Cricket: formats and markets in brief
Cricket is one of the most watched sports in the world. If it appears in the betting section of your account, a few basics are worth knowing before you place a bet: formats differ enormously in length, and the rules on weather and draws are specific to the sport.
The main formats
| Format | Length | What it means for a bet |
|---|---|---|
| Test | Up to five days | The match can end in a draw; 1X2 has three outcomes |
| One Day (ODI) | One day | Each side has a limited number of overs |
| T20 | A few hours | The shortest and fastest format; lots of in-play betting |
An “over” is a set of six legal deliveries. The batting side tries to score as many runs as possible; the fielding side tries to dismiss the batters.
Basic markets
- Match winner — in Tests, with the draw option.
- Total runs for a team or a period.
- Top batter for a team.
- Method of first dismissal — a niche market with long prices.
Weather and results
Rain can shorten or interrupt a match. In limited-overs formats the result may be recalculated using an official adjustment method. Bets settle under the operator’s rules, which can differ from the official result in special cases. Read the rules before betting on a match with rain in the forecast.
Should you bet on cricket?
If you do not follow the sport, probably not. Lack of information puts you at a disadvantage against the market, and margins on less-followed competitions can be higher. If you want to try, start with a small stake and a simple market such as the match winner.
Calculation example
You stake 10 on a side at 1.75 in a T20 match. If it wins, you receive 17.50 (example figures, not Bilionro odds or terms). In a Test, a similar price may exist for the draw — an outcome almost absent in T20.
In-play cricket
Because play is split into deliveries, in-play prices update ball by ball, and markets may suspend on each delivery. A T20 innings can swing quickly; decide your market before the match starts.