Types of Cricket Bets

When it comes to betting variety, cricket is by far one of the world’s most exciting sports. From futures to head-to-head match-ups and in-play wagering, an incredible range of markets are available. The following descriptions cover the types of cricket bets most frequently offered by cricket betting sites such as Betway, along with some insights into how to make the most of them.

Basic Cricket Bets

Match Betting — This is by far the most common form of cricket betting. The objective is to correctly identify which of two teams will prevail in an individual match, such as a One Day International (ODI) or a single game within a Series Challenge or Tournament. The odds are weighted so that the payout for a winning favorite will be at less than even money, while a winning underdog will pay greater than 1-to-1. Note that Match Betting markets are typically declared void if the official result is a Tied Match. Also, bets on such markets may be deemed void unless 20 overs have been completed. Other names for Match Betting are “Match Odds” and “To Win the Match.”

Tied Match — Most bookmakers allow wagering on the possibility of Test matches ending in a draw. This bet, which also goes by the name “Draw No Bet,” can be used in combination with Match Betting as a form of hedge in case weather conditions, slow play or other circumstances might cause the match to end without a winner being declared. In fact, some bookmakers have a wager known as “Double Chance,” which allows betting on a “side to win or draw.” It is also possible to bet against a Tied Match by taking “both sides” in the Double Chance.

Series Winner — It is quite common in cricket for teams to play a three- or five-game series rather than a single match. A good example of this is “The Ashes,” a biennial five-game series played between England and Australia. The objective of wagering on the Series Winner is to pick which side will in the best of three or five games.

Outright Winner — This type of futures bet is applied to tournaments, such as the Cricket World Cup, the ICC Champions Trophy, the World Twenty20 or the ICC Women’s World Cup. The objective is to select the team that will win the entire tournament, not just a single match. With so many sides to choose from, picking the Outright Winner is no easy feat, which explains why the odds are significantly higher than for Match Betting. One good strategy is to narrow the field of potential winners down to two or three likely teams and wager on each of them to ensure a profit no matter which one of the selections succeeds.

Cricket Team Propositions

Win Toss — Like all proposition wagers, this bet has nothing to do with which team will prevail at the end of a match, series or tournament. Instead, the objective is simply to predict which team will win the coin toss at the start of a given match. Rather than true odds (i.e., even money), the odds offered are typically 10/11 on either side, giving the bookmaker a guaranteed profit if the action is balanced.

Toss Combination — This bet adds an extra element to the Win Toss, along with higher odds, by allowing the bettor to also indicate whether the chosen team will bat or bowl first. Both aspects of the bet must be successful to win and receive a payout.

Odd or Even Run Scores — The objective is to correctly choose whether the total number of runs scored by a team during a match will be an odd or even number. For this market, zero is deemed to be even. The bet may look like an even money proposition, but again the odds paid are usually 10/11.

First Innings Score — This is also an even/odd wager, but limited to the team’s total at the end of the first innings.

Match Scores — This is a wager on the total number of runs a team will have scored by the end of a single match. Rather than chose a specific number of runs, such as 156, the bet is usually made on a range, such as 150-160 runs. Predicting Match Scores is not at all easy, so the odds tend to be quite attractive.

Over/Under Scores — Like betting Match Scores, the objective is to predict how many runs will be scored, but in this case by both teams combined. The challenge is to identify correctly whether the final total will be over or under a given benchmark. Payouts tend to be very close to even money, less the bookmaker’s commission.

Team Innings Runs — The objective is to correctly predict the number of runs a team will score in a given innings. This is often an over/under wager.

Series Scores — Anytime a series of games is played by two cricket teams, it is possible to bet not only on which team will win overall but also how many matches each team will win in the series. Only outright wins count, not draws.

Partnerships — This category of wagering is often available as part of the in-play or in-running sections of online Sportsbooks as well as an ante post option. The objective is to pick the side that meets the criteria. Examples include Bet365’s Highest Opening Partnership, among others.

Most Match Sixes — Also known as “Most Sixes,” the objective is to identify which side will score the most Sixes during a given match. Be sure to consult the bookmaker’s specific rules for how ties are handled.

Total Fours — The objective is to identify whether the total number of Fours scored by a side will be over or under a given benchmark.

Most Run Outs — The objective is to identify which side will have the most Run Outs during a given match.

Highest 1st 15 Overs — Also referred to as “Team to Make Highest 1st 15 Overs Score,” this wager is similar to Match Betting, but based solely upon a comparison of the scores compiled by the two teams at the end of the first fifteen overs.

Cricket Player Propositions

Top Batsman — The objective is to correctly predict which batsman will score the most runs. This bet can be made on the top batsman overall in a series, for a single match or for just one side in a match. Related markets are named Top Home Batsman, Top Away Batsman, Match Top Batsman and Top Series Batsman. Again, this is not an easy wager to win, so it pays attractive odds. Many bettors who know a team’s line-up well prefer this bet to Match Scores. Note also that bets on any player not in the starting eleven are void, and bets on players who take the field but do not bat may be settled as losers.

Team of Top Batsman — This wager only requires picking the top batsman’s side, not the name of the individual. Accordingly, it pays close to even money.

Top Bowler — The objective is to correctly predict which bowler will take the highest number of wickets. Like top batsman, this bet can be made on the overall series, for a single match or for just one side in a match, with odds adjusted accordingly.

Individual Bowlers Series Wickets — The objective is to correctly predict the number of wickets a particular bowler will take during a series.

Man of the Match — The objective is to correctly identify which player will be accorded this top honour at the conclusion of the match. This wager is usually available only for major contests. A popular variation is Player of the Series.

Batsman Matches — This is a category of wagers that pit one player against another. In some cases, the pairing may be players on the same team. The objective is to correctly predict which one of them will score the most runs, get the most sixes, win the “Race to 10 Runs,” and other head-to-head propositions.

To Score 50 Runs — The objective is to correctly identify which player will reach this batting milestone.

Century to Be Scored in the Match — This is a simple yes/no wager that pays out no matter who scores the century on either side.

Player Performances — These wagers usually refer to the number of runs scored by individuals, over/under.

Cricket In-Play Propositions

Note: If you’re not familiar with In-Play see our Live Cricket Betting article.

Batsman Runs — This is usually an over/under bet that can be made just before a new batsman steps up to the crease. Batsman Runs bets stand after the batsman has faced one ball or is given out before first ball is faced. Note that the score counts if the batsman is Not-Out, including if innings is declared.

Runs Off Next Ball — Also referred to as “Runs Off Delivery,” wagering takes place ball by ball. For settlement purposes, any extras count as deliveries.

Method of Dismissal — While a batsman is still in the crease, wagers can be made on how he will be dismissed. Six options are usually available: Bowled, Caught, LBW, Run Out, Stumped or Any Other.

Over/Under Totals — Also available as ante post options but more common as in-play markets, the objective is to predict whether a result will be over or under a given benchmark, which will increase or decrease as a match progresses. Examples include Total Match Wides (over/under), Total Match Boundaries (over/under), Total Match Sixes (over/under), Total Match Run Outs (over/under), Team 1st Over — Total Runs (over/under) and Fall of 1st Team Wicket (over/under).

If you’re ready to get started wagering online, I suggest betway.com. For additional recommendations refer to our page Cricket Bookmakers.