In Play Betting Guide

When learning more about sports betting, there might be some terms that come up that you are not familiar with or have never heard before, and the term ‘In Play’ might be one of them; yet the term is incredibly simple to understand. The term “In Play” simply means the event is ongoing and happening in real time; if a bet market states that the football match is in play, it would mean the match is currently happening. Whilst this is quite a simple concept, it can have a massive impact on sports betting, as bookmakers constantly adjust odds to reflect the likelihood of events in live fixtures. Here at OddsMonkey, we will look at how in-play betting affects different sports and how in-play betting can affect matched betting.

What Is In Play Betting?

As this term means “live,” it is seen across all types of sporting events, from football matches to horse races. As some sports are played over longer matches than others, the way in-play betting works can differ between sports. For example, betting on a football match gives bettors plenty of opportunities to place bets and think about their strategy, whereas betting in-play for horse racing would require a strategy beforehand, as these races are extremely short in comparison to other sports.

Just as odds are affected by factors before the event, such as injuries or form, in-play betting means odds are constantly changing as events unfold throughout the match or sport. For example, if a team scores a point to take control of the match, the odds of that team winning will become less valuable, as they have a better chance of winning. Some factors that can affect the odds of matches in play include the match pattern, injuries or substitutions, and the time of the match or event. For more tips on football and sports betting, we have resources like our football betting guide and our boxing betting guide, which are both available at OddsMonkey.

In Play Betting Odds

In-play betting can sometimes offer more value than pre-match betting. This is because odds are influenced by events during the sporting fixture, creating odds swings and matched betting opportunities that would not be available before the sport has begun.

The in-play betting odds tend to be more volatile, so it will be common to see the odds jump around a bit. For those looking for matched betting opportunities, this makes it extremely hard to place back and lay bets that can lock in a return. However, for those who are looking for value-betting opportunities, in-play bets can create great opportunities.

A tip for those looking to place matched bets on in-play games is to wait for breaks, such as half-time in football or the end of a round in boxing. Yet make sure to look out for changing odds, as these will always be changing. Placing an in-play bet on tennis can be difficult as the breaks aren’t as uniform as in football; however, it is still possible to do so when the players take their break.

What Sports Can I Place In-Play Bets On?

In-play betting is available across almost every single sport, as most bookmakers will allow you to place bets whilst the event is ongoing. Even sports such as horse racing allow for live betting, with odds adjusting quickly to ensure the prices remain fair. Here is a table to showcase the available in-play betting markets, and a quick brief on how they work:

Tips for In Play Betting

In-play betting is a form of wagering which can be quite valuable if done correctly, due to the shifting odds. However, if you are not sure what you are doing, it can be daunting, and might not be the best option. We are going to look through some in-play betting tips that you can use if you place in-play bets:

• Watch the event live – One of the best ways to place in-play bets is to make sure you are watching the sporting event at the same time. If you are not watching the sport, you might not pick up on specific trends throughout the match. For example, a player might be committing a couple of fouls, and the referee might have warned him, meaning this player getting booked could be a valuable bet.

• Understand how the odds change – The odds will shift to ensure they stay fair and competitive. For example, if a horse has dropped right to the back of the race, then the odds will become higher, as this horse has less of a chance to win the race. Understanding how and when these odds change can help you gain more value throughout your selections.

• Wait for breaks if placing matched bets – For those who are placing matched bets, it is important to wait for breaks if you are going to place a back and a lay bet. A good time to do this would be change-overs in tennis, or half-time in football. The reason to wait for these delays is to ensure the odds do not change when placing your two bets. If the odds change, this can ruin the possibility for a matched bet, and can result in losses.

In Play Betting And Matched Betting

Some bookmakers offer in-play betting promotions from which you can profit, thanks to matched betting opportunities. For example, online sports betting sites can offer bettors a free in-play bet if they place a pre-match bet.

In order to make the most of these bonuses, bettors can lock in a profit by placing a back bet at a bookmaker and a lay bet at a betting exchange. By placing these bets on the same event, bettors can lock in a profit, no matter what the result of the event is. However, it is essential for bettors to use the correct mathematics to ensure the right odds and stakes are used, which can be done with a matched betting calculator.

In-play betting can be a handy tool to learn and use for those who are looking to add more techniques to their matched betting repertoire. However, this technique can take time to perfect and can be tricky to make the most of; with some practice, it can be extremely handy!

FAQs

Can you cash out during in-play betting?

Yes, many bookmakers offer cash out during live events. The amount available depends on the current live odds and how your bet is performing.

Is in-play betting suited to beginners?

Whilst beginners can place in-play bets, it might not be the best market to start with, as value can come from timing and making selections based on knowledge of the sport. Standard betting might be better suited to beginners compared to in-play betting.

How do bookmakers calculate live odds?

Bookmakers use real-time data, statistical models and market activity to update live odds as an event takes place. These live odds can change in seconds, based on what is happening in the sporting event.