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In-Play Betting: A Guide for Beginners

The interior of a football stadium with spectators.

In-Play betting, also known as live or in-running betting, allows you to place bets on sports events that have already started and continue until their conclusion. It’s an exciting way to engage with your favourite sports such as football, tennis, or basketball in real time.

Understanding In-Play Betting

When you’re watching a football match or a tennis game and want to place a bet while the action is ongoing, that’s where In-Play betting comes in. Unlike traditional betting, In-Play allows you to assess the game’s flow and make informed decisions about where to place your bets.

Advantages of In-Play Betting

Real-Time Assessment: Instead of solely relying on pre-game statistics and analysis, In-Play betting lets you watch the game and decide your bets based on the ongoing action.

Trading Opportunities: It enables you to adjust your betting positions during the game. For instance, if you bet on a team and they take the lead, you can choose to reduce your risk by “laying off” your stake at a shorter price.

Markets in In-Play Betting

Not all betting markets go In-Play. While match odds or the winner market are usually available for In-Play betting, markets like first goal scorer or corner odds might not be. To check if a market is open for In-Play betting, look for a green tick symbol near the event’s name.

Event Suspension in In-Play Betting

Football Management: In football, events like red cards, penalties, or goals may lead to the temporary suspension of In-Play markets by the betting platform. This protects users and ensures fair betting practices.

Unmanaged Matches: Some football matches, especially from leagues like The Championship, Serie B, or the Scottish Premier League, might not be actively managed. Here, it’s the customer’s responsibility to monitor their bets as markets may not be suspended.

Exceptions in Other Sports

For most other sports like football or tennis, betting markets generally remain open until the event’s conclusion. However, certain markets, such as predicting the winner of the first set in a tennis match, might close at specific intervals within the game.

In-Play betting adds an extra layer of excitement and strategy to sports betting by allowing you to actively engage with the game as it unfolds. Always keep an eye on the markets and the ongoing action to make informed and timely betting decisions.

Placing an In-Play Bet

Placing an In-Play bet is quite straightforward and typically involves these steps, choice a reputable online sportsbook, such as MagicBetting, then simply…

  1. Access the In-Play Section: Once you’re on MagicBetting’s website or mobile app, navigate to the section dedicated to In-Play betting. This section will feature ongoing events available for live betting.
  2. Select Your Event: Browse through the list of ongoing matches or games within the  In-Play section. Click on the event you want to bet on. 
  3. Review Available Markets:  Within the selected event, you’ll see various markets open for In-Play betting. These could include options such as match winner, next goal or total goals.
  4. Make Your Selection: Choose the specific market and outcome you want to bet on. Click on the odds associated with your chosen outcome. This will add the selection to your bet slip.
  5. Enter Stake and Confirm: On your bet slip, enter the amount you want to wager (stake). Review your bet and ensure everything is correct. Once you’re satisfied, click to confirm the bet.
  6. Monitor and Manage Bets: After placing your In-Play bet, you can monitor the live event and track how your bet is performing in real-time. Depending on the sportsbook, you might have options to cash out early or adjust your bet during the event.

Remember, odds can change rapidly in In-Play betting due to the live nature of the event. So, it’s essential to act quickly if you spot an opportunity or want to secure a bet at favourable odds. Also, stay updated on the event’s progress to make informed decisions regarding your bets.

In-play betting odds, also known as live odds, are dynamic and constantly changing during a sporting event. These odds reflect the probability of different outcomes and are adjusted in real-time based on the unfolding action on the field or court. Understanding these odds is crucial when engaging in live betting.

How In-Play Betting Odds Work

Fluctuating Odds: In-play odds are not static; they fluctuate rapidly as the game progresses. Factors such as goals scored, red cards, injuries, or significant plays directly influence these odds.

Reflecting Real-Time Situations: Odds adjust to reflect the current situation within the game. For instance, if a favourite team suddenly concedes a goal, their odds might lengthen, while the underdog’s odds shorten.

Quick Response to Events: Any major event, like a goal in soccer or a touchdown in American football, instantly impacts the odds. This rapid adjustment allows bettors to react to the changing game scenario.

Market Variety: Different markets within a live event may have their own set of odds. For example, in a football match, odds for the next goal scorer, total number of goals, or even specific player performance may all have separate live odds.

Understanding Odds Formats

Decimal Odds: Commonly used in Europe and Australia, decimal odds show the potential return, including the initial stake. For instance, odds of 3.00 mean a winning bet of €10 would return €30 (including the stake).

Fractional Odds: Fractional odds, more common in UK for example, display the potential profit relative to the stake. For instance, 2/1 odds mean you could win €2 for every €1 staked, plus your initial stake returned.

In-play betting odds present a dynamic and thrilling aspect of sports betting, allowing you to engage with the game in real time and potentially capitalize on evolving situations within the match.

Place In-Play Bets on Magic Betting

Magic Betting offers many In-Play markets based on live sports schedule and there are usually always live games from around the world available.

Visit Magic Betting for the latest odds and betting markets.

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