In Game Betting
One of the most significant developments in sports betting in recent years has been the emergence of live betting. This was once a fancy aside at some sportsbooks which has now grown into a must have for operators across the industry.
Live betting affords users the opportunity to still get in on the action after the contest has already gotten underway. New markets and odds will appear throughout the contest, both of which move really quick.
Betting on ponies is fun but if you’re a beginner, just looking at an odds sheet and a program can be intimidating. Add to that the complexity of in-game betting and it can be downright overwhelming. The truth is, in-game betting on horses relies on a lot of the same information you have to learn in order to profitably bet on horses in general. Live betting lets you bet while the game is unfolding. Especially popular with NFL bettors, in-play wagering gives you the chance to take advantage of live odds while you’re watching everything from. Live or in-game betting is when you are able to place wagers on a game after it has started. Traditionally, all action was closed as soon as the game began. We did see brick and mortar sportsbooks start introducing halftime bets (lines put out at halftime that reflects action in the first half) which was the first move towards in-game betting. Welcome to in-game betting. In its infancy, Las Vegas bettors and sportsbooks have had to adapt to the the latest wave in sports gaming.
That’s a good part of the appeal, as you have to be in tune to take advantage of opportunities as they pop up. While some bettors will look to take advantage of as many in-game wagers as they can handle, others will take a more targeted approach and only pounce in certain spots.
If you’re looking to get started with live betting on sports, you’ve come to the right place. We’re going to walk through everything you need to know right here, beginning with the best places you can get in on the action.
Top Sportsbooks Offering Live / In Play Betting
What is Live Betting?
Live betting refers to wagers that can be placed after a contest has already begun. Also known as in-play or in-game betting, it’s a feature that has become tremendously popular at legal and regulated sportsbooks across the US.
Once upon a time, bettors who didn’t place their wagers before a game began were out of luck. They would need to shift their focus to other events on the docket. Live betting has changed that.
In live betting, markets and odds are made available after a contest gets underway and throughout the proceedings.
For an example, let’s consider a random NFL game between the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers. The Packers are installed as 3-point home favorites at kickoff, and the total is set at 39.5 points for what’s expected to be a pretty low-scoring affair.
Unfortunately, you weren’t able to get in any wagers before the final whistle blew. You settle in slightly after the game begins and notice that the Bears have taken a 7-0 lead.
You log into your sportsbook account and find that there are live betting opportunities for the game. Since the underdog Bears have taken the lead, the odds reflect the new information.
You still like the Packers to win the game. Since they’re now trailing, you find that the moneyline odds are even more appealing than they were at kickoff. You place a wager on the Packers to win at the current odds and watch the action unfold.
Lo and behold, Green Bay battles back to win a defensive-minded affair by a score of 19-15. You have yourself a winning ticket, thanks to the live bet you were able to place after the game began.
We’ll walk through a number of other examples as we continue, but that’s the gist of it. Live betting opportunities will vary, but you’ll generally find standard pregame wager types such as spreads, totals, and moneylines, as well as team- and player-based prop bets.
Live betting has been a game-changer for both sportsbooks and bettors, to say the least.
How Does Live Betting on Sports Work?
For traditional sports betting, you need to have your wagers placed in advance of the start of a game. That’s not the case with in-game betting. You can place your bets after things get started all the way through to the latter stages of the contest.
In-game wagering can be used on a standalone basis when you don’t have time to get bets in before the action gets underway. Additionally, you can use live betting as a supplement to open up even more opportunities for a contest you have already placed wagers on.
Let’s suppose that you have your eyes on an upcoming NHL game between the visiting New York Rangers and Toronto Maple Leafs. The hosts have been playing well of late and are expected to win. Here’s what the moneyline odds look like before the puck drops.
- New York Rangers +130
- Toronto Maple Leafs -150
You’ve got a wager in on the favored Leafs and settle in to watch the game. Once the game begins, the Rangers come out flying and go into the 1st intermission with a 2-0 lead.
A victory for Toronto is no longer looking like a sure thing, and the live betting moneyline odds have adjusted accordingly.
- New York Rangers -130
- Toronto Maple Leafs +110
You now have a choice to make: do you place another bet on the game based on the new information, or do you take a pass and let the chips fall where they may?
After mulling it over, you decide that you like Toronto to come back after the slow start. You place a new moneyline bet at odds of +110. If your call turns out to be right, you’ll be in line for an even better return on this game than you were expecting.
The Leafs come back to tie it up in period two, so you’re looking good. After a back-and-forth final period, Auston Matthews slaps home a rocket with less than two minutes to go. The Rangers continue battling, but Toronto hangs on for a 3-2 win.
You now have two winning tickets – your pregame moneyline bet, and the in-game wager you placed. Live betting won’t always work in your favor, but it certainly does open up additional opportunities for you to consider.
Examples of Live Betting
We’ve covered live betting from a team-based perspective already. You’ll find new opportunities on moneyline and totals after the game gets underway, and even the point spread in certain situations.
Those won’t be the only kinds of opportunities you’ll come across. Here’s a few more examples of what you might see.
- NBA: Total points scored in second quarter.
- MLB: Which team will score three runs first?
- NFL: Margin at halftime?
- NHL: Final margin of victory.
Live betting goes beyond the results of the game as well. There will be player-specific opportunities sprinkled in, as well as in-game scenarios to consider.
- NBA: Zion Williamson – Over/Under 23.5 points
- MLB: Outcome of next at-bat – walk, on-base, or out?
- NFL: Next play – run or pass?
- NHL: Connor McDavid – Over/Under 1.5 points
Offerings will vary at different operators, and also keep in mind that the markets and odds move really fast. For something such as the next NFL play or outcome of the next MLB at-bat, you need to be ready to react in an instant.
As such, mobile or online access is a must to take full advantage of all that live betting has to offer.
How do the odds change when betting live events?
As mentioned, odds move fast when it comes to live betting. So how exactly do sportsbooks pull it off so quickly?
At most outfits, calculating odds is a tag-team effort between a dedicated team of sportsbook staffers and computer algorithms. On staff, you have folks that are referred to as traders, while the person in charge is generally labeled the bookmaker.
As you would expect, software and computers are top notch, so the algorithms are constantly running and figuring out probabilities. Those are translated into odds, and that’s what makes it onto your screen.
Just like with pregame odds, when the sportsbook releases live betting opportunities, the odds will reflect the likelihood of an event happening. For team-based odds, the big favorite is more likely to win. Of course, that doesn’t mean that they always will.
When it comes to live betting based on player performance or other game-related props, pay close attention to what the odds are telling you. While longshots can come in and open up the possibility of fantastic returns, be sure to pick your spots wisely.
Approach live betting with a similar mindset to how successful bettors approach pregame: bet on what you know, stick to your bankroll, and don’t take chances on things you feel uncomfortable with.
How to Handicap Live Betting
When handicapping in advance of a game, you generally have the luxury of time to dig into the information you deem most important.
For example, College Basketball bettors may take their time analyzing recent play, power rankings, true shooting percentages, defensive efficiency, and home/road splits.
Since the in-game betting markets move so quickly, you won’t have much time to dig in. Opportunities can disappear in an instant, so those seconds you spend searching the web to find an answer may wind up being for naught.
For bettors who lean more towards gut instinct on their wagers, this isn’t much of an issue. When they see an opportunity they have a good feel for, they’re ready to go.
Folks that are more analytical in nature can have a slightly tougher time adapting for live betting. However, there’s a simple solution here: stick to what you know and the opportunities you feel comfortable with.
There is no rule saying you have to place a wager on every live betting opportunity that appears during the game. In fact, that’s a recipe for draining your bank roll quickly.
In short, you can still use an analytical approach to live betting. The knowledge you have acquired along the way will allow you to spot opportunities that make sense for your betting approach. Take advantage of the good ones that come up, and pass on the others.
Sports That are Tough for Live Betting
Live betting can be challenging when you first begin. The quick pace of the action takes some getting used to, as does knowing what to expect in terms of wagering opportunities as the game unfolds.
As such, it can be tough to live bet on any sport the first couple of times. Practice makes perfect, so those who stay focused can get past the learning curve quickly.
In terms of which sports are tougher than others, the major North American team sports are pretty equal. That said, it really comes down to what you know.
For example, if you’re a strong NFL and College Football bettor that doesn’t know much about MLB, don’t dive into MLB live betting and expect to pick it up right away. Instead, learn the MLB game from a pregame perspective, and then expand into live betting when you’re ready.
If you’re a strong basketball bettor with both NBA and College, then you’ll have plenty of opportunities to see if live betting is for you. Jam-packed slates of games will provide you with tons of possibilities, but only focus on those that you already have a good handle on.
When it comes to a sport that you know next to nothing about, you shouldn’t be live betting. While daytime Tennis or Soccer games can be tempting for those looking to pass some time, there’s no reason to put your hard-earned money at stake if you don’t fully understand what you’re getting into.
In short, if it’s a sport that you already have a great understanding of, you’ll be able to work live betting into the arsenal quickly. For sports that you’re unfamiliar with, it’s not wise to start your learning experience with live betting.
In Game Betting Strategy
In-Game betting leads the way for US sports betting
Live betting, also known as in-play or in-game betting, has become one of the most popular features at legal and regulated online sportsbooks in the US. In a nutshell, these are wagers that you can place after the action has already gotten underway.
Opportunities will vary, and markets and odds move quickly, but that enhances the appeal for many live betting enthusiasts. In general, you’ll find in-game opportunities that are game-specific, as well as prop style bets revolving around team or individual player performance.
As with any new type of bet that you’re unfamiliar with, there is a learning curve that comes with live betting. In the beginning, it can make sense to follow along as the action plays out without actually placing any bets.
This will give you a sense of how the markets and odds move, and also let you know what to expect in terms of opportunities. When you’re ready to give it a go, stick to sports you’re familiar with. If you want to expand into a new sport from scratch, live betting isn’t the way to break in and learn.
Live betting provides users with the opportunity to place additional bets on games they are already engaged with. Its popularity continues to grow, so the future looks quite bright for this sports betting niche.
In Game Betting App
In-Game or live betting is part of the latest technology sports bettors have to add to the excitement to their wagering habits. Carefully read this article to understand all that is involved.
Kansas City Chiefs vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Sunday, February 7, 2021 – 6:30 PM ET at Raymond James Stadium
In-game wagering is far more popular in Europe and other countries that are outside the United States and North America for that matter. The reasons are varied and most of it has to do with online sportsbooks that saw an opportunity in both soccer and tennis in particular. The pace of those sports and the breaks in the action allowed for real-time odds to be posted and the sports bettor to make quick decisions.
Baseball and American football offer a similar pace, but U.S. Americans are easily distracted and often are doing several things at once, which is a deterrent for in-game betting. This demands the ability to understand what you are seeing, thinking ahead and being a rational decision-maker who understands money management.
If in-game betting interest you and you would like to try it out, the Super Bowl is not a bad place to start, since it is one game and as long as you are in a place where you can focus and concentrate, you can pick up a few basics and become comfortable with the process and stop any time.
Why In-Game Betting Offers Everyone Value
For conventional NFL odds, oddsmakers have time to study historical situations, follow algorithms, check with their top experts and still adjust a number if it is slightly off long before a game starts.
For live betting, it's you vs. the algorithms and the person on the other side interpreting the data in real-time to make a snap judgment. That takes the odds against you down and levels the playing field. If you can make mistakes, there is another human who can do the same and if you’re quick, you can find opportunities to make money.
Prepare and Realize It's Fast, so Slow Yourself Down
If you made NFL picks for the side and total and say up to 10 prop bets for the Super Bowl, that is where you should start. We would recommend printing your bets out on paper and have them in front of you where you can continually review them.
Live betting is fast, really fast for newcomers. That's why you should make some low-limit bets to understand the speed and to learn the odds you just saw could change dramatically by the time you actually place your wager.
Most in-game betting platforms are going to give you the option to take a bet no matter what the odds are or take/pass if the odds got better or worse. The names could vary but you want a – Better Odds Button. This is how you create your own value and don’t get stuck with a bad number.
If it is moving too swiftly and your thoughts are spinning – STOP – start over and find a rhythm that meets your pace.
Hedge Betting and Doubling Down Options
Being able to all but guarantee yourself a profit or having the chance to double down on is essentially the same bet is an added benefit of in-game betting.
Say you had Kansas City on the money line for -165 and they are up 10 points at halftime, as Tampa Bay scored a touchdown right before the half. Tom Brady and the Bucs have the ball to start the second half and scored another touchdown and now trail by only three. You still like the Chiefs but are less certain.
Kansas City takes the ball and marches down the field to kick a field goal to go up by six. With 23 minutes left in the game, you have a new line that has Tampa Bay at +125 to win.
You bet -165 to win $100 to start with on K.C. You begin thinking Brady’s hot and his team can win. If you bet $80 on the Bucs, you would win $180. By hedging this way, if the Chiefs win you have a profit of $20 and if the Buccaneers are victorious, you found a way to pick up $15 profit on a losing bet.
Doubling down would look this way. You had Patrick Mahomes for OVER 330.5 passing yards. He throws for 225 in the first half, yet the Chiefs are only up three points. With Kansas City moving the ball up and down the field, but still needing more points to win, Mahomes will keep throwing. As long as the second half passing yards for Mahomes is 150 or less, you can make another OVER bet and possibly win twice.
Here Are Elements Not to Do For In-Game Betting
Though nobody wants to talk about it, always be aware of your wagers and think about money management. Don’t let a few losses send you into “chasing” setbacks, since that can only make things worse.
A common occurrence on Super Bowl betting is betting against yourself. In live betting you see a bet or a few bets that look irresistible with how the game is playing out at that moment. The problem, they are completely the opposite of bets you placed before the game. Betting against yourself is not a good strategy. Sometimes you just are wrong, don’t make it worse.
Lastly, never force opportunities. What looks good in the moment may cause regret later. One simple way to avoid this, ask yourself if you would be angry if you lost the best. If the answer is “yes” it is best to pass.
In conclusion, bet smart and have fun with in-game betting!