More than 13 crore Indians play some form of fantasy game these days. And in a country where cricket is king, it goes without saying that a large number of them are playing fantasy cricket. That’s especially true during the summer months when the Indian T20 League dominates the sporting landscape. Every day, thousands of new users download fantasy apps like Howzat. But even as they search for the best fantasy cricket tips, there are understandable concerns for newcomers to the gaming world. Here we take a look at a few of them and explain why there’s little to worry about.
- Is it legal?
In a word, yes. It’s perfectly legal to play fantasy cricket games for free as well as for cash prizes. India’s Supreme Court has ruled that games of fantasy cricket are tests of skill, and not based only on factors like chance or luck. Without some background knowledge and understanding of cricket’s nuances, it’s not really possible to create a team and participate in a contest.
You have to be a resident of India and at least 18 years old to take part in contests on Howzat, and once these criterias are met, you can play fantasy cricket in most parts of the country. Those living in Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Nagaland, Odisha, Meghalaya, Sikkim and Telangana cannot participate in cash fantasy contests and leagues as these states’ laws do not permit their residents to play cash games. However, you can still play free fantasy contests while in these states.
- Is it complicated to start playing?
Many people shy away from online gaming because the registration process can be so complicated and painful, or because they’re asked to share far too many personal details. Howzat doesn’t make you jump through any such hoops. The registration process takes less than a couple of minutes, and it’s not difficult at all to enter a contest. One of the reasons why Howzat is such a popular fantasy gaming app is its easy-to-use interface. Most things are self-explanatory and the app menu is simple and easy to navigate. Entering an XI is easy, and once you’ve chosen your captain and vice captain, another menu will show you the huge variety of contests you can enter.
- Is my money safe?
It’s as safe as it would be in a bank. Every transaction on Howzat, whether a deposit or withdrawal, is carried out with the most up-to-date online security. You can deposit money into your Howzat wallet in a variety of ways, but each of them is safe and secure. You can use net banking, your credit or debit card, any virtual wallet or a UPI to deposit funds. Withdrawing your winnings is just as simple. Make sure your Howzat account is linked to a legitimate bank account. After that, processing withdrawals is simple and fast.
- Do I need to be an expert in cricket to compete?
While a basic knowledge of cricket, its tournaments and the players who take part in them is always useful, it’s hardly essential to be some sort of expert to do well in games of fantasy cricket. It’s a myth that fantasy cricket is an online version of the game that takes place out on the field. Yes, the points your fantasy team scores is very much based on the scorecard, but there are several key differentiators too.
To begin with, in fantasy cricket, you can pick players from both teams. Also, your captain and vice captain score extra points. You’re also not obliged to follow the structure that most real-life cricket teams have, with 4 to 5 batters, a wicketkeeper and 4-5 bowlers. There is far more scope for experimentation in fantasy cricket.
Even if you aren’t very clued in on what’s happened previously in the tournament, apps like Howzat give you a wealth of information, based on which you can make an informed choice. In the player-selection page itself, you’ll get to see what percentage of your fellow contestants have chosen a certain player. You can also see how many fantasy points they’ve scored till then. Similarly, you’ll be able to view what proportion of the contestants have chosen a particular player as their captain.
You don’t need to follow anyone else’s lead, but such real-time information can certainly help you make better selections. If you aren’t a cricket expert, you’re also less likely to select great players who are horribly out of form for purely sentimental reasons.
- Can I get addicted to fantasy cricket?
This question is usually asked by those with a hazy understanding of how fantasy sports work. It’s also common among those who think it’s just another form of gambling. It isn’t. Selecting an XI and taking part in a fantasy cricket contest is a great deal more difficult than just putting your chips on red or black while playing online roulette. As mentioned earlier, it is very much a game of skill.
Howzat allows you to enter multiple teams in each contest, and you can also play more than one contest in a day. Addictions tend to take root when something is easy or a quick fix. Fantasy cricket is a whole lot of fun, but it certainly isn’t easy.
Once your doubts about the fantasy-cricket phenomenon have been cleared, you should download the Howzat fantasy app and start playing. Play the unlimited free games to get a sense of how things work, and then test yourself in cash contests against some of the most skilled players from across the country. The way you watch cricket will never be the same again.
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