If you’re seeking the ultimate sports gambling experience, live betting sites could hold the key. Sportsbook wagering doesn’t get more thrilling than placing real-time bets, which explains why so many bookies have added live sports betting to their repertoire.
New to the notion of in-play betting? I’ll get you up to speed right here. My guide covers the basics of live betting on online sportsbooks, including insights on how odds are set and the different markets available. I’ve also included expert tips for pinning down your wagering strategy, so you can get your experience off to the perfect start.
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As if betting on your favourite sports wasn’t exciting enough, some bookmakers have only gone and introduced live in-play betting, cranking the thrill-o-meter up to 11. I’m telling you, this is the new way to wager on live sports fixtures, and an absolute non-negotiable for me when I’m staking out new betting sites.
But what should you know about live sports betting before you commit? How does it work? And who exactly is responsible for setting those new live sportsbook odds? These are just some of the questions I’ve endeavoured to answer in my starter guide to live betting sites below.
Let’s kick things off with a good ol’ definition. Live betting on sports is when bettors have the option to place new wagers during a live game, as opposed to laying down a pre-match wager as is customary.
The beauty of this type of sports betting is that you can react to events that are unfolding in the game, which can help strengthen your wagering strategy. The best sports betting sites that offer in-play wagering typically offer a handful of live bet odds, so you can predict outcomes based on the ebb and flow of a match.
Given the nature of this type of sports betting, it’s easy to see why it’s also referred to as in-game live betting, in-play betting, and real-time betting. Rather than having to predict match outcomes way before the action kicks off, you’re in the hot seat and can make decisions on the fly.
Now can you see why I’m so excited about live betting sites?
Right now, I’m sure my readership will be split about 50/50. Some will be 100% sold on the idea of in-play betting and are raring to discover the best sports betting apps where they can give it a try. Others, meanwhile, may be sceptical and eager to learn more about how live betting works.
If you’re erring towards the latter camp, that’s OK, ‘cos I’ve got you covered. I’ve left no stone unturned in my guide to live betting sites, so you can get all the info and insights you need to feel confident about this type of sportsbook betting – and ultimately decide if it’s right for you.
Live sportsbook wagering depends on the work of “traders” who work behind the scenes to bring new odds based on real-time match outcomes. These wagering whizzkids use fancy tech to set odds based on the live action unfolding within a game – be it goals, touchdowns, tackles, and so on.
The dynamic nature of in-play betting means that odds are never fixed, but can change at any moment as the momentum of a game, match, or bout shifts from one opponent to another. This is all part of what makes live betting infinitely popular, as it gives you the chance to bolster your wagering strategy even after a game has gotten underway.
To help you understand how live sports wagering works – and how it differs from standard pre-match betting – here’s a quick example showing how quickly odds can change based on in-game outcomes…
Let’s say you want to bet on a soccer game between Manchester United and Arsenal. You could place a pre-match bet on a range of outcomes, including an outright wager on the winner. Of course, once you’ve placed your bets, there’s no option to change your bet slip, with all markets closed as soon as the game gets underway.
When the match kicks off, though, this is when you have the chance to place in-play bets – perfect if your pre-match wagers are looking increasingly unlikely to pay out. Live betting sites usually offer a nice mix of in-play odds, with some soccer-related examples including:
Remember: in-game live betting odds are determined on a continuous basis, with traders working behind the scenes to update available odds and markets as the action unfolds. So, if you spot odds you like on an outcome that’s looking increasingly likely, be sure to lock in your wager before the numbers change.
That’s a very good question, but you already know the answer: traders.
Yep, these are the clever folk responsible for setting live bet odds amidst the heat of mid-game action. They rely on all the usual stuff used to determine pre-match odds – historical data, player stats, team sheet strength, etc. – along with a deep understanding of how live-action could impact the outcome of a game.
Clever stuff, then, but there is a chink in the armour of in-play betting traders that is yours to exploit.
You see, a statistical, algorithmic approach can only get traders so far. Live betting odds often don’t take into account those impossible-to-predict moments of sporting ecstasy, so it’s possible to lock in top live wagers based on the intuition, gut feeling, and sheer belief you have in your favourite teams and players.
In all honesty, there’s not much difference between pre-match and live betting types, so the markets should be pretty familiar from the get-go. Let’s take a quick look at some of the in-game live betting types you can expect.
| Live betting type | Good to know |
|---|---|
| Moneyline | Keep things simple by placing a straightforward moneyline live bet. This is as close to a pre-match wager as you’re likely to get, with the main difference being that the odds of a team winning will change the longer the match plays out. |
| Spreads | Live spreads bets are all about the fine margins between the potential winner or loser of a match. Scores are super important here, having a direct impact on spread betting odds, so pick your lock-in point wisely. |
| Totals | Totals is a nice market for bolstering your bet slip. This type of bet means predicting how many goals will be scored in total over the duration of a half, for example. |
| Prop | I’m a big fan of live prop bets. Here, you’re wagering on things unrelated to the outcome of a game, be it a goalie’s shot-stopping ability or the number of subs a team will make in the second half. |
| Micro | Micro bets are super popular on live betting sites. These small, fast-moving markets are typically only available for a few minutes and are based solely on the next outcome of a match. |
This isn’t an exhaustive list of in-play betting types by any means but it should give you a better idea of what’s out there.
Now that you’re pretty much fully clued in on how live betting works and the types of wagers available, let’s review the pros and cons of in-game wagering so you can decide if it’s worth integrating it into your sports gambling strategy.
We’re getting to the real nitty-gritty of my live betting sites guide now, so strap yourselves in as I help steer you towards in-play betting success. Because while placing live sports bets isn’t rocket science, there are a couple of things to note that should keep you on the straight and narrow.
Get the most from your favourite live bet bookies with my essential top tips…
While live betting is available across a ton of different sports, I’d recommend starting out with teams, clubs, and players that you feel confident about. Remember that a sound live betting strategy relies on gut instinct and intuition as much as stats and facts, and this only comes from being clued in on the sports you enjoy the most.
I know it’s tempting to watch a game on the big screen in your sitting room, but when it comes to in-play wagering, I’ve found betting site livestreams an absolute godsend. Not only are most streams super fast and reliable but they’re also what traders are watching too, so you know you’re in sync with the latest odds. The best live betting sites also offer a HUD where you can monitor odds and place bets, so you never need to take your eyes off the action.
Whether you’re tuning in from the comfort of home or betting on your evening commute – let me tell you just how important it is to find a good WiFi signal before you start placing live bets. There’s nothing more frustrating than placing a bet only for your signal to drop, leaving you clueless as to the outcome. Trust me – I’ve learnt this one the hard way.
For obvious reasons, live in-play sports wagering pairs perfectly with the latest mobile betting apps. The combination of on-the-move betting coupled with live odds is a thrilling one, so seek out sites that offer reputable mobile apps as part of their offering.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m a big fan of in-game live betting. But I also acknowledge that it can be the ultimate tempter, enticing you to chase losses and make up for the fact that your pre-match bets haven’t come to fruition. That’s why I always encourage a responsible and mindful approach to live sports betting; keep things fun, play within your limits, and don’t chase losses.
Granted, my in-play betting guide may have ended on something of a dour note, but make no mistake: live betting is still firmly on my sportsbook wishlist.
From where I’m standing, any chance to up the ante and make your sports betting experience more enjoyable is absolutely worth it. I’m not besmirching pre-match betting in any way but will say that live betting is the ultimate complementary feature – there to turn up the excitement and help you make the absolute most of all the different betting markets and odds available.
Of course, the counterpoint to all this excitement is the fact that live betting odds can change in a flash, so it’s definitely not a strategy for those who like placing considered, timely wagers. Indeed, the nature of in-play live betting can lead to impulsive decision-making, potentially taking you out of your comfort zone and into uncharted wagering territory. With this in mind, I’d encourage a fun-first approach to in-match betting; stick to small wagers and only place bets on your terms without feeling pressured into doing so.
Ready to give in-play betting a try? Don’t forget that I’ve hand-selected some of my favourite live betting sites, so check these out in the banners around this page.
Placing in-game wagers is super exciting, giving you the chance to expand your betting strategy and continue wagering at key points in a match. It can also attract some eye-catching odds and betting markets, with in-game outcomes throwing up some tasty numbers that were not available before the match began.
That all depends on your style of betting. If you like a slow, considered approach, pre-match betting may work best for you. Alternatively, if you like wagering on the fly, live in-play bets could be an exciting option. Of course, you also have the option to do both, with pre-match and live bets each offering different odds and betting markets.
Just like with pre-match betting, there’s no guarantee of profiting from in-game sports wagering. Sure, your knowledge of a sport and team can help you to make informed and decisive wagers, but there’s ultimately no way of knowing if a live bet will settle as a winner.
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