If you have never placed a bet on an exchange, the screen looks like a wall of blue and pink numbers. It is much simpler than it looks. This guide starts from zero: what the numbers mean, how much you can win or lose on a bet, and which markets to try first.
Step 1: read the odds
Laser247 shows decimal odds. The number tells you what you get back for every rupee, including your stake.
- Odds of 1.50: bet Rs 100, get back Rs 150. Profit Rs 50.
- Odds of 2.00: bet Rs 100, get back Rs 200. Profit Rs 100.
- Odds of 3.20: bet Rs 100, get back Rs 320. Profit Rs 220.
Lower odds mean the market thinks it's more likely to happen. A team at 1.30 is a strong favourite; a team at 4.00 is an outsider. The quick formula: profit = stake × (odds − 1).
Step 2: understand back and lay
Every team has two prices next to it.
Back (blue) – you are betting that the team will win. This is the normal bet everyone knows.
Lay (pink) – you are betting that the team will not win. You are playing the bookmaker's role.
Take India v Australia, with India at 1.80:
| Your bet (Rs 1,000) | India wins | India loses |
|---|---|---|
| Back India at 1.80 | You win Rs 800 | You lose Rs 1,000 |
| Lay India at 1.80 | You lose Rs 800 | You win Rs 1,000 |
The Rs 800 you can lose on the lay bet is called your liability. Be careful when laying outsiders: lay a team at 5.00 for Rs 1,000 and your liability is Rs 4,000. Always read the liability on the bet slip before you confirm.
Step 3: start with the simplest market
For your first few weeks, stay with match odds or bookmaker – one question, who wins. You'll see fancy or session markets too (runs in 6 overs, runs in 10 overs and so on). They're exciting and they settle quickly, but there's a new one every few minutes, and beginners who bet on all of them run out of balance before the innings break. Our cricket ID guide explains each market type when you're ready.
Step 4: place your first bet
- Log in and open Sports → Cricket.
- Choose a match. Tap the blue price next to the team you want to back.
- Enter a small stake. Check the profit shown on the slip.
- Confirm. In live matches there's a delay of a few seconds before the bet is accepted.
- Find the bet under "My Bets" or "Open Bets" to make sure it went through at the price you expected.
Step 5: decide your money rules before the match
Good bettors and bad bettors often pick the same teams. The difference is how they handle money.
- Set a monthly amount you can lose without it affecting rent, EMIs or family expenses. That's your entire betting budget.
- Bet a small, fixed slice – around 1–2% of it – on each match. Rs 10,000 for the month means Rs 100–200 a bet.
- Never raise the stake to win back a loss. This one rule saves more money than any tip.
- Don't borrow to bet. Not from friends, not from loan apps, not on a credit card.
- Withdraw when you're ahead. See how in the withdrawal guide.
Words you'll hear
- Khai / Lagai: the Hindi terms for lay and back.
- Session: a fancy bet on runs in a set number of overs.
- Exposure: the total you could lose on all your open bets right now.
- Void: a cancelled bet; your stake is returned.
- Settled: the result is in and your balance has been updated.
Where to go next
Once match odds feel comfortable, the T20 betting guide shows how to lock in a profit before a match ends, and the IPL guide covers budgeting for a long tournament. Settlement rules for rain, ties and abandoned matches are on the rules page.
Quick answers
Can I cancel a bet after placing it?
Not once it's accepted. On an exchange you can reduce the risk by placing the opposite bet.
Why was my bet rejected?
Usually because the odds changed during the delay, the market was suspended (a wicket or review), or the stake was outside your limits.
Can I make a living from this?
No. Treat it as paid entertainment, like a night out. If you find yourself betting to cover losses or bills, stop and talk to someone you trust.
18+ only.
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