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Tried & Tested Strategies – Do They Work?
There are many names for live betting, including in-play or in-game betting, but it all comes down to the same thing. With the increasing popularity of live streaming games via online bookies, many punters have taken to this exciting and risky type of wagering. But this does leave you wondering about the best live betting strategies, and which ones to use.
There are certain perks to wagering while a game is being played, but there are also a few risks. That said, its popularity is growing by the day, and there are even a few types of wagers that can only be placed during a live game. There are also a few strategies that have been explicitly developed for betting online.
What Is Live Betting and Why Do You Need Strategies?
Before you can come up with your own live betting strategy, you’ll first need to understand what live betting is. It’s pretty much exactly what the name implies: in-game wagering is when you wager your bet after a sports event has started. In addition, you can continue placing bets throughout the event, until it reaches its conclusion.
The popularity of in-game betting has reached new heights, and bookies are continually coming up with ways to keep punters entertained. We’ve reached the point where some sports betting sites may even let you place wagers after every play. Others, however, will only allow you to bet at random points during the game. Live betting offers a plethora of opportunities to win big when betting, but there are also plenty of opportunities to lose big if you don’t know the right strategies to help you come out on top.
The Risks of Betting Live
Apart from losing money, there’s another risk that comes with live betting: getting addicted. Though there are bettors that have successfully managed to avoid getting addicted to gambling, not everyone can be completely immune. It’s important to note that even if you’re an unlikely gambler, you can easily fall into this trap, so be careful. This is a risk that all gamblers face, and it’s important to gamble responsibly.
You might be wondering why we bring up this risk when it’s a problem with almost any kind of gambling. When you’re betting live, it’s incredibly easy to get caught up in the excitement. Whether you’re enjoying the game in the comfort of your own home, or wagering on your phone while at the pub with the boys, the excitement can quickly overwhelm common sense.
Live betting requires a lot of discipline, not just to avoid addiction, but to keep yourself from placing drunk, emotional or impulsive wagers.
Pros and Cons
- Pros
- Odds are updated live, creating unique betting opportunities
- Value betting opportunities can emerge
- Covering pre-match bets by cashing out early, or by placing further wagers
- Countless exciting opportunities that are unique to in-game betting
- Cons
- Limited time and extremely fast-paced
- Live betting addiction is common, due to the excitement
- Same match persistence
Popular Live Betting Strategies
While there’s no one best live betting strategy available, there are experts and specialists that have compiled their own live betting strategies. These can point you in the right direction and will give you the framework to begin with. Keep in mind that it still comes down to your ability to pick winners, analyse information and to find value.
Here are two of our preferred live betting strategies to get you started.
First Goal Against the Favourites
This is an interesting one, but it’s straightforward. There is one thing to keep in mind at all times. It’s most suited to football betting strategies, but it can be used for similar sports such as hockey, rugby, etc. First, start by finding a match where there’s a clear favourite to win. Don’t place any wagers just yet, though – that comes later. Instead, watch closely, and wait to see who scores the first goal. What you want is for the underdog to take an early lead.
Most bookies will immediately start adjusting the odds, lengthening the odds on the favourite. It’s not uncommon for these bookmakers to go a little overboard, though, which creates a unique opportunity.
It’s usually not difficult for favourites to not only catch up, but to take the lead and go on to win the match. Despite that, there are those bookies that will end up skewing the odds to protect themselves. It’s in that unique space that this betting strategy thrives.
It may seem too simple to be effective, but the most straightforward strategies can be just as effective as the more complicated ones. It all comes down to your ability to identify a value bet, and then to take advantage of it at the right time. That’s the main trick with this strategy – you’re not meant to bet every time the favourite falls behind. Instead, you need to be selective and find the times when the bet will actually pay off.
Live Arbitrage Betting Strategy
This is a great strategy, but it’s a tricky one. Arbitrage betting usually involves placing both a back bet and a lay bet. This means placing a bet at your bookie for an outcome while using betting exchanges to place a wager against that same outcome. The trick with live betting is that the odds can change very quickly, and you need to be on point to be able to use this strategy.
In essence, you’re looking for mismatched odds, with the bookie offering higher (not better) odds than the exchange. Pay attention when you use this strategy. If you do it right, then you’re pretty much guaranteed a profit. However, making a mistake can cost you dearly, and a failed arb bet can take a significant bite out of your budget.
We should mention that arb betting isn’t popular with bookies, and you could get your account limited or blocked. Be careful.
Our Live Betting Strategies Checklist – Top 4 Tips
Even if you’re a professional bettor, there are factors that you’ll need to consider before you place a live bet. Here’s our personal strategies checklist:
1. Don’t Wager Heavily on Cups and High-Profile Competitions
In-game betting is about taking advantage of spur-of-the-moment wagering opportunities that can offer big rewards. While there are usually many of these, that’s not always the case with high-profile games or races. Participants tend to be more careful, or they might use specific strategies to try and win a match. This careful gameplay can often result in fewer in-game betting opportunities.
2. Check for Form
Don’t take your bookie for a fool. Online bookmakers will often change the odds on a game if there have been no goals by half-time. This might simply be because both teams have excellent defenders, and you might have an opportunity beckoning you.
On the other hand, the teams might not be in top form. Many sporting events have seasons that go on for months, and teams or players can’t be in top shape all the time. Pay attention during the game, and follow the events leading up to the match or race. If the team is in bad form, don’t be suckered into placing a live wager by tempting odds.
3. Account for Player Substitutions
Player substitutions can have a significant impact on live betting odds, depending on who gets switched out. A bookie will usually set its odds based on the Starting 11. However, let’s imagine that Barcelona is up against Getafe. Getafe is known to be a weaker team, so the odds might reflect that.
As the match progresses, Barcelona somehow falls behind, shocking everyone. The odds change, and opportunities arise. But Barcelona isn’t done yet.
Due to an upcoming match in the Champions League, Barcelona has been keeping Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez on the bench, resting the players. In an attempt to win this match, however, they decide to put their star strikers onto the field.
Again, the odds change, this time solidly in Barcelona’s favour. Never leave any factor out of your calculations when you decide to place live bets – and that includes player substitutions.
4. Be Wary of Slow Bookies
There’s a reason that punters favour some bookies over others when it comes to live betting. It’s always a good idea to have accounts at more than one bookmaker – that’s how you find the best odds. However, when it comes to in-play betting, you also need a fast bookie.
A good sportsbook should be able to change their odds quickly, allowing punters to take full advantage of in-game betting opportunities. You might have a favourite bookie for pre-game wagers, but it’s best to find another one (or two) for in-play wagering.
The Last 15 Minutes – The Best Time to Bet Live
The last fifteen minutes of a game can be full of betting opportunities. Many experienced punters will take advantage of these last few minutes of a match to take full advantage of the current scenario, and the odds that go with it. This is also the time where the team on the losing end will do everything in their power to draw or win the game.
The bets during this window are all relatively high-risk wagers, but they also allow punters to win much more substantial rewards. Of course, you can also play it safe and simply wager on the clear winner to ensure a successful wager. It does come with significantly lower odds and a much smaller profit, but it’s certainly playing it safe.
Our Recommended Bookie for Live Betting
When it comes to live betting, there are a few bookies that rise to meet the challenge. However, we chose our recommended bookie due to a combination of factors. It offers excellent odds, live streaming services, and fantastic in-play betting options. You’ve got to visit William Hill if you want to have a top-notch live betting experience. This is our recommended bookie for in-play wagers.
Rated on sports betting alone, William Hill already stands alongside the best of the best bookies in the UK. You’ll find one of the most extensive ranges of markets, and excellent live coverage. Best of all, William Hill offers many exciting in-play and niche betting markets.
We highly recommend considering William Hill if you’re interested in in-game betting.
Conclusion
Live betting can be exciting, fast-paced, and lucrative. It can also be risky and require a lot of discipline to avoid impulsive or emotional bets. Whether you’ll benefit from in-play wagering or not may depend a lot on your own abilities, discipline and willingness to put in a lot of time and effort.
In-game betting has advantages, and many of them can reward brave punters with a pretty penny. Unfortunately, it can also empty the pockets of a brave, but foolish, bettor. It’s not an ideal way for beginners to place their wagers. Even experienced punters put in a lot of effort and research to take advantage of in-play betting opportunities.
If you want to start taking advantage of in-play betting opportunities, start slow. Learn how to spot a good bet and take advantage of it. Take the time to learn how some of the best live betting strategies work, and then refine them to suit your betting style. Eventually, you’ll be betting with the best of them.
Good luck, and have fun!
Javia Alex is an expert-level Copywriter/Editor with a wealth of experience in the iGaming scene. A self-described player advocate, Javia’s player-first mindset, “tell it like it is”, has earned her an oft-cited voice across gambling circles. She frequently works late nights and long hours, fact-checking reviews and pages for accuracy.