Types of Cricket Bets Explained – What Actually Works in 2026
Okay, so you’ve got your Cricket ID. Now what? You open the app and there’s like 47 different betting markets staring at you. Match winner, top batsman, runs in powerplay, method of dismissal… it’s overwhelming.
I’ve been through this. Made every rookie mistake. Bet on toss winners (spoiler: that’s gambling, not betting). Chased losses on session bets. Put accumulators together that had zero chance of hitting.
This guide is everything I wish someone told me when I started. No fluff, no generic “do your research” advice. Actual insights on what works.
The Bread and Butter: Pre-Match Bets
These are bets you place before the first ball. Odds are fixed based on team form, conditions, historical data. They’re the foundation.
Match Winner
The simplest bet. Pick who wins. That’s it.
Example from IPL 2025:
- Gujarat Titans: 1. Speaking of IPL, get your IPL Betting ID ready for the upcoming season.75
- Mumbai Indians: 2.15
GT were favorites at home in Ahmedabad. MI had lost their last 3. The odds reflected that.
My take: This is where beginners should live. You’re not going to outsmart the market on exotic bets when you’re still learning how odds work. Master match winners first. Get a feel for how form, pitch, and matchups affect outcomes.
Pro tip: Don’t just pick the favorite every time. Look for matches where the underdog has genuine reasons to win – maybe they have a great record at that venue, or key opposition players are injured. That’s where value lives.
Toss Winner
This is NOT betting. This is a coin flip.
Odds are usually 1.90-1.95 both ways. The platform takes a cut, you have 50-50 odds. Mathematically, you’ll lose money long-term.
I’ve seen people bet ₹10,000 on toss outcomes. Bhai, why? Go play roulette if you want pure luck – at least the atmosphere is better.
My take: Skip this entirely. Or if you must, treat it as entertainment with money you’d spend on a movie ticket anyway.
Total Runs Over/Under
Will the total match runs be above or below a set number?
Example:
- Over 340.5: 1.85
- Under 340.5: 1.95
What actually matters:
- Venue: Wankhede? Over. Chepauk on a turning track? Under.
- Pitch age: Fresh pitch = more runs. Day 3+ of a used track = lower scores.
- Dew factor: Evening matches with heavy dew = better for chasing team = more runs.
I made money on this market during IPL 2025 by just tracking dew forecasts. When dew was heavy, batting second became easy, totals went up. Simple edge, but it worked.
Live Betting: Where It Gets Interesting (And Dangerous)
Odds change with every ball. This is exciting but also where most people blow their bankrolls.
Next Over Runs
Predict runs in the upcoming over.
Options might look like:
- 0-5 runs: 3.50
- 6-8 runs: 2.20
- 9-11 runs: 2.80
- 12+ runs: 4.00
When this works: You’re watching the match. You see Bumrah is bowling to a tailender. 0-5 runs at 3.50 is probably good value. Or it’s the 19th over, Hardik Pandya is on strike, death bowler is tired – 12+ runs becomes interesting.
When this fails: You’re betting blind based on odds alone. Cricket is chaos. One mishit six changes everything.
Method of Next Wicket
How will the batsman get out?
- Caught: 1.60
- Bowled: 3.50
- LBW: 5.00
- Run out: 8.00
- Stumped: 12.00
Actual strategy:
- Spinner bowling to aggressive batsman who charges down the track? Stumped odds suddenly look tasty.
- Swing bowler with the new ball? Caught behind/caught slip is way more likely.
- Tail-ender facing 145 kph? Bowled odds are underpriced.
This market rewards people who actually understand cricket. If you don’t know why a spinner is more likely to get a stumping than a fast bowler, stick to simpler bets.
Will There Be a Six This Over?
Yes or no. Simple.
When I bet Yes: Power hitter on strike, shorter boundary on one side, bowler has been expensive, match situation demands big shots.
When I bet No: Spinner bowling to a blocker, pitch is slow, batsman is trying to survive not score.
This is a fun market. Low stakes, quick results. Good for keeping you engaged during slow phases of a match.
Tournament Bets: The Long Game
Place these before or during a tournament. Odds change as teams progress.
Outright Winner
Who wins the whole thing?
IPL 2025 example (pre-tournament):
- Chennai Super Kings: 6.50
- Mumbai Indians: 7.00
- Gujarat Titans: 5.50
The smart play: Bet early if you have a strong read. Odds shorten as your team wins. GT started at 5.50, were at 2.20 by the time they reached the final.
Even smarter: If your early bet is looking good, hedge in the knockout stage. Lock in guaranteed profit regardless of final result. I’ve done this twice – feels like free money.
Orange Cap (Top Run Scorer)
Who to back: Consistent openers or #3 batsmen who bat most overs. Virat, Shubman, Faf, Rutu – these guys face enough balls to compile big totals.
Who to avoid: Middle order finishers. Hardik might be explosive, but he bats 12-15 overs total per match. Not enough volume.
Purple Cap (Top Wicket Taker)
Target bowlers who bowl in ALL phases – powerplay AND death. Guys like Bumrah (when fit), Arshdeep, Chahal.
Part-time bowlers or specialists who only bowl middle overs don’t get enough opportunities.
Player Bets: High Risk, High Reward
Top Batsman (Match)
Who scores the most runs in the match?
The opener advantage: They face the most balls. Statistically, they win this market more often. But everyone knows this, so their odds are shorter.
Value play: Look at #3 batsmen. Kohli at RCB, SKY at MI – they often score big but have longer odds than openers because they don’t always get extended innings.
Player to Score 50+
Example:
- Rohit Sharma 50+: 2.40
- No 50+: 1.60
What I check:
- Player’s record at this specific venue
- Record vs this specific bowling attack
- Current form (last 5 matches)
- Match importance (do they have something to prove?)
Kohli at Chinnaswamy with RCB needing a win to reach playoffs? That 50+ bet looks very different than Kohli in a dead rubber.
Session Betting: The IPL Special
Super popular in India. Fast-paced, lots of action. Also where people lose money fastest.
Powerplay Runs (Overs 1-6)
Example:
- Over 48.5: 1.90
- Under 48.5: 1.90
Factors:
- Quality of opening pair
- New ball bowling attack
- Pitch – bounce or seam movement kills powerplay runs
Kolkata on a green Eden Gardens pitch with their batting struggles? Under powerplay runs is almost free money. Same team on a Wankhede road? Different story.
Death Overs (16-20)
Usually high-scoring. Overs are worth 9-12 runs on average during this phase.
But watch for: Teams with weak lower orders. If #6-11 are all bowlers, death over runs drop significantly.
Exotic Bets: For Fun, Not Profit
First Ball Outcome
- Dot: 1.50
- 1 run: 2.20
- 4 runs: 8.00
- Wicket: 25.00
Pure entertainment. Don’t bet rent money on this.
Super Over – Will It Happen?
Usually priced at 15.00+ because it’s rare. Fun to have ₹100 on it for the chaos factor. Not a real strategy.
Duck in Match
“Yes” is almost always correctly priced. Ducks happen in most matches. Not much edge here.
Understanding Odds – Read This If Nothing Else
Decimal odds (what we use in India):
- 2.00 = double your money (100% profit)
- 1.50 = 50% profit
- 3.00 = 200% profit
Quick math: ₹1000 bet at 2.50 odds = ₹2500 total return (₹1500 profit)
Implied probability: What the odds “think” the chances are.
- 2.00 odds = 50% chance
- 3.00 odds = 33% chance
- 1.50 odds = 67% chance
Finding value: If you believe India has a 60% chance to win but odds show 2.00 (50% implied), that’s value. Bet it. If you think India has 40% chance but odds show 1.50 (67% implied), stay away.
This is the whole game. Find spots where your assessment differs from the market’s, and bet when you have an edge.
What Level Are You?
Beginner: Stick To
- Match winner
- Total runs over/under
- Outright tournament winner
Build your understanding. Track your bets. See what works.
Intermediate: Add
- Top batsman/bowler
- Powerplay runs
- Basic live betting when watching matches
Advanced: Explore
- Method of dismissal
- Specific over runs
- Complex live markets
- Hedging strategies
Don’t jump levels. I’ve seen guys with 2 weeks of experience trying to bet on ball-by-ball markets. They donate their money to sharper bettors.
Final Thoughts
Betting on cricket can be fun AND profitable if you approach it right. But most people approach it wrong – they bet with their heart instead of their head, chase losses, and ignore bankroll management.
Start small. Learn the markets. Track your results. Build up.
And for god’s sake, stop betting on the toss.
Ready to put this knowledge to work?
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