riders to win the IPL – 4.0

Most Wickets

With this bet, you are predicting which player will take the most wickets in a match, tournament or series.

Example bet: Jasprit Bumrah to take most wickets in Mumbai Indians v Delhi Capitals – 3.25

Most Runs

You are betting on which player you think will score the most runs in a match, tournament or series.

Example bet: David Warner to score most runs in Mumbai Indians v Delhi Capitals – 3.6

Match Handicap

With this bet, you are backing a team to win a match after a handicap has been applied.

Example bet: Mumbai Indians to win after -4.5 wkts and -7.5 runs – 1.91
 

Cricket betting means predicting various events that occur during a match and winning money by putting bets and accurately predicting the events. In cricket, every ball is an event. There are various kinds of cricket bets such as:

• Match winner: A bettor needs to predict the result of a cricket match, in other words, which team will win?
• Toss winner: To predict the winner of the toss and/or the decision the winning captain will make to either bat or bowl.
• Score of the batting team: Predicting the team or an individual’s score in the match. The bettor needs to predict how many runs the batting team or a particular batsman will end up scoring.
• Number of wickets taken: Predict the number of runs conceded in an over by a bowler or the whole innings or the game. Many bets can be placed on much more events that occur throughout the course of a cricket match.
   

Following are the steps to help find out how to bet online on cricket matches:

Step:1 - Choose a reputable cricket betting site
There are numerous options for online cricket betting available on the internet. A brief research is needed to find the website that suits your needs and is user-friendly. Some reputable websites stand out by promoting the game more than their competitors. An ideal cricket betting site will cover a wide range of tournaments and leagues. 

A good betting site should also offer competitive cricket betting odds and a diverse selection of markets to bet on beyond just the match-winner. Additionally, it should be convenient for bettors to deposit and withdraw money quickly and easily. Many top betting sites also have mobile applications to enhance the user experience. Lastly, providing good customer support is essential for addressing any queries or concerns.

Step:2 - Signing up for an account
The second step in the process after finding a reputable cricket betting site is to create an account. Some sites offer free sign-ups, while others require a deposit to access features. Registering is crucial in learning how to bet on cricket and win. Some websites provide welcome bonuses in the form of free bets are promotional offers, allowing users to place bets without risking their own money. They often require users to meet certain conditions, such as making a qualifying bet or depositing a minimum amount. Winnings from free bets may be subject to additional terms and conditions set by the betting provider.

The registration process is easy - users enter their name, email, and mobile number, and create a secure password. Once the account is created, users are ready to start betting on cricket.

Step:3 - Making a deposit
The next step is to deposit some amount of money. It is important for the user to fix a budget as to what amount of money he/she wants to gamble and place bets with. Once deciding the amount, there are some simple steps with which the amount can be deposited. Various modes of payment can be used to deposit money in your betting account. Some of the best betting sites provide multiple and hassle-free ways of depositing and withdrawing money.

Step:4 - Placing Your bet
Placing a bet on a cricket match is a straightforward process. After depositing money, users should navigate to the 'live events' or 'cricket' section on the website/application and choose the match they wish to bet on. 

The next step involves checking the odds, analyzing them, and placing the bet by selecting the desired market, entering the amount, and confirming the bet. 

Cricket betting typically displays odds in decimal format, showing the total payout along with the wager. For instance, if a 50-pound wager is placed on a team to win with odds of 1.50, the total return for a correct prediction would be 50 multiplied by 1.50, resulting in a total payout of 75 pounds.

Total Return = Betting Amount x Betting Odd
 

Following are some of the markets for cricket online betting:

1. Match Winner
In this market, the bettor can predict the winner of the match before the game begins. Information on the toss, playing XIs, playing conditions and performances of players or teams at a certain ground/type of ground can help predict the winner of the contest.

2. Top Batsman/Bowler
Predicting the best performer in the match either with the bat or ball. A performance for any batter or bowler can be predicted for a specific inning. Bettors can predict the top run scorer in a match or an innings. The score can be predicted on the player’s recent form, pitch conditions and the opposition bowling attack along with the matchups. The same goes for the bowlers. Bets can be placed on the basis of predicting a bowler’s performance in a game. Some conditions favour spinners whereas some favour pace bowling.

3. Total Runs/Wickets
Bets can be placed on the number of runs a team or a player will score. It can also be predicted how many wickets will fall in an innings or how many wickets will a bowler claim in the contest.

4. Series Winner
This market predicts which team will win the series in case of a bilateral event. The bets are placed before the commencement of the series. The bettors have to speculate on which team will perform consistently and win the majority of the games to take the series.

5. Outright Winner
This market is one of the most exciting features in online cricket betting with the bets put on the tournament winner before the commencement of the event. It is more popular in multi-team tournaments such as the Indian Premier League (IPL), World Cups and other franchise-based or multinational cricket tournaments.

6. Over/Under
Under this market, a bettor can bet on whether a team or an individual player will score over a specified number of runs or under it. It is a simple way of betting without even thinking about the match’s result. For example, if the value is set to 250 for a team total, a bettor can bet for over 250 or under 250 assessing the conditions.

7. First Ball/First Over
This market indicates to betting on the outcome of the first ball of an over or the first over of an innings. Events like wickets, dot balls, runs scored or mode of dismissals can be predicted. The bets need to be put quickly and require smart thinking and analysis of the game. The bettor doesn’t necessarily have to wait for the result of the game for this market.
 

1. Start with small bets and gradually increase your stake as you gain experience. Betting in cricket is a game of chance and skill as well. You need to take low risks at the beginning, gain good experience after placing successful bets and then as you gain experience, use the knowledge to win more.

2. Do your research on the teams and players before placing a bet. Sometimes the odds don’t indicate the true picture. Do your own research on the players involved and the teams that are featured in the game before placing the bets.

3. Stay updated on the team, players, and ground conditions. Find trustworthy sources for sports news, stats, and betting analysis. Seek out websites, publications, and analysts known for their accurate and insightful commentary. Staying informed on these updates can give you an advantage when placing bets.

4. Understand the different betting markets and odds before placing a bet. There are multiple categories of betting markets and odds such as under/over bets, handicap bets, money line etc. There are 3 types of betting odds namely: fractional, decimal and money line.

5. Set a budget and stick to it. Betting in cricket is definitely lucrative but involves monetary risk as well. Set a budget before depositing money and play safe while sticking to it.

6. Only bet what you can afford to lose. As betting involves a huge monetary risk, a bettor shall bet only the amount he/she can afford to lose.

7. Gamble responsibly and seek help if you have a gambling problem. Betting is only meant for adults. One shall be responsible while gambling not in cricket but in any sport. There are various helplines available to make people aware of safe betting and if it becomes an addiction, one can contact the helplines any time and seek help.
 

Following are the world’s most popular cricket tournaments on which you can place your bet. 

Indian Premier League (IPL)

Held annually in India, it is the most popular and watched cricket league in the world with the top players from all over the globe featuring for the 10 teams that take part in the competition for the coveted title. The IPL has the biggest calendar amongst all the cricket leagues in the world. The broadcast rights for IPL are only second to NFL making it the biggest cricketing property in the world.

Big Bash League (BBL)

The Big Bash League is Australia’s premier domestic T20 tournament. With players from all over the world, the tournament is held annually in the Australian summer and is one of the oldest T20 leagues in the world. It is known for its high-octane competitive matches and innovative rules.

ICC Cricket World Cup

How to bet on the cricket World Cup is a major question asked by bettors with key interest in the tournament which is held once every 4 years. The matches are played in the 50-over one-day international format with the top 10 teams participating for the prestigious title. It is the biggest title in the world of cricket drawing millions of eyeballs.

The Ashes

The traditional rivalry in Test cricket between England and Australia, the Ashes is one of the top tournaments and arguably the best rivalry in cricket’s elite format. Both the teams usually play 5 Test matches and the winner of the series takes the urn known as the Ashes.

T20 World Cup

Inaugurated in 2007, the T20 World Cup is another thrilling tournament conducted by the ICC. The best T20 nations in the world participate in the biennial event. Played in the shortest format of the sport, the T20 World Cup is a fast-paced tournament providing opportunities for betting in the sport.

Asia Cup

This tournament is played between the passionate cricketing nations from Asia. Teams from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and a other few qualifying nations from the continent comprise the tournament. It is the only other tournament besides ICC events where India and Pakistan, the biggest rivals in modern-day cricket face each other drawing huge interest all over the world. The matches are fiercely contested and are highly intense making betting on this tournament very exciting.

Pakistan Super League

Abbreviated as PSL, the Pakistan Super League is another high-profile franchise-based T20 cricket league played in Pakistan. Hosted annually by the Pakistan Cricket Board, it features talented players from all over the world distributed in 6 teams to fight it out for the coveted title. The matches are well-contested. Some games are extremely high scoring but the tournament has seen a lot of tremendous bowling efforts as well. Betting on these games brings a new challenge and excitement.

SA20

One of the newest T20 leagues on the block, the SA20 is the premier T20 cricket league launched by Cricket South Africa (CSA). Six franchise-based teams participate in the competition. All the 6 teams are owned by team owners from the Indian Premier League bringing its rivalry to the new market. The brand of cricket is exhilarating making it an exciting prospect in the ever-growing betting market.

Other popular tournaments that create opportunities for betting and draw eyeballs are the Women’s Premier League, ICC Champions Trophy, Caribbean Premier League etc. There are lots of unofficial tournaments happening all over the world as well for which bets can be placed on various websites. Leagues for retired cricketers have seen a big influx in the recent years. Many betting brands are also associated with teams and tournaments in an official way bringing the game closer to the fans and those involved in betting.