Cricket is one of the most popular sports with a good viewership for almost every match played. This means the count of cricket fans is a very high number which keeps on increasing further and thus, gives way to betting in the sport. Cricket Bookies or Bookmakers as they are called have been earning big from bets. They offer odds based on certain mathematical calculations, adding a margin of about 10-20% to it and as the bets come in, these odds keep getting adjusted dynamically, and thus, the bookie ends up on the winning side.
How Cricket Bookies Calculate the Odds?
Let’s say a match takes place between a really strong team and a weak one, we know who the winner would be. In such a case a bookie who knows he won’t earn from this, offers fewer odds making sure he doesn’t even lose money. However, in the same match if the bet is on the score at a particular stage, runs by a batsman, wickets by a bowler, and more such things which are difficult to predict, the odds are quite high, and this is what a bookie earns from.
Betting is all about getting a perfect mathematical calculation. If you happen to get it correct using your extra intelligence well, you earn, else you lose. Just like a wrong step or a silly mistake while solving a problem force you to solve it once again. In betting, the same wrong step will not just force you to start again but can also cost you big.
Remember – Winning small is better than losing big. So, make your move smartly.
Below are 5 ways of improving your cricket betting-:
1. Keep a check on the weather, playing conditions
First and foremost, besides keeping an eye on the score, it is essential to have a watch on some outside forces such as the weather, venue, pitch report, the playing conditions, etc. Bad weather can take you from a profit to a loss. Every venue offers different conditions and the pitch changes frequently at some places. All these are some important factors to be watched for.
2. Follow the game thoroughly and keep yourself updated
It is important to keep yourself updated with the sport. The team ranking, player’s past performance especially against the team the match is, which type of bowling is his weak point. The best website to follow to keep a track of all the latest happenings is of the ICC’s. In fact, not just before a match, keep a watch on the live stream during the match also, how well the player has settled with the bat or how well a bowler has got used to the conditions.
3. Explore different Markets
Don’t stick yourself to a single market. Try to explore different markets such as player of the match, leading wicket-taker, century scorer, etc., and until and unless very sure, don’t go for the Match winning market. You never know what among Win, Lose, Draw or even No result, the matches end up being. Just like there are multiple sports, a single sport has multiple markets. Choose yours wisely after detailed research.
4. Stick to a budget
Betting is usually fun, but this fun shouldn’t become a burden for you. Have a budget, stick to it. Don’t go beyond the boundary you have chosen. It might affect your daily needs and take you to be on the bad side i.e., gambling. Don’t be of the thought that if others are doing it, I should also do it. This thought leads to a downfall majority of the time. In short, don’t let your emotions and ego overpower you.
5. Analyse and learn from past experiences
Do you know, even your favorite cricketer whom you consider as a legend, have analyzed each and every game/past experience taking it as an opportunity to learn and improve? Similarly, it is essential that you analyze from your experience of the past game irrespective of whether you earned, lost, or had neither of two. It will help you in playing some risk-free moves while betting.
Betting is somewhat like a Share Market. You choose the right path; you earn but you make the tiniest of mistakes and your money is gone. So, it is up to you if you wish to take up the risk or play safe and enjoy cricket. This article is just to provide information about betting as a game but doesn’t provoke it. Do check the norms of your country before you make up your mind of betting in the cricket market.
I am a former cricketer having represented Mumbai University at All India University level. I was a part of MCA probables for the U-19 and U-23 age group. I have been an avid cricket writer for the last five years. Currently I am pursuing my Ph.D from IIT Bombay.
