In Play Betting: A Guide

In-play betting is one of the greatest sports betting revolutions of the last few years. It’s available on a huge number of sports and betting lines, and in this guide, we’ll tell you all about it. 

What is Live or In-Play Betting?

In-play betting, also known as live betting, is a form of betting that occurs when the market is open. Pre-game bets are placed before a game begins; in-play bets are placed after the kick-off/tip-off.

How Does In-Play Betting Work?

In-play betting requires a huge, coordinated effort from Sportsbook operators.

They receive information from a live game and use this information to adjust betting markets in real-time. When something significant occurs, they suspend the market temporarily, preventing all bets and stopping anyone from betting after the fact.

For instance, if there is a penalty incident in a soccer match, the market will be suspended until the penalty has been taken or the game has moved on.

In addition, in-play bets are subject to a short wait, usually around 5 seconds. This means that if you place a bet now, you’ll need to wait 5 seconds for it to be confirmed. If a suspension occurs during that time, the bet will be canceled.

Using Cash Out When In-Play Betting

The cash out feature goes hand-in-hand with in-play betting. It lets you cash out bets while the game is still active before using those funds to place other wagers.

If, for instance, you have a pregame bet on Team A and they are winning, you can cash out and then move your bet (and the profit you have accumulated) to Team B. If things go your way, you could turn a small wager into a huge payout.

In-Play Betting Strategies

As noted above, in-play betting involves a huge network of operators and vast amounts of data. There is no way to cheat this process and sneak a bet on an event that has already been settled (such as betting on a goal as soon as a penalty has been given).

However, there are a few things you can do:

Look for bonuses: Sometimes sportsbooks have promotions just for in-play wagers. Check out our Sportsbook Offers page here, and our Odds Boost Aggregator here.

Follow the game closely: Keep an eye on the match and take note of any significant changes in momentum, injury updates, or weather conditions that could affect the outcome of the game.

Know the sport: It's essential to have a deep understanding of the sport you're betting on. Familiarize yourself with the team's strengths and weaknesses, playing styles, and any other relevant factors that could impact the game's outcome.

Look for value: Look for situations where the odds don't reflect the true probability of an event occurring. For example, if a team is trailing by a goal but has been dominating possession, the odds on them scoring next might be too high.

Set limits: As with any form of gambling, it's crucial to set a budget and stick to it. Don't chase losses or bet more than you can afford to lose.

Stay disciplined: In-play betting can be exciting, and it's easy to get caught up in the moment. However, it's essential to stay disciplined and stick to your strategy. Don't make impulsive bets or let emotions cloud your judgment.

Use live streaming: Many bookmakers offer live streaming of sporting events, which can be an excellent way to gain insights into how the game is unfolding and identify opportunities for in-play betting.

Overall, the key to winning with in-play betting is to stay informed, remain disciplined, and be ready to act quickly when opportunities arise.

How to Place an In-Play Bet with FanDuel Sportsbook

Click the “Live Now” button in the menu bar to see a current list of all active games. From here, you just need to choose your bet. Your choice will be sent to your bet slip, where you can place your wager. After setting your stake, you’ll need to wait a few seconds, and then your bet will be confirmed.

How to Place an In-Play Bet with DraftKings Sportsbook

The Live In-Game section contains all active games. Click the one you want, and your bet slip will appear. Choose from a single or parlay, enter your stake, and then place your bet by clicking the green button.

How to Place an In-Play Bet with Caesars Sportsbook

Caesars has a lot of in-play bets available. Visit the in-play section, add your selections to your bet slip, and then confirm. Expect a short delay and occasional odds changes, as is common with all sportsbooks. 

How to Place an In-Play Bet with BetMGM Sportsbook

Choose “Live” to see all active games. From here, it’s just like placing a normal bet. All selections are added to your bet slip and are subject to a short wait before they are confirmed.

How to Place an In-Play Bet with PointsBet Sportsbook

Click the “Live” tab. It will show you how many live games are currently active with a big red button. Choose your bet from the following page, add it to your slip, and then wager as a single bet or a parlay.

How to Place an In-Play Bet with BetRivers Sportsbook

All in-play bets can be found under “Live”. Find the one you want, click the box, and visit your bet slip to place your bet.