What is Live Betting? In-Play Betting Explained
VivatBet lets Estonian players stake on sports in two key modes: before the game begins and after. Live betting is the latter – it allows punters to both watch the game and predict the next move of its participants. In this article for players who join VivatBet, we’ll provide an overview of in-play capabilities available on our platform.
What is Live (in-play) Betting
All in-play betting starts with the match, game, or fight’s opening bell, while all wagers set before the start are considered pre-match. The event’s start marks the point where the odds begin to change, reflecting its pace. They update in real time throughout the event and include both odds resolving during the event (next goal, for example) and after, like the overall winner.
Live vs Pre-match
Type of odds | Details |
Pre-match | Pre-match betting and predictions in sports, like football betting, are set before the kick-off and locked after the bet’s confirmation. They are relatively stable and only shift in case of significant changes prior to the event, based on bookmakers' assessments of participants and their chances. |
Live | Live odds move according to the event’s dynamics: which participant dominates and attacks, which one defends, and so on. They also change during turning points in a game: scoring opportunities, injuries, or serious rule-breaking. It’s also possible to cash out live – successful wagers that resolve during the game become instantly withdrawable. |
How Odds Move In-Play
Let’s take live football betting as an example of how live odds shift. Imagine that during a match a team scores – the odds on their overall victory instantly change from 2.10 to 1.40. The same applies to other significant events: odds on the next goal become more likely during a free kick, and even higher when a penalty kick is assigned. The opposite works as well – a red card to a player makes his team’s chances lower, just as an injury to a team’s key player.
Speed Matters
The key to a successful live betting strategy lies in determining these situations and making quick decisions. Since the odds can change, or even disappear, when the market is resolved, setting a stake and confirming it needs to be done quickly. However, split-second stakes might not work, as each wager first needs to pass through the system and get confirmed internally, which is known as bookmaker delay. It’s essential to keep it in mind and not jump at the odds at random.
