Sports betting is a complex field that requires skill and discipline to succeed. Being competent not only means that you know the sport you are betting on, but also that you have a well-developed game plan that has been refined over time.
There are three main categories of bets: ante-post (longer term), pre-match (placed before the start of the event), and live (on ongoing events). In this article, we will talk about live bets, which have something special in that they generate the most adrenaline.
In just 90 minutes dozens of tickets can be placed, on:
- Goals scored;
- corners;
- yellow/red cards;
- fouls;
- own goals and so on.
On the one hand, this type of bet is recommended if you have a smaller bankroll and want to increase it quickly. The budget can run on fast-forward. If you’re lucky, you can even multiply it in one match.
On the other hand, if you’re not disciplined, tickets placed on ongoing events can leave you out of pocket very quickly. These are special feelings that prevent you from thinking clearly. There is also time pressure. If you want to bet on a goal scored and wait for a second longer, the odds can get stuck. So, under the pressure of emotions, the risk of playing catch-up is higher than with pre-match bets. Our advice is to treat live betting with caution, especially if you know you’re getting carried away and can’t stick to your money management.
How to bet live effectively
An important tip is to thoroughly analyze all the options before opening an account with an online bookmaker. Live sections differ from one operator to another. Thus, a good operator must meet the following criteria:
- The first criterion would be the live video streaming platform because it doesn’t make much sense to bet live if you can’t watch the match. The top online cricket betting appsstream tens of thousands of events a year, with the picture being of very good quality.
- The second criterion is how quickly a ticket is registered after you click the “place bet” button. As I said, every second counts. It’s one thing to have the bet taken in 5 seconds on Melbet appand another to wait 10-15 seconds, during which time a lot can happen in a match, especially in tennis, handball, or basketball. In the same vein, you have to pay attention to how long the odds stay locked after a big event (goal, red card) or for no reason at all. Some agencies lock the odds every time a dangerous attack takes place, which is very unpleasant for a punter.
One more tip: don’t go by statistics if you can’t see the match. They can often be misleading. For example, the home team dominates sterilely and has a lot of corners, and the opponent counterattacks very dangerously. If you look at the match statistics, you only see the high number of corner kicks and think it’s a matter of time before the host’s score, but in reality, it’s a matter of time before one of the counter-attacks materializes on the scoreboard.
Advantages of betting live
We have already mentioned the first advantage: the possibility to reach your profit target faster. At the same time, a large number of bets in a short time can be a double-edged sword in the event of a losing series.
A definite advantage is the possibility to bet in full knowledge of the facts: you don’t base your prediction on the “likely teams”, but on the teams sent out by the two coaches. You may be surprised to see that one of the coaches is resting several regular starters, although he had not signalled this intention in his pre-match statements.
You also see exactly how the game goes. For example, you meet two teams that have scored many goals in previous games. You expect it to be a festival on the scoreboard, but in reality, you see a tactical match, because each side fears the other.
Most value bets appear in the ‘live’, due to the fluctuating odds. For example, Bayern Munich is playing Union Berlin. Bayern dominates with authority, but Union escapes on the counter-attack in the 15th minute and scores. The way the game is going, it is obvious that the Bavarians will turn the score around and the odds will be good compared to the starting value for the “Bayern Munich win” selection.
Value bets also appear in the “total goals” market. As the end of the half approaches, the odds of another goal soar. If it’s a game with lots of chances, it means the probability the chance of scoring is higher than the odds show.
Disadvantages of betting live
Live betting is not for the faint-hearted. If you bet a lot of money on a goal scored and at the last play a striker escapes alone with the opposing goalkeeper, your heart “goes into overdrive”. Some punters don’t watch live matches, precisely to avoid getting sick.
Another disadvantage is that live betting eats up a lot of your time. Operators have such rich offers that you always have something to bet on, day or night. It’s good to set the number of hours you can spend on the site.
To make it easier to weigh up the pros and cons, we’ve summarised them below.
ADVANTAGES
- Can reach profit target faster
- You bet with full knowledge of the facts
- Most value bets occur
- Can follow the progress of the game
DISADVANTAGES
- Involves stress and strong emotions
- Live betting takes up more time
All in all, there are more advantages than disadvantages. Don’t forget that sports betting should be primarily an entertainment activity. That way, you’ll be more relaxed and have a better chance of winning.