How to bet on cricket - tips, strategies and what to avoid

Cricket is one of the most exciting and multi-faceted sports to bet on, whether you’re a new punter or an experienced and clued-up bettor.

There are numerous formats for bettors to enjoy including longer Test matches and short Twenty20 events. Punters have plenty of opportunities to find value bets, especially with the in-depth statistics available in today’s game.

Here at FIRST, we've put together a comprehensive guide on how to bet on cricket. Everything you need will be in here ranging from how cricket betting works and understanding odds to betting strategies to follow.

Once you've read this guide, you'll be ready to head over to one of the best cricket betting sites and start having fun.

How cricket odds work

Cricket odds show the probability of an event occurring. If the odds are short, it’s more likely than a longshot bet at huge odds.

Odds are usually presented in a fractional or decimal format in the UK and it’s crucial you understand how odds work as it’ll help you identify value bets.

If England are facing Australia in The Ashes the odds could be presented as:

England to win: 4/1 (4.00 in decimal)

Draw: 7/1 (7 in decimal)

Australia to win: 1/2 (1.5 in decimal)

The above odds mean that Australia are the favourites to win. An England win is the next most likely outcome, while a draw is the longshot out of the three options.

A £10 stake on Australia to win would return £15 in total including your stake. If you were to back England, a £10 stake would return a total of £50, while a draw will see £10 turn into £80 if the bet is a winner.

Cricket betting odds will fluctuate depending on a variety of factors including betting volume, team and injury news and various in-match events.

When we’re talking about a value bet in cricket, it means you believe the odds available are higher than the probability of the event occurring.

If you think England should be around 4/1 to win The Ashes but they’re 6/1, that’s a value bet.

The same point applies with comparing odds for different bookmakers. If you’re getting 20 per cent extra winnings on every bet by shopping around, the profit will add up if the bets keep winning.

Types of cricket bet

There are numerous types of cricket bets. We won’t get into individual markets here - we cover those on our best cricket betting sites guide - but it’s worth understanding the different types of cricket bets so you can develop a successful strategy going forward.

Futures betting

Futures betting is often known as outright betting and it’s when you place a bet on the outcome of a certain tournament whether it’s The Ashes, the Cricket World Cup or the Indian Premier League (IPL).

You can place an outright bet once the tournament has started so you can get a feel for how players and teams are playing, however, the odds will be lower than pre-tournament when you’re betting before a ball has been bowled.

Outright bets offer the opportunity to find value in the market as you may find a team is overpriced to win a tournament before the event. If they win their first two matches, the price will be slashed by bookmakers.

Totals betting

Totals betting involves backing over or under on a certain line set by bookmakers. There are a large range of options available to punters including total team runs scored, runs scored in an over or innings, runs scored at fall of first wicket, total wickets taken and total boundaries.

The line will be set by the bookmaker and you simply choose over or under. If the line for a team’s number of runs at the fall of the first wicket is set at 27.5 and you’ve backed over, if the score is 28 or higher, your bet is a winner!

Accumulators (accas)

An accumulator bet is one of the most popular types of bets. It involves combining multiple selections into one bet with the odds increasing as more picks are added. All of the selections must win for your bet to be a winner.

Team/player props

Team and player prop bets allow punters, usually more experienced bettors, to place specific bets on either a team or a player. Examples of these bets include a player to score 50/100 runs, team of top batter, highest opening partnership, first wicket method, team total runs in first innings, team's top wicket taker and player of the match. If you’ve done your research you can find value in team/player props markets.

Handicap bets

Another popular type of bet, handicap betting is a way of levelling out the odds so there isn't a heavy favourite and a major underdog.

If a team is the favourite to win the match, the bookmaker may offer a -2.5 wicket handicap, which means they have to win by a specific margin for the bet to land. If the line is -2.5, the team will have to win by three or more wickets.

If the line is based on runs, England could be -60.5 against India to win a Test match. Therefore, England must win by 61 or more runs for the bet to be a winner.

Arbitrage bets

Arbitrage betting involves betting on different outcomes with separate bookmakers to guarantee profit regardless of the result.

It involves doing a bit of maths and shopping around with different bookmakers to find better prices but if done correctly, it's a profitable way of betting.

Say the market is any player to reach 100+ runs in first innings and you can get 13/8 on yes with one bookmaker and 11/10 on no with a different site, as there are only two outcomes you're guaranteed to make profit if you back both due to the prices (they’re both odds against).

We cover arbitrage in more detail in our full guide on sports betting.

Live cricket betting

Live/in-play cricket betting involves betting on a match while it’s happening. It’s a popular betting method in cricket as the momentum in matches is constantly changing and one wicket or a decent over for the batting team can swing the odds dramatically.

Markets are constantly changing so you have to be quick if you are planning on live betting on cricket. Popular markets for in-play matches include method of next dismissal, total runs in the next over and batsman’s total score.

Live betting is for more experienced bettors who understand the sport and how matches are affected by wickets at a specific time or how a batsman’s strategy changes if the day’s play is coming to an end.

Cricket betting tips and strategies

When you’re thinking about how cricket betting works, it isn’t as black and white as picking a favourite to win and waiting for your winnings. Experienced punters will have an in-depth strategy to give them an advantage against the bookmakers. Here at FIRST, we’ve put together a few tips and strategies to help you out.

Form studying

Betting on cricket is like betting on any other sport as you should always do your research when it comes to team and player form.

Make sure you have a look at how a team has been performing recently and if the match is a specific format (Test, T20 etc) then have a look at how strong their form is in that version of cricket.

Also check out head-to-head records as one team may perform better against a certain rival. If England have beaten Australia in eight of their last nine matches, the numbers suggest backing England.

Teams and players will have different game plans and styles of play for the different formats. A batsman will take more risks in T20 games that are shorter compared to a Test which is a longer game.

Certain players may prefer their home comforts which means they'll play better at home rather than playing on the road after travelling around the world.

Pitch and weather studying

Cricket matches are heavily affected by the weather and the pitch conditions. If the pitch is dry, it favours spin bowlers, while a quicker pitch is more suited to pace bowlers.

The weather is also crucial to how the game pans out. Rain interrupts the match and stops play which can lead to reduced overs and a shorter game.

It’s worth checking out pitch reports and keeping an eye on weather forecasts if you’re placing cricket bets as dry conditions help spin bowlers as there’s more grip on the grass. With the weather suiting the bowlers, there may be value in backing the batting team to score less runs.

Trends

You should always check out betting trends when wagering on any sport including cricket. If the trends favour a certain team or player, it makes more sense to back them as history suggests they should perform well.

Possible trends could include betting on a team batting first if the pitch condition is deteriorating. The batting team will have better conditions than the team who will bat second.

You can keep a note of key trends to help you when betting in the future. It’ll help create a long-term cricket betting strategy.

Following tipsters

While you should only bet on cricket if you have an understanding of the sport as well as the specific markets, there are trusted cricket tipsters on hand at FIRST to point you in the right direction.

Our tipsters provide in-depth analysis if you don’t have the time to do your own research. Always remember to only use tipsters who are trusted, knowledgeable and transparent.

Tracking your bets

It’s advised to keep a log of every single bet you place. That way you can work out what’s successful for you. Track wins and losses and you’ll see patterns of what’s working. You can then hone in on a certain cricket format or team.

Using multiple bookmakers

It can prove a fruitful betting strategy to have accounts with multiple bookmakers. You can shop around for the best odds as the extra winnings will add up long term.

You will also be able to take advantage of enhanced price boosts. One bookmaker may have a team to win at 1/2 but you can get them at evens with a boost on another site.

Knowing the context of every match

It’s worth mentioning that there can be games that are dead rubbers. If it’s a tournament format and the teams facing off have already qualified for the next round but they’re playing in their last group stage game, players could be rested and the intensity of the match will likely drop.

Make sure you know the context of every match that you’re betting on so you don’t end up wasting your money on a meaningless match.

Common cricket betting mistakes

It isn’t always smooth sailing when betting on cricket but there are key mistakes to avoid if you’re hoping to be profitable when gambling.

The first and most important point is to never chase losses. You should also always manage your bankroll, avoid emotional betting and never bet without doing research.

Make sure you set a budget and you never go beyond your limit. If you’ve set a weekly budget of £20 and you’ve lost that in a couple of days, you should reset and wait until the following week. Don’t keep chucking money into your betting account.

Stake management is also key. If you decide your stake unit is £5, don’t change to a higher stake if you’ve lost your last couple of bets.

Make sure you do your research and that you’re not betting on teams and matches that you have no idea about. Stick to what you know whether it’s a specific team, tournament or cricket format. If there isn’t anything jumping out to you, don’t bet for the sake of it.

You should also shop around for the best sign-up bonuses as it can prove a successful betting strategy. Some bookmakers will have better offers than others, while you may be able to get enhanced odds with certain sites. It’s worth checking out numerous sites rather than sticking to one bookmaker all the time.

How to place your first cricket bet

Step 1: Choose a bookmaker

Here at FIRST, we know it can be quite overwhelming when picking a bookmaker, so we’re on hand to review and rate the best cricket betting sites in the UK as we want you to have the best possible experience.

Remember that you should always feel safe when betting as you’re handing over personal information. Choose a reputable outfit who have a decent welcome offer, competitive odds, an array of markets and a user-friendly site.

For peace of mind, select a bookie from our fully vetted and researched selections of the best UK bookmakers.

Once you’ve picked your preferred site, to set up an account you’ll likely have to provide identification including ID and proof of address. You’ll also have to agree to their terms and conditions.

Step 2: Make a deposit

Lovely stuff, you now have a betting account. Now that it’s verified, we need to deposit funds.

Pretty much every bookmaker will have numerous deposit methods including debit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, Paysafecard, Neteller and Skrill.

All of these methods are safe and trusted with the funds usually hitting your account in seconds.

Keep an eye on welcome offers for your chosen bookmaker. New sign-up offers are a decent way to kick off with a win as some sites will offer risk free cricket bets or they’ll give you a bonus of up to £50 in free bets when you bet £10.

Remember to check out the terms and conditions of the new customer offer as free bets may have an expiry date. You may also have to meet their requirements in terms of minimum odds or stake.

Step 3: Choose and place your bet

It’s time to place your first bet so get yourself over to the cricket section on the site (you might have to get the A-Z list of sports available if it’s not clear where to find cricket markets).

Once you’ve done that, pick your format or tournament you’re after, whether it’s T20, Test matches, IPL or more.

Choose your market from a simple match winner bet to a more specific selection such as a player to score 50 runs.

Click on the odds and the selection will appear in your betslip. Type in your stake and the betslip will reveal what the potential returns are. For example, £10 on a 10/1 bet will return £110 including your stake.

Finally, check the details in your betslip and select ‘place bet’. The confirmation will pop up and you’ll also be able to find it in your ‘open bets’.

Responsible gambling with FIRST

You must be 18+ to gamble. Gambling is a form of entertainment, not a way to make money. Our tips and advice help you enjoy gambling, but there is always a chance a bet or casino game can lose.

Never bet more than you can afford to lose. Stop betting if you are angry, emotional or under the influence of alcohol.

Warning signs of problem gambling: chasing losses, betting money needed for bills, or feeling unable to stop.

Need help? Visit our responsible sports betting page or our responsible casino gambling page, or contact the support organisations listed below if you're struggling to control your gambling:

Gamblers Anonymous UK

BeGambleAware

GAMSTOP

National Gambling Support Network

Gamcare

NHS National Gambling Clinic

FAQs

What are the most popular cricket bets?

The most popular cricket bet is match winner. It’s the easiest bet to place in cricket whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned punter. Other popular cricket bets include top batsman and bowler, over/under runs and wickets, as well as players to score 50 or 100 runs.

How do I bet on cricket?

Betting on cricket is simple. Pick your preferred site then sign up and deposit funds. Head to the cricket section on the bookmaker site, pick your market and place your bet. Once you’ve confirmed your selection, your bet is live.

How to predict a cricket match?

Unless you can time travel, it’s impossible to know exactly what will happen in a cricket match, however, there are numerous betting strategies to use. Study team/player form, keep an eye on weather and pitch reports as well as looking out for team news. Only bet on tournaments and matches that you have an understanding of.

How to bet on the IPL in the UK?

Betting on the IPL in the UK is also simple. Most bookmakers will offer odds on the IPL due to its popularity around the world. You’ll be able to find numerous markets for every match as well as outright odds.