Types of Sports Betting Markets Explained 2026
If you’ve ever opened a betting app and felt overwhelmed by the number of options, winners, totals, handicaps, player bets, and dozens of strange abbreviations, you’re not alone. The world of sports betting markets can look complicated at first glance, but once you understand what each market represents, betting becomes less confusing and far more strategic.
In India, sports betting has grown rapidly, especially around cricket (IPL, international matches), football leagues, and even kabaddi. But here’s the truth: most players don’t lose because they “don’t know sports.” They lose because they choose the wrong market at the wrong time. A person may correctly predict a match winner but still lose money because the odds were poor or the market didn’t suit the match conditions.
That’s why learning the types of sports betting markets is crucial. Markets are not just “ways to bet.” They are different styles of risk, different ways of pricing probability, and different methods of finding value.
In this guide, we’ll break down:
- The match winner market (simple but not always smartest)
- over under betting (one of the most consistent markets)
- handicap betting explained in a beginner-friendly way
- prop bets in sports (player and event-based markets)
- and why these are among the popular betting markets Indian bettors prefer in 2026
We’ll also include examples and practical tips, so this isn’t theory; it’s usable knowledge. Throughout the blog, you’ll also see how Lotus365 users can approach these markets more confidently.
Table of Contents
What Are Sports Betting Markets?
A “betting market” is simply a category of prediction. When you place a bet, you’re not just choosing a team; you’re choosing what kind of result you’re predicting.
So, instead of betting only on:
- “Who will win?”
You can bet on:
- “Will the total runs go above 180?”
- “Will Team A win by 6+ runs?”
- “Will Player X hit a fifty?”
- “Will there be a wicket in the next over?”
Each of those is a different market.
This is why the same match can offer 50+ markets. Betting markets are created because fans don’t just enjoy results, they enjoy moments inside a match. Betting platforms like Lotus365 make these moments accessible by packaging them into markets.
If you want a broader beginner introduction before choosing markets, you can also read: The Complete Sports Betting Guide: How to Bet Smart and Win More (Even If You’re a Beginner)
Why Understanding Betting Markets Matters (Especially in India)
In India, many bettors enter sports betting through cricket, especially the IPL. Naturally, most people start with “team winner” bets because they feel simplest. But simplicity doesn’t always equal profitability.
Here’s the real advantage of understanding sports betting markets:
It helps you avoid low-value bets
Sometimes the favourite has odds so low that even if they win, the payout isn’t worth the risk. Learning different markets lets you find better pricing.
It helps you bet smarter in uneven matches
When a team is much stronger, “winner” odds may be tiny. Markets like totals and handicaps can offer more meaningful returns.
It helps you match the bet to the match
A slow pitch? Totals might be better.
A mismatch game? Handicap might be smarter.
Unpredictable weather? Some markets become risky.
In short, markets let you stop gambling and start thinking.
Match Winner Market (1X2 / Moneyline)
The match winner market is the most straightforward type of betting.
What it means
You bet on who wins the match.
Depending on the sport, it appears differently:
- Cricket: Team A vs Team B (winner)
- Football: 1X2 market
- 1 = home win
- X = draw
- 2 = away win
- Tennis: Player A vs Player B
Why it’s popular
It’s easy to understand, fast to choose, and feels intuitive.
Why it’s tricky
The match winner market often has two hidden problems:
- Low odds on favourites: The payout is small.
- Upset risk: One bad spell, injury, red card, or collapse changes everything.
Pro Tip (India bettors)
In cricket especially, the match winner market becomes more interesting live, because odds move with every over. If you want platform context, explore: LOTUS365
Over Under Betting (Totals Market)
If there is one market that consistently creates opportunities, it’s over-under betting.
What it means
You’re betting on whether the total will be:
- above (Over) a fixed number
- below (Under) a fixed number
This can apply to:
- total match runs (cricket)
- total goals (football)
- total points (basketball)
Example (Cricket)
Total match runs line: 345.5
- Over 345.5 = 346+ runs
- Under 345.5 = 345 or below
Example (Football)
Total goals line: 2.5
- Over 2.5 = 3 or more goals
- Under 2.5 = 0, 1, or 2 goals
Why over/under is powerful
Unlike winner markets, you can bet totals even in “unpredictable winner” matches.
You’re not asking:
“Who will win?”
You’re asking:
“What kind of match will this be?”
That’s often easier to answer if you know the pitch, team style, weather, or lineups.
Best situations for over-under betting
- Flat batting pitch → Over makes sense
- Slow pitch / big ground → Under is valuable
- Strong bowling attack early → Under
- Dew + short boundaries → Over
Over/under is also one of the popular betting markets India bettors love because it feels less biased toward “big teams.”
Handicap Betting Explained (Spread / Run Handicap / Goal Handicap)
Now let’s get into the market most beginners avoid, and most smart bettors respect.
This is handicap betting explained properly.
What handicap means
A handicap is a “head start” or “disadvantage” given to a team to balance odds.
This market is useful when:
- One team is much stronger
- winner odds are too low to be useful
Cricket example (Run handicap)
Team A -15.5 runs
This means Team A must win by 16+ runs for your bet to win.
Team B +15.5 runs
Team B can:
- win the match
OR - lose by 15 runs or fewer
and your bet still wins.
Football example (Goal handicap)
Team A -1.5 goals
Team A must win by 2+ goals.
Why handicaps are smart
Handicaps allow better odds and better pricing in mismatch games.
A match where a top team is likely to win becomes a more meaningful bet because you’re betting on how strongly they’ll win.
Best situations for handicap betting
- Strong team with explosive finishers
- One-sided squad matchups
- When conditions favour the strong team (pitch/weather/venue)
If you’re betting on apps like Lotus365, handicaps are best when you already understand how a team performs under pressure.
Prop Bets in Sports (Specials & Player Markets)
Prop bets in sports are the most entertaining markets, and sometimes the most profitable if you follow stats.
What are prop bets?
Props are bets on events inside a game, not the final winner.
Examples:
- player runs or goals
- top scorer
- number of boundaries/sixes
- total corners (football)
- wickets by a specific bowler
Cricket examples
- “Player X to score 30+ runs”
- “Total sixes in match over 14.5”
- “Bowler Y to take 2+ wickets”
Why props are powerful
Because props reward specialisation.
You may not know who wins the match, but you may strongly know:
- a batter’s form
- a bowler’s matchup advantage
- a team’s boundary rate
- a football team’s corner pattern
In India, props have become more common because bettors want markets beyond the match winner.
If you’re looking at platform onboarding and account setup, this helps: A Beginner’s Guide: How to Register on Lotus365 and Claim Your Deposit Bonus.
Popular Betting Markets India Bettors Prefer (2026)
So, which markets dominate the Indian betting scene?
Here are the top popular betting markets India bettors typically focus on:
- Match winner market (especially in IPL & international cricket)
- Over under betting (team totals, match totals)
- Handicaps (especially for one-sided games)
- Prop bets (player performance)
- Live betting markets (next overruns, next wicket)
India’s betting behaviour has shifted toward live and props because people want control and faster outcomes.
How to Choose the Best Market for Your Betting Style
Not everyone should use every market. The smartest approach is choosing what suits your style.
If you’re a beginner
Start with:
- match winner market
- simple over under betting
Avoid:
- too many props at once
- complex multi-bets/parlays early
If you’re analytical
Use:
- totals (over/under)
- handicaps
- player props based on stats
If you like live action
Focus on:
- live winner
- next overruns
- next wicket
- session betting (cricket)
To avoid mistakes during login/app use, this link is useful: LOTUS 365
For broader guidance and a responsible play context:
Conclusion
Understanding sports betting markets is what separates random betting from smart betting. Once you know how the match winner market, over under betting, and handicap betting explained work, you can choose bets that suit the match situation instead of blindly following favourites. Add prop bets in sports for deeper strategy, especially if you track player form and match-ups. For Indian bettors, these remain the most popular betting markets India in 2026,and platforms like lotus365 make them easy to access live.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What are sports betting markets?
Sports betting markets are the different types of bets available on a sporting event. These sports betting markets include match winner bets, totals (over/under), handicap betting, and player prop bets. Understanding sports betting markets helps bettors choose options that match their knowledge and risk level.
Q2. What is the match winner market in sports betting markets?
The match winner market is one of the most popular sports betting markets. In this market, you simply bet on which team or player will win the match. In some sports like football, this sports betting market may appear as 1X2 (home win, draw, away win).
Q3. How does over-under betting work in sports betting markets?
Over-under betting is a totals-based option within sports betting markets. You place a bet on whether the total runs, goals, or points scored will be above or below a set number. Over-under sports betting markets are popular because they do not require predicting the match winner.
Q4. Can handicap betting be explained simply in sports betting markets?
In sports betting markets, handicap betting adds a virtual advantage or disadvantage to one side to balance the odds. For example, a team may start at -15.5 runs or +1.5 goals. This type of sports betting market creates better value and more balanced betting options.
Q5. Are prop bets in sports betting markets good for beginners?
Prop bets are specialised sports betting markets based on player or event performance rather than the final result. While prop bets in sports betting markets can be profitable for informed bettors, beginners should start with simpler sports betting markets like match winner or over-under bets.
