Best Betting Sites » Betting School » In Play Betting Explained 2024

In Play Betting Explained 2024: Understanding Live Betting Strategies

Published: 3 months ago

So, you forgot to bet on your favorite sporting event only to find it’s already underway. 30 years ago, that’d have been a train smash, but thanks to live betting, you can catch up. In this guide, you’ll have everything you need to know about in play betting explained.

This type of betting allows you to place your wagers way after events begin. I’ll provide some expert tips on how you can get this right within your first few tries. But first, let’s walk through the basics of in play betting.

BetMGM
4.8/5
BetMGM Review
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
T&Cs apply, 21+
Bet now
DraftKings
4.8/5
DraftKings Review
Bet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets Instantly!
T&Cs apply, 21+
Bet now
FanDuel
4.7/5
FanDuel Review
Bet $5 Get $300 in Bonus Bets if you win
T&Cs apply, 21+
Bet now

In play bets explained

So, how does in play betting work? Let’s just say you no longer have to break a sweat if you miss placing a sports bet before the game starts. Whenever in play betting is explained, the running theme is bettors get in on the action while the contest is in progress.

But forgetting to place a wager is just but one reason to opt for in-play wagers. Seasoned bettors wager in-play if they think it’ll give them an edge and the best winning chances. The odds and betting lines change quickly, so you must be able to decide and place your bets in an instant.

In play betting example

For newbies, live betting can be a tricky concept to wrap your head around. To make it easier to comprehend, in play betting is explained better illustrated with an NFL example below.

TeamStarting oddsOdds during the game
New York Jets+180+150
Cleveland Browns-220-170

With this example, the Cleveland Browns started as a clear favorite. But let’s say the Jets hit an early touchdown, causing the odds to shift. While the Browns still have the upper hand, they have their work cut out for them, and placing a mid-game moneyline wager, in this case will pay more than when the game kicked off.

How to place an in-play bet

The blow-by-blow account of in play betting is explained in the steps below:

  1. Visit your bookie of choice
  2. Locate the game you want to bet on
  3. Go to the live betting menu and look for the game
  4. Identify the bet you want to place
  5. Add it to your bet slip
  6. Enter your wager
  7. Submit

Premier Sportsbook Providers We Recommend

BetMGM
1.
Favicon
4.8/5
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
Virginia
Players from Virginia accepted
PayNearMe
Skrill
PayPal
Virginia (US) Lottery Board
Bet now
T&Cs apply, 21+
DraftKings
2.
Favicon
4.8/5
Bet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets Instantly!
Virginia
Players from Virginia accepted
PayPal
VIP Preferred
Play+
Virginia (US) Lottery Board
Bet now
T&Cs apply, 21+
FanDuel
3.
Favicon
4.7/5
Bet $5 Get $300 in Bonus Bets if you win + 3 Free Months of NBA League Pass
Virginia
Players from Virginia accepted
Prepaid Card
PayNearMe
PayPal
Virginia (US) Lottery Board
Bet now
T&Cs apply, 21+
Caesars
4.
Favicon
4.7/5
First bet back as a bonus bet up to $1000
Virginia
Players from Virginia accepted
E-Check
PayNearMe
PayPal
Virginia (US) Lottery Board
Bet now
T&Cs apply, 21+
Bet365
5.
Favicon
4.6/5
Bet $5 Get $200 or $1000 First Bet Safety Net
Virginia
Players from Virginia accepted
Virginia (US) Lottery Board
Bet now
Whatever the sport. Whatever the moment. It's Never Ordinary at bet365. That's why if you sign up now you'll get the choice of two great New Customer Offers, the First Bet Safety Net up to $1000 or Bet $5 and Get $200 in Bonus Bets. Deposit required. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply.Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler 21+

In play bet pros and cons

Anytime in play betting is explained, you'll quickly discover it has its good and bad sides every bettor must be aware of. Here are some of the main ones.

  • Competitive odds are updated by the second
  • Chance to mitigate potential loss with a calculated live wager
  • Makes sports betting more fun and engaging
  • Keeps you entertained as you watch your wager play out
  • Odds might be temporarily suspended when you try to wager
  • Lines may not move in your favor as the game unfolds

Understanding different in play bet types

Part of grasping what in play betting is comes with understanding the different bet types you can place. They cover typical wagers like moneylines and totals but can get more detailed like betting on scoring plays in the NBA. The major difference is unlike with pre-match bets, odds change as soon as the game kicks off.

1. Moneyline

As I mentioned in my live betting guide, good old moneyline wagers can be placed in real time. This bet type keeps things pretty simple. All you do is put your money on the team or player you think will win. That’s it.

2. Spread

If you go through enough in play betting explained articles, you’ll spot spread bets every so often. It’s the perfect bet type for the savvy bettor because it evens the playing field for contestants. The underdog team must win or lose by a specific handicap within the spread.

3. Props

Things get a lot more interesting with prop bets, where you basically wager on different aspects of the game with no bearing on the outcome. A good example is betting on the first player to score in an NBA game.

4. Totals

Not too sure about which team will take the cup, but feel confident about the number of laps your favorite NASCAR driver will lead by? Then you'll like Totals—also known as over/under bets. Here, you predict if the event outcome will go over or above what the sportsbook states.  What I like about this bet type is how it applies to almost anything. For example, you can bet on the winning time in a marathon.

5. Half-time/Full-time bets

You can switch things up with half time full time bets explained here. This bet type lets you bet on both halves of a sports game by predicting the outcome at half-time and then at full-time.

6. Parlays

If you have a keen eye and even quicker fingers, then parlay wagers fall right up your alley. This is a tricky bet type where you must combine multiple wagers into a single bet. The potential winnings are large, but the catch is all your selections must be correct for your bet to win. If even one is off the mark, your entire wager is thrown out.

BetMGM
4.8/5
BetMGM Review
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
T&Cs apply, 21+
Bet now
DraftKings
4.8/5
DraftKings Review
Bet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets Instantly!
T&Cs apply, 21+
Bet now
FanDuel
4.7/5
FanDuel Review
Bet $5 Get $300 in Bonus Bets if you win
T&Cs apply, 21+
Bet now

In play betting tips

Placing live wagers is undoubtedly fun but can be a tricky endeavor if you go about it the wrong way. I’ve put together a few pointers to help you place more accurate in-play betting predictions.

Let SportsGambler guide you

A lot of research and expertise goes into our betting guides. You'll get insight and free advice from an array of experts to help improve your in-play betting decisions.

Hedge bets

To manage risks with in play bets, you may need to learn how to hedge a bet. In this instance, you place a second bet against the original wager if you’re unsure whether the outcome of a bet will be a winner.

React fast

If you snooze, you lose. Quick and decisive action is necessary for you to fully take advantage of any opportunities that pop up during the match.

Watch the odds

Since in play betting odds shift rapidly in response to what's happening on the pitch, keep a close eye on them. Monitoring odds closely will help you know when to strike.

Consider betting exchanges

A good idea would be to join a betting exchange. As you’ll find in this betting exchanges explained article, you wager against other players and get better odds than you’d find at traditional bookies.

Conclusion

Live betting is a fascinating betting strategy with a lot of depth. There are plenty of options when it comes to the bet you can place well after the event has begun. The more you understand these bet types, the more you're in a position to place informed wagers.

Remember, live betting is fast-paced, with odds that fluctuate rapidly as the game progresses, making quick thinking kind of a prerequisite. SportsGambler offers free advice and guides on how to gain an edge with every live wager you place.

Premium Sports Betting Bonuses We Champion

BetMGM
1.
Favicon
4.8/5
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
Virginia
Players from Virginia accepted
Min. Deposit: $10
Go to BetMGM
Get bonus now
T&Cs apply, 21+
DraftKings
2.
Favicon
4.8/5
Bet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets Instantly!
Virginia
Players from Virginia accepted
Requirements (WR): 1x Bonus, Min. Deposit: 5
Go to DraftKings
Get bonus now
T&Cs apply, 21+
FanDuel
3.
Favicon
4.7/5
Bet $5 Get $300 in Bonus Bets if you win + 3 Free Months of NBA League Pass
Virginia
Players from Virginia accepted
Requirements (WR): 1x Deposit, Min. Deposit: $10
Go to FanDuel
Get bonus now
T&Cs apply, 21+
Caesars
4.
Favicon
4.7/5
First bet back as a bonus bet up to $1000
Virginia
Players from Virginia accepted
Requirements (WR): 1x Deposit
Copy
Get bonus now
T&Cs apply, 21+
Bet365
5.
Favicon
4.6/5
Bet $5 Get $200 or $1000 First Bet Safety Net
Virginia
Players from Virginia accepted
Requirements (WR): 1x Bonus, Min. Deposit: $10
Go to Bet365
Get bonus now
Whatever the sport. Whatever the moment. It's Never Ordinary at bet365. That's why if you sign up now you'll get the choice of two great New Customer Offers, the First Bet Safety Net up to $1000 or Bet $5 and Get $200 in Bonus Bets. Deposit required. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply.Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler 21+

In play bets explained FAQs

🤔 What is an in play bet?

I’ll put this point across using a simple in play betting definition. It’s when you place a sports bet after the game or match has started.

❓ What causes live betting odds to shift?

In play odds shift because of several reasons, including goals scored. This often shortens the odds for the scoring side. Moreover, injuries can cause odds to shift as they impact a team's ability to win.

You can choose from a variety of live betting options, including moneyline, totals, props, spreads, and parlays, depending on your skill set.

Read Also
How to Hedge a Bet 2024: Understanding Hedge Betting Strategies
You’ve probably heard of the term, but have you ever wondered how ...
Half Time Full Time Bet Explained 2024: Understanding This Betting Strategy
Welcome to your ultimate guide on half time/full time bets, where I’ll ...
Stake.us Promo
Parlay Betting Explained 2024: Understanding How Parlay Bets Work
Ready to dive into the world of sports betting? Then let’s talk ...
Straight Betting Explained 2024: Understanding Straight Bets
Curious about the simplest way to dip your toes into the betting ...
Moneyline Betting Explained 2024: Understanding How Moneyline Bets Work
If you're new to the world of sports betting and find yourself ...
Best Sportsbook Promo
BetMGM - Go to BetMGM Go to BetMGM
Top Betting Sites
Top Betting Bonuses
BetMGM
4.8/5
DraftKings
DraftKings
DraftKings Review
4.8/5
FanDuel
4.7/5
Caesars
4.7/5
Bet365
4.6/5
BetMGM
BetMGM Bonus
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
T&Cs apply
4.8/5
DraftKings
DraftKings Bonus
Bet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets Instantly!
T&Cs apply
4.8/5
FanDuel
FanDuel Bonus
Bet $5 Get $300 in Bonus Bets if you win
T&Cs apply
4.7/5
Caesars
Caesars Bonus
First bet back as a bonus bet up to $1000
T&Cs apply
4.7/5
Bet365
Bet365 Bonus
Bet $5 Get $200 or $1000 First Bet Safety Net
T&Cs apply
4.6/5
Whatever the sport. Whatever the moment. It's Never Ordinary at bet365. That's why if you sign up now you'll get the choice of two great New Customer Offers, the First Bet Safety Net up to $1000 or Bet $5 and Get $200 in Bonus Bets. Deposit required. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply.Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler 21+
×
Your Promo Code:
The bonus offer of was already opened in an additional window. If not, you can open it also by clicking the following link:
Visit Site