Sports Betting Types in Cricket: From Straight Bets to Prop Bets

Cricket, with its rich history and intricate gameplay, has become a favorite sport for bettors around the world. The variety of betting options available makes it even more appealing, as fans can engage with the game in different ways beyond simply predicting the match-winner. Whether you’re a seasoned bettor or just starting out, platforms like 12Bet and Apbook offer a wide range of betting markets that cater to different preferences and strategies. In this blog, we will explore the most common types of cricket bets, from straightforward match bets to more creative prop bets, and how you can use them to enhance your betting experience.

1. Straight Bets (Match Betting)

Straight bets, also known as match bets, are the simplest and most popular type of bet in cricket. This form of betting involves predicting the outcome of a match—whether one team will win or, in the case of Test cricket, if the match will end in a draw. Straight bets are great for both beginners and experienced bettors because of their straightforward nature.

How It Works:

In straight bets, you simply choose one team to win the match. The odds will reflect the probability of each team’s victory, with the favorite offering lower returns and the underdog offering higher returns. For example, if you bet on India to win against Australia in a T20 match, you either win or lose depending on the match outcome.

Platforms like 12Bet offer competitive odds and real-time updates, making straight betting a simple yet effective way to engage with cricket.

2. Over/Under Bets

Over/under betting is another popular option, especially in high-scoring formats like T20 and ODI cricket. In this type of bet, the bookmaker sets a predicted total for a particular aspect of the game, such as total runs scored by a team, and you wager on whether the actual result will be over or under that set number.

How It Works:

For example, a bookmaker might set the total runs for India at 180.5 runs in a T20 match. You can bet on whether India will score more (over) or fewer (under) than 180.5 runs. This type of bet adds a layer of excitement as you don’t need to predict the winner of the match, but focus on specific game outcomes.

Apbook provides excellent over/under betting options with a wide range of markets covering team totals, player totals, and match outcomes.

3. Handicap Betting

Handicap betting is ideal when there is a significant difference in the skill levels of two teams. To level the playing field, the bookmaker gives the underdog a virtual advantage, or the favorite a disadvantage, and you bet on the match with these handicaps in mind.

How It Works:

If India is heavily favored to win against Bangladesh, the bookmaker may assign a -1.5 handicap to India, meaning they must win by at least two runs or wickets for your bet to pay off. Conversely, if you bet on Bangladesh with a +1.5 handicap, they can either win the match outright or lose by fewer than two runs or wickets for you to win your bet.

Platforms like 12Bet offer detailed handicap betting options, making it a great choice for bettors who want to wager on matches where there is a clear favorite.

4. Prop Bets (Proposition Bets)

Prop bets are fun and creative wagers that focus on specific events within the match, rather than the final outcome. These types of bets allow you to bet on particular aspects of a game, such as individual player performance, specific match events, or even things like the coin toss result. Prop bets are especially popular because they allow bettors to dive deep into the finer details of the game.

How It Works:

Some common prop bets include:

• Top Batsman/Bowler: Bet on which player will score the most runs or take the most wickets in a match.
• First Wicket Method: Bet on how the first wicket will fall—bowled, caught, LBW, etc.
• Total Sixes in a Match: Bet on how many sixes will be hit during the match.
• Coin Toss: Bet on which team will win the coin toss.

These bets are a great way to add excitement to a game, especially when you want to focus on specific moments or players. Apbook offers a wide range of prop bets, making it easy for bettors to find unique and engaging markets.

5. In-Play Betting (Live Betting)

In-play betting, or live betting, is one of the most thrilling ways to bet on cricket. This type of betting allows you to place wagers during the match, taking advantage of shifting dynamics and real-time events. Whether you want to bet on the outcome of a particular over, the next wicket to fall, or adjust your match bet based on how the game is unfolding, in-play betting keeps you constantly engaged with the action.

How It Works:

For example, if you see a batsman struggling early in their innings, you might bet on whether they will be dismissed in the next over. Alternatively, if a team starts strong in a chase, you could bet on them to win with higher confidence.

12Bet is renowned for its live betting features, with real-time odds and a variety of in-play markets that allow you to bet dynamically throughout the match.

6. Series Betting

Series betting is an option for bettors who want to bet on the outcome of an entire series rather than just a single match. This is particularly common in Test cricket, where teams play multiple matches over several weeks. You can bet on which team will win the series, the final series score, or even individual match outcomes within the series.

How It Works:

For example, if India is playing a five-match Test series against England, you can bet on India to win the series 3-2. You can also place bets on which team will win specific matches within the series, allowing for a long-term betting strategy.

Apbook and 12Bet both offer series betting markets, making them great platforms for bettors who prefer to engage with cricket over a longer period.

7. Future Bets

Future bets are long-term bets that focus on major cricket tournaments or events. These include bets on which team will win the ICC World Cup, who will finish as the top scorer in a tournament, or which player will be the highest wicket-taker in the IPL.

How It Works:

You place your bet well in advance, often months before the event begins. For example, you could bet on India to win the next ICC Cricket World Cup or place a wager on a particular player to finish as the tournament’s top batsman. These bets offer the potential for large payouts, but they also carry more risk due to the long timeframe and uncertainty.

Conclusion

Cricket betting offers a wide range of opportunities for bettors to engage with the game in exciting and dynamic ways. Whether you prefer straightforward match betting or more intricate prop and future bets, platforms like 12Bet and Apbook provide the tools you need to make informed and strategic wagers. By understanding the different types of cricket bets available, you can diversify your betting approach and increase your chances of success.