How to Bet on Cricket Online 2026: Betting Guide

Cricket betting is exciting once you learn the basics.

From picking match winners to predicting runs or player stats, there are plenty of options.

This guide breaks it all down with clear steps, bet types, and strategies that work.

How do you place a bet on cricket?

When betting on cricket, there are a few steps you need to follow.

Here are all the important details.

Understanding cricket betting odds

To learn how to bet on cricket, you must understand how betting odds work.

Cricket odds show how likely an event is to happen and how much you can win if it does.

Moneyline (match winner)

The moneyline bet is the most basic cricket bet. You’re just picking which team will win.

I always found this the easiest bet to understand when I started.

• Negative odds (e.g., -150) mean you must bet $150 to win $100. The negative sign tells you that the team is the favorite. The bigger the negative number, the more money you need to risk to get a smaller profit because the team is more likely to win.

• Positive odds (e.g., +130) mean that if you bet $100, you win $130. The positive sign shows the underdog status, so you risk less for a bigger reward if the team wins.

I remember betting on the Mumbai Indians at -150 in an IPL match. I had to risk more for a smaller win.

I once risked $100 on the Chennai Super Kings at +130.

They lost, but if they won, my $100 bet would have paid $130 in profit.

Betting on a draw (Test matches)

Test matches are different because they can end in a draw.

This doesn’t happen in T20s or ODIs.

I bet on England against Australia in a Test match without knowing this.

I didn’t even think about the draw. The game dragged on for five days, and rain delays made it impossible for either team to win.

I lost my bet because I didn’t factor in the draw.

Some sites offer higher odds for a draw in Test matches because it’s a less likely outcome.

But when I look at a game with bad weather or evenly matched teams, the draw can be a smart option.

Always check the weather and team form before placing your bet.

In Test cricket, you can’t ignore the chance of a draw.

Types of cricket bets

Cricket betting offers a variety of options depending on the match format, and each bet comes with a strategy.

Here’s how I approach these bets, based on my own experience.

Here’s the summary table in plain text format and comparison table:

Moneyline

Moneyline bets are straightforward—you are betting on which team will win.

When I first started betting, this was the easiest to understand.

In Test matches, you also have the option to bet on a draw.

I’ve placed bets on Test matches where weather played a big role, making the draw a smart choice to consider.

Over/under (total runs)

Over/under bets focus on whether the total runs scored will be over or under a set number.

I go for such a bet in ODI and T20 matches.

The run totals are easier to predict based on the pitch and the teams.

If the line is set at 180.5 runs in a T20, and I know the team has strong batters, I bet over.

It’s a good bet when you have a solid idea of how teams perform in certain conditions.

Props

Props are all about specific outcomes within the game.

These can be fun because they don’t rely on the final result.

Here are a few I’ve tried:

• Top Batsman/Bowler: I once bet on David Warner to become the top scorer in a T20 match. He had been in great form, and I followed his recent performances. He ended up scoring 85 runs, making that a winning bet.

• Method of Dismissal: This is one of my favorite live bets. I placed a bet during a Test match between Australia and England, predicting that the next batsman would be caught out. With the bowler applying pressure and the fielders set, the batsman edged the ball straight to the slip, and I won that bet.

First ball/first over

These bets are for when you want quick results.

You can bet on what will happen on the first ball or during the first over. It’s a fast way to get involved.

These bets are often settled within seconds, perfect for live betting.

Series betting

If there’s a series of matches, like a five-match Test series, you can bet on the total outcome.

This type of bet requires more patience, but can be rewarding if you follow the teams over several games.

Player/team totals

These bets focus on individual performances.

You can wager on a player’s total runs or wickets, or on how many runs a team will score.

I have bet on players like Virat Kohli to score over 50 runs in ODIs.

If you know a player’s form and how they match up against the opposition, this bet can be quite profitable.

Live betting in cricket

Live betting, or in-play betting, is a big part of how I bet on cricket.

It lets me place bets as the game develops.

It’s a great option, especially in longer formats like Test matches.

I will explain what makes live betting special and how I use it to improve my chances.

Availability of live betting in cricket

Live betting is available for T20s, ODIs, and even Test matches.

It’s not restricted to major tournaments like the IPL or The Ashes.

I have placed live bets on smaller domestic matches too.

What makes cricket stand out for live betting is the pacing.

Unlike faster sports, cricket gives you time to watch how the game develops.

This slower pace lets me analyze the match and make better decisions.

This is especially true for Test matches where momentum shifts over several sessions.

Here are some of the live bets I find most interesting:

• Next Ball/Over Bets: I place these bets to get quick results. You can bet whether the next ball will be a dot, a boundary, or a wicket. I have seen success betting on a wicket when the bowler is in form.

• Session Runs: In Test matches, live betting on session runs is one of my go-to strategies. You bet on how many runs a team will score in a particular session. If a team is looking to score quickly before the close of play, I bet on them to score more than the predicted number of runs.

• Fall of Wicket: Betting when the next wicket will fall is especially useful when I can tell that a batsman is struggling or a bowler has found his rhythm. I’ve placed this bet during live matches where the bowler is on fire, and it often pays off when they get a wicket soon after.

Cricket betting strategies

When betting on cricket, sticking to a solid strategy is crucial for managing risks and improving your chances of success.

Here are the strategies that I’ve found most effective:

1. Research and analyze

Before placing any bet, focus on team form and player statistics.

Checking recent performances helps identify trends.

For instance, if a team has performed well in similar conditions, they will maintain that form.

This kind of analysis helps to avoid betting on teams just because of their reputation.

2. Understanding pitch and weather

Cricket matches are influenced by the pitch conditions and weather.

For example, a dry, cracked pitch often helps spinners, while a green pitch supports seam bowlers.

Before placing a bet, make sure to check the weather forecast.

Overcast conditions can help swing bowlers, while a sunny day favors the batting side.

I once avoided betting on a high-scoring game due to an expected rain delay that reduced overs.

3. Focus on value bets

I’m always on the lookout for value bets.

These are bets where the odds are higher than they should be based on the actual probability.

I have found that smaller matches or underdog teams offer great value if you have done your homework.

A team playing at home, but listed as an underdog, might be a smart bet.

4. Bet on top performers

Top batsman or top bowler bets are great options if you follow individual player form.

Betting on Virat Kohli to score over 50 runs in an ODI when he’s in form has worked well for me in the past.

5. Bankroll management

The most important part of any betting strategy is managing the bankroll.

I stick to betting only 1% to 5% of my total bankroll on any single bet.

This way, even during losing streaks, I don’t exhaust my funds.

Having a fixed amount for each bet also keeps me disciplined.

Choosing the right sportsbook for cricket betting

Now that we've covered how to bet on cricket, it’s time to pick the right sportsbook.

Here’s what I look for to make sure I’m getting the best value.

We've also written a comprehensive guide on choosing the best cricket betting site.

Competitive odds

Always compare odds across several platforms.

Even a small change can impact returns over time.

Sportsbooks offer varying odds, and I always check a few before placing any bet.

Variety of betting markets

It’s important to have diverse betting options.

Markets like match winners, total runs, and individual player bets give you more flexibility.

This allows me to place bets based on team strength or player form.

Bonuses and promotions

Most sportsbooks offer welcome bonuses, matching a percentage of your first deposit (e.g., 50% or 100%).

These bonuses give extra funds for betting right away.

Regular promotions like bets, odds boosts, and special offers during major cricket events, such as the IPL, are also common.

These deals help stretch my betting budget, letting me bet more without increasing risk.

Take a look at draw no bet options too when looking for what's going to best for you.

Live betting

Live betting is essential for cricket, especially in longer formats.

I use it to adjust bets based on how the match unfolds.

Some sportsbooks also offer live streaming, which helps me make more informed decisions.

How to bet responsibly

Although knowing your sports helps, betting is primarily luck-based, so use these top tips to practice responsible gambling when placing a bet:

• Limits: Sports betting sites allow you to set betting limits, i.e., limit how much you can bet in a day, a week, or a month.

• Cashouts: You can withdraw your winnings quite easily from any betting site, which prevents you from spending all of your winnings.

• Help & resources: Betting platforms provide access to resources for problem gamblers and point them to organizations that can help with gambling addiction.

Problem gambling organizations and charities in the US

FAQs