Quick Navigation
In-play betting has exploded in popularity in recent years because it adds a whole new level of excitement to watching sports. According to a 2024 study by Optimove Insights, live betting now makes up 54% of all sports bets in Greece, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom, and the United States. Learning how to bet on games as they’re happening can also add a hefty ROI to your betting bankroll, which is the name of the game in sports betting.
Check out the following tips to make more money with in-play betting. We’ll also list some pros and cons of in-play betting before wrapping up with some frequently asked questions about this form of wagering.
- In-play betting can be incredibly lucrative for both new and seasoned sports bettors.
- Live betting makes watching games more fun, but there are some drawbacks like higher juice, bet slip timeouts, etc.
- Not all sportsbooks offer the same options for in-game betting.
- The best times to place in-game bets are during commercials or any time when play is stopped.
What is In-Play Betting?
Back in the day, if you didn’t get your bets in before the start of a game, you were unable to have any action at all. Thankfully, times have changed thanks to in-play wagering. With this type of sports gambling, you get to place bets on games as they’re happening.
This is a huge advantage to sports bettors because you can see how a team is performing before deciding whether or not to invest your hard-earned money on them. I’ve made quite a few units over the years with in-play betting and I like to employ it if I don’t have a strong feel for either team before the game. After only a few minutes of play, I can usually tell which team is more prepared and focused.
To place an in-play wager, simply login to the sportsbook of your choice and click on the In-Play tab. It may also be called the Live Betting tab. Check out the betting odds for each game and place your wager on the team you want. Here’s an example from one of the largest sportsbooks in the world of what this tab will look like:
Credit: 888Sport
As you can see from the above snapshot, there is never a shortage of in-play betting opportunities. Even in the wee hours of the morning, this online sportsbook was offering live betting on 46 tennis matches and 31 football games. This is outstanding news for sports bettors who like lots of action each day.
Pros and Cons of In-Play Betting
Just like any other form of sports gambling, there are plenty of advantages and drawbacks to in-play betting. Read over this list of pros and cons to see if in-play betting is in your gambling wheelhouse.
| ✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
|---|---|
| Makes watching games more entertaining | Some sportsbooks don’t offer many in-play options, especially for player props |
| Can open up stress-free profit opportunities through arbitrage | It can be difficult to get your money down before the odds change |
| Great way to cancel or hedge out of your pre-game wagers | Lots of betting apps have betting slips that time out |
| An extra way to get bets down if you miss the start of the game | Most sportsbooks charge a higher vigorish (AKA juice) on in-play bets |
Best In-Play Betting Strategies
So, now that you know what in-play betting is, let’s get into how it can put more money into your bankroll. Here are some of the best in-play betting strategies that I use each season.
Place Your In-Play Bets Only During Commercials
This is the most important tip for in-play betting and it’s one that I wished someone would have taught me earlier on in my gambling career. I lost quite a few units and took some pretty bad odds before I found out that the best way to attack live betting was during play stoppages like commercials, timeouts, end of periods, etc.
This tip is vital to your success with in-play betting because online sportsbooks have access to a much faster TV broadcast than us regular folks. That means that their TV screens are normally 10 to 20 seconds ahead, so they have a leg up on the most recent happenings in the game. This puts us as bettors at a severe disadvantage.
Thankfully, this deficit is erased by waiting until some kind of play stoppage to place your in-play bets! The books have enough of an advantage with the juice prices that they charge. Don’t give them any more of an edge than they already have.
Look Out for Key Injuries and Bet Accordingly
While the previous tip has saved me tons of money, this one has probably netted me more wins than any other. When watching any sporting event, pay special attention when players go down with injuries.
If either team’s key player (or players) gets hurt, log into one of your sportsbook accounts and bet on the other team as soon as you can. This gives you a nice edge because, in 99% of cases, the backup is never as good as the starting player.
This is especially true in the NFL if a starting quarterback gets hurt. The team may rally around the backup, but they’re still playing against a stacked deck. The same could be true in the English Premier League if a team’s star goalie gets injured.
Use an Odds Screen to Spot Misprices
If you aren’t using an odds screen when placing in-play wagers, you’re costing yourself a lot of profit. An odds screen allows bettors to monitor the prices of each game all in one spot. This helps you quickly find out which sportsbook is offering the best price on the team or player you want to bet on.
This may not sound like a big deal, but trust me, it’s much more efficient than having 20 tabs open on your laptop and having to frantically check prices at each sportsbook. You can also make money off price inefficiencies.
For example, let’s say that four of the five sportsbooks in your area have Chelsea at +160 during their match against Manchester City. However, you glance at the odds screen and notice that one book has Chelsea at +190. This is a solid in-play betting opportunity because that outlier price is probably wrong.
Have a Plan Before the Game Starts
Alan Lakein once said, “He who fails to plan is planning to fail.” This is definitely true when it comes to in-play betting. Plan out your betting strategy before the game starts. I’m old-school and like to jot down 3 to 5 action points to look for during the game.
Does your favorite basketball team usually come out looking half-asleep in the first half only to rebound strongly in the latter stages? Use that knowledge to your advantage! Write down your target price and see if it’s offered during the game.
You may want to bet on the New York Knicks, but only if you can get them at +10 or better. Simply wait until they get down a few buckets and then go price shopping. If +10 pops up, place your bet. It’s not easy, but it’s simple!
Remember to Always Bet Responsibly
When doing any type of gambling, whether in-play or pre-game, always practice responsible gaming. Never bet more than you can afford to lose. The best way to do this is to set aside a bankroll that is used strictly for betting on sports for that particular season.
To practice sound money management principles, never bet more than 1-2% of your bankroll per wager. For example, let’s say that you got a $1,000 bonus from your job and want to use that as your bankroll for football season. Your bet size should be $10 to $20 for the entire football season. This will help you navigate the tough losing streaks that come with any form of gambling.
When engaging in in-play betting, make it a point to never get too emotional. That could lead to impulse betting or trying to chase losses. That type of behavior could turn in-play betting from a fun hobby to a dangerous addiction. Don’t be ashamed to reach out for help if you’re concerned about your gambling habits.
FAQs
What Is an In-Play Bet?
An in-play bet is any type of wager that is placed while the game is actually being played. It’s a relatively new type of betting that has really taken off over the last few years. A lot of bettors use in-play wagering to add to (or hedge off of) their pre-game positions.
Is In-Play Betting Easier Than Betting Before the Game?
Not necessarily! While in-play betting gives gamblers a current look at how teams are performing, it’s anything but easy. The sportsbooks charge extra vigorish (juice) on in-play bets because they know that their odds aren’t as efficient. That means that bettors have to win at a higher clip to churn out a profit.
What’s The Standard Price on In-Play Wagers?
On sports with a point spread like the NBA or NFL, most sportsbooks charge -115 or -120 for in-play wagers. Most sportsbooks only charge -110 juice for any pregame bets on sides or totals.
Why Do the In-Play Odds Move So Fast?
Most sportsbooks use an algorithm that quickly adjusts their odds based on the current score and how much time is remaining in the game. Most books also move their lines if they’re getting lopsided action on a team or player.
What Type of In-Play Bets Can I Make?
Just about anything you can think of! Most betting apps offer moneylines, totals, spreads, handicaps (on European football), and player props to gamblers at in-play odds. The possibilities are endless!
️