Open a cricket match on an exchange and you will usually see several markets side by side: Match Odds, Bookmaker, and a long list of Fancy or session options. They can look overwhelming at first, but each answers a different question about the game. Here is what each one means.
Match Odds
Match Odds is the headline market: simply, who will win the match? You can back a team to win or, on an exchange, lay a team to not win. It is the most liquid market, meaning the most money flows through it, so prices tend to be the most stable and reliable. For most newcomers, Match Odds is the natural place to start because the question is so clear. If the back-and-lay idea is new, revisit back bet vs lay bet in cricket.
The Bookmaker market
The Bookmaker market is also about who wins, but it works a little differently from Match Odds. It is an alternative match-winner market with its own prices, and it often stays active in situations where the main market behaves differently. Because it is a separate market, its odds can differ from the Match Odds at any given moment. Many bettors watch both to understand how the wider market sees the game.
Fancy and session markets
Fancy markets (often called session markets) are bets on parts of the game rather than the final result. Examples include the number of runs scored in the first six overs, the total in an innings, runs at the fall of the next wicket, or a batter's individual score. These markets are popular because they let you bet on a specific phase of play, and they update constantly during a match — which makes them a natural fit for in-play betting. They can also be more volatile, so they suit bettors who understand the rhythms of an innings, like the powerplay and death overs.
How the markets differ
The simplest way to think about it: Match Odds and Bookmaker are about the result, while Fancy markets are about specific events or totals along the way. Match Odds is usually the most liquid and stable; Fancy markets are more numerous and can move quickly. None is "better" — they answer different questions, and which you use should match what you actually have an opinion about.
A note on settlement
Each market settles against the official outcome it covers. Match Odds settles on the match result; a runs market settles on the actual runs scored in that defined period. Rules can vary by platform and situation — for example, how a market is treated if a match is shortened — so it is always worth reading the market rules before betting. Our cricket betting glossary can help with any unfamiliar terms.
Which market should beginners start with?
If you are new, Match Odds is the sensible starting point. The question — who wins? — is simple, the market is the most liquid, and the prices are the most stable, so it is easier to learn how odds move without the extra volatility of session markets. Once you are comfortable reading Match Odds and understand backing and laying, you can explore the Bookmaker market and then Fancy markets, which reward a deeper feel for how an innings unfolds. There is no need to use every market available. In fact, focusing on one or two you genuinely understand is usually wiser than spreading small bets across many that you do not.
Frequently asked questions
What is the real difference between Match Odds and the Bookmaker market?
Both are about who wins, but they are separate markets with their own prices and can move independently. Match Odds is typically the more liquid of the two.
Are fancy markets riskier than match odds?
They can be more volatile because they cover specific phases or totals that swing quickly. They suit bettors who understand the rhythm of an innings.
How do I know how a market settles?
Each market has its own rules describing exactly what it settles on. Always read them before betting, especially for shortened or interrupted matches.
Key takeaways
- Match Odds: who wins — the most liquid, stable market.
- Bookmaker: an alternative match-winner market with its own prices.
- Fancy/session: bets on phases, totals or events within the game.
- Result markets vs event markets answer different questions.
- Always check the specific market's settlement rules first.
More markets means more temptation to over-bet. Stick to markets you understand, set a budget, and remember betting is entertainment, not income. 18+ only.
Explore the markets yourself
The best way to learn the markets is to see them live. Discover how real-time markets work on FairPlay Live.
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