In the past, the only option for a gambler was to make a bet and wait until the end of the game to see if they won or lost. However, this is no longer the case, as the world of sports betting is constantly evolving. One of the fastest-growing features of sports betting is live betting, also known as in-play betting, in-running betting, or in-game betting.
Live betting allows you to make bets in real-time while watching the game. This article will explain everything you need to know about live betting, including how it works, how odds and lines are calculated, and how it varies across different sports. We’ll also provide you with some strategies and tips to help you use this modern twist on wagering to win more money.
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What Is Live Betting?
Live betting, also known as In-Play, In-Running or In-Game betting, refers to the act of placing bets during a game, after it has started but before it ends. It allows bettors to place wagers on various types of bets such as point spreads, money lines, and totals. The odds and lines are constantly updated based on the events taking place in the game.
Live betting also offers unique proposition bets that can only be made during the game, such as betting on which player will score the next goal. However, not all online casinos and sportsbooks in the Philippines offer live betting due to the complexity of the technology involved.
Since live betting lines are determined in real-time, they are generally considered to be looser as oddsmakers have less time to study and make more subtle mistakes. This creates opportunities for bettors to find favorable odds and potentially win big.
Many top sports betting apps allow users to place live bets from their mobile devices.
Why Are There Fewer Live Bets Than Regular Bets?
Sportsbooks that offer live betting typically provide a limited selection of in-play wagers compared to pre-game bets. This is due to the vast number of games taking place and the limited resources available to offer a full range of accurate lines for in-game betting. Every sport has its unique variables and a range of constantly-fluctuating factors to consider. While technology is advancing, giving bookmakers the necessary tools to offer live betting, many sites still have some way to go before they can provide a comprehensive range of in-play opportunities. A site’s live betting capabilities can be a major differentiator among online sportsbooks, with some sites taking the lead in this area while others lag behind, relying on sweet bonus offers and better odds to attract customers.
How Are Live Betting Odds Calculated?
In-running odds are created by bookmakers during an event’s action, and the people responsible for creating them are referred to as “odds compilers” or “traders.” Due to the rapid pace of in-game action, calculating odds on the fly is a challenging task for odds compilers.
There are two main factors that odds compilers must consider: the likelihood of each new future outcome of the game, as well as the house edge required for the sportsbook to take on each given risk. For more information on how sportsbooks aim to achieve consistent profits, please refer to our article on “The Concept of -110.”
Top 5 Live Betting Strategies and Tips
If you enjoy live in-game betting, there are several strategies that can lead to short and long-term profits. Here are some tips to follow:
- Research the games before they happen: If you put time and effort into your pre-game wagers, you will be primed for action when the live in-game lines come out. Try to think like the author of the game’s story and identify the best in-game odds.
- Pay attention: To find an edge in live betting, you need to observe and analyze the game better than the bookmakers. By focusing on the game, you can pick up on details that the bookmakers might miss.
- Identify factors that can change the dynamics of the game: By understanding how certain factors can force changes in the game, you can anticipate how lines will change and how to bet them.
- Look for line shifts when the underdog has a good start: When a favorite is losing early, it can force a sportsbook to move lines too quickly. If you’re confident that the favorite will come back and win, you can take advantage of a more favorable line.
- Have a plan and stick to it: Move quickly but stay within your bankroll and don’t chase your losses multiple times per game. Stick to your plan and avoid getting carried away.
How to Hedge Live Betting
Hedging your bets can be a useful strategy in sports betting, especially with parlay betting, where one wager depends on the outcome of multiple games. Live betting also presents opportunities to hedge your bets. For example, at halftime, you might consider hedging against your original ₱100 bet by placing a ₱100 bet on the favorite, which is now laying -130.
If your original bet wins, you will make ₱150 profit, as you wagered a total of ₱200 and won ₱350. However, if the favorite wins, you will break even, as you wagered a total of ₱230 and get paid out ₱230. Essentially, hedging can provide a safety net if the right odds present themselves.
It’s important to look for value, consider the score of the game, and how much you wagered before the game started. Paying attention to the ebbs and flows of the game is crucial since professional odds compilers are also watching the same game and trying to eliminate any edge from average and savvy bettors alike.
Live Betting on Football
Football may not always have high scoring games, but there are still many exciting betting options available. These bets can be team-based or individual, covering aspects such as the total number of corner kicks or free kicks per side, yellow or red cards, offsides, times of goals, and total passes. The dynamic nature of these bets means that the line movement can be very fluid once the game is underway.
In-play live betting is an excellent way to take advantage of this fluidity, as the odds can change quickly as the game progresses. In professional Football, many games are 0-0 at halftime, as teams are playing at maximum capacity both mentally and physically. As the game remains tied into the second half, the odds on the favorite will usually lengthen, making it an ideal opportunity for live betting.
The closer the game gets to 90 minutes, the longer the odds will be for a late-game goal from the favorite (and the underdog). This presents an excellent opportunity for punters to place live bets and potentially earn big payouts.
Live Betting on Basketball
Basketball is a high-scoring sport, making it ideal for in-play betting. The NBA, in particular, has seen a lot of technological advancements in live betting. Nowadays, you can get new betting lines that are constantly updating throughout the game, making it easier for bettors to place their wagers.
To succeed in live betting on basketball, you need to be prepared and plan ahead. Pay attention to which players are on the floor, their tendencies, and shooting percentages. Coaches also play a critical role in basketball, as they decide which players to bring in and when.
Substitutions, fouls, and free-throw attempts can all change the dynamics of the game and the live betting lines. Knowing the basic strategies of each team’s coaching staff is the first step towards becoming a successful live bettor.
It’s also important to be patient and wait for the right opportunities. Basketball games can undergo big swings, and what may seem like a blowout could just be one team getting hot while the other struggles. Shooting percentages also tend to balance out over the course of the game, so it’s important to keep track of each player’s season averages.
Before placing any bets, it’s crucial to check if you can legally bet on the NBA in your state.
Finding Opportunities to Bet the Middle
In basketball, there are many opportunities to “middle” your bets since the lines can move drastically. Middling is when you make a second wager in such a way that you cannot lose both but can win both. For instance, you might place a pre-game point spread bet on the Raptors at +5.5 against the Spurs in San Antonio. If the Raptors take a big lead midway through the second quarter, you may see that the in-play odds now have the Spurs at +3.5 and decide to take this bet to “middle” it.
In this case, since you have two tickets with “underdog” odds, you are guaranteed to win at least one ticket because someone has to win the game. The great part is that you actually have an opportunity to win both bets if the Raptors hold on to win by less than 4 or the Spurs come back to win by less than 6.
Live Betting on Baseball
Baseball is a sport that lends itself well to data analysis, with nine innings of statistics to examine over 162 games per team per year. Whether you are a lover of the game or a number cruncher, MLB live betting offers many opportunities to make money. However, since the strategy changes with every pitch, it’s important to stay informed and adjust your betting accordingly.
When making live bets for baseball, consider the following:
- Pitching is crucial. A pre-game line is based on the expectations for the game’s starters, but each team is likely to use their bullpen at some point during the game. Check the recent performance of the bullpen for the team you’re betting on. A hot bullpen is a good sign for a bet if your team has a lead past the middle innings, while a bullpen that has blown saves recently should give you pause.
- Don’t be afraid of early deficits. If you like a heavy favorite and they’re down early, check how much the line moves towards the underdog. If you see good value, consider betting on the favorite since the odds have shifted in your favor with many outs left in the game.
- Listen to the announcers. Whether you’re watching on TV or listening to the radio broadcast, pay attention to what the announcers are saying. If one team is heating up, or if one pitcher is having an off night, the broadcasters tend to pick up on it early.
- Stay up to date on line-up changes. The loss of a key player on either team can shift lines and change the over/under ranges, so it’s important to stay informed. Check out our legal baseball betting guide to find out if sports betting is legal in your state.
Live Betting on Hockey
NHL live betting differs from other sports we have covered thus far. With less scoring than basketball, football, and baseball, and fewer sub-categories to wager on than Football, the line movement in hockey often focuses on early game action and how teams respond to early deficits or leads.
Here are some important factors to consider when it comes to NHL live betting:
Shots on Goal Compared to Power Play Time
It’s important to pay attention to the number of shots on goal compared to the time spent on the power play. For example, if a game is tied after two periods and the underdog has had much more time on the power play and has scored a couple of goals from it, yet the overall shots on goal are equal, this should lead us to the conclusion that the favorite has still been the better team. Even more accurate measures to use here could be ‘quality scoring chances.’
Each Team’s Period by Period Stats
As the season plays out, certain teams fare better or worse in different periods and when they are at home or on the road. By knowing where a team is most likely to excel and outscore their opponent
Live Betting on Horseracing
Betting on horse racing can be intimidating, especially for beginners. In-game betting on horses relies on a lot of the same information you need to know in order to profitably bet on horses in general. To start, you should obtain a daily race form, which contains crucial information for making educated bets. The form provides explanations of what everything means, how the bets work, and how to understand the pre-race data.
When making live bets on horse racing, consider factors such as the odds on each horse and how they compare to the horse’s career record, year-to-date record, and times at the distance they will be running in. It’s also important to consider the jockey’s performance history, including whether they’ve won a lot of big races and whether they perform best with a specific horse and at a specific race length. Additionally, you should look into the owner’s ranch and pedigree, to determine if they have mostly healthy horses and if they’ve had any recent problems.
Start Live Betting on Your Favorite Sport
Compared to the past, sports gambling has become more advanced, enhanced, and exciting due to the modern internet era. With the continued improvement of technology and computer processing, we can expect even more improvements in live betting in the future. This is good news for punters but may also give the house an advantage in terms of edge and juice. Casinos worldwide are likely working on expanding their live betting capabilities due to its popularity.
It is a great time to start studying live betting as there are still many opportunities available. However, the development of artificial intelligence and modeling technology may affect the casino’s ability to set lines on the fly in the future. For now, it is still possible to beat them by studying and understanding the game. So, the next time you watch your favorite team, try placing a few in-game wagers once you feel comfortable with the knowledge you’ve gained.
