A Guide To In-Play Betting 2024

Why choose in-play betting options?

On any betting site, there will be odds that are pre-determined prior to the start of the event. These often fluctuate frequently during the build-up to the event.

However, with in-play betting, odds change based on actual situations that have taken place during the event. For example, let’s say you are looking to wager on the Football World Cup, betting on either England or Italy to win the game. Before kick-off England may be seen as the clear favourite, and therefore betting sites will offer lower odds for wagering on England as their win is considered more likely. However, during the first few minutes Italy score, meaning that the prices for England to win will drastically increase as suddenly they are considered less likely to win. This means that punters who wagered on England once the match had started will receive higher winnings than those who bet before the match begun. This is why in-play betting can be an excellent strategy!

• Odds for in-play bets are decided in real time, live by betting sites. They are updated often to reflect whatever is taking place in the event or influenced by similar situations that occurred in previous events. Every single aspect of the event is considered when the odds change to provide the most accurate betting experience.
• In-play betting is available for any sports event. The markets available are adjusted accordingly by the betting sites.

Strategies for In-Play Betting:

Applying a great strategy is crucial to any sports bet, and in-play betting is no different. Whilst it can be a strategy in itself, there are also tactics that you can use within this to ensure greater profits and a more enjoyable betting experience overall. Below is a table providing a list of our top strategies for in-play betting:

Back players/teams not currently winning	It is worth taking advantage of the better odds offered by betting sites when a player/team is losing. If they turn it around in the event, you will receive great profits.
Hedge your bets	If your original bet is not looking like you will make a profit from your wager, you may look to bet on another outcome. This can minimise the loss made from your initial bet.
Take advantage of cash-out options	Most betting sites will offer cash-out options, allowing bettors to secure a profit before the event finishes.
Manage your bankroll	With any bet, you should set clear limits on the amount of money you are willing to spend. Managing your bankroll allows you to enjoy the experience without risking significant financial losses. Many betting sites will also give you the option to set daily restrictions – in line with responsible gambling.
Bet against the momentum	This is a key factor in live betting. For example, when teams enter the lead early on, they often gain confidence. This can go one of two ways – leading them to further victory or causing them to lose focus and determination.
Bet on markets with quick outcomes	This includes outcomes such as the next goal in football. As they are quick outcomes, this strategy gives punters the chance to place multiple wagers on the same event without witing until it’s over to find out their results – helping you to watch your spending.
Consider the weather	Weather conditions often significantly impact the outcome of events. They effect players’ forms as well as situations such as scoring opportunities.
Watch player performance and form	Make sure that you are keeping a close eye on individual’s performances, for example if they are consistently performing well. Other factors such as substitutions and injuries can have huge impacts on the outcome of the event.

Betting Markets for In-Play Betting:

It is also crucial that you understand the betting markets provided by betting sites when choosing in-play betting. In-play betting offers a wide range of betting markets, offering bets for every aspect of a given sporting event and allowing punters to fully engage and be involved in the sport. In terms of in-play betting, markets close and open throughout the event. This means it’s vital to have a good understanding of multiple options as they will not all be available at the same time.

Below is a table explaining some of the most common options that you may encounter on popular betting sites:

Who will win in the next half/set/race?	This is often the most common betting market for in-play betting, offered by every betting site.
Which team will score next?	This is common in sports such as football, baseball, and hockey.
Draw no bet	This removes the chance of a draw as you must bet on the outcome of the event excluding a tie. This is often available for football games.
Player specials	For this bet you can wager on specific player performances. Depending on the sport, there is a huge variety of circumstances to bet on.
Time of the next goal	This is obviously common for sports like football and rugby.
Total X	This is a popular market for many sports, including football and cricket. For example, you can bet on the total goals scored within the match or by each time or bet on the total number of runs or wickets for the next period of play in cricket.