Sports betting has always been a hugely popular pastime for punters in the U.K. and many bettors love betting on match outcomes. However the growing availability of live or in-play betting has catapulted sports gambling to completely new heights in recent years.
In-play betting has emerged as a hugely popular market for wagering on for sports fans and keen punters alike, as it allows for real-time decision-making which often enhances in-play experiences. But what exactly is it? And how does it work?
Check out our expert guide below to find out, and to get our best tips, hints and advice on where to bet live and how to make the most of in-play betting to enhance your betting experience, and maximise your winnings!
MORE: Latest Premier League news | Premier League scores and fixtures
What is in-play betting?
Live betting does exactly what it says on the tin. Unlike traditional pre-match betting, where all bets must be placed before the event begins, in-play betting allows punters to make their plays as the action is unfolding, and to make decisions based on what is happening as the drama is unfolding.
It allows a level of flexibility and greater betting opportunities than traditional wagering methods, as bets can be made in a matter of moments in real time.
Watching a football match and you see some momentum building for one team? You can quickly bet on them to score the next goal.
Following along with a game and a key player gets injured? In-play means you can jump online and back their opposition to come out on top.
Essentially, in-play betting offers punters the opportunity to alter betting strategies to try and maximise their odds of winning, while adding a little additional excitement to a sporting event.
How does in-play betting work?
In-play betting works similarly to betting pre-event. You simply have to log onto your account with your chosen bookmaker who offers live betting, such as Bet365, decide on the match you want to bet on and select the market and the bet you want to make.
The key thing to consider is that odds tend to change quickly during games, as live statistics from the match come in.
Traders take note of things like injuries, crashes or refereeing decisions. So you may find times when it is briefly not possible to bet on certain markets while the odds update.
How to place a live bet with in-play betting
Placing a live bet at an online U.K. sportsbook like Sky Bet or Paddy Power is simple and, if you’ve already placed a pre-game wager before, you won’t have any issues.
In this section we’ll talk you through the process for live betting opportunities on your favorite sport.
Here's a step-by-step guide:
1. Open a betting account.
Pick your chosen bookmaker and open an account. Some of the best options for live sports betting are Bet365, Spreadex or Paddy Power.
When you fill out the registration form be sure to enter your details accurately, and make sure you create a memorable username and password.
Don’t forget to claim any active welcome promotions. Lots of firms offer incentives to sign up but you can check out our full guide of the best UK sites who offer free bets and welcome bonuses here.
2. Navigate to the live betting section
Once you’re logged in, find your way to the live betting section of the website. Here you’ll see a list of all the events that are currently in-play, as well as any events that are scheduled to start imminently.
3. Find an event and betting market
Find the event that you want to bet on and navigate to your market of choice. Keep in mind that certain in-play markets, such as next set winner in tennis, are time sensitive, whilst others, like next goalscorer in football, can close at any time. If you can’t immediately find the market that you want, that doesn’t necessarily mean that it won’t open again soon.
4. Place your in-game bet
Click on the selection, enter your stake and confirm the bet. Sometimes odds will change as you are placing a bet, in such cases you’ll be offered the new and updated price. Once the bet is live, remember to keep checking for Cash Out offers as the event progresses, which could be vital for turning a profit.
Live in-play betting vs. pre-match betting
In pre-match betting, the bettor must make their bet before the event begins, and after it has started, they are stuck with it.
In live betting, the wagering will be ongoing throughout the event. What interval of betting is available or what can be bet on will vary depending on who is offering the bets.
The types of things that can be bet on will be much more varied. In football, for example, live betting often allows for bets to be placed on things such as the half-time score, the number of yellow cards, and the number of goals scored per half.
Advantages of in-play betting
The dynamic nature of in-play betting offers a few advantages over traditional betting methods:
- Adaptability: Adjust your bets as the game unfolds and conditions change.
- Value bets: Spot and seize value bets that arise when the market underestimates or misinterprets live action.
- Hedging options: Mitigate risks by hedging your pre-match bets based on the live developments.
Disadvantages of live betting
Since live betting occurs in real-time, bettors often have only seconds to place their wagers before the odds change. This fast-paced environment can lead to hasty decisions, meaning you might just be at risk of placing poorly thought-out bets due to the time pressure.
Another disadvantage is the constantly fluctuating odds. While this can sometimes provide better opportunities, it also means that bettors need to be constantly vigilant.
MORE: How to read and interpret odds in betting
Odds can shift rapidly due to in-game developments such as a sudden goal or a player getting injured. This can also make it challenging to lock in favourable odds, as you might have been waiting for odds to improve only to find they've continually gotten worse.
Lastly, some bettors may find they perform worse during live betting because it might be easier to be less disciplined.
The constant action and immediate feedback can make it easier for bettors to lose track of how much they are wagering. They may also not be as diligent at tracking performance and understanding why they incurred losses as they are more focused on the live betting odds.
Live in-play sports betting markets
There's quite a few options to choose from when looking for live bets on sports.
Below are just a few examples of things you might find with an online sportsbook for live betting opportunities:
- Next Team to Score: A wager on which team will score the next point, goal, or run during a live game.
- Next Player to Score: A bet on which individual player will score the next goal, touchdown, or basket.
- Next Corner (Football): A wager on which team will be awarded the next corner kick in a live soccer match.
- Over/Under Total Sets (Tennis): A bet of the total combined points scored by both teams, with bets placed on whether the final total will be over or under the set line.
- Next Set Winner (Tennis): A wager on which player or team will win the next set in a tennis match currently in progress.
- Half-Time: A wager on what the exact score will be at half-time or another designated point in the game.
- Half-Time/Full Time (Football): These are specific bet types to wager to correctly predict the score at both half-time and full time in one bet. To win, both of these need to land.
- Player To Be Carded (Football): Tracking match stats or watching the game live can help you identify if a player is more or less likely to get a red or yellow card. You can strike early if you think the referee will give them a booking.
- To Win Next Round (Boxing): In boxing, you can in-play on which rounds each boxer will win, where identifying momentum shifts are crucial. Remember though that in heavyweight boxing it can often be just one punch that changes the trajectory of a fight.
- To Win Next Leg (Darts): A wager on who will win the next leg of the match in darts. Matches can vary from featuring three, five or seven legs.
Key strategies and tips for live betting
When engaging in live betting, particularly on football, it’s crucial to leverage well-researched strategies and be responsive to live match events. Your success hinges on fast decision making, informed by up-to-the-second data and match dynamics.
Here's what to think about.
Research and preparation for live bets
Before placing any live bets, thorough research is vital. You need to study team form, player statistics, and historical performance against similar opponents. Pre-match analysis helps you identify patterns that might influence your in-play decisions.
For example, if a team commonly scores in the second half, you might wait to place your bet until the match progresses to find the best value.
Utilising live stats
During the game, live stats are paramount. Keep an eye on real-time data such as ball possession, shots on target, and corner count. These indicators can guide your in-play bet strategy by highlighting which team is dominating or building momentum.
For instance, if a team is increasing their shots on goal, a bet on them scoring next could be well-timed.
Watch the game
This sounds obvious but it's crucial! Many U.K. bookmakers, such as Bet365, now have live streaming available via their apps and desktop websites. So you can track your bets while watching the match on the same device.
However, you can keep up with your chosen sport or match on TV. This could be via the likes of Sky Sports, TNT Sports, Eurosport. While the likes of the BBC and ITV also show a great deal of live sport, especially the Olympics and major football and tennis tournaments.
While tracking live statistics can be effective, watching the event, you can pick up momentum swings and game dynamics that you can’t take into account when pre-event wagering. This will give you qualitative data that stats cannot.
Watch and learn: Professional punters
Finally, applying insights from industry experts can enhance your betting strategies. Experienced punters often share live in-play betting tips or that can help you understand market trends and betting angles.
Keep track of the advice and predictions from professionals to shape your approach to live in-play betting.
By applying these strategies with an eye on the game itself, you'll be in a position to enjoy a more engaging and potentially rewarding live betting experience. Remember, successful live betting is equally about preparation as it is about being adaptable.
Advanced in-play betting concepts and strategies
Want to go a little deeper into in-play betting strategies? Whether you're watching the match unfold from the comfort of your sofa or on the move, advanced in-play betting can greatly enhance your football viewing experience.
Mastering the art of in-play betting isn't just about placing bets; it's about strategic decisions in real-time that could increase your chances for success.
Hedging your bets
With live in-play betting, you can hedge your bets to help manage risk. If you've placed a pre-game wager on Team A to win and they're leading comfortably at half-time, consider placing a counter bet on Team B or a draw.
This approach, acting as a safety net if your initial bet fails. For instance, if a sudden turn of events in the second half scuppers your first wager.
Bear in mind, hedging should be timed efficiently, ideally when the odds are most favourable based on the match's progression.
Trading bets live
Consider trading bets live on sites like Betfair or Paddy Power as the in-play equivalent of playing the stock market.
Keep an eye on the flow of the game and the fluctuating odds. If you place a live bet on a team to score next, and they're applying consistent pressure, you might find an opportunity to trade out for a profit before the goal even happens.
Monitor the following live markets already offered:
- Next Goal Scored
- Final Goals Margin
- First/Second Half Results
Creating a successful live trading strategy depends on your ability to anticipate market movements and react swiftly. It's about making savvy decisions that reflect real-time match dynamics; if you can nail that, you could be on to a winner!
Popular markets for live football betting
Using football betting as an example. Live, or in-play, betting allows you to place your bets as the action unfolds on the pitch, offering a dynamic and thrilling experience. Here are some popular markets to consider specifically for football.
Match Winner
The Match Winner market is a favourite among football fans engaging in live football betting. You can place your bet on the team you think will come out on top as the match progresses.
Odds can shift dramatically during the game, especially if an underdog team scores unexpectedly or a favoured team is down a player. Stay on the pulse with this in-play betting option.
Over/Under Goals
Over/Under goals is another potentially lucrative live market, letting you predict the total number of goals scored in a match by both teams combined.
The 'over' selection of the bet wins if the total goals exceed a certain number set by oddsmakers, while 'under' wins if it's less.
This in-play betting market doesn’t rely on the final result, so it keeps you in the game no matter which team is leading.
Next Goalscorer
Who will be the next player to put the ball in the back of the net? The next goalscorer market offers you the chance to bet on the individual you believe will score the next goal during the match.
It’s a fast-paced market that requires you to be aware of players on the pitch who are looking dangerous and likely to score. With live football betting, you have the opportunity to assess player performance in real-time and make your move.
Corners
Betting on corners has blown up in the last five years; you can wager on total corners in a match, while also betting on the line of whether the match will feature over or under a total number of corners. For example: Under 8.5 Total Corners.
While more and more bookies are now showcasing this market, if you move quickly it could find inefficiencies in the oddsmakers' lines.
Cards
You can now bet on whether a player will receive a booking, as well as whether a team will have an under/over total number of bookings in a match. This could in football, rugby or hockey, for example.
Booking Points
A new market that has landed into the industry, and that Sky Bet have been pioneers of, booking points tallies up red and yellow cards in football through a numerical totting up process.
For example, when a referee shows a card to a player, it translates into a specific number of booking points. The standard values are:
- Yellow card: 10 booking points
- Red card: 25 booking points
- Second yellow card leading to red: 35 booking points (10 for the first yellow + 25 for the red)
You can wager on under/over booking points in the match and often split by team too.
Draw
You can often get good odds on a match finishing in a draw. If you have watched some of a game and believe the two teams to be evenly matched, it might be the right time to bet on it to finish all square.
To Win From Behind
Watching a game where a plucky underdog has started well but you know ultimately the favourites will be too strong?
This might be the moment to bet on a ‘win from behind’ for the favourites — something which is often offered at good odds.