What Is an ‘In Play’ Bet?

what-is-an-in-play-bet

These days, live or in-play betting is a dominant type of wagering for many bettors. Some might say that it even eclipsed traditional pre-match betting.

The difference between these two is pretty simple. Pre-match betting is before the event starts, and live betting is during the event itself. The prior relies more on projecting the course of events, while the latter on reacting to specific developments.

Stay tuned to see how things work when it comes to live betting. How to use the momentum shift, how to use line movements, and many more.

The Mechanics of the “Live” Line

As stated before, live betting happens while the game or an event is in progress. It’s important to realize that every development in the field affects the odds and lines, which are constantly updated.

Now, the sportsbooks are using various algorithms and technological and AI features to make this happen, but there’s one small flaw that simply can’t be bypassed by any AI or tech thing – they only use MATH.

The algorithm can’t see if a player received a knock, or whether he doesn’t have enough power to battle his guard, a heated exchange between the coach and the captain, etc. All it sees is numbers and math calculations

This is where the human eye comes into the spotlight and recognizes the value.

Tips for In-Play Success

To win consistently at live betting, you need to look for specific scenarios where the “math” of the sportsbook doesn’t match the “reality” on the field.

The “Slow Start” Favorite

You often saw a top team and a massive favorite open the game pretty badly, allowing a +500 underdog to impose its own tempo and create a lead. That creates a massive movement of the odds, and once a -400 favorite is now +110 to win. In most cases, the favorite regains its rhythm and wins, which is why this is a good bet. And also, this is why you should be aware of it.

Hedging for a Guaranteed Profit

Live betting is the best way to lock in a win. If you bet a +200 underdog pre-game and they take a big lead into the final quarter, you can live-bet the favorite. By “betting the other side,” you can create a scenario where you win money regardless of who actually finishes on top.

Targeting the “Middle”

This is what many dream of when betting. Let’s say the Lakers and the Kings are playing, and the original pre-game bet is Lakers at -3.5. The purple and gold start furiously and quickly go up by 10. Oddsmakers react, and the live line is moved to +7.5 on the Kings. Now, placing a bet on the Kings at +7.5 brings the bettor into a position to win both bets. The only thing that needs to happen is for the Lakers to triumph by 4, 5, 6, or 7 points.

The Momentum Swing

Sports is a game of runs. If you see a basketball team hit three straight triples and the crowd is getting loud, the sportsbook’s algorithm might not yet reflect the “mental” collapse of the opposing team.

The Dangers of the “Live” Game

  • The Delay: Sportsbooks usually have a 5- to 10-second “bet delay” to prevent people at the stadium from betting on a play that just happened. If you try to bet right as a team enters the red zone, the line might lock before you can hit “submit.”
  • Chasing Losses: The fast-paced nature of live betting makes it easy to “rage bet” to try and win back money you just lost. Stick to your unit sizing and don’t let the adrenaline dictate your bankroll.
  • The Juice: Because live betting is riskier for the sportsbook, they often charge more “vig” (juice). You’ll see more -115 or -120 lines live than you will pre-game.

Common Types of In-Play Bets

The markets available vary by sport, but here are some common examples:

  • Football:
    • Next team to score
    • Next player to score
    • Who will win the next corner or throw-in
    • Total number of goals (Over/Under a new, adjusted number)
  • Tennis:
    • Who will win the next point
    • Who will win the next game
    • Who will win the current set
  • American Football:
    • Result of the next drive (e.g., Touchdown, Field Goal, Punt, Turnover)
    • Next player to score a touchdown
  • Basketball:
    • Which team will win the current quarter
    • Which team will be the first to reach 20 points

Summary

It’s important to stay calm and look for the value rationally when betting live. We always say emotion is the betting enemy, and we want you to realize that.

In-play betting isn’t about betting on everything you see and placing 10 bets during one event, but about noticing small things that change the course of the game and reacting fast to capitalize on that.