Want to know how to bet on cricket? Here’s some top cricket betting advice from Betway, including where to bet on cricket and popular cricket betting markets.
Cricket is one of the world’s most popular sports, with a passionate following and a wide variety of formats to enjoy. For newcomers, the idea of placing a cricket bet can be as intriguing as the game itself, so understanding how to bet on cricket is the first step to making informed choices.
How cricket betting works
Whether you’re curious about how to bet on a cricket match or you’re ready to explore how to bet on cricket online, it all starts with knowing how cricket betting works. In this guide, we’ll break down the basics, explain the different markets available, and highlight strategies to help you enjoy the experience responsibly.
From understanding the rules of the sport to exploring the different bet types and odds, you’ll soon have the knowledge and confidence to take your first steps into the world of cricket betting markets.
How to read cricket betting odds
So, what is cricket betting and how does it work? At Betway, you can find betting odds in the traditional fractional odds format, which is widely used in the UK and popular with cricket fans. Understanding fractional odds is a key element if you’re asking how does cricket betting work, as it tells you both the potential profit and the stake required.
For instance, with odds of 5/1, the first number represents the profit you’ll make if your bet wins, and the second number represents your stake.
So, if England were priced at 5/1 to beat Australia in the Ashes, a £10 bet would return £50 profit plus your £10 stake back, for a total of £60. If the odds were shorter, say 2/5, you would need to stake £5 to win £2 profit (plus your stake back).
By understanding how fractional odds work, you’ll be able to read the cricket betting markets with confidence and make informed betting choices.
How to bet on cricket
While there’s no guaranteed way to win a bet, understanding how betting works in cricket is about giving yourself the best possible chance by making informed decisions. After all, success often comes down to preparation and awareness.
Research: Start by researching the game and the players, and the competition you’re betting on, such as a player’s recent form and fitness levels. You could even go further in-depth and assess their historical performance against certain opponents, which can be a telling factor too.
Match format: It’s also worth considering the format of the match. Test cricket, One Day Internationals (ODIs), and T20s each have very different rhythms, strategies, and betting opportunities.
Playing conditions: Another key element is the pitch and playing conditions. Some surfaces are perfect for high-scoring batting displays, whereas others give bowlers (especially spinners or seamers) the upper hand. Weather can also play a huge role, with overcast skies or humidity often favouring swing bowling.
Common mistakes when betting on cricket
Understanding how betting works in cricket is just as much about avoiding pitfalls as it is about spotting opportunities. Below are three common mistakes when betting on cricket:
Ignoring team news and player form: Overlooking injuries, player fatigue, or changes in the line-up can lead to poor betting decisions, as these factors often have a major impact on match outcomes.
Betting without considering conditions: Failing to factor in the pitch, weather, and venue history can result in backing a team or player poorly suited to the day’s conditions.
Chasing losses: Increasing your stakes in an attempt to recover from a losing bet can quickly spiral out of control. A disciplined, budget-based approach is always safer.
Popular cricket betting markets
Have the many cricket betting markets left you stumped? Don’t worry, here’s a simple breakdown:
To win series: You bet on which team will win an entire multi-match series, such as the Ashes, rather than a single game.
Match betting: The simplest cricket bet, where you choose which team will win a specific match.
Draw no bet: You bet on a team to win, with your stake refunded if the match ends in a draw (common in Test cricket).
Team’s top batter: Betting on which player from a specific team will score the most runs in a match or series.
Team’s top wicket taker: Betting on which bowler from a specific team will take the most wickets in a match or series.
Team under/over runs: You bet on whether a team’s total runs in a match or innings will be over or under a set number defined by the bookmaker.
Player under/over runs: Similar to the above, but focused on an individual player’s run total.
To reach 50/100: Betting on whether a player will score at least a half-century (50 runs) or a century (100 runs) in a match.
Fall of wicket: You bet on the total number of runs a team will have scored when their next wicket falls.
Next wicket method of dismissal: Betting on how the next batter will be dismissed, such as bowled, caught, LBW, run out or stumped.
Cricket events and competitions you can bet on
Cricket is played in a wide variety of formats across the globe, and each brings its own style, pace and betting opportunities. Here are some of the biggest events and competitions where you can place a bet:
Test cricket
The longest and most traditional format of the game, Test matches can last up to five days and demand patience and strategy from both players and bettors. You can bet on international Test matches year-round, as well as iconic series like The Ashes, where England and Australia battle for cricket’s most famous trophy.
T20
Known for its fast pace and explosive hitting, Twenty20 cricket offers action-packed games that last around three hours. Bet on international T20 matches, global tournaments like the T20 World Cup, and domestic leagues such as England’s Vitality T20 Blast, the Indian Premier League, South Africa’s Betway SA20, and Australia’s Big Bash League.
ODI
One Day Internationals (ODIs) strike a balance between Test and T20 cricket, with each team batting for up to 50 overs. You can place bets on major events like the ODI World Cup, which showcases the best teams in the world.
County cricket
In England, domestic four-day cricket offers opportunities to back your favourite teams in the County Championship Division 1 and Division 2. These competitions are a great way to follow emerging talent and future international stars.
The Hundred
A relatively new format designed for speed and excitement, The Hundred features just 100 balls per innings. Bet on both the men’s competition and the women’s competition as top players from around the world compete in this innovative tournament.
How can I bet on a cricket match?
Placing a bet on a cricket match with Betway is quick and straightforward. First, create your Betway account, which only takes a few minutes. Once you’re signed in, head to the cricket section to browse upcoming matches, tournaments and betting markets.
Select the match you want to bet on, choose your preferred market (such as match winner, top batter or total runs), enter your stake, and confirm your bet. You can also explore in-play betting to react to the action as it unfolds, adding even more excitement to your cricket experience.
Where to bet on cricket markets
Now that you’ve read our cricket betting advice, you’re all set to explore the latest betting opportunities in our dedicated cricket sportsbook. Here, you’ll find up-to-date odds on everything from international Test matches to T20 leagues and The Hundred.
Whether you want to back your favourite team, predict the top batter or try in-play markets as the action unfolds, Betway offers a wide range of betting options to suit every type of cricket fan.
Stay ahead of the game with the Betway Sports app! Download it now from the Play Store or the App Store to enjoy live betting, real-time updates, and exclusive offers right at your fingertips.
