The Chennai Super Kings are right on top and so are the Pune Warriors, but the latter is on top in the ‘most likely to finish at the bottom’ list. Welcome to the adrenaline-charged world of IPL betting, where fans don’t mind putting their pennies — whether small or big, on teams and players that they believe in. The fact that betting is illegal hasn’t stopped them from trying to make some quick bucks. A bunch of twelfth graders have their exams going on, but that hasn’t stopped almost their entire class from indulging in small bets. Sakshi S, 18 reveals that most students bet between `100 and `200, whereas bets for the semi-finals and finals go on till `500.
“We have students from Bengaluru, Mumbai and Chennai — each person bets for their home team most of the time. We maintain an account and at the end of the IPL, people pay up.” Sakshi, who has made only `100 bets till now, has won 13 times and lost six times. “For instance, when RCB-CSK is playing, I bet on RCB, but if CSK is playing a weaker team then my money is obviously on Chennai.”
Consultant Nishita Kumar, 24, has won all the three times she made a bet. “The first time I bet was during the first MI-RCB clash. I bet on RCB and pocketed around `15,000. The next time my bet was on Gayle’s century and luckily, the Gayle Storm happened and I won again! I got third time lucky when I bet on Gayle getting out after 30 balls,” says Nishita, who has made around `43,000 from betting.

What are the odds?
While some youngsters bet with their buddies, others go the bookie or online way.
Sameer KT, 25, who has been betting all these years decided to not to succumb to it this time. “The odds are determined based on which team is stronger, the conditions and the batting line-up. With friends, it’s usually a 1-1 odd. But when people do it with bookies, the odds keep changing.” He reveals that for college students, the bets range between `1,000 to `5,000, but for working professionals, the money may go upto a shocking `10 or `20 lakh.
The current top teams that people are betting on for wins are CSK, Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore. “CSK has always been popular, thanks to MS Dhoni. The kinds of bets made include ten-over scores, 20-over scores and who wins the toss. People even bet on top scorers,” reveals Sameer.
Analyst Darshan U, 25, says, “People bet on each and every ball — if it’s a six, a four or a wicket. They also bet on things like how many runs a particular bowler would give away.”
It’s addictive
The exhilaration involved in gambling is addictive for many. “Betting revolves around permutations, combinations and of course, your intuition. But what’s priceless is that adrenaline rush you get from putting your money on something you’re not sure about. Till the end, you’re at the edge of your seat biting nails and pulling hair out,” says Nishita.
Sameer reveals that he’s seen the betting mania get bigger this year. “Even people who can’t afford it have been playing — like pizza delivery boys and petty shop owners as it’s an opportunity to make money. It can be a big problem if you get addicted, because you won’t know when to stop. When you’re making money, it feels great and when you’re losing, you want to recover it.”

— Names have been
changed on request