It’s a dirty secret we’d never admit to anyone, least of all ourselves: that sports, while amazing, can also be pretty boring.
But an easy way to upgrade even the most boring blowout into must-see TV is to have a little action riding on the outcome.
Welcome to the world of live sports betting.
With live sports betting (also called “in-play betting”), you’ll bet on the action as it happens. You’re not limited to placing pre-game bets before the start of the game; rather, you can react to momentum swings as they unravel before your very eyes, with varying in-game odds.
Just about every online sportsbook takes action on live betting. BetOnline is the best of the bunch due to its extensive markets and top-notch support, but we’ll reveal several other top online bookies below.
Best Sites for Live Sports Betting
- BetOnline: Best overall
- Bovada: Top pick for NBA
- BUSR: Great welcome offer
- MyBookie: Best prop bets
- Everygame: Best odds for baseball
- Xbet: Best esports live betting
- Thunderpick: Ideal for crypto
- MyStake: Excellent soccer odds
- BetUS: Best for NHL
- Sportsbetting: Best for tennis
What is Live Sports Betting?
Live sports betting is betting on a game while it is in progress. Rather than making a prediction before the game starts, you can get a feel for how the action is going at the time, giving you more information to work with.
As you might expect, live betting is one of the most popular ways to wager on sports. Some people prefer it because it gives them an edge over the house and the public, while others do it to enhance their game-watching experience.
One of the key ways in which live betting differs from regular sports betting is the frequency with which the odds are updated. If you’re betting before the game begins, the line might only move a few times per day, if that.
However, once the match is underway, the odds will change every few seconds as the bookies react to the same swings.
This makes live betting an incredibly intense wagering experience. It’s ideal for adrenaline junkies, as you can get lost in a rush and make dozens of bets before the game ends.
Of course, that can also make it dangerous, so you should be careful and know what you’re doing before you get involved.
>> Head to BetOnline for the best live sports betting odds
Advantages of Live Sports Betting
Real-Time Decision Making
When you’re betting on a game before it starts, you’re taking a shot in the dark.
Now, exactly how much dark you’ll be in depends on how early you’re placing the bet — if it’s a long-term future, you could be making a significant guess, whereas a bet made a few hours before the game starts is one that should be fairly well-informed.
Betting on a game in real-time is betting in the harsh light of day. You have all the information available, as you know exactly how the game has panned out to this point.
There may be some things you were unsure about before the game began — will one team start out hot or cold? how will the rookie pitcher fare in a high-pressure situation? — but when you’re betting live, you already know the answers to those questions, at least as well as anyone else.
This gives you the maximum amount of information possible. If you’re someone who doesn’t like to put money down unless you feel sufficiently informed about the wager, you’ll never be more informed than when making a live bet.
Check out: NFL Betting Systems
Hedging and Cash-Out Options
Sometimes, our bets just don’t go as we’d hoped. You were so certain that a game between the two highest-scoring teams in the league would be a shootout, and yet here we are, knotted at zero midway through the third.
If you’re not betting live, that pregame “over” bet you made will be a total loss.
However, if you’re watching the game and betting along with the action, you can hedge that bet and try to recoup some of your losses.
Or, if you’re wagering with a bookie that allows cashouts, you might be able to get out of the bet with a minimal loss. The longer the game goes on, the faster the window closes.
You may even do a complete 180 on your pregame betting strategy. That’s ok — flexibility is the hallmark of a sharp sports bettor.
However, you can’t change your strategy mid-stream without actively following along.
Gives Sharps a Tactical Advantage
Live betting is a lot like drinking water from a firehose — you’ll be dealing with a ton of information at once, and it’s hard for many people to keep up with.
If you can handle the swings, though, betting live can give you some juicy opportunities you wouldn’t get elsewhere.
It’s especially beneficial to those who’ve done their homework beforehand. If you know how each team and player is likely to react to certain situations — if this player crumbles when playing from behind, say, or that team tends to turn up with a lead — you can make smart bets incredibly quickly.
The betting public, on the other hand, is likely reacting emotionally and without a plan.
It’s the difference between a boxer picking his spots carefully and a slugger throwing blind haymakers. Sure, the slugger may get a lucky swing in now and then, but the boxer will pick him apart over time.
Makes Sports Events More Fun
Let’s face it: this is why most people bet live. It can be incredibly fun.
Every play can carry high stakes (both figuratively and literally), and you’ll be riveted by the action.
It doesn’t matter if you care about any of the participants involved — you’re rooting for your bet to come in, and regardless of whether it does or doesn’t, there’ll be another one right behind it.
You’ll never be bored by the game, either. Game of the century turned into a blowout? Doesn’t matter to you. You’re still out here betting on crazy props.
If you’ve ever sat next to a buddy and gambled on any random thing you could think of during a game, then you have a pretty good idea of why live betting is so popular.
Disadvantages of Live Sports Betting
Of course, live betting isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. There are some downsides to it as well — including a few that are potentially pretty serious.
It Might Be Overwhelming for Some
You know how we said that live betting is like drinking water from a firehose? Not everyone belonged to the same frat you did, and they can’t all drink like that.
Trying to keep up with constantly-updating odds while tracking the action in the game can be overwhelming for many people, and it can cause them to make foolish bets (or get frustrated and give up on live betting entirely).
Now, not every sport is equally daunting. Baseball’s slow pace makes it approachable for just about everyone, and American football has built-in breaks in the action that can allow you to get caught up on your betting action.
Trying to keep everything straight for more intense sports like baseball or hockey can be a tall order.
Related: MLB MVP Odds
It Can Get Emotional
If you can get rattled by losing a few bets (or overwhelmed by the pace of the action), then live betting might not be for you.
Live bettors make many more bets than most other gamblers, and it’s not unusual to experience a drought where you lose several in a row. Some people can shrug those losses off and keep making smart wagers, but for others, that run of bad luck can snowball into something disastrous.
The fact of the matter is you still need to make smart, well-informed bets, even when betting live. If you start making ridiculous bets because you’re chasing losses, you’ll get eaten alive — and eaten alive quickly.
You know yourself better than we do. If you’re an emotional gambler, staying away from live betting is probably best.
It May Be Limited by Your Technology
Imagine this: you’re live betting on an NBA Playoffs game, and you see the perfect bet pop up on your screen — something so juicy you figure someone at the bookies has to be drunk.
You go to lock it in…and you get the spinning pinwheel of doom. Or your request times out. By the time you get back up and running again, the bet is gone.
This is something that many people don’t think about when live betting, but it’s essential to your enjoyment of the experience. Technology can betray you at the worst possible times, and having that happen is usually 10x more frustrating than simply losing a bet.
You could be limited by the condition of your phone, PC, or tablet, or you might find that not all sportsbooks offer a quality mobile betting experience.
Regardless of the reason, chances are you’ll be frustrated by technical glitches at least a few times in your live betting career (and throwing your iPhone across the room in anger gets expensive quickly).
There May Be Increased Risk
As mentioned previously, most people who bet on live sports tend to make a lot of bets on live sports. It’s easy to get caught up in the action, and before you know it, you’ve made dozens of bets on a meaningless regular season game.
Unless you do a ton of research beforehand and prepare for every possibility, your bets will likely be less informed (which is paradoxical, given that you’ll have more information).
When they’re in the middle of the action, though, most people don’t stop to think about their pregame research or player tendencies; they’re too busy trying to lock in whichever bet seems best to them at the time.
The only thing worse than realizing you made dozens of bets on a game you didn’t care about is realizing you have no idea why you made any of them in the first place.
Types of Live Sports Bets
For the most part, you’ll have the opportunity to make the same kind of bets mid-game that you would otherwise, with a few key exceptions that we’ll get to in a moment.
Here are the most common types of live sports bets:
Moneyline Bets
A moneyline bet is a wager on the winner of the game. The favorite will have worse odds (meaning, you’ll have to wager more to get a similar payout as you would betting on the dog), whereas the longshot will have more favorable odds.
Moneyline bets are expressed numerically, in either positive or negative numbers. For example, a favorite might have a number like (-175); that means you’d need to bet $175 on them to win $100.
Dogs, on the other hand, will be represented by positive numbers. If a team is +200, you will get $200 if you bet $100 on them and win (for a total payout of $300).
As expected, the moneyline will change during the game as the action dictates. That doesn’t mean that the favorite will suddenly become the dog or vice versa; in most cases, your odds will change depending on each team’s likelihood of winning the game.
>> Explore moneyline bets at BUSR
Spread Bets
Spread bets are also wagers on who will win the game, but instead of being expressed as odds, they’re written in terms of how many points each team is giving or receiving.
If you see a favorite with (-3.5) by their name, they have to win by at least 3.5 points for you to win your bet. If they win, but only by two points, you’d lose your wager.
Likewise, a team with a (+3.5) by their name would be getting 3.5 points, so they could lose the game but still help you win your bet, as long as they lost by less than 3.5.
As with moneyline bets, you won’t see the favorite change often, but the amount by which they’re favored will swing constantly.
>> Check out the spread bets at Everygame
Over/Unders
If you don’t like picking a winner, over/unders (or “totals”) can help you stay in the game. With these, you’ll bet on whether the combined score exceeds a certain threshold.
When you go to a sportsbook, you’ll see a number that says “O 75.5.” That means the bookie has set the combined point total for both teams at 75.5 points.
If you think the game is likely higher-scoring than that, you can bet the over — meaning you think the total will be over 75.5. If you think that number is too high, you can take the under.
Once the game gets underway, you’ll usually have a better idea of how the scoring will go, so expect that number to change significantly early.
However, it’s not unheard of for a game to start out low-scoring, only to go over due to a flurry of scores towards the end, so don’t treat the early action as gospel.
>> Find the best over/unders at Xbet
Props
Prop bets are another fun way to bet on sports that don’t require you to pick a winner in the game. Simply put, props (short for “proposition bets”) are wagers you can make on everything from individual performances to specific scenarios that may crop up.
Most props are expressed in an over/under format. For example, you might bet on how many runs the starting pitcher will surrender, and the bookie will set the line at “O 3.5.” If you think he’ll get shelled, go over, and if you think he’s got a gem in him, take the under.
You’ll see prop lines changing dramatically, and odds can swing drastically if a surprising outcome pops up. That means you might’ve gotten crazy odds on the third-string running back rushing for 100 yards before the game, but if he’s sitting at 85 yards at halftime, those odds will shorten dramatically.
If you’ve ever played fantasy football and watched each player’s projected point total swing from one extreme to the other, you’ve gotten a taste of what live betting props feels like.
>> Get excellent prop bets at MyBookie
Parlays
A parlay is a combination of bets, not necessarily an individual bet type. You can link several bets together, and if you win them all, you can get a massive payout on a modest wager.
If you lose even one of them, though? You lose everything.
You can string together all sorts of bets in a parlay. For example, you could take Team A to win and cover, bet on the over, and put some money on the starting QB throwing for over 300 yards. If all of those things happen, you could win a handsome sum.
In-game parlays like this are increasingly becoming the most popular sports bet online. Like the example above, an in-game parlay is two or more linked bets occurring in the same game.
One of the advantages of in-game parlays is they allow you to build (and bet on) a logical narrative for the game.
In the example above, we can say that if Team A wins and covers, then it’s likely that their QB will throw for 300+ yards. If the QB throws for 300+ yards, the game will likely hit the over.
Betting on live in-game parlays is also attractive because you’ll have more information on which to base your bets.
>> Enjoy excellent parlay bets at Thunderpick
Futures
At first glance, a futures bet would seem like the antithesis to an in-game bet (and in many ways, it is).
As the name implies, a futures bet is a wager on an outcome that will happen; for example, you might bet on who will win the Super Bowl before the NFL season even starts.
So how can you bet on something happening in the future when in-play betting is all about gambling in real-time? Some sportsbooks will also update their futures odds based on what’s happening in the game, so you might want to keep a tab on their long-term bets page.
If you’re watching a Chiefs game and Patrick Mahomes goes down with a serious-looking injury, that could have a catastrophic impact on their chances of winning a title. If you already had money on the Chiefs, you could try to cash out of your bet early or place a wager on one of the other teams whose odds improved significantly.
It’s important to note that a futures bet is not a live betting option, so those bets will be found on an entirely different sportsbook page.
>> Head to MyStake for the best sports futures odds
Microbets
Microbets are another form of bet that has become hugely popular recently.
While most in-play bets are still based on the game (such as how many points a player will score by the time the game is over or the final score will be), microbets focus almost entirely on individual plays.
It’s one thing to predict whether you think Shohei Ohtani will surrender fewer than two runs — but what about wagering whether his next pitch will be a ball or a strike? That’s what microbetting is in a nutshell.
Microbetting is like live betting on steroids. The advantages and disadvantages of in-play betting are magnified, which likely explains why it’s so popular.
Looking to bet internationally? Check out these guides:
Live Sports Betting Tips and Strategy
Betting on live sports is a bit different from wagering in advance, and while many of the same bedrock principles still apply, there are a few differences that you should keep in mind before you get involved.
1. Jump on Momentum Shifts
The biggest betting opportunities come when a momentum-changing play occurs. This could be things like a backbreaking interception, a rally-killing double play, or a quick scoring run by one of the teams.
These shifts can completely alter the course of the game — and if you can bet before the markets can respond, you might get some juicy odds out of the deal.
Timing is of the essence, though. If you see the line move accordingly before you can get your money down, you’re better off saving your bet for the next profitable opportunity.
2. Keep an Eye on Public Betting Patterns
As we’ve alluded to in this article, the public generally isn’t as good at betting on live sports as they tend to think that they are — and most handicappers are slow to respond to pertinent information, especially after key momentum shifts.
With that in mind, you should monitor how the public money is going. You’ll often see an overreaction in one direction or the other, which could create profitable betting opportunities for the smart, contrarian punter.
3. Stay Disciplined
Never forget that live betting is fundamentally the same as betting in advance — the same basic strategies and principles apply.
That means you should do your research and figure out your strategy well before the game so that you’ll be prepared for anything that happens. Then, once the action starts, you should stick with the plan you concocted.
Veering away from a solid plan (unless you have a good reason to) is a great way to find yourself in the red.
4. Look for Less-Responsive Lines
Not every line will change at a rapid pace during a game. Some lines will be a bit slower to respond than others, and even a lag of just a few seconds could create a juicy betting opportunity for you.
You may even find that certain sportsbooks are slower to respond than others — a situation we’ll delve into more deeply in our next tip.
5. Maintain Active Accounts at Multiple Sportsbooks
Each sportsbook is unique. They may not all offer the same odds and lines.
Some bookies update their lines more frequently than others, so if you can find a lagger, it could be profitable to bet with them. However, there’s more to finding a good sports betting site than just taking advantage of slow lines, so opening and maintaining accounts at several online bookmakers is a good idea.
You may find other odds that are juicier at one place than another, or the public money might move lines in one spot before the rest.
Keeping your options open and shopping lines is just a sound sports betting strategy.
6. Take Advantage of Deposit Bonuses
When opening accounts at new sportsbooks, take notice of the various deposit bonuses each offers. These are promotions that they use to try to entice new customers into signing up, and they can do wonders for your bottom line.
You can use those free bets to test out a new site and see how it performs, or you can use them to fund longshot strategies like parlays. It’s entirely up to you — but it would be silly to leave all that free money on the table.
Best Live Sports Betting Sites
If you’re looking to get started betting on live sports, the sites below are the ones we’d recommend for beginners and experienced bettors alike. Each one is safe, secure, and offers a top-notch betting experience.
BetOnline — Best Live Sports Betting Site Overall
BetOnline has been at the top of the online sports betting world for 25 years, and they keep improving. They have an entire section devoted to live betting, and it’s easy to read and understand, even in the heat of the moment.
New users can get a 50% deposit match up to $1,000 using code BET1000, and crypto bettors can get a 100% match up to $1,000 with code CRYPTO100. The first bonus has a 10x rollover, while the second is 14x.
>> Place your live bets at BetOnline now
Bovada — Best Live Sports Betting Site for NBA Betting
You’ll find some of the most extensive live betting odds anywhere at Bovada, as they take in-game action on even obscure sports across the globe. They also post updated odds in new colors that make it easy to track how the lines are changing.
Bovada also offers separate bonuses for crypto and fiat bettors. Bitcoin users can get a 75% match up to $750 using code BTCSWB750, while traditionalists will enjoy a 50% match up to $250 (no code necessary), and both promotions have a 5x rollover.
>> Join Bovada for the best NBA live betting experience
BUSR — Best Bonuses of All Live Sports Betting Sites
You can take advantage of a ton of live props at BUSR, as they have specialized action on just about every match in the world. You’ll find everything from player totals to alternate over/unders constantly being updated here.
New depositors can get a 100% match up to $1,500 on their first deposit using code SPORTS100FP. The offer comes with a 20x rollover and a $100 minimum deposit.
>> Register at BUSR and enjoy excellent live prop bets
MyBookie — Best Live Sports Betting Site for Prop Bets
If you want to bet on less-popular sports like handball or esports, then MyBookie is the place to do it. Their live betting section extends to just about any sport you can think of, and of course, they have the major events well-covered.
If you deposit using code MYB50, you can get a 50% deposit match up to $1,000 (includes a $50 minimum deposit and 10x rollover).
>> Sign up at MyBookie and grab up to $1,000 in bonuses
Everygame — Top Live Sports Betting Site for Baseball Betting
If you’re a veteran of old-school betting parlors, you’ll love Everygame, as their layout is reminiscent of what you’d find at brick-and-mortar bookies. It might be a bit overwhelming to new users, but if you want the most info possible, this is the place to be.
Here, your deposit bonus will be a 100% match up to $750 using code 3XBOOST250. The bonus is distributed over your first three deposits and a 4x wagering requirement.
>> Get up to $750 in bonuses when you join Everygame
Guide to Live Sports Betting – FAQs
Is It Better to Bet Live or Pre-Match?
Assuming you know what you’re doing, live betting is generally the best option. There’s so much information for the bookies to process that you’re more likely to get more favorable odds — but again, that only applies to handicappers that have a plan and stick with it.
Can You Cancel a Live Bet?
In most cases, you cannot cancel a live bet once it’s been made. The whole point of live betting is to react to information in real-time, so allowing players to back out of a bet would be disastrous for the bookmakers.
Do Live Bets Include Overtime?
Unless there are clear stipulations to the contrary, then yes, a live bet will include overtime. That’s something to consider when making your wagers — and you should remember you’ll get fresh lines in the extra period.
Similar articles:
Ready to Upgrade Your Live Sports Betting Experience?
If you want to take your sports-watching experience to the next level, consider adding in-game betting to your game-day repertoire. Live sports betting makes watching sports more fun and can greatly expand your betting portfolio.
Our favorite live betting site is BetOnline, but there are several others we love on this list — and it’s probably a good idea to open accounts at more than one so that you can take advantage of the best lines and deposit bonuses the internet offers.
We wish you luck on your live sports betting experience, but we also have a word of caution: once you try in-game betting, you’ll never want to go back to watching sports without it.
DISCLAIMER: The information on this site is for entertainment purposes only. Gambling comes with its fair share of risks and it’s important to recognize that when using online gambling sites.
While we review different gambling sites, you should check with local laws in your area before gambling online. Also, all gambling sites and guides are rated 21+ only.
If you have a gambling addiction problem or anyone you know does, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700. In addition, the following free gambling addiction resources can be of help:
