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Five things you should know before betting on your favourite team

by Wisden Staff 3 minute read

After the Covid-19 pandemic put a halt to cricket competitions the world over, things are finally starting to go back to normal.

The IPL enjoyed a hugely successful season, and India, South Africa and New Zealand are about to join the growing list of teams to resume playing international cricket.

While most fans still don’t have the opportunity to watch their favourite teams from the stands, the on-field action is still drawing a lot of attention. However, people can once more place wagers on these events. If you want to bet on the event in which your favourite cricket team is involved, here are the five things you should consider before deciding to back your chosen outcome.

Find the best betting site

Before placing a bet on your favourite team, you should find the most suitable sportsbook for doing so. Nowadays, every reputable bookmaker has moved its activities online, and there are a whole bunch of emerging brands. The competition is very strong, as all of them want to attract as many customers as possible.

There are several things you should consider when picking the best sportsbook for your wagering style. The first thing you should check if the bookmaker is licensed by one of the trusted authorities. After that, you can dip into the sportsbook’s offering and check out the range of odds offered. You don’t want to come across any surprises regarding finding the competition, event, and markets you want to wager on. Also, you may benefit from a welcome bonus, so you should investigate that as well. If you think it will take you a lot of time, don’t worry. Heading to websites which easily compare all the parameters for choosing the best bookie, such as bestcasinosites.net, you can scale the the best sports betting sites in India.

Do your homework

When betting on your favourite team, the fact that you are a big fan of them doesn’t mean you will win a wager. It’s be best if you still put some effort into research before placing a bet. Usually, punters make a mistake by overlooking important information that can significantly impact the match outcome. The line between winning and losing is very thin, and the more information you take into consideration, the chances of getting payouts are bigger.

Even if you are a cricket expert, you should always keep yourself updated about the latest developments. Check the recent form of both sides, their scoring records, and the history of head to head clashes. Will an important player miss the game? Are there injured players? What is the upcoming schedule of both teams? If you get all this info, the chances of winning a bet will be bigger. Sometimes one run or wicket can decide the winner of a game, and some pieces of information can be crucial for making the right selection.

Don’t get emotional

It is natural to get emotional when your favourite team plays. Cheering and screaming in the stands or in front of a TV screen is okay. There can also be some tears, whether they are triggered by an incredible victory or an unlucky loss. Even if your favourite team is a huge underdog, you will still hope that your guys can pull off an outstanding performance, the game of their lives, and then celebrate accordingly.

However, when it comes to sports betting, getting emotions involved can really hurt your bankroll. They can have a significant impact on your judgment and often lead you to making wrong decisions. Therefore, you should keep your head cool, try to observe the facts only, and make the pick according to those. If you have the slightest doubt about whether to back your favourite team or not, it would be best to skip it and put money on some other game. In that case, the emotions will have a decisive impact on making a selection in which you are not confident, which is a bad wagering strategy.

Shop around for the best odds

If you eventually decide to put money on your favourite team, make sure to find the best prices on the market. The lines can have a significant impact on your wager, especially in cricket. If you can move them into your favour, why should you miss that opportunity? Eventually, that can only positively impact your bankroll, whether by getting a better value for the odds or getting favourable margins.

The lines can move due to different factors that may have an impact on the game. If you don’t feel comfortable with the initial ones, be patient. Keep monitoring the movements, as things can change quickly, and that requires a prompt reaction. As soon as the lines move to your favour, it is time to place a bet.

Home ground and weather conditions matter

The impact of playing at home shouldn’t be underestimated. Some teams perform better in certain grounds due to their specifics. For instance, Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai is more suitable for pacers due to its seaside location. On the other hand, the majority of stadiums in India are full of runs. Does your favourite team perform particularly well at a certain venue? That might be a good sign to back them.

It may sound funny, but before placing a bet, you should take a look at the weather forecast. Fast bowlers tend to perform well on a cloudy day. On the other hand, batsmen enjoy sunny days more. In case of rain, the chances of a washout or draw are higher than usual.

***

Betting on your favourite team is always tricky. On the one hand, it’s very hard to exclude biases and take an objective look at the clash. On the other, if you can analyze the facts and decide upon them, backing your favourite team might be a success. Eventually, these wagers can bring you a double joy or a double frustration.

These tips don’t apply only to cricket; you can consider them when betting on any sports. They won’t guarantee you payouts but will help you make reasonable decisions. Sometimes, it is better to skip betting on the game and just enjoy watching it while putting your money on another.

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