Cricket betting market types, plus lagai, khai and lambi explained
Quick answer
Cricket market types are the rows listed on a fixture: match winner, toss, totals, sessions, live fancy and player markets. Indian betting also has its own vocabulary. Lagai means backing the favourite, khai means betting against it, and a lambi is a runs line for a whole innings. Here is how each one works.
Key takeaways
- Which markets usually appear? Match winner, settled on the official result, including DLS when that rule applies.
- What do lagai and khai mean? They are the Indian terms for the two sides of a match-winner market.
- How do session and lambi markets differ? A session market is a runs line for part of an innings, usually a set number of overs such as 6, 10 or 15.
- What are fancy and player markets? Fancy is the catch-all name for shorter live markets: runs in an over, the fall of the next wicket or a partnership total.
- Which market suits which view? Match winner suits a view on the whole game, and it moves more slowly.
Which markets usually appear?
- Match winner, settled on the official result, including DLS when that rule applies.
- Toss winner, settled at the toss.
- Innings or match totals. Check whether extras count under the market's rules.
- Session or over markets, which are live. Watch the stream first.
- Player runs or wickets, after the XI is announced and if the name is listed.
Tied matches, Super Overs and abandoned games follow each market's printed rules, and your history shows a void when a rule applies.
What do lagai and khai mean?
They are the Indian terms for the two sides of a match-winner market. Lagai means backing the favourite to win. Khai means betting against the favourite, which is the same idea as laying on an exchange. When a rate is quoted as, say, 60-62, you lagai at one number and khai at the other, and the gap between them is the bookmaker's margin.
How do session and lambi markets differ?
A session market is a runs line for part of an innings, usually a set number of overs such as 6, 10 or 15. A lambi is the same idea for the whole innings total. You bet No if you think the score will stay at or below the lower number, or Yes if you think it will reach the higher one. Sessions settle when their overs are complete, so they can win or lose long before the match ends.
What are fancy and player markets?
Fancy is the catch-all name for shorter live markets: runs in an over, the fall of the next wicket or a partnership total. Player markets cover one batter's runs or one bowler's wickets. Both depend on exact wording, such as whether a retired-hurt batter's runs count, so the printed rule matters more than the headline.
Which market suits which view?
- Match winner suits a view on the whole game, and it moves more slowly.
- Sessions suit a view on conditions, such as a slow pitch or early swing.
- Fancy and ball-by-ball suit only bettors watching a reliable live stream.
- Player markets suit a clear view on one role, after the XI is announced.
The ball-by-ball guide covers the fastest markets, and our betting markets page summarises them all.
Frequently asked questions
Short answers to the questions this guide raises most.
What is a lambi market in cricket?
A runs line for a full innings total, as opposed to a session that covers only part of the innings.
What do lagai and khai mean?
Lagai means backing the favourite, and khai means betting against it, like laying on an exchange.
Are WPL and IPL market types the same?
They're the same kinds of market, but the depth of player markets can differ.
Can I bet on the outright tournament winner?
Only if that market is listed.
Still unsure? Ask our team
Sources and official references
Check rules, fixtures and figures with the bodies that publish them.
- Playing conditions for international cricketInternational Cricket Council
- Scorecards, records and ground statisticsESPNcricinfo
- ICC team and player rankingsInternational Cricket Council
- Tele-MANAS free mental health helpline (14416)Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
18+ only. Betting carries real financial risk and no tip or guide guarantees a result. Check the law where you live, and read our responsible gambling guide if betting stops being fun.
About the author
Rohan MehtaHead of Cricket
Ten years covering domestic and international cricket. Leads our T20 Premier Cup coverage and records every pick publicly.
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