Cricket is undoubtedly one of the most exciting and popular sports in the world. With demand growing, there are more cricket betting opportunities for both new and veteran sports bettors alike, making it a great sport to add to your betting portfolio.
The following cricket betting guide will walk you through everything you need to know to get started, including the various formats of cricket, types of cricket wagers you can place, and how to read cricket betting odds.
Which cricket events can
I bet on at Hard Rock Bet?
Cricket betting allows players to wager on several different matches and tournaments from leagues across the globe. Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook offers odds on all of the sport’s major tournaments and leagues, giving you year-round opportunities to bet on cricket. The game’s variety, from rapid-fire Twenty20 matches to multi-day Test series, means there’s always a fresh angle to attack.
Test Match Cricket
Test Match Cricket remains the purest form of the sport for experienced fans and bettors. Dating back to the late 19th century, this version of cricket spans several days, consisting of four innings and hundreds of overs. Both teams bat twice and typically alternate fielding and bowling up to 90 overs daily (or until the batting team is bowled out).
ICC World Cup
The ICC World Cup is the pinnacle of international cricket, taking place every four years. This 50-over format tournament spans weeks, featuring the world’s top national teams. You can bet on everything from who lifts the trophy to individual match results. The tournament kicks off with group stages and then moves into knockout rounds, creating constant wagering options as teams fight for survival. Every match in the knockout phase is high-stakes; a single loss sends a team home.
T20 World Cup
The international T20 format keeps things tight – just 20 overs per side. This typically means high-scoring, quicker matches that usually wrap up in under three hours. The quick shifts in momentum make it a great format for live betting.
Indian Premier League (IPL)
The Indian Premier League (IPL) is cricket’s biggest spectacle, bringing together franchises packed with international superstars. Running from March to May, the IPL is a fast-paced T20 tournament that grabs global attention. Each team plays 14 regular season matches before the playoffs, ensuring consistent betting action for over two months. The league’s unique format includes player auctions and strategic timeouts.
Big Bash League (BBL)
Big Bash League (BBL) is Australia’s counterpart to the IPL. This T20 competition features eight city-based teams in a double round-robin format, culminating in the finals. With innovations like the Power Surge and X-Factor player substitutions, the BBL creates unique betting markets and strategic considerations not found in traditional formats.
The Ashes
The Ashes series between England and Australia is cricket’s most legendary rivalry. This Test match series alternates between the two nations every two years, with five matches played over six weeks. The extended format allows for interesting angles as matches can dramatically change course over multiple days. Test cricket’s length opens up opportunities for session betting, day-by-day wagering, and long-term series outcomes. The intense rivalry alone makes it a compelling bet for any cricket fan.
Year-Round International Cricket
Beyond the major tournaments, cricket offers year-round betting through bilateral series between nations. These series include Test matches, One Day Internationals, and T20 matches played throughout the calendar. Regional competitions like the Caribbean Premier League and Pakistan Super League also provide additional betting opportunities. The constant cricket calendar means you can find matches to bet on almost every week of the year.
What kind of cricket betting markets are offered?
Cricket offers a wide range of betting markets, catering to different betting styles and preferences. Knowing and understanding these markets is the first step to betting on cricket successfully.
Winner (Moneyline)
The winner market (moneyline) is the most basic cricket bet: you pick which team you think will win. In limited-overs cricket (ODI and T20), there are usually only two outcomes, as a tie (push) is rare. Test matches, however, include a third option for a draw, which can happen if five days of play conclude without a clear winner. Weather can significantly impact this market, especially in longer formats, as rain delays might lead to revised targets or even abandoned matches.
For example, if you bet on Australia to beat India at -150 odds, a $150 wager would win you $100 if Australia wins for a total return of $250. If you bet on India at +125 odds, a $100 wager would win you $125 if India wins, resulting in a return of $225.
Most Runs
Betting on Most Runs means you’re predicting which player will score the most runs for their team, or across the entire match. This market demands an understanding of player form, batting positions, and match conditions.
Most Wickets
The Most Wickets market focuses on which player will take the most wickets in a match for a specific team. Pitch conditions, weather, and team strategies all play a big role in a bowler’s performance. Spin bowlers often thrive on turning pitches, while fast bowlers might dominate on bouncy surfaces. Remember the match format when betting on this market; T20 matches limit bowlers to four overs each, whereas Test matches allow unlimited bowling, which changes the strategic considerations.
Total Runs
Total Runs betting lets you predict whether a player’s score will be over or under their set line of runs. For example, if a player’s line is 34.5 runs, you can bet on them scoring more (35 or more) or fewer (34 or less) than that number.
Cricket Futures
Cricket futures let you bet on long-term outcomes that won’t be decided for weeks, months or even a year or more. The most common futures are tournament winner markets, where you can pick which team will win competitions like the World Cup or IPL before they even start. These markets often offer generous odds because you’re predicting outcomes far in advance.
Live Cricket Betting
Live betting on cricket puts you right in the heart of the game, with odds constantly updating as the action unfolds. Cricket’s natural pauses between overs, wickets, and innings are perfect moments to place live bets based on how the match is developing.
Different formats offer different live betting rhythms. T20 matches can change rapidly with frequent boundaries and wickets, while Test matches develop more gradually over multiple sessions.
How do you read cricket odds?
If you can read standard betting odds for other sports – baseball, soccer, football, etc. – then you will have no problem reading cricket match odds, which are formatted in the same way.
For example, moneyline odds for a cricket match would look something like this:
- England -300
- South Africa +250
American Odds
With American odds, a negative number (i.e., -300) is the favorite and shows how much you must stake to win $100; a positive number (i.e., +250) is the underdog and shows how much you’d win on a $100 stake. This is what you will find as the standard on Hard Rock Bet.
However, if you prefer a different format, you can easily switch to fractional odds or decimal odds in your account settings.
Decimal Odds
Decimal odds are the most popular format outside the U.S., particularly in Europe, Canada, and Australia. They are displayed as a single number (i.e., 2.50 or 1.80) that represents the total return (winnings + original stake) you will receive for every $1 wagered.
Fractional Odds
Fractional odds, on the other hand, are commonly used in the United Kingdom and Ireland. They are written as fractions (i.e., 5/2 or 1/2) and represent the profit you will receive relative to your stake (i.e., 5/2 returns $5 profit for every $2 staked).
How can I start betting on cricket at Hard Rock Bet?
Ready to get started? All you’ll need to do is sign up for a new Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook account (no promo code required!) and get familiar with browsing the markets offered on the platform. We’ll walk you through the steps below.
Create Your Account
Before you can place any cricket bets, you’ll need an active Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook account. Once you complete registration and make your first deposit, you automatically become part of the Unity by Hard Rock rewards program, earning points on every wager you place. You can redeem your Unity points at Hard Rock hotels, cafes, casinos, and other locations affiliated with the brand.
Search for Cricket Betting Markets
Cricket markets are easy to find on Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook, especially during major tournaments and series. Simply head over to the Discover tab and search for ‘Cricket.’ Alternatively, you can find it by clicking on the ‘All Sports’ tab on the homepage of your mobile app.
Place Your Cricket Bets
Once you’ve located your desired cricket markets, simply add them to your bet slip. Enter your wager amount and review the payout before you confirm your bet.
The bet slip clearly displays all the important details: the odds, your stake, and what you stand to win. After placing your bet, you can track its progress through your account, with Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook providing real-time updates on match status.
Enjoy the Match
That’s it! Once you’ve locked in your wagers, it’s time to sit back, relax and enjoy one of the world’s most popular sports. Be sure to keep track of your bets in the ‘My Bets’ tab!
FAQ about cricket betting
Still have some questions about betting on cricket? We’ve got answers.
Is betting on cricket legal?
Yes, cricket betting is legal in each and every one of Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook’s active states:
Which cricket leagues and events can I bet on?
You can bet on all major cricket competitions at Hard Rock Bet, including the ICC World Cup, T20 World Cup and numerous bilateral series between international teams throughout the year.
What's the difference between betting on a Test Match and a T20 Match?
Test matches are a marathon, spanning five days with strategic bets and the potential for dramatic swings over time. T20 matches, on the other hand, are a sprint – fast, unpredictable, and perfect for live betting and quick-fire prop bets.
Can I combine cricket bets from different leagues into one parlay?
Yes. Players at Hard Rock Bet can mix and match their favorite cricket bets from any league or format into a single parlay for a shot at a larger payout.
Can I cash out my cricket bets early?
Yes. On select cricket bets, you can use Hard Rock Bet’s Cash Out feature to either lock in a win or cut your losses before the match finishes. This gives you more control over your wager as the game progresses.
