While it may not be planetary popular as some other sports, cricket has been around for centuries and is much older than most of the beloved sports. Its earliest forms date back to the 16th century which means it has been a part of the sporting world before we even got it in the modern sense. As such, it has always drawn in a plethora of those who like to employ their knowledge of the game and a little bit of luck. We are of course talking about sports betting, particularly that on cricket.
In countries where it is considered one of, or the, national sport, cricket is the way of life. India, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, the United Kingdom, the West Indies, and many South Asian countries are considered prime spots for cricket. In these countries and regions, it is often more popular than even football (soccer), basketball, and tennis. It is on a whole other level with its stars, leagues, cups, and media coverage. In recent times, however, due to the popularity of the game and how much bettors like to utilize it, a brand new variety came into existence.
What is SRL Cricket?
There is a lot to unpack when talking about SRL cricket. It stands for simulated reality league, which means it employs modern technology and algorithms to offer various bets to the fans. Being a part of cricket’s simulated reality league live means interacting with data that the platform has compiled in order to make a simulated league. The technology collects vast amounts of different data from all sorts of major cricket matches, leagues, and competitions and creates a virtual league. So how are the scores then decided? Who wins, who loses, and who chooses the outcomes?
No actual games are being played, only calculations and determinations are made with the usage of data from thousands of previous matches. When all of this info has been generated, the almighty artificial intelligence and modern graphics make simulations of games. The fans can then watch them and place bets just like with the real thing. It does sound like science fiction but it is actually real and has been around for several years now. It is vastly popular and the next best thing when official cricket leagues are on a break.
Virtual Cricket and Betting
As the players are watching the action unfold in real-time on digital screens, they can choose to place similar bets as they would for live cricket. Usually, data from the 200 or so latest matches played by each team is used to keep the stats and relevant information fresh. Player transfers, injuries, loans, and drafts are all taken into account when forming the simulation league and nothing is left unchecked. The stats of all players are transferred and they play as they normally would.
It can be surreal to watch a game that you know is not actually being played, so beginners will need some introduction as well as time to adjust. However, it is usually a smooth and quick transition. There is still some strategizing and planning on the bettors’ end that can be employed, but be ready for the outcomes to rarely end in surprises. Technically, it is impossible to predict the outcome as the data they use and combine is incredibly diverse and detailed. Human error and outside, non-game related factors like the atmosphere in the stands or the stakes and narratives are taken out of the equation.
Types of Bets
When it comes to betting options for SRL cricket, there are the usual ones you would be accustomed to if you are already a fan of the game. The match outcome bet is the most popular, but also the least lucrative one. You simply bet on the winner of the whole game. With simulations, this can be easier to pick than with a live game because a bad team is more likely to beat a good team in real life than when statistics are employed. Therefore, do not expect big payouts unless you string together a few wins on a single betting ticket.
A far more lucrative bet, due to how rarely it happens, is a tie bet. Here, as the name suggests, you bet on the final score of the game being tied and therefore is no winner. The matches do not end in a draw that often like in football for example. If you want a popular bet, you should go with the over/under, or o/u for short. It is the most popular and diverse option where you bet on the final score being higher or lower than what the bookmakers offer. Combining different matches can lead to some great payouts provided that you use the stats to your advantage.
Doing Your Own Research
It should not be argued how impressive the SRL technology is, as well as how intuitive the very idea is. It gives the fans more, and sports fans and bettors never mind having more games to watch and gamble on. However, that does not mean that you should not do your research and play it smart. You simply have to know a lot about cricket and the teams you are going to pick in order to place down quality bets that can yield you some profit.
While it is impossible for the human mind to compute as much data as a computer, you can still compare the two teams, their rosters, and their head-to-head matches, and form your own opinion. If team A is a clear title contender in reality and team B was last-placed in the previous campaign, who do you think will win? Similarly, some teams tend to score more than the rest so if both are heavy hitters you should choose the over. The algorithm should confirm it if it is using real-life stats.
It may be “just” a simulation, but simulations are there to reflect real-life events and make them feel and look as honest as possible. Therefore, while playing, do not forget to utilize some logic and your knowledge of the game as it can go a long way.