Live Betting

What is Live Betting?

Live betting (also known as “in-play betting”) allows bettors to gamble on sporting events that are already underway as opposed to before the competitions have begun. When the games unfold, odds shift constantly based on the action playing out on the field, court, rink, pool, track, or course. As a result, underdog lines can rise while odds on the favorites fall and vice versa.

In the U.S., another popular element of live betting is the ability to live-stream the games on which you’ve wagered through your mobile device or computer. For some, this has become an alternative to paying for cable services or streaming platforms.

How Live Betting Works

Live betting works by dynamically updating the odds as the game progresses. Using the odds from the start of the game as a guide, sportsbooks use both complex algorithms and human oddsmakers in tandem to set live odds, allowing gamblers to take advantage of new lines throughout the contest.

These odds are available for many of the same markets that were available before the start of the game, including moneylines, spreads, and totals. You’ll also be able to play many of the same prop bets, though all of these markets can change depending on what’s happening on the field of play.

As a result, successful live betting requires you to understand game trends, isolate favorable matchups to exploit, and identify lines that will lead to larger profits. Quick analysis and snap decision-making are highly valuable skills that you’ll need to win more consistently.

Types of Live Bets

As mentioned above, many of the same types of bets that were available to you before the game started are available for live-betting. Here are the most common options available to you:

• Moneyline bets: Moneyline bets are wagers on which team will win the game. This market can see a ton of odds movement if an underdog jumps out to an early lead, which can make a wager on the favorite more favorable than when the game began.
• Point spreads: Point spreads tend to keep the odds somewhat similar throughout the game (frequently at -110 on both sides, but subtle differences can occur). The main change here is to the projected margin of victory at the end of the game, potentially allowing you to hedge or middle your pre-game bet for a chance at a bigger payday.
• Totals (Over/under): Totals (or over/under) live betting tends to follow the same protocol as point spread live betting. Odds don’t change as much but the projected total can be markedly higher or lower than before.
• Prop bets: Prop bets see both types of movement mentioned above; the odds of hitting the pre-game totals change and the projected totals can increase or decrease. You can also see new prop bets that weren’t available before, such as who the next player to score will be, the result of a drive, or which team will lead at halftime.

Strategies for Live Betting

Before you head to the sportsbooks to try live betting for yourself, we hope you’ll keep these strategies in mind:

Don’t live bet games you aren’t actively watching

Box scores and gamecasts can provide a good amount of information, but they seldom tell the full story. Your own analysis of what you’re seeing unfold before you and your sense of the game’s momentum are significantly more important for live betting.

For this reason, we strongly encourage you to refrain from in-play wagering unless you are actively watching the game. This means it isn’t just on in the background or at a sports bar with your buddies; a sober mind and attentive eyes on the game and the lines will serve you far better.

Take advantage of major fluctuations in odds

The three biggest factors that impact live betting odds are scoring plays, injuries, and the amount of time remaining. If you can anticipate when favorable matchups will lead to a score or you see an injury that will lead to an advantage, pouncing on that line before the odds shift too much will work in your favor.

Hedge your bets

Hedging your bets is a term that means betting against the wager you originally made as a way of mitigating risk. The idea is to make sure that no matter which side wins, you’ll be able to make a profit or reduce the chance of losing money because of how the odds have changed.

Once your initial bet seems likely to win, you can hedge your bet by backing the opposite side. However, you should only do this when the line movement makes it profitable to do so; whether or not hedging is the right call will vary on a case-by-case basis.

Don’t chase losses

Quite possibly the most important strategy on this list is to make sure you don’t chase losses. This means that if you have lost a series of bets, you aren’t upping the amount of your stake on subsequent wagers to try to win back the full amount you lost in one bet.

The fast-paced nature of live betting can make it easier to chase losses. Keep practicing your responsible gambling habits and walk away if you need to; when you’re in a hole, quit digging!

How to Place a Live Bet

Placing a live bet is relatively easy, but the most important thing is to be efficient when you do. Getting your wager in quickly and correctly ensures the odds don’t change while you’re placing your bet and leave you in a less favorable position.

Here is what you’ll need to do:

1. Log into your online sportsbook account on your computer or mobile device.
2. Click/tap on the game on which you’d like to live bet.
3. Click/tap on the line you’re betting on, and note that the odds may be temporarily unavailable if a play is happening.
4. Once you’ve added the line to your betting slip, decide how much money you want to wager on that line.
5. Click/tap “Submit” to lock in your wager. Once it is accepted, you should see it in the “Active Bets” section of your sports betting platform.

Conclusion

Our last piece of advice before you start live betting is to start small. Making your in-play wagers on markets you’re already comfortable with and keeping your bets simple will allow you to make adjustments and learn on the fly without things getting too costly.

Now that you’ve learned how to live bet and have the tools you need to start in-play wagering successfully, are you ready to give live betting a shot? If so, check out our sportsbook review pages to find some operators that will make your live betting experience even more enjoyable.

If not, perhaps another betting market is more your speed. We’ve also composed other guides for bet types to help you find the best fit.

FAQ

Do all online sportsbooks offer live betting?

Not every online sportsbook includes live betting, though it’s a popular feature. Many online sportsbooks, also known as live betting sites, offer this option, allowing users to place bets as the action unfolds. However, smaller or niche sportsbooks may lack this feature due to technical limitations. Always check each site to confirm if live betting is available.

What is a 3-way in live betting? 

How quickly do I need to place a bet during live betting?

Generally, placing a bet while live betting as quickly as possible is the way to go. Take a moment to analyze the odds and make sure your bet makes sense; if both are in line, get your wager in rapidly before the odds change and aren’t as favorable.

Can I cash out a live bet early?

Yes, in some cases, you’ll be able to cash out a live bet early. The rules for early cashout vary by sportsbook, so check with the operator’s “House Rules” before attempting to cash out your live bet.

What are the best strategies for successful live betting?

The best strategies for successful live betting are to move fast, hedge your bets, and don’t chase your losses. In-play wagering has many moving parts, so stay calm and act decisively.

How do sportsbooks calculate live odds?

Sportsbooks calculate live odds by using a combination of analysis algorithms and human handicappers. Live odds are moving all the time based on what happens, so your goal is to find a valuable line before it changes.