Cricket Betting Guide
Cricket betting offers a fresh and exciting opportunity for American sports bettors looking to try something beyond the usual lineup.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about betting on cricket – from understanding the basics to finding advanced strategies for different formats and the best cricket betting sites – all tailored for US bettors.
By the end, you’ll be equipped to bet on cricket with confidence and aim for success. Let’s jump in!
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How To Bet on Cricket: The Basics
If you’re new to cricket betting, don’t worry – the fundamentals are straightforward. In this section, I will break down how betting works in cricket and the most common types of bets you can place.
Match Outcome (Moneyline)
The simplest cricket bet is picking the winner of a match. This is often called a moneyline bet (in American terms) or just “match result.” You just choose which team will win the game. If your team wins, you win the bet; if they lose, you lose.
Note: In Test cricket (the long 5-day format), matches can end in a draw (tie) if neither side can force a win. So Test match betting typically has three options – Team A win, Team B win, or Draw. Limited-overs matches (ODIs and T20s) very rarely end in a tie (and many competitions use tie-breakers like a “Super Over”), so those are usually just two-outcome bets.
Tip: Always check how the sportsbook handles ties – some might grade a tied ODI as a push/refund if no winner is decided, or offer a “tie” wager for certain events.
Over/Under (Totals)
Cricket totals bets are primarily on the number of runs scored. The sportsbook sets a line (e.g. 275 runs in an ODI match), and you can bet over if you think the teams will combine for more runs, or under if you think they’ll score less.
There are also totals on a per-team basis (e.g. Team A over/under 250 runs), or even per innings in Test matches.
Example: You might bet over 320 runs in Australia’s first innings of a Test – if they score 321 or more, you win.
Top Batter / Top Bowler
Top Batter bet is a wager on which player will score the most runs in a match (or sometimes in a series or tournament). You can bet on a player from either team; if your batter out-scores everyone else, you win.
Similarly, Top Bowler means the player who takes the most wickets in the game.
Player Performance Props
Beyond top scorer markets, cricket betting has a variety of props for individual players. These bets let you drill down into matchups.
If you have a hunch that a certain batter is in good form or a certain bowler can exploit a weakness, player props can be lucrative.
- Over/Under on a single batter’s runs (e.g. Joe Root over/under 100 runs in the match).
- Will a player score a 50 or 100 (half-century or century).
- Over/Under on a single bowler’s wickets.
- Head-to-head props (who will score more runs between two particular batsmen, etc.).
Team Props and Others
Sportsbooks also offer team-specific or match-specific props like:
- Highest Opening Partnership (which team’s openers will score more before the first wicket falls).
- Most Sixes (which team or player will hit more six-run shots).
- First Wicket Method (how will the first batter get out – caught, bowled, LBW, etc.).
- First Ball/First Over runs (e.g. will the first ball of the match be a dot, or how many runs in the first over).
There are also specialty bets like “Win the Toss” – a pure 50/50 on which captain wins the coin toss before the match – and combined bets like predicting the toss winner and match winner.
In-Play (Live) Betting
A huge draw of cricket betting is the ability to bet during a live match. There are essentially live updated odds on all factors as the game swings back and forth.
You can bet on things like the result of the next over (e.g. how many runs will be scored in the 10th over), whether a wicket will fall in the next X overs, and the next wicket method.
Cricket Betting by Format
By tailoring your betting approach to the format, you respect the nuances that can affect outcomes. Unlike many sports, a one-size-fits-all strategy won’t work across Test, ODI, and T20 because the pacing and key variables differ. Smart bettors treat each format almost like a different sport.
Test
Emphasize conditions (pitch/weather) and stamina. Don’t shy from betting the Draw when appropriate. Look for value in underdogs if conditions suit them. Sessions and day-by-day betting can be fruitful. Think long term – a Test can turn around on day 4 even if one team dominated early.
ODI
Evaluate total scores and conditions. Teams that can adapt (accelerate or defend) have an edge. Use first-innings runs as a guide for second-innings bets. Watch out for one-sided matches in World Cups where associate teams play heavyweights.
T20/ IPL
Focus on impact players and short-term momentum. The toss can dictate strategy. In-play opportunities are plentiful – a single over can swing win probabilities significantly, so quick reactions are rewarded. Before the match, identify X-factors: e.g., which team has more six-hitters, or which bowler could be a game-changer.
Understanding The Odds And How To Use Them To Your Advantage
Each of the following factors interplays to shape the odds you see on a cricket match, both before the game and as it’s being played. By understanding them, you can better interpret why the odds are what they are – and spot opportunities where the odds might not fully account for a factor that you’ve analyzed well.
- Head-to-Head History – Some teams just have a knack of performing well (or poorly) against certain opponents. If one team historically dominates another, odds makers will factor that in. For instance, India might have a strong head-to-head record against Sri Lanka in recent years – perhaps Sri Lanka struggles with India’s spin attack.
Tip: Be careful – head-to-head is just one factor and often overlaps with team form and eras. Always consider if those past matches involved the same players or conditions as the current one. - Pitch Conditions – Pitches can be batting-friendly flat tracks, bowler-friendly green surfaces, turning dust bowls, etc., and each type shifts the advantage. A hard, dry pitch usually favors batsmen, meaning higher scores are likely – the odds might shorten for scenarios like a team to score 300+ or for the match to have a lot of runs.
Tip: In Test cricket, pitches deteriorate over days – a day 5 pitch with cracks and footmarks will boost spinners’ effectiveness. - Toss Results and First Innings Advantage – The coin toss, which decides which team bats or bowls first, often causes an immediate odds adjustment.
In Test matches, batting first on a fresh pitch is usually desirable, so the team winning the toss and choosing to bat might see their odds improve slightly. In ODIs and T20s, chasing (batting second) is often advantageous, especially if there’s dew at night or if a target can be paced properly – so if a captain wins the toss and opts to bowl first, you might see their team’s odds shorten.
Tip: Bettors sometimes hold off placing match bets until the toss is done because a bad toss outcome can really set one team back (for instance, being forced to bat in tricky morning conditions). - Target and Required Run Rate Pressure – This factor comes into play, especially in limited-overs matches during a run chase.
Example: If Team A sets a huge total and Team B, while chasing, falls behind the required run rate, you’ll see Team B’s odds of winning get longer with each over that the required run rate climbs. On the flip side, if the chasing team is comfortably ahead of the required pace – say they need 50 runs in 10 overs (5 per over with many wickets in hand) – odds will shorten heavily in favor of the batting side.
Tip: As the required run rate grows, batters are under more pressure and more likely to make mistakes, something the live odds account for. - Weather and Environmental Conditions – Cricket is one of the few sports where weather can directly affect the result, so it’s a big factor for odds.
Example: Rain is the obvious one – in limited-overs, rain can reduce overs and invoke the Duckworth-Lewis method, often benefiting the side batting second. In Test matches, significant rain increases the chance of a draw, so if rain is forecast, you’ll see odds for a draw shorten well before the match or during interruptions.
Tip: If you know rain is likely and the match could be shortened, you might avoid betting the over on total runs, or you might back the underdog if weather leveling the field is in their favor.
Betting Strategies Based on Different Cricket Formats
Each format has its own rhythms and nuances, which means successful betting strategies can differ. A wise cricket bettor will adjust their approach depending on the format (and even the league). Let’s go through some strategies for each major format of cricket:
Test – Consider Team Composition and Tactics
Test matches are a true test of squad depth and endurance. When analyzing a Test, look at recent form in Tests (not just limited overs form), and especially how the teams match up historically.
For example, some teams historically struggle in certain conditions (an England team might struggle on spinning subcontinent pitches, whereas India might struggle on bouncy Australian pitches).
Test – Home-Field Advantage
Home-field advantage is huge in Tests because the home team can prepare pitches to suit them. Always note where the match is.
For example, Asian teams often dominate at home and can falter in SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, Australia) conditions, and vice versa.
ODI – Batting Depth and Bowling at the Death
Successful ODI teams usually have a deep batting lineup – hitters even at #7 or #8 who can slog in the final overs. On the flip side, “death bowling” (bowling in the final 10 overs) is an art – teams with excellent yorker specialists can restrict runs in overs 40-50.
t20 – The Coin Toss and CHoosing to Bat or Bowl?
In many T20 leagues (including the IPL), the toss and decision to bat or bowl can have a big impact. There is often a chasing bias: teams prefer to chase because it’s easier to know how fast to score. As mentioned earlier, if you plan a pre-match bet, you might even wait for the toss result if the venue has a known bias.
Tips for Placing Winning Bets in Cricket
Understanding the nuances of the game is just as important as knowing the odds. Whether you’re a casual bettor or a seasoned punter, a well-timed wager with the right insight can make all the difference.
Here are some expert tips to sharpen your betting skills across all formats of cricket:
Betting Tip #1Time Your Bets and Consider the Toss
Don’t rush to place a bet if critical information is yet to come. For instance, the coin toss before a match can have a big impact on who has the initial advantage – conditions can favor batting first or second. If weather looks threatening, you might bet early on a result (or on a draw in Tests) before odds react to rain forecasts.
Betting Tip #2Take Advantage of In-Play Betting
If you’re watching a match ball-by-ball, you can gauge momentum shifts and form better than the pre-match odds ever could. Have a plan for how you’ll react to events (for example, decide in advance “if my team loses two early wickets, I won’t bet on them”). And as always, ensure you’re still hunting for value – even in-play, don’t bet unless the odds offer a favorable risk/reward given the situation.
Betting Tip #3Adapt to Each Format of the Game
Tailor your betting strategy to the format – Test, ODI, or T20. In Test matches, games progress slowly and momentum can swing over multiple sessions, so be patient and consider factors like the weather over several days and the possibility of a draw. In ODIs, one big partnership or a collapse can decide the match, and the toss can be crucial since day/night conditions (like dew in evening) may favor the team batting second.
Best Cricket Betting Platforms for US Players
There are several excellent online sportsbooks and apps that offer cricket markets and cater to US bettors. Some are major international platforms (famous worldwide for sports betting) that have a presence in the U.S., while others are US-based books that have embraced cricket as they expand their offerings.
While US books still have limited cricket markets, FanDuel and DraftKings are examples of American operators with growing cricket offerings. They leverage data and experience from their UK/Aus parent companies (FanDuel’s parent owns Betfair, etc.) to set lines.
Reputable offshore sites have many more cricket options. They are licensed outside of the US and are popular among American bettors for their cricket coverage. Sites like BetOnline, MyBookie, and Bovada have been in the game for decades and have earned their place among the top-rated online books.
From Pitch to Profit: Bet Smarter on Cricket
Cricket may not yet rival the NFL or NBA in U.S. betting handle, but you now have the knowledge edge in this growing niche. With major events like the Cricket World Cup and leagues like the IPL attracting more American viewers (and even the USA co-hosting the T20 World Cup in 2024), there’s no better time to get in on the action.
Whether you’re backing a specific team in a World Cup final, taking a chance on an underdog in a Test series upset, or live-betting during a tense IPL chase — here’s hoping you hit those sixes with your bets! If you’re looking for more sports to wager on, and more guides like this one, check out our list of sports betting how-tos to find some more info to up your game.
