What Are the Most Common Types of Live Bets?

Live betting, also known as in-play betting, has revolutionized the way sports enthusiasts engage with their favorite games. Unlike traditional betting, which requires placing bets before the event starts, live betting allows you to place wagers as the action unfolds in real-time.

This dynamic form of betting offers a wide array of options, each catering to different aspects of the game. Here, we will explore the most common types of live bets and provide examples to illustrate how they work.

1. Moneyline Bets

Moneyline bets are straightforward wagers on which team or player will win the match. In live betting, the odds for moneyline bets change continuously based on the game’s progress.

Example: In a basketball game between the Lakers and the Celtics, if the Lakers start strong and lead by 10 points in the first quarter, the live moneyline odds will reflect their higher chances of winning. A bet placed on the Lakers during this time will have lower odds compared to the Celtics.

2. Point Spread Bets

Point spread bets involve betting on the margin of victory. The favorite team must win by a certain number of points, while the underdog can either win or lose by less than the specified points.

Example: If the point spread for an NFL game between the Patriots and the Jets is set at -7 for the Patriots, live betting allows you to place a wager on whether the Patriots will win by more than 7 points or if the Jets will keep the margin within 7 points as the game progresses.

3. Over/Under (Totals) Bets

Over/Under bets, also known as totals, involve wagering on whether the total number of points scored in the game will be over or under a specified number.

Example: In a soccer match between Real Madrid and Barcelona, the live over/under line is set at 2.5 goals. If the game is goalless at halftime, the over/under line might adjust to 1.5 goals, reflecting the lower likelihood of multiple goals in the second half.

4. Prop Bets

Proposition bets, or prop bets, are wagers on specific events or outcomes within the game that do not necessarily affect the final result. These can be player-specific or team-specific actions.

Example: During a tennis match, a live prop bet might be whether a player will serve an ace in the next game or if there will be a break of serve in the current set.

5. Next Play/Outcome Bets

These bets are placed on the immediate next action or outcome within the game, making them fast-paced and highly engaging.

Example: In a basketball game, you can bet on whether the next basket will be a three-pointer or a two-pointer, or in a football game, you might bet on whether the next play will result in a first down or not.

6. Period/Quarter Bets

Period or quarter bets are wagers placed on the outcome of specific segments of the game rather than the overall result.

Example: In an NBA game, you might bet on which team will score the most points in the third quarter. These bets are especially popular in sports with multiple periods, such as basketball and hockey.

7. Draw No Bet

Draw No Bet wagers are popular in sports where a draw is a common outcome. If the game ends in a draw, the bet is void, and the stake is returned.

Example: In a soccer match between Manchester United and Chelsea, if you place a live draw no bet on Manchester United and the game ends in a draw, you will get your stake back.

8. Time-Specific Bets

These bets are focused on events happening within a specific timeframe in the game.

Example: In a hockey game, you might place a bet on whether a goal will be scored in the next 5 minutes, or in a soccer game, you could bet on whether a goal will be scored in the next 10 minutes.

9. Handicap Bets

Handicap bets level the playing field by giving the underdog a virtual advantage. These are similar to point spread bets but can apply to various aspects of the game.

Example: In a basketball game, you might place a live handicap bet on a team to win with a +5.5 point advantage. If they lose by fewer than 5 points or win the game, your bet is successful.

10. Arbitrage, Middling, and Hedging Bets

These betting strategies are used to manage risk and guarantee profits or minimize losses by taking advantage of different odds and betting options.

a) Arbitrage Bets

Arbitrage betting involves placing bets on all possible outcomes of an event across different bookmakers to guarantee a profit regardless of the result.

Example: In a tennis match, if Bookmaker A offers odds of 2.10 for Player 1 to win and Bookmaker B offers odds of 2.10 for Player 2 to win, you can place bets on both outcomes to ensure a profit.

b) Middling Bets

Middling involves placing bets on both sides of a point spread or totals line at different times to create a middle opportunity where both bets can win.

Example: In an NFL game, if you bet on the Patriots at -3 early in the game and later, as the game progresses, you bet on the Jets at +7, you create a middle. If the Patriots win by 4, 5, or 6 points, both bets win.

c) Hedging Bets

Hedging involves placing a bet on the opposite outcome of your original bet to guarantee a profit or minimize a loss.

Example: If you bet on Team A to win a soccer match before the game starts and they take an early lead, you can place a live bet on Team B or a draw to hedge your original bet, ensuring a profit or minimizing potential losses. 

Final Thoughts

Live betting offers a thrilling and interactive way to engage with sports. The variety of live betting options allows bettors to tailor their wagers based on the flow of the game, enhancing the overall betting experience. Whether you’re a seasoned bettor or new to live betting, understanding these common types of live bets can help you make more informed decisions and potentially increase your chances of success.