As I have stated on this website many times before, there is plenty more to betting on cricket than just picking Team A to beat Team B, and the ‘Completed Match’ market on Betfair is a prime example of one such alternative cricket betting option.
Betfair Exchange
Completed Match Market On Betfair
For those not familiar with it, this is a market available on limited overs matches where we can bet on whether or not there will be an ‘official result’ in the match. On Betfair it is simply a ‘completed match’ market, and you bet on either the ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ outcome.
If a limited overs match is rained off without a ball bowled, it is a ‘no result.’ If the minimum amount of overs aren’t bowled to constitute a match, it is also a ‘no result.’
In both these instances, ‘No Result,’ would be the winner on the completed match market on Betfair.
How Many Overs Constitute A Match In T20?
To get an official result in a weather effected T20 match, both sides would have to face a minimum of 5 Overs each. Anything less than 5 Overs each, would be called No Result.
If one side batted for all their allocated 20 Overs, and the other team only faced 5 Overs, there would be an official result. The match would be decided on the Duckworth/Lewis method.
How Many Overs Constitute A Match In A 50 Over Match?
In order to get an official result in a 50 Over match, both sides would need to face a minimum of 20 Overs.
It could also be one side bats all 50 Overs, and the other team only bats 20 Overs. This would still constitute a match. Likewise, the result would be based on Duckworth/Lewis calculations.
As long as both sides face a minimum of 20 Overs, a 50 Over ODI match will have an official result.
Completed Match Betting Can Be Madness
The completed match market is usually benign, as cricket is played in good weather. If the sun is out, the market is dead. As there is generally an official result.
Put some rain in the air though, and this market can turn into a panic stricken, betting frenzy. It can have millions traded on it.
It seems that punters take leave of their senses. Punters just bet on what they see in front of their eyes at that precise moment. For example, rain covers being brought on to the pitch, etc.
There appears to be little thought going in to what might happen in 10 minutes time. It could stop raining, resulting in the covers coming off again. Then the game is played to a conclusion with no further interruptions.
Yes, there are plenty of shrewd punters out there checking weather radars and thinking ahead. In general though, the masses seem to bet on instinct. The sight of rain seems to trigger that instinct and send the market into hysteria. It just goes crazy, with what appears to be bonkers bets placed on it.
In India’s ICC Champions Trophy final victory over England back in 2013, the ‘No’ outcome got backed in to below 1.10. People were betting on it at odds of 1/10, and lower, it was pure madness. If you stop and think about it for a minute, the ICC were always going to pull out all the stops to get a game of some sort on…. and yet people still backed ‘No’ into sub 1/10.
Make Sure You Know The Completed Match Betting Conditions
If you are betting on this market, be sure you are aware of the playing conditions. For example, the minimum number of overs needed to be bowled by both sides to constitute a match.
Or is there a reserve day? If there is, the match has more chance of being completed. As 2 days will need to be washed out.
They will vary depending on what format of cricket it is (50 Over, T20, 40 over domestics, etc), and can vary from series to series even in the same formats, so be careful there.
If you are a new starter thinking of having a go in this particular cricket betting market, wait for a rain effected match and just play around with a minimal amount of cash and watch the market to see how it behaves.
Favouritism in this market can flip over from one side to the other numerous times during a rainy day. Events like this gives Betfair cricket traders a great chance to win big with little outlay. If we can lay at sub 1.10, or even sub 1.20, we can lay larger amounts without breaking our betting banks if things go wrong.
