Live Betting: What It Is and How to Do It Right

Lina Almans

16 May 2023

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Live betting(aka in-play betting) is placing bets on events that are happening right now.

Live is different from pre-match betting. In pre-match betting, players bet on the outcome of an event before it starts. Live betting requires players to place their wagers during the event.

Bookies offer live betting odds from the start to the end of the event. You can bet on anything from the next goal to the final score: number of goals per half, halftime result, last team to score, and so on.

Halftime betting is also considered live betting.

Example: Imagine you’re watching a match between Atlético Madrid vs Sevilla. It’s 2-2 and there are 10 mins left. You have a feeling Atlético will score the next goal, so you place a $10 live bet on them at odds of 3.0. If they score, you win $30. If they don’t, you lose.

Pros and Cons of Live Betting

Live betting has both benefits and disadvantages.

Pros	Cons
Watch the game live: follow the stats and data as the game unfolds Catch the best odds: take advantage of the game changes in your favor In-Play arbing: exploit the differences in odds between bookies or markets	Accept delays: bookies may delay your bets due to changes in the game. Face low limits: bookies may limit the amount you can bet on live events Weak lines: bookies may not have enough time to set accurate lines

How to Find the Section

Look for a section that says “Live” or “In-Play”. Here’s how it looks at BetMGM:

Live betting, BetMGM

How to Place It

To place a live bet, you just need to choose the sport, see the current events available for betting, and place a bet.

Bookies offer the chance to place any type of bet from the live line – you can place a single bet, select multiple matches and put them in a parlay, or create a system bet.

Note: Watch the bet slip! It shows any changes in the odds as more selections are added.

Live vs Pre-Match: What’s the Difference?

Pre-match betting means you bet before the event starts. You can do your homework and check the stats, trends, and other factors that matter.

But when you bet on an event as it happens – that’s live betting. You can be flexible and adjust your bets to the changing odds and situations based on the latest data and stats.

How to Pick a Bookie for Live Betting

A bookie should have these features:

Lots of live betting options
Real-time odds that reflect the action
No lag when odds change
Quick and easy bet confirmation
One-click betting and odds adjustment
Live streaming and stats

FAQ about Live Betting

What is live betting?

Live betting (aka in-play) is betting on an event while it’s happening, based on real-time data and stats.

How do the odds change with live betting?

The odds with live betting change fast depending on the game situation. You may find better odds than pre-match, but they are also more unpredictable.