Top Cricket Betting Strategies
Cricket is one of the most unique types of sports. Some countries have barely heard of it, but those who play it hold the attention of cricket fans worldwide.
Unsurprisingly, the popularity of cricket betting has also seen growth. Both new fans and experienced bettors love testing their luck and challenging their understanding of this game.
Whether we’re talking about Twenty20, conventional Test matches, or some other formats of cricket, there are plenty of wagering strategies that could help you figure out what to bet on.
Let’s explore top cricket betting approaches and explain them in detail.
Typical Betting Markets for Cricket
Cricket is a complex game, and even a hardcore fan might be unable to fully grasp every aspect of it.
Many cricket betting markets exist — by learning about the most common ones, you’ll be able to assess your knowledge and determine which area can bring you the best value.
- Total runs. How many runs will one or both teams score? You can say that it will be over or under a specific number based on your understanding of match conditions and the competing sportsmen. Such bets are the most popular in T20 cricket matches.
- Match winner. This one is the simplest and the most obvious betting choice. Which team is going to win? Think carefully, make your decision, and place your bet afterward.
- Top batsman & bowler. Which player is going to take the most wickets or complete the most runs? If you have a favorite on the team or just feel certain about one player’s abilities, you’ll know which bet to make.
- Method of dismissal. If you watched a cricket match before, you know that sometimes a batsman can be dismissed. Bet on the manner in which it will happen. Such an outcome might be difficult to predict, but it can also bring impressive value.
- Innings run. How many runs will be done in a specific inning? Bettors largely try to predict these numbers in Test matches.
- Live betting. Some bookmakers let their users place bets right during the match. You’ll need to watch the game carefully and react to any changes in an instant.
There are risks and rewards associated with each of the markets above. Study them all closely to decide which one you’re ready to bet on.
Top Cricket Betting Strategies
Now, let’s make an overview of all common betting strategies for cricket.
Twenty20 (T20) Cricket Betting Strategies
Typical Test matches last for 5 days while T20 offers a quicker and faster-paced format of cricket. There are only 120 balls involved, which raises the stakes and makes the teams try to show their absolute best.
The nature of such matches is more unpredictable, and it’s reflected in the existing T20 strategies.
Powerplay Betting Strategy
This strategy covers the first six overs. During this specific phase, the batsmen play more aggressively, as only two fielders are allowed to participate.
Using these facts, you can bet on how many runs will be completed and how many wickets will be lost. Assessing the strike rates of a team can also let you make an informed betting decision.
Death Overs Strategy
This approach applies to the final five overs. Since it’s the most critical and decisive phase, the players begin to apply every effort to improve their scores.
Consider this fact and think about the following possibilities: which team will manage to get the highest number of runs? How many sixes will the teams’ batsmen be able to hit? How many wickets will fall? The pressure is high here, which changes the pace and the usual team patterns.
Toss Prediction Strategy
Try betting on the toss outcome. T20 format means that the game will be over quickly, so teams might prefer to chase the target.
How should you know if they will do it for sure? Just research their habits, and you’ll see what to expect.
Player Performance Betting Strategy
Individual performance means a lot in quick matches like T20. Think about it: which player do you have the most knowledge of?
As an example, you can bet on a top bowler, predicting which one will take the most wickets. Assess the strike rates and say who will get the most runs.
Every cricket match is divided into several phases, and with T20, it’s easy to pick one, analyze its typical dynamics, and understand what to bet on.
General Cricket Betting Strategies
Here are other cricket strategies that apply to different game formats. You might want to try some of them.
Arbitrage Betting
This approach entails placing bets on all possible outcomes at once using different bookmakers. This way, you won’t lose, no matter what.
However, such a strategy is risky and requires more funds than you might be comfortable spending.
Hedging Bets
This strategy requires changing your bets based on what’s happening in a game. If you thought Team 1 would win, but the match started, and Team 2 is showing better results, you can place another bet.
Just make certain you pick a bookmaker that allows live betting.
Simple Match Betting
For newbies, betting on the outcome of the cricket match is the best decision. You don’t even have to know much about the players to place your bet.
Once you figure out the mechanics better, you can consider more complex strategies.
Factors Affecting Cricket Outcomes
Before placing a bet and choosing a cricket strategy, you’ll need to do thorough research.
Sure, some people like wagering on a whim, but if you truly love cricket and hope to make accurate predictions, you’ll need to rely on your knowledge.
Here are the factors you should consider.
Pitch and Rains
Both the pitch where the match will happen and the weather play a big role in the game outcomes. Some relevant examples:
- Rains. A rain forecast usually results in a reduced number of overs. Keep this in mind when placing a bet.
- Flat pitches. Since it’s impossible to bounce on pitches like this, they are good for batting. This can be a great opportunity for the competing teams.
- Dry pitches. Such pitches crack easily, slowing down the ball and making it harder for fast bowlers to maintain a quick pace. The spinners, on the contrary, have it better during matches like this, so if a team has strong spin bowlers, it is much more likely to win.
- Green pitches. Fast bowlers shine on green pitches. There is more grass and moisture, so the ball moves more randomly.
Hot weather in general might make the pitch drier than it usually is, so in this case, the team with the best spinners will benefit more.
Team Form
The form of the players, both together and individually, can have a serious impact on the result of the cricket match. Pay attention to the following factors:
- Recent performances of the competing teams. How have the teams you might bet on have been competing lately? Sometimes, the strongest teams might have a bad season, while the weak players can show unexpectedly impressive results. Take this into account, and don’t trust a team’s reputation blindly.
- Performance against specific opponents. It’s common for some teams to show amazing results against equal or weaker opponents but fail when competing against someone stronger. The dynamics between the teams is a key factor every bettor should consider.
- Pitch conditions. As you already know, the pitch can affect the flow of the match. Make a bet based on which players are stronger in a team and which conditions they are known to prefer.
- Track of injuries. See if any of the players were injured not so long ago. This can affect the patterns of the game, as even a player who recovered physically might face uncertainty and anxiety, which can influence their performance.
- Personal tensions. Keep track of all the news about a team, including those pertaining to scandals. Maybe some players are involved in a fight; this can affect team dynamics negatively.
- Changes in a team. If a team has a new coach or players, there are two possible outcomes. They might fail hard as they are not used to one another yet; on the other hand, they might form a top team quickly and demonstrate brilliant results together.
Do research into the performing teams to get an assessment of how they are doing.
Safe Practices to Consider
When betting on cricket, make sure you stay safe. Follow these recommendations:
- Stick to your budget. Maintain careful bankroll management. Set a budget you’re comfortable spending and never go above it, no matter how good of an idea it seems.
- Don’t make your bets too big. A bet should never exceed 5% of your total betting budget. It’s too risky to spend a lot on any outcome, even if it seems set in stone to you.
- Avoid emotional betting. Never bet on cricket under the influence of emotions. If you are too angry or upset, wait for these feelings to calm down.
If you are a huge fan of a specific player, evaluate their chances based on your mind and rationality. Don’t place bets as a gesture of support; it’s not worth it.
By mastering some of the strategies above, you’ll be able to understand cricket and its principles better, both as a fan and as a punter.