Cricket betting at Allright

Cricket is one of the most watched sports in the world and a staple of many bookmakers' menus. If you grew up on it, you already know more than this page can teach. If you did not, this guide covers the basics so you understand what you are buying — and, above all, so you do not bet blind on a sport whose rules you have never followed.

The minimum to follow a match

Two teams take turns to bat and bowl. The batting side tries to score runs; the fielding side tries to dismiss the batters. When one side's innings ends, the other tries to beat its total. The team with more runs wins, subject to the format's rules. Compared with football or basketball, the rhythm is different: no single moment decides the match, the result is built gradually.

Short and long formats

Formats vary enormously. Short ones are played in a few hours with a set number of deliveries per side and almost always produce a winner. Long ones can last several days and allow a draw. For bettors that changes everything: in a long format the draw can have a real probability and the prices reflect it.

Basic markets

Match winner: the simplest; in long formats, with a draw option.
Total runs: whether a team or the match goes over a run line.
Top batter or bowler: player markets, usually with high margins.
Coin toss: who wins the toss; pure chance.

Rain, interruptions and rules

Cricket is played outdoors and rain interrupts it often. A shortened match can be decided by an official adjustment method, end with no result or be replayed. Bookmakers have specific rules for each case: some bets stand, others are voided and refunded. Read them first, because they can change the outcome of your bet even if you called the match right.

Margins in less familiar markets

In markets with less betting volume, bookmakers often work with higher margins than in major football or tennis. Imagine a match winner priced 1.80 and 1.95: the implied probabilities add up to 106.8%, a 6.8% margin. Combined with not knowing the sport, the conclusion is clear: if you bet, bet small and out of curiosity.

Betting on a sport you do not follow

The honest rule is not to do it with meaningful money. If you want to try, use a fraction of your usual unit — if your football unit is $2.50, stake $1 — and treat it as entertainment. If you start following the sport, you will be able to bet with more judgement. Meanwhile, football and tennis markets are more familiar ground for most bettors.

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Frequently asked questions

Do I need to follow cricket to bet on it?

You do not need to, but without following it your edge as a bettor is close to zero. If you bet anyway, keep stakes small and treat it as entertainment.

What happens if rain interrupts a match?

Shortened matches can be decided by an official adjustment method, end with no result or be rescheduled. Each market has rules for these cases, which are worth reading before you bet.

Can a cricket match end in a draw?

It depends on the format. Short formats almost always produce a winner, while multi-day matches can end in a draw, which then appears as an option in the market.

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