Live Betting

Live betting is one of the most popular types of bets across America. When residents in certain states got access to mobile sportsbooks, it has never been easier to place a live wager during a game. Plus, most mobile sportsbooks offer a fantastic service. This is where you can watch a stream of the game or delve into detailed statistics. Find out more about live betting in our detailed guide below.

If you are yet to place a sports bet, there are a few aspects you need to consider. First, a live wager encompasses various types of bets. That means you can place a total bet, proposition bet, or spread bet all while the game is underway. Bet Station has several guides explaining each type of wager available. If you want to know more about a certain bet, ensure you do some research before placing a live wager.

As well as each sports betting service offers players a dedicated section to live betting, they can also provide stats and live streams. If you want to know which mobile sportsbooks are the best for live betting, we list them below. Plus, Bet Station has reviewed every significant sports betting platform in America. Please read our reviews for more information.

What is Live Betting?

Live betting is almost exactly what it sounds like. It’s where you can place wagers on sporting events as they take place. There is no definitive type of live bet; instead, it includes an enormous variety of wagers. You could bet on the result of the game, the next player to score a point, or even the total goals scored for each period.

Live bets are popular because they can vary drastically. You could look at a tennis game and bet on a player to win the next set. If you are watching a soccer match and see that a player is being aggressive in his tackles, you could bet on them to receive a caution from the referee or get sent off. This might not be a wager you would make before the game starts, but on the day, it might seem likely.

That is one of the many benefits of live betting. You get to watch the game and bet based on how things are going. Let’s say you were watching the NBA Final and saw that Curry was popping off, then you could bet on him to score a certain number of points. If the bet goes well, you can even cash out before the end of the game.

How Does Live Betting Work?

Live betting works just like any other wager. You browse the sport you want to bet on, look for a wager, and place your bet. Live betting can even include wagers eligible before the game began. You could bet on the moneyline for a team to win after seeing them take the lead. The returns would be lower than if you bet before the match, but a winning bet is good news no matter what.

Live betting is not all sunshine and happiness, there are some negatives to be aware of. These types of wagers are risky. Any bet on a sportsbook is risky, but the reward usually balances the risk. For live bets, they adjust the odds on the fly, meaning a rewarding bet one minute is now a total disaster the next. An example could be in hockey, where a player scores two in quick succession, so you bet on him to score a third. This is when disaster strikes and he gets slammed into the boards, not to return for the rest of the game.

If you made the same wager before the game started, you could cash out at any point before it’s too late. Live bets give you less time to react to events, meaning you have to decide on the fly. Some of these decisions will save you money, others may leave you with bet regret. Ensure you don’t bet more than you can afford to lose to avoid chasing losses.

How to Make Live Sports Bets

Depending on the sportsbook you are using, placing a live bet has never been easier. Sportsbooks like FanDuel have a dedicated section for sporting events occurring at the same time you are browsing. This can include a variety of sports from around the world. There could be golf events, tennis matches, soccer games, and many more. Most of the best online sports betting sites have areas where you can watch the games live on your smartphone or PC. This will make live betting even easier, as you can bet and watch along.

For certain sports, the sportsbook may offer boosted bets. This is where they increase the odds of an event that is likely to happen. For example, if the Eagles score two touchdowns in the first period, they could boost the odds of a third touchdown.

Once you have chosen a bet, they will move it into your bet slip. This is where you can adjust your stake and place the bet. However, until you have made the bet, the sportsbook can change the odds. They can decrease or increase the odds of a wager at any time. The only way to lock in the odds offered is to place the bet.

How do you Win Live Bets?

While we wish we knew exactly how to win live bets, unfortunately, there is no guaranteed way. Instead, we can offer you some advice to help avoid losses when making live wagers.

  • Do the math: When you go to place a bet, look at the returns and decide if it’s worth it. If you are risking $100 on a bet that returns $10 in profit, then it’s not worth it. Some of you might think that is a free $10, others will know that the risk of losing $100 is probably not worth gaining ten.
  • How much do you stake? As with any bet, deciding how much to stake is no straightforward task. The more you risk, the better your rewards will be, but the proportions stay the same. If you can make $100 from $10, then congratulations! Sure, the same bet could get you $1,000 if you bet more, but are you willing to lose that much? Each player will differ, so it’s up to you to control your spending.
  • Look around: The temptation with sports betting is to click the first bet you see before they change the odds. Doing this might secure better odds, but it often leads you to a load of duds. Think about it, if every bet the sportsbook recommended was a winner, how could people lose? Instead, you are far better off looking around for a better deal before you place your bet.

Live Betting Examples

Below we have listed a few examples across several sports to give you an idea of what to expect when looking at live bets. While we would love to list every type of example, it’s unlikely you would want to read it. If you are unsure about anything, be sure to check out the other guides for more information.

Live Sports Betting Football

If you are a football fan, there are plenty of bets to enjoy during any NFL game. Live betting on football games is incredibly popular. You can bet on the final scoreline, the score at halftime, or the next team to score a touchdown. You can also make a variety of over under bets, such as both teams scoring two touchdowns or the home team scoring ten or more points in the first half. If you thought a star player was going to have a good game, you could bet on them to score a certain number of points across the entire game.

Live Betting MLB

Live baseball betting is just as exciting as football. They also have a range of bets for you to consider, including the race to a certain number of runs. During any baseball game, you can bet on a team to reach a certain number of points first. Some sportsbooks offer a race to three, five, or seven runs across all innings. Sportsbooks can also offer you bets for the winner of each inning or the next player to hit a home run. FanDuel even gives you the option to bet on the number of hits versus runs, and whether the total runs scored by both teams will be odd or even.

Live Bets in the NBA

NBA live betting is like the MLB, as they both have bets where teams race to score a certain number of points. Depending on how early you were to bet on the event after it started, you could have the first team to score a point, the first to get a three-pointer, or the first to reach 20, 50, or 100 points. You can bet on individual performances. For example, a player to get a certain number of three-pointers, someone to get two or more assists, or the total points scored in each period.

Hockey Live Bets

Hockey is another fantastic sport for live betting. Not only can you bet on team performances, but you can bet on individual accolades as well. You could bet on a player to score a certain number of goals, assists, or points across each period. You could also wager on the combined score for each period or whether the score will be odd or even. Hockey is a brilliant sport to watch no matter what, but add in some short, snappy, and often well-paying wagers and each game gets more exciting.

Live Sports Betting Odds

Live betting odds are probably the most difficult to get right from a timing point of view. The odds themselves work just like any normal type of wager. If you see -125, then for every $100 you wager you could win $80 in profit. If the bet was +120, then the same stake would net you $120 in profit.

So, why does this get more difficult with live bets? If you visit any online sportsbook, you will often see green and red effects placed over the numbers. Green usually means the sportsbook just improved the odds, making the bet more rewarding. Red typically means they just reduced the odds, meaning the bet will pay less now than it would a minute ago. For live bets, these changes happen on the fly. One minute a bet was -110, the next it could be -150.

Live bets require more than just luck to be a good bet. They depend on timing, as the later you decide to bet, the less you might win. However, we don’t recommend rushing off and placing bets without thinking. Many external factors affect the live odds throughout the game. We recommend that if you feel you missed your chance or if you are unsure, then don’t bet. Adding the element of time pressure to your bets will only cause you to get it wrong more often.

When Should you Place Live Bets?

One of the most challenging parts of sports betting is deciding when to bet. Below are a few tips to follow while browsing any sportsbook. You don’t have to follow our tips, and they might not help you win every time, but they should help cut unnecessary losses.

  • Watch live games: If you are browsing the sports betting site while you’re bored and see a live bet you could place, should you bet on it? The odds of you getting a sports bet right are low as it is. Picking random in-play bets is not wise. If you are watching and know who will score next, then go for it. Selecting bets with no research is not worth the risk.
  • Right or wrong: In sports betting, your prediction will either be right or wrong. It helps to think like this before you decide how much to stake. If place a bet before watching the game, you might find what you bet on does not match the current performance. The sportsbook could offer good returns on a comeback from the underdog. Yet, when you tune in, you see the underdogs have no way back into the game.
  • Steady yourself: It’s easy to see a tasty-looking bet, go to add it, and then it decreases in value. This will either make you reconsider or rush to add it before it drops anymore. We can’t say with certainty that it’s worth pursuing or bailing. Instead, just take a minute to think before you confirm. We are sorry if you win less, but you’re welcome if you save a couple of bucks!

Why Make Live Sports Bets?

Why do so many players enjoy making live sports bets? There is no one reason anyone does anything in sports betting. However, live betting is one way people gain additional excitement from a game week. Most sports fans think they know more than the coach, so it only makes sense that they try to win money.

If you look at the BetRivers Sportsbook, they have useful stats and facts about the game in progress. This includes past performances, current match stats, and even which way your fellow bettors are leaning. Other sportsbooks, like FanDuel, have a more visual representation of the action, including live streams for certain games. Both sportsbooks provide you with a lot of info surrounding an in-play bet. You just have to look.

One important aspect to consider when placing a live bet is players rarely want to wait until the end. If you missed the start of the game, it doesn’t always make sense to bet on the outcome. It could be more enjoyable to bet on minor events that take place in a match. You could bet on a team to win a certain inning, period, or to take a lead into halftime. Whatever bet you are looking at, it would be great to walk away with the winnings before the end!

What are the Best Sportsbooks for Live Betting?

Live betting is incredibly popular across America thanks to the additional excitement it brings to a standard game. If you want to know what the best sportsbooks for live betting are, we here at Bet Station have gone through every sports betting site to find you the best.

BetMGM Sportsbook Live Betting

BetMGM Sportsbook is a fantastic choice for live betting. That is because of its range of excellent features. Not only can you find a mixture of bets for every sporting event, but they have helpful graphics for most games. BetMGM has an animated window where you can watch your favorite sporting event as they take place. This window updates regularly and is full of match stats and figures.

Live Betting at the FanDuel Sportsbook

The FanDuel Sportsbook is another brilliant option for live betting. It also has a detailed window where you can find a representation of the game in real-time. The window has important information about players, positions, the direction of attack, and who has possession while you watch. FanDuel is also excellent for its humongous range of bets. It is up there with the best sportsbooks in America thanks to its superb selection. If you would like to know more, check out the FanDuel review.

DraftKings Sportsbook Live Betting

The DraftKings Sportsbook is less focused on fancy graphics when compared to the other sports betting sites. It has two sections, one for the live odds and the other for the match stats. The odds are where you can find the most popular in-play bets, plus the spreads, moneylines, over unders, and prop bets. The stats include a preview of the game, plus each team’s records and some facts. DraftKings also has a useful area showing you betting trends.

In-Play Betting at WynnBET Sportsbook

The WynnBET Sportsbook has a fantastic live sports betting section. It has some high-quality graphics plus an incredible amount of information. If you were to watch tennis, you could see the direction of the serve and how many shots in the rally. It’s not quite the same as watching it live, but it is surprising how enjoyable it is to look at. WynnBET also has match stats and a tremendous variety of wagers to consider. Almost every in-play wager has a cash-out feature for you to withdraw your winnings early.

Caesars Sportsbook Live

Caesars Sportsbook has a graphic like most other sports betting sites. It’s a top-down, 2D representation, but it still has a good level of detail. The window has a section full of match statistics, where you can see each period. Plus, they have an event section for you to recap the game. Caesars has a wonderful selection of bets, just not as much as the ones listed above.

Live Betting Summary

Live betting is a fantastic way to make some money even after you have missed the start of a game. It’s an opportunity to bet on smaller parts of a match, giving you a reason to cheer in each period. All major sports, such as the NBA, NFL, NHL, and MLB, support live betting. Plus, most sports betting sites allow you to cash out your bets.

In-play betting is a suitable option for most players even in big events like the Super Bowl or Stanley Cup Final. It was also a good choice in the NBA Finals as a lot of players scored well, making them outstanding candidates for live bets. Whatever you decide to bet on, make sure you gamble responsibly. Remember to make use of deposit limits, time-outs, and various other restrictions to help you stay in control of your spending.