In-Play Betting: A Bally Bet Explainer on Wagering in Real Time

The action might have already started, but now a new set of opportunities has arrived. In-play betting puts you dead centre of unfolding sports drama, letting you react to what you’re seeing and adjust your approach accordingly. 

At Bally Bet Sports & Casino, our in-play markets update in real time, so that you have the tools to engage with sports in an entirely different way than traditional pre-match wagering. 

So, how does it all work? Let’s find out. 

What is in-play betting? 

Also known as live betting, it’s when you place a wager after an event that’s already started and while it’s still in progress. 

Rather than committing to predictions before kickoff, you can observe how things unfold and make decisions based on actual performance. 

The key difference is that pre-match odds are built using factors like recent team performance, player availability as well as external conditions, like weather forecasts. With in-play betting, you're working with real-time information as events develop. See a team dominating possession or a tennis player finding their rhythm? You can back your observations with a live bet. 

Our odds update regularly throughout events, reflecting everything from score changes and tactical adjustments to individual performances and injuries. 

Why you might choose in-play betting

There are several reasons you might be interested in exploring our in-play betting markets. 

First off, they let you react to real situations. Teams who were favourites before kickoff can fall behind, while underdogs sometimes take early leads. Within these developments, odds often present different value compared to pre-match lines. 

Features like early cash make it possible to secure a profit or minimise a potential loss before the event ends.  

And when it comes to market availability, quite a few in-play betting options don’t exist pre-match. Immediate outcomes and short-term situational bets only get going once the game does. 

Sports where in-play betting can work well 

Football 

From next goal scorer to correct score and even over/unders for corners, the beautiful game offers a feast of in-play opportunities.  

Tennis 

Great for in-play betting with clear momentum indicators. Match odds, set scores and tiebreaks are just a few of the numerous opportunities available throughout a match. 

American Sports (NFL & NBA) 

The stop-start nature of these sports creates routine breaks to assess the situation. Timeouts, injuries and changes in possession are opportunities to explore game winner odds and player props. 

Visit our NFL Betting page to learn more about wagering on America’s favourite sport. 

Horse Racing 

Assess early pace, positioning and tactics before making your selections for later races. 

Popular live markets 

Regardless of the sport, certain markets are mainstays when it comes to in-play betting. These include: 

Next scorer/goal 

Choose who you think will score next – either a player or team – based on how the game is going. 

Match result 

Full time, match winner, moneyline. Back who you think will take the W, with odds continuously adjusting to reflect current score, time remaining and flow of the game. 

Statistical markets 

Totals for goals, points and sets, as well as individual player achievements, which change in line with game events. 

Short-term outcome markets 

Next corner, next booking or next set winner. These are markets that can be resolved quickly based on immediate game situations. 

Strategic considerations for in-play betting 

As with any kind of bet – in-play or otherwise – it's a good idea to have an idea of how you’re going to go about it. Here are some considerations we think you should keep in mind for your next wager. 

Observe before acting 

Take your time assessing momentum, changes and performances before you place a live bet. The odds will be there, so there’s no need to rush.  

Be aware of context 

Early goals don’t always indicate a final result. And strong starts don’t always guarantee a certain level of sustained performance. Make sure to evaluate the bigger picture. 

Keep tabs on key factors 

Injuries, changes in weather, substitutions and fatigue can all play a part in the game you see in front of you. Make sure you’re keeping up with them. 

Timing matters 

Live odds can fluctuate rapidly, with significant events causing immediate market suspensions. Be prepared for quick decisions if and when this happens. 

Pros and cons of in-play betting 

Here’s a quick list of reasons why you might or might not decide to place a bet during a live game. 

Pros

Real-time information 

You're working with actual performance data rather than pre-match predictions, which allows for more informed decision-making based on what's actually happening. 

Opportunities for enhanced odds  

When pre-match favourites struggle or underdogs perform well, live odds can provide better value than the originals 

Flexibility and control 

You’re able to secure profits early with cash-out features, minimise potential losses and adjust positions as circumstances change. 

Market variety 

You get access to certain markets – like next to score – that aren’t available in the run-up to a game.  

Cons

Faster decision-making 

In-play betting moves quickly, which may lead to rushed decisions without properly considering important factors. 

Market volatility 

Odds may shift dramatically as well as rapidly, so securing intended prices – especially during significant moments – can be challenging. 

Increased betting frequency 

The continuous availability of markets may lead to more frequent wagering than originally anticipated. 

Technical dependencies 

There’s a reliance on real-time data feeds and platform stability, and any technical issues can impact your ability to place timely bets. 

Why do markets get suspended?

During events that can significantly affect the game’s outcome – say, a red card in a football match – in-play betting markets can be suspended temporarily. 

That’s to give the bookmaker a chance to recalculate odds based on the new information, meaning you receive accurate pricing. 

They’re not closed for too long, though. Sometimes seconds, sometimes minutes, the time it takes for a market to reopen depends on how significant the event that caused the closure was. 

When a market closes, it’s an idea to use the time to reassess your current positions and upcoming opportunities rather than preparing to bet immediately when markets reopen. 

How to manage in-play betting effectively 

When it comes to developing an effective in-play betting approach, it’s important first and foremost to set clear parameters. Decide on your budget for in-play betting, separate from pre-match wagers, so you keep control over total exposure and expenditure. 

It’s a good idea to keep to sports you’re familiar with too; the better you know a particular sport, the more straightforward it is to see the value of a line as well as notice patterns that might foretell a change in the game.  

As with any kind of online gambling, don’t chase losses. There’s a continuous cycle of opportunities with in-play betting, but each one of your wagers should stand on its own merits rather than as an attempt to recover previous losses. 

How to make in-play betting work for you 

In-play betting represents a different approach to pre-match wagering, and it’s one that requires observation, quick thinking and a solid knowledge of the sport in question. 

It’s not about predicting an outcome hours in advance, but rather about reading situations as they develop and reacting accordingly. 

View in-play betting more as its own discipline with different opportunities and challenges, and not just as an extension of pre-match wagering. 

Want to read more help articles like this one? We've got guides, round-ups and how-tos for both casino and sports on the Bally Bet blog. Head on over and take your pick. 

All offers mentioned correct at the time of writing but may be subject to change.