Types of Cricket Bets - All 24 Cricket Betting Markets Explained

Cricket offers more betting markets than almost any other sport. A single IPL match can have over 100 individual betting options across match outcomes, player performances, session totals, and ball-by-ball events. This guide covers every type of cricket bet available on CricBet99, with clear explanations, real examples, and practical tips for each market.

Whether you are a beginner who has never placed a cricket bet or an experienced punter looking to explore new markets, this guide serves as your complete reference. Bookmark this page and return to it whenever you need to understand a specific bet type before placing your wager.

Match-Level Bets

These are bets on the overall outcome of a cricket match. They are the simplest and most popular types of cricket bets, especially for beginners.

1. Match Winner

The most straightforward cricket bet. You predict which team will win the match. In limited-overs cricket (T20 and ODI), there are usually two possible outcomes since ties are resolved through Super Overs. In Test matches, there are three possible outcomes: Team A wins, Team B wins, or the match ends in a draw.

Example: India vs Australia T20 match. India's odds are 1.65, Australia's odds are 2.30. A 1,000 rupee bet on India at 1.65 returns 1,650 rupees if India wins (650 rupee profit). A 1,000 rupee bet on Australia at 2.30 returns 2,300 rupees if Australia wins (1,300 rupee profit).

For in-depth strategies, read our dedicated match winner betting guide.

2. Toss Winner

A pure 50/50 bet on which captain wins the coin toss. The toss result is determined before the match begins and is entirely random. Odds are typically close to even (around 1.90 to 1.95 for each side) with a small margin for the platform.

When to use: Some bettors use toss winner bets as a quick way to build their bankroll with small stakes. Since the outcome is random, there is no analytical edge. This is purely a chance-based bet.

3. Double Chance

Available primarily in Test matches, double chance lets you cover two of the three possible outcomes with a single bet. You can bet on Team A or Draw, Team B or Draw, or Team A or Team B (which excludes the draw). This gives you a higher probability of winning but at lower odds since you are covering more outcomes.

Example: India vs England Test match. A "India or Draw" double chance bet wins if India wins outright or if the match ends in a draw. You only lose if England wins. The odds are lower than a straight India win bet because you have two chances to win.

4. Handicap Betting

In handicap betting, one team is given a virtual advantage (or disadvantage) in runs to level the playing field. This is used when one team is a strong favourite and the straight match winner odds are too low to be attractive.

Example: India -30.5 runs vs Bangladesh at odds of 1.85. For this bet to win, India needs to win by more than 30 runs (or more than 30 runs difference in a limited-overs context). If India wins but by only 20 runs, your handicap bet loses despite India winning the match.

5. Series Winner

A long-term bet on which team wins a bilateral series (usually a series of 3 or 5 matches). Available for Test series, ODI series, and T20 series. Odds are offered before the series begins and may also be available between matches as the series progresses.

Player Bets

Player bets focus on individual performances rather than match outcomes. These markets require knowledge of specific players' form, strengths, and match-up histories. For a deeper dive, see our complete player bets guide.

6. Top Batsman

Predict which player will score the most runs in a team's innings or in the entire match. You select one player from the squad, and if they end up as the highest run scorer, your bet wins. In case of a tie (two players scoring equal runs), dead heat rules typically apply, meaning your payout is divided.

Factors to consider: Batting position (openers face more balls), current form, historical performance at the venue, and match-up against the opposing bowling attack. Opening batsmen and number 3 batsmen are generally safer picks due to the number of deliveries they face.

7. Top Bowler

Similar to top batsman but for bowling. You predict which bowler will take the most wickets in an innings or match. If no bowler takes a wicket (rare), bets are usually voided. In case of a tie, dead heat rules apply.

Factors to consider: Bowling type (pace vs spin), pitch conditions, how many overs the bowler is expected to bowl (important in T20 where specialists bowl only 4 overs), and track record at the specific ground.

8. Player Runs (Over/Under)

Bet on whether a specific batsman will score more or less than a set number of runs. For example, "Virat Kohli Over/Under 35.5 runs." If you bet Over and Kohli scores 36 or more, you win. If he scores 35 or fewer, the Under bet wins.

This market is available for multiple batsmen in each match and is one of the most popular player prop bets in cricket.

9. Man of the Match

Predict which player will receive the Man of the Match award. This is decided by the match referee or a designated panel after the match concludes. Typically, match-winning performances with bat or ball are rewarded.

Tip: All-rounders who contribute with both bat and ball have a statistical advantage in Man of the Match selections, especially in close matches where a single performance can swing the result.

10. Method of Dismissal

Bet on how a specific batsman will be dismissed. Options include caught, bowled, LBW, run out, stumped, and hit wicket. Caught is the most common method of dismissal in all formats, typically accounting for 50% or more of all wickets.

Session and Fancy Bets

Session and fancy bets are among the most popular cricket betting markets in India, particularly during IPL matches. These markets focus on specific numerical outcomes within defined periods of play. For a complete guide, see our session and fancy betting guide.

11. Total Team Runs

Bet on whether a team's total score in an innings will be over or under a specified number. For example, "India Total Runs Over/Under 165.5" in a T20 match. This is also known as innings runs or team total.

12. Runs in Over

Predict the number of runs scored in a specific over or set of overs. Common markets include runs in the first over, runs in the powerplay (first 6 overs in T20/ODI), and runs in specific overs during the death phase. This is a core fancy betting market.

13. Wicket in Over

A yes or no bet on whether a wicket will fall in a specific over. Odds fluctuate based on the batting partnership, bowler quality, and match situation. Wicket-in-over bets are available during live in-play betting only.

14. First Boundary (4 or 6)

Bet on whether the first scoring shot in the match (or in a specific innings) will be a four or a six. You can also bet on the first boundary of each over in some markets. Quick-fire markets with instant results.

15. Extras (Over/Under)

Bet on the total number of extras (wides, no-balls, byes, leg-byes) in an innings. Some markets break this down into just wides or just no-balls. Pitch conditions, bowling team accuracy, and match intensity affect extras totals.

16. Highest Opening Partnership

Predict the highest opening partnership score in the match, comparing both teams' opening partnerships. You bet on which team's openers will put on more runs together before the first wicket falls.

17. Lambi Run (Full Innings Total)

"Lambi" is a widely used term in Indian cricket betting circles. It refers to the total runs prediction for a complete innings. The platform sets a line (for example, 175 runs for a T20 innings), and you bet on whether the actual total will be higher (Yes/Over) or lower (No/Under). Lambi markets are among the most heavily traded during IPL matches.

Live and Special Bets

Live betting markets are available only during the match and change with every ball bowled. These are the most dynamic and exciting cricket betting markets. For a complete guide, see our live cricket betting guide.

18. Ball-by-Ball Betting

The most granular form of cricket betting. You bet on the outcome of the next ball. Options include dot ball, single, boundary four, six, wicket, wide, or no-ball. Odds refresh after every delivery. This is extremely fast-paced betting that requires quick decision-making.

Tip: Ball-by-ball betting is best suited for experienced bettors who understand bowler patterns, batsman tendencies, and field placements. New bettors should start with broader markets like session runs before attempting ball-by-ball betting.

19. Live In-Play Betting

Live in-play betting encompasses all markets that are available during the match. This includes updated match winner odds that change with every run scored and wicket taken, live session markets, and all the fancy markets listed above. The key difference from pre-match betting is that odds are constantly moving, creating opportunities for bettors who can read the game situation in real-time.

20. Session Betting

Session betting focuses on predefined segments of an innings. Common sessions include the first 6 overs (powerplay), overs 7 to 15 (middle overs), and overs 16 to 20 (death overs) in T20 matches. You bet on the total runs scored during each session. This is one of the most popular markets during IPL matches.

21. Fancy Betting

Fancy betting is a catch-all term for specialized numerical markets that go beyond standard session betting. Examples include total sixes in a match, total fours in an innings, total wickets in the powerplay, total wides in an innings, and highest individual score. Fancy markets offer diverse betting options and are popular among Indian bettors who enjoy predicting specific statistical outcomes.

Tournament Bets

Tournament bets are long-term wagers that span an entire competition rather than a single match.

22. Top Tournament Batsman

Predict which player will score the most runs across the entire tournament (such as the IPL Orange Cap winner). These bets are placed before the tournament begins, and odds are available for all participating batsmen. Since the bet runs for the entire duration of the tournament, outcomes are not known for weeks or months.

23. Top Tournament Bowler

Similarly, predict the highest wicket-taker in a tournament (such as the IPL Purple Cap winner). The same long-term approach applies. Historical tournament data, number of matches the player's team is expected to play, and bowling conditions at tournament venues are all relevant factors.

24. Tournament Winner

Predict the overall winner of a tournament before it begins. This is a standard futures or outright market. Odds are available for every participating team and change as the tournament progresses. For IPL-specific strategies, visit our IPL betting guide.

Bet Type Comparison Table

How to Choose the Right Bet Type

The best bet type depends on your experience level, risk tolerance, and knowledge of the specific match:

• If you are a beginner: Start with match winner bets and total team runs. These are the simplest markets with clear outcomes.
• If you know the players well: Explore player performance markets like top batsman, top bowler, and player runs over/under.
• If you enjoy live action: Live in-play betting with session and fancy markets offers the most dynamic experience.
• If you want long-term bets: Tournament winner and top tournament batsman/bowler markets let you track your bets across an entire competition like the IPL.

Start small, track your results, and gradually explore new markets as your understanding grows. Visit our cricket betting hub for more resources, or check our odds guide to understand how payouts work.

If betting is affecting your daily life, relationships, or finances, please seek help. Support is available through iCall India and the Vandrevala Foundation. Read our Responsible Gambling page for more information.