Cricket betting markets
Cricket is followed by huge audiences in some parts of the world and hardly at all in others, so the depth of cricket markets varies a great deal between bookmakers. Its formats differ so much that a bet which makes sense in one can be meaningless in another. This guide explains the formats, the main markets and the rules about weather and incomplete matches. All amounts are examples, and whether a given operator offers cricket betting is something to check on its site.
Three formats
- Test matches last up to five days, and a draw is a common result when time runs out.
- One-day matches give each side a fixed number of overs, so draws are rare but ties can happen.
- T20 matches are the shortest format, with high scoring rates and frequent swings in momentum.
Match result
In limited-overs cricket, the match result is usually a two-way market, sometimes with a separate price for a tie. In Test cricket, the draw must be included, which makes it a three-way market. Example: €10 on a team to win a Test at 2.40 returns €24 only if that team wins; if time runs out with no result, the bet loses unless the market says otherwise.
Run and player markets
Popular markets include total runs in an innings, runs scored in a set number of overs, the top batter or bowler and the method of the next dismissal. Example: €10 on over 165.5 runs in a T20 innings at 1.90 returns €19 if the batting side scores 166 or more. Player markets usually have rules about whether the player must bat or bowl for the bet to stand, so read them first.
Weather, rain and reduced matches
Rain interrupts cricket regularly. In limited-overs matches, a calculation method may adjust targets when overs are lost, and bookmakers have their own rules for settling bets in reduced matches. Some markets are voided if a minimum number of overs is not bowled; others are settled on the official result. Before betting on a match where rain is likely, read how the operator handles it.
Live cricket betting
Because a cricket match is made up of hundreds of deliveries, live odds move constantly, and markets can change after every ball. Streams and data can be delayed, which puts the bettor at a disadvantage against faster price updates. If you bet live, use a small budget set aside for that purpose and avoid chasing losses.
Margins in niche markets
Where a bookmaker has less interest in a sport, its margins can be higher and its limits lower. Compare the implied probabilities of a market, as explained in the betting basics, before deciding whether a price is reasonable.
For combination bets, read bet types. Other sports are covered in the football and tennis guides. Bet only what you can afford to lose; free, confidential help is on the responsible gambling page.