The online betting landscape is complex, considering the hundreds of markets to explore and the types of bets to place. Betting platforms add flexibility to their odds to maximise convenience for players and build a worthwhile betting experience. Nearly all bet types apply to all sports, but there are a few specifications that only skilled bettors seem to understand.
Handicap betting in cricket is one of the least-explored bet types, as most people consider it too complex to understand. However, it is straightforward and makes betting more engaging as it gives an advantage to underdog teams. Therefore, to set you on the path of discovery, here are more details about what is handicap betting in cricket.
What is Handicap Betting?
Handicap betting in cricket is a form of sports betting that creates a balanced betting market by offering a hypothetical advantage or disadvantage to a team. In cricket, this betting format involves adding or deducting runs from a team’s total score. This adjustment aims to equalise both teams’ chances of winning and create lucrative odds for players.
How Does Handicap Betting Work in Cricket?
Handicap betting in cricket differs from other sports, with only one way to win a match. In football, the team that scores the most goals wins. In cricket, the game is won by runs scored or wickets left in hand. The scores, therefore, are determined by the team that starts batting or bowling.
Positive Handicap (+)
When exploring what handicap betting is in cricket, understand a positive handicap is given to an underdog team (weaker team). In such a scenario, a specified number of runs is added to the team’s final score to complete the bet. For instance, if Team A has a +20 runs handicap against Team B, 20 runs will be added to its final score. If Team A scores higher than Team B when the handicap is added, Team A wins.
Negative Handicap (-)
A negative handicap is given to the favourite (dominant team), and a determined number of runs will be subtracted from the final score. For example, in handicap betting, if Team A has a handicap or -20 runs against Team B, 20 runs will be deducted from its final score. As a result, for Team A to win, it must maintain a higher score than Team B, even after removing the handicap.
Runs Handicap on Batting Team
Players will better understand the handicapping system in cricket with examples. An example of handicap betting is England playing Afghanistan in a T20 international with odds of 1.2. Such low odds mean England has an advantage over Afghanistan, and the bookie does not lose too much if they win.
England started the bat and scored 200, but the bookie gave them a handicap of -49.5 runs at odds of 2. For a punter to win a bet, England must win the match by over 50 runs. Alternatively, Afghanistan must score 150 runs or less.
Wickets Handicap on the Bowling Team
In a different scenario, India is playing against Ireland in a T20 match with odds of 1.22. Bettors know that this is not an attractive odd, and it suggests that India is the dominant team and likely to beat The Men in Green. The bookie gives betting odds of 2 for India to win with a handicap of -7.5 wickets.
If Ireland starts batting and scores 130 runs in 20 overs, India must chase down the total score and lose less than two wickets to win. Alternatively, if you wager on Ireland with a +7.5 wickets handicap, India will have to score less than 130 or lose three or more wickets for a winning bet.
Series Cricket Handicap
This type of handicap betting involves wagering on the team that wins a particular series after applying the handicap. This could be a T20, ODI, or Test series compared to the traditional handicap betting format.
An example of handicap betting would be a bookie offering a +1.5 handicap to Zimbabwe or a -1.5 handicap to South Africa. If South Africa wins a 2-match test against Zimbabwe 1-0, Zimbabwe wins the series by adding the +1.5 handicap to their wins.
Tips for Handicap Betting in Cricket
For you to win a handicap bet, you must have a solid strategy besides looking at the favourite or underdog. Here are a few tips to consider when betting on the handicap market.
- Research the Games
Research helps you understand the pricing of handicap bets. Start by examining the odds and the performance of both teams and analyse which team most bettors would bet on.
- Understand Format
The game format you are wagering on would impact how you bet. You need to switch your mindset when betting on T20 or ODI since the handicap odds differ by a margin.
Handicap betting in cricket adds an extra layer of excitement and strategy to a player’s betting experience. Now that you understand how this betting market works, employing an effective strategy to improve your winning chances is crucial. Handicap betting is a rewarding and enjoyable way to improve your cricket betting.