Competition in cricket is rife and always has been, particularly with the recently concluded ICC Cricket World Cup. Each team wants nothing more than to prove their worth against their competitors and be crowned as the best in the sport.
But regardless of how tough this competition is, it almost pales compared to the competition in the wagers placed on the sport. Each day, countless gamblers worldwide place bets on the outcome of each cricket game. Unfortunately, many of their bets miss the mark.
However, these bets often could have been winners had the punter followed a few simple tips. With a proven track record, the best of these can help bettors place more accurate bets and achieve more wins than losses. On that note, here are some of the best-proven tips.
Consider Historical Data
Due to the sport’s popularity, cricket has a long history of recorded data. Found on numerous websites, this data gives statistics on players, teams, and even on how various groups perform based on where they are playing.
Considering this data and using it to build an insight map is one of the best and most successful ways to help improve betting accuracy. This data helps build models that can generate win probabilities for upcoming maps based on all the data points included.
In recent years, win probability has become an extensive science employed in almost every sport. When correctly understood, it can drastically improve accuracy.
In addition, developing algorithms that determine win probability and already include all necessary data points factored into the final output saves endless time. Gamblers would otherwise need to spend this time researching these data points and calculating them themselves.
Understand Formats and Bet Types
Cricket follows three main formats: test matches, one-day internationals, and Twenty20 games. Each has a unique gameplay style for players and varying rules regarding the number of overs played across how many days.
Many bettors, particularly those placing wagers for the first time, fail to learn as much about them as possible and therefore do not understand all the key differences between them. However, the type of cricket being played makes a material difference in many aspects of the outcome.
More than this, the format of the game will generally also depict which bet types are best to use. Like other sports, cricket has a wide variety of betting types. The most common include match bets, series winners, win toss, and over/under totals.
Series bets are exclusive to the test match format of the game and can’t be used for ODI or T20 matches. Total four bets, however, aren’t commonly wagered on test matches but are popular in T20 competition.
Understanding these bet types and how they relate to the cricket’s format is crucial to placing accurate bets. Therefore, any gambler new to the sport—and even experienced gamblers—should properly research these because the benefits of doing so can be significant.
Use the Knowledge of Others
One of the most underrated tips for cricket bettors is to use the knowledge of others to their advantage. In some cases, gamblers prefer their own predictions over others simply because they come to their own conclusions.
However, this mindset can be detrimental to success, as others who make predictions may better understand the game, have done more research, or employ win probability algorithms. Their predictions will likely be more accurate if any of this is true.
While you can quickly find cricket betting tips from expert tipsters on many reputable websites specialising in this field, always exercise a degree of caution before laying down any money. As a standard rule, it is only advisable to follow the betting tips provided by an expert with a proven track record of using their own tips and achieving success in their wagers.
Trust Yourself
Another drastically overlooked tip for gamblers who prefer to rely on the recommendations of others is to trust yourself and your own instincts. Although your knowledge of the various data points needed to bet accurately may be less than somebody else’s, your instincts on a game’s outcome based on your understanding of the sport may sometimes prove sufficient.
This is particularly true in instances of live betting. When wagering while a match is happening, finding predictions or tips from others may be limited or even non-existent. In these scenarios, something in the game may invalidate the forecast you have been following.
Should this occur, it is best to trust your own observations of what is currently happening in the game and your instincts on how this might influence your bet. Although doing this does not guarantee success, trusting your thoughts on the outcome is likely more accurate than a tip or prediction made without considering factors currently unfolding during a match.
Check the Conditions
Many tips, including those made using win probability algorithms, use predictions of what the weather on a day will be or what the pitch conditions will be. Although nothing is wrong with this, these predictions will likely be made using historical data or predicted weather reports.
These could vary dramatically compared to the actual conditions on the day of the match. Changes in such factors can affect a prediction outcome, as a team favoured as a winner may not play as well in the overcast conditions that subsequently appear.
Therefore, alongside your betting tips and predictions gleaned from experts or through your own calculations, it is imperative to research the conditions surrounding the game on the day it will be played. Factoring these conditions in will help you see if your bet remains accurate or if you may need to adjust how you’d like to bet your money.
