How to Bet on Kabaddi in India
Kabaddi is one of India's most popular sports and, as such, betting on the game is common.
While kabaddi does not have the same public profile as globally relevant sports such as cricket, in India kabaddi is a way of life for a lot of people.
The fact that kabaddi is only played in this part of the world can be a downside when it comes to online betting, though, as the options for wagers on this exciting sport can be slightly limited.
If you are at all interested in betting on kabaddi in India, this guide will tell you everything that you need to know about how to do so.
Introduction to Kabaddi
While kabaddi has a long and proud history in India, the sport has been played for hundreds of years. It is widely assumed that the sport started to be played in the Sistan region of present-day Iran, although some think its genesis was in the Vedic period of ancient India.
There is no doubt it was in India where kabaddi began to be played competitively, though, with this happening in the 1920s. Indeed, kabaddi was even played at the Indian Olympic Games in 1938, while it was a demonstration sport at the inaugural 1951 Asian Games in New Delhi too.
Although it is only played in certain parts of the continent, Kabaddi joined the Asian Games' programme beginning in 1990 and India has been the dominant team in the tournament.
Kabaddi Rules
A full-contact sport, kabaddi is played between two teams of seven. The game is split into two halves of 20 minutes each, with a 5-minute halftime break. The aim of the game is for players to tag out as many of the players on the opposing team as they can during a raid and return without being tackled.
Points are scored for each player that is tagged by the radar, while the defending team can also score points if they manage to stop the raider from tagging them.
The standard style of kabaddi is the one used in various competitions and leagues, including at the Asian Games, and this is played on a rectangular court indoors. An alternative is Punjabi kabaddi, which is sometimes also referred to as circle style, which is played outdoors.
Kabaddi can be hard to follow for newcomers but there is no doubt the sport is exhilarating. And having a bet on the kabaddi action is a great way to make a match even more exciting to watch.
Men and women can both play kabaddi, but the game is not mixed-gender, so men's and women's teams play separately and compete in their own distinct tournaments and leagues.
Key Rules and Format Explained
Raider: A single player from the attacking team, known as the "raider," enters the opposing team's half of the court. The raider must chant "kabaddi, kabaddi" continuously (known as the "cant") while trying to tag as many defenders as possible and return to their half in a single breath.
Defenders: The defenders must attempt to stop the raider from returning to their side of the court after tagging them. They do this by wrestling the raider to the ground or pushing them out of bounds.
Points System:
- Tagging: Each defender tagged by the raider earns the raiding team a point.
- Tackles: Each raider tackled earns the defending team a point.
- All-Outs: If an entire team is tagged out, the raiding team scores two additional points.
- Bonus Points: A raider can earn a bonus point by reaching over the bonus line in the defending team's area, under specific conditions, usually when there are at least four defenders on the court.
Empty Raid: If a raider returns to their half of the court without making contact with any defenders, the raid is considered "empty," and no points are scored.
Is Kabaddi Betting Legal in India?
Yes, betting on Kabaddi is legal in India if you use online betting sites that are legal and licensed outside of India and accept Indian Rupees.
We only list safe, legal and licensed offshore gambling sites on BettingGuide.com. So you can be sure that each site is trusted and secure for online betting.
Popular Kabaddi Betting Markets Explained
Below are some of the most popular Kabaddi bets that you can place:
Match Winner
In a Match Winner bet, you predict the team that will win a particular match. You have two options: Team A or Team B. If the team you bet on wins, your bet is victorious. These bets are widely accessible on Kabaddi betting apps because of their simplicity and ease of comprehension.
Total Points (Over/ Under)
With a Total Points bet, you predict the combined points scored by both Kabaddi teams in a match. The betting site determines a specific point threshold, and you predict whether the actual score will exceed (Bet) or fall short of (Bet) this threshold.
Outright Winner
In Kabaddi betting, an Outright Winner bet involves forecasting the team that will triumph as the tournament or league's complete victor. You're essentially predicting which squad will do the best throughout the competition rather than just betting on individual matches. You may, for instance, wager on the potential winner of the Pro Kabaddi League or the Kabaddi World Cup even before the tournament begins.
Handicap Betting
In Kabaddi betting, handicap bets exist where one team is given an artificial advantage or disadvantage prior to the start of the match. The betting website determines a point difference. You can bet on the stronger team exceeding that margin (covering the handicap) or on the weaker team staying close enough to avoid losing by more than the set margin (beating the handicap).
Player Performance
In Kabaddi, Player Performance bets involve predicting the actions and results of particular players during a match or tournament. These bets cover a range of statistics, such as:
- Top Tackles: In games like Kabaddi, the defending scores by stopping the raider from reaching their half of the field. Skilled players who excel at tackling their opponents make for an exciting kabaddi betting market.
You can find a list of all players categorised as top tacklers and place your bets on who you think will be the best tackler in a match. To make an informed decision, take a look at the top 10 tacklers of the ongoing season.
- Top Raider: In this betting scenario, you are placing your wager on the raider who you believe will surpass all other raiders participating in a match. All players from both teams are eligible for betting under this category, each with their own specific odds determined by their recent performances and overall track record.
The top raiders in the league will have the lowest odds, reflecting their high likelihood of success. While placing a bet on them may result in a win if they perform as expected, the potential returns are modest. On the other hand, you have the option to bet on "dark horses" – players who may not be considered top raiders but have the potential to excel in the match.
- Team to Score 15 Points in the 1st Half: If you are looking to take your kabaddi betting game to the next level, one area to focus on is the market that is commonly found in PKL matches. These matches tend to have higher scores compared to other tournaments, making them more interesting for bettors. The bet in question involves predicting whether a team will reach 15 points in the first half of the match.
Best Leagues and Tournaments for Kabaddi Betting
Check out some of the biggest tournaments and leagues for Kabaddi bettors:
Kabaddi World Cup
The International Kabaddi Federation (IKF) is responsible for organising the World Cup. The tournament is typically held in two formats: circle style and standard style. India has consistently achieved the most success in the competition.
Pro Kabaddi League
India's top-level kabaddi league, Pro Kabaddi League (PKL), comprises 12 teams representing various regions of the country, such as the Bengal Warriors, Patna Pirates, and Jaipur Pink Panthers. The league usually happens from December to February.
Super Kabaddi League
The Super Kabaddi League (SKL) reigns supreme as the premier kabaddi competition in Pakistan. Established in 2018, it has rapidly gained immense popularity among both Pakistani and Indian enthusiasts. The league features an intense schedule of 92 matches involving eight participating teams. These matches are held annually in November.
Kabaddi Masters
Kabaddi Masters is a world-class tournament where elite teams showcase exceptional skill, athleticism, and teamwork. Featuring veteran athletes from different nations, Kabaddi Masters delivers fierce competition and exhilarating moments.
Asian Games
In 1990, Kabaddi was first featured in the Asian Games. Until 2014, India dominated the sport, securing consecutive gold medals. However, in 2018, Iran broke India's winning streak, becoming the only country besides India to claim the gold in Kabaddi.
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