Live betting is one of the most popular types of online sports betting in the UK. Rather than wagering on an outcome before a ball is kicked, an over is bowled, or a serve is made, you can wait until the match or event gets underway.
This brings many new markets and betting options into play, allowing you to wait and see how a team or player performs before adding them to your bet slip.
Discover the live betting options at JeffBet and consider whether in-play betting could be a good option for you.
How Does Live Betting Work?
Live betting, or live in-play betting, is placing a wager on a sports match or event after it has started. So, rather than betting on the winner of an English Premier League match before its 3 pm kick-off, you can wait until 3.10 pm or 4.10 pm before placing your bet.
This gives you a considerable advantage, as you can assess the state of play before placing your wager. If something unexpected happens, you can access better odds than before the game, giving you a chance of making a bigger profit when placing your selections.
In live betting, odds change quickly, so ensure you can access JeffBet while watching the match or event unfold. You can sign in to your account on your smartphone or tablet and access the latest live odds with a simple tap of your screen.
Live Betting vs Pre-Match Betting
How is live betting different from pre-match wagering? The main difference is when you place your bets. Pre-match bets must be placed before the game or event begins, while live wagers must be placed during the fixture.
The table shows the main differences between these two popular bet types:
| Feature | Live Betting | Pre-Match Betting |
|---|---|---|
| Timing | You must wait for the match or event to begin before betting | You must place your bet before the match or event begins |
| Odds | The odds constantly change, depending on what’s happening in the match | The odds are fixed at the time of placement, but can fluctuate before the game |
| Risk | Slightly riskier, due to the ever-changing nature of the match and the odds | Moderate risk, as with all sports wagers |
| Markets | More markets available, letting you double down on your research | Standard markets relating to the match outcome and a few special bets |
Live in-play betting and pre-match wagering can be good sports betting methods. But live online betting gives you more markets and ever-changing odds, making it more exciting and letting you put your research to better use.
In-Play Betting Odds & Markets
You can place live bets on all major sports at JeffBet. However, football is the most popular sport among live bettors, so we’ll use this as an example to show you which type of bets you can place after the referee’s first whistle.
As well as standard bets like the team you think will win, you can place the following in-play bets on football at JeffBet:
- The first or next player (or team) to score a goal
- The total number of goals you think will be scored in a half or match (over/under)
- The correct score at half-time and full-time
- Handicap betting on the favourite or underdog (3-way & Asian handicaps available)
- Combination bets like the outcome and total goals.
- Player specials relating to cautions, red cards, and goals
While this is an example of the live markets and betting options for football, we also offer live betting for basketball, tennis, golf, and other sports. For instance, in basketball, you can bet on the first-quarter winning margin, while placing a live tennis bet on the second set winner.
Be mindful that live betting odds constantly change and may be suspended without prior notice, depending on what’s happening in the game. You can follow the action via our match centre, open to all JeffBet customers.
You can also use our bet builder tool to compile your wagers at JeffBet. Calculating your potential returns before placing your bets can help you gamble responsibly and consider your potential returns.
The Pros & Cons of UK Live Betting
If you’re on the fence about in-play betting, consider these pros and cons to help you decide if it’s a good fit with your preferred betting strategy:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✅ Real-time excitement – betting on a match live can make it much more exciting | ❌ Higher risk – the odds fluctuations and ever-changing nature of betting options make in-play betting riskier than pre-match betting |
| ✅ Dynamic odds – live odds change constantly, letting you access great value in some situations | ❌ Fast pace – you need to be fast to bet on live sports, which can cause you to make mistakes |
| ✅ More strategic – thanks to enhanced markets, you can be more strategic with your sports betting approach | ❌ Attention required – to do it properly, you need to be fully attentive and have access to the live odds and match |
Tips for Live In-Play Betting
Ready to get involved in live betting? Consider these expert tips before making your selections:
- Bet with your head, not your heart: It’s best to avoid betting on your own team. Passion clouds judgment among sports bettors, so it’s a good idea to look elsewhere, rather than backing the team that has your heart.
- Use data and statistics: Live betting gives you the perfect opportunity to put data and statistics to good use. In football, examine which players tend to receive yellow cards and consider which teams typically score first. Small details, backed by data, can help you make a profit.
- Access live odds on your phone: We encourage you to make live bets on your phone, rather than your computer. This gives you instant access to the latest odds and means you won’t miss out on the ever-changing markets while waiting for your PC to load.
- Gamble responsibly: It’s essential not to chase your losses or spend more than you can afford to lose. Visit our Bet Smart Hub to learn about tools, tips, and resources to help you bet within your means
How to Start Live Betting at JeffBet
Now that you know how in-play betting works and why it could be a good option for you, here are the steps to get started at JeffBet:
- Visit our sportsbook and click JOIN NOW to create your account.
- Complete the registration form and check the box to agree to our terms and conditions.
- Head to our promotions page to see if you can access a free sports bet to kick things off. Terms and conditions apply.
- Make at least the minimum deposit to unlock the free bet and fund your live sports bets (terms and conditions apply).
- On our sportsbook, navigate to the LIVE tab and explore the current betting options that are open to you.
- Click on the sport, event, and fixture you want to bet on and browse the various markets offered.
- Click on the bet you want to place to populate your betting slip and enter the amount you wish to wager.
- Finally, watch the action unfold and consider placing other live bets on the same event. If you win, request a cash out or leave the money in your account to fund other sports bets.
The Verdict: Is Live Betting Worth it?
Live betting at JeffBet, a UKGC-licensed sportsbook, will appeal to you if you want to put your knowledge and research to good use as you wager on sports.
You can access more in-play markets than pre-match betting options, helping you maximise your understanding of the game you’re betting on.
You can also wait until the match begins and potentially take advantage of unexpected occurrences to lock in great value odds. Just remember to gamble responsibly and consider using the responsible gambling tools on our Bet Smart Hub to help you.