Live sports betting is exciting, and offers maximum flexibility and excitement. Although theoretically available at land-based bookmakers, it’s found almost exclusively online due to its technical and immediate nature.
This is not to say that live, or in-play, wagers should replace pre-game betting. In fact, the two options completement each other well. Learn more about the differences between them here, and see how lucky you are to have both.
Betting in Real Time
The big difference between live and pre-game (also known as pre-match) betting is when the wagers are placed. As the name suggests, pre-game bets are placed in advance. By contrast, live bets are placed as an event starts, and can be adjusted while the action unfolds.
In-play betting gives you the opportunity to boost your wins or minimise your losses, as you see how athletes are actually performing on the day. Doing as much research as possible is important no matter how you are wagering, but you’ll use the knowledge in different ways.
For example, feuds between National Basketball Associations are common and can really influence the way athletes perform – both individually and as part of a team. If you bet one way while two NBA stars were getting along and they subsequently fall out, you might find that the results are quite different to what you expect.
The opposite is also true, of course; players can bury the hatchet and behave much better on the court – although this is a lot less likely. Either way, pre-game wagers lock you into your original prediction, while in-play wagers allow you to adjust for the new development. That can be a huge advantage, especially when the odds are tight and there is no clear favourite contender or squad.
Pre-Match Advantages
Being able to adjust your stakes in real time is a huge point in live betting’s favour, but pre-match wagers have advantages of their own. Firstly, you’ll find pre-game coverage of a lot more events, and within that coverage many more markets are available. In short, you have more choice.
In addition, the odds are almost always better if you place your wager before the face-off begins. This is to balance out the advantage of real-time responses, so if you’re confident in the outcome of an event you can get paid out substantially more.
Perhaps the most important difference between pre-match and in-play stakes are how much stress they cause bettors. When you’re reacting to live situations, you need to be able to think clearly and make split-second decisions, which can be very nerve-racking.
Live Betting Pro Tips
If you’re ready for the excitement and rewards of having best online betting guide, there are a few rules of thumb that make you likelier to win. Place your wager at the start of the event, so that you have a touchstone and can make easy adjustments.
Since the action happens so fast, it’s important to know your limits. You can place multiple live wagers, but be sure you’re able to pay attention to them all. Quick reactions are essential, so get a good night’s sleep beforehand!