Cricket is what most people open their exchange ID for, and it is also where new users get confused fastest. One match can show four or five different market types at once, each with its own price format and settlement rules. This page walks through them in the order you will usually see them on screen. If you do not yet understand what the blue and pink columns mean, start with the back and lay betting guide and come back here.
A quick reminder before the details: betting is for adults aged 18 and above only, and whether it is allowed online depends on the laws of your Indian state — some prohibit it entirely. Sky Exchange supplies and supports IDs; the markets themselves run on the exchange software.
Match odds
Match odds is the simplest market: who wins the match. The prices are decimal odds such as 1.75 or 2.40, and they come from other users backing and laying against each other rather than from a fixed bookmaker. Multiply your stake by the odds to see the total return on a winning back bet. At 1.75, a ₹1,000 back bet returns ₹1,750, of which ₹750 is profit.
Because prices are driven by money on both sides, they react quickly to the toss, team news, wickets and boundaries. The gap between the best back price and the best lay price is narrow on big matches and wider on smaller ones like domestic leagues, where less money is being traded. A wide gap means you lose more value on every trade, so be careful on thin markets.
In a Test match, the match odds market has three outcomes — either team or the draw. That third option changes everything about how prices move, which we cover in the formats section below.
The bookmaker market
Next to match odds you will often see a "Bookmaker" market for the same match. Here the rates are set by the platform rather than by users, and they are usually shown in a short form. A rate of 45 on a team means you win ₹45 for every ₹100 staked if that team wins — equivalent to decimal odds of 1.45. A rate of 110 means ₹110 profit per ₹100, or 2.10 in decimal.
Why do people use it? The bookmaker market often has no commission on winnings and accepts bets instantly within its limits, while the exchange side needs someone on the other end to match your bet. On the other hand, the bookmaker can pause or change its rates at any moment, and the maximum stake per bet is fixed. Compare the two prices before you choose; they are not always the same.
| Feature | Match odds (exchange) | Bookmaker |
|---|---|---|
| Who sets the price | Users backing and laying | The platform |
| Price format | Decimal, e.g. 1.45 | Short rate, e.g. 45 |
| Commission | Usually on net winnings | Usually none |
| Bet acceptance | Needs a matching user | Instant within limits |
Commission rates and stake limits are set by the platform and can change. Ask the team for the current figures on your ID.
Fancy and session markets
Fancy markets are bets on what happens inside the match rather than who wins it. The most common is the session line: how many runs a team will score by the end of a certain over. You will see two numbers, for example 52 and 54 for runs after 6 overs. Choose "Yes" (sometimes labelled Back) at 54 if you think the team will reach 54 or more. Choose "No" (Lay) at 52 if you think they will finish on 51 or fewer. If the score lands exactly between the two numbers, both sides lose — which is the platform's margin.
Other fancy markets include runs scored by an individual batter, the fall of the next wicket, total boundaries in an innings, or runs in a single over. Most are settled at even money or at a rate shown beside the line, so you know your possible win and loss before you click.
A few things to watch:
- Suspensions. Lines freeze while each ball is bowled. A bet sent at that moment will not be accepted.
- Line moves. One boundary can push a line up by several runs. Check the number again before you confirm.
- Void rules. If rain cuts the overs short, an unfinished session may be cancelled and your stake returned. The rules icon beside each market tells you how it is settled.
IPL, T20 and Test matches compared
The same market names behave very differently depending on the format.
IPL and other T20 leagues. With only 120 balls per side, one over can swing a match. Match odds can move from favourite to underdog within a few deliveries, and session lines jump after every boundary. Powerplay sessions (first 6 overs) and death-over sessions (16 to 20) see the biggest swings. Liquidity on IPL games is usually high, so prices on the exchange are close together.
International T20 and ODIs. Similar markets to the IPL, but pitch and conditions matter more in unfamiliar venues, and smaller teams can produce wider price gaps. ODIs give you more session markets — runs after 10, 20, 30 and 40 overs — and prices move more slowly than in T20.
Test matches. The draw is a real outcome. Early in a Test, the draw might be priced quite high; if rain washes out a day, its price drops sharply. Prices also shift with the session, the pitch wearing out and the new ball. Session markets in Tests cover runs in a session or a day rather than a few overs. Tests reward patience, and they also tie up money in open bets for several days.
Betting while the match is live
In-play betting is where most of the excitement — and most of the impulsive decisions — happen. A few practical points help:
- Live video and TV are delayed. The score on your screen may be several seconds behind what has already happened at the ground. Prices often move before you see the ball.
- Bets have a short delay. In-play bets on the exchange are usually held for a few seconds before being matched, and can be rejected if the price moves.
- Check your exposure. If you have backed and laid the same team at different prices, the platform shows your profit or loss for each result. Read it before adding another bet.
- Set a stopping point. Decide before the toss how much you are willing to lose on the match. Do not increase stakes to win back a loss in the next over — that is how small losses become large ones.
Cricket betting is entertainment with a cost, not a way to earn a living. If you notice you are betting on every match, staying up for games you have no interest in, or borrowing to keep going, take a break and see the responsible gaming page. When you are ready to open an ID, the steps are on the Sky Exchange ID page.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between match odds and bookmaker?
Match odds are matched between users on the exchange, so prices are in decimals and move constantly. The bookmaker market shows rates set by the platform, usually in a short format such as 45 or 105, with fixed limits per bet.
Why was my session bet not accepted?
Session and fancy lines are often suspended for a few seconds while a ball is bowled, when a wicket falls or when the rate changes sharply. Bets sent during a suspension are rejected; simply check the new line before trying again.
What happens to my bets if rain stops the match?
Settlement depends on the market rules shown on the platform. Match odds normally follow the official result, while some sessions are void if the overs they cover are not completed. Read the rules icon on each market or ask the team before betting in doubtful weather.
Is there a guaranteed way to win at cricket betting?
No. Tips, predictions and paid "fixed match" offers cannot guarantee anything, and fixed-match sellers are scammers. Treat every bet as money you can afford to lose.
Need help with your ID? Message the Sky Exchange team on WhatsApp. 18+ only — set a budget before you play.
Chat on WhatsApp