Live Betting

Live betting has become a multi-million-dollar industry over the last couple of years, which is not to say it has not always been a favourite past-time for many a punter. The only thing that has changed since the old days is the fact that bettors will get live updates instantly, this also means that odds are constantly changing. Without a doubt, the most popular sports that punters are betting on these days include football, soccer, boxing, horse racing, cricket, basketball, and baseball. This is not to say that you are limited to only these, many betting providers showcase an extensive list of options. Some bookies offer obscure sports such as underwater hockey, roller derby, and even toe wrestling. The possibilities are endless, and the bookies are trying to find any niche they can to attract new punters.   

Factors to focus on when you first start live betting:

• Get tips on what to look for when placing bets as a beginner
• Get to know the easiest bet to call
• Find out how to choose a bookmaker

When starting out, there is a lot to take in so let’s just focus on the main points

The first thing to remember as a newcomer to the live betting scene is that this is not like placing your average bet. The odds are constantly changing as the game progresses and this plays a bigger role than you may realise. There are many sites out there that will help you get an edge over the bookies, however, it would be wise to take all the information you read with a pinch of salt, so to speak.

Your next step is to familiarise yourself with the different betting types that are available. These differ depending on the sport you plan to bet on, so do a little research to find out which ones are the most likely to register a win for you. It is common knowledge that should you be able to string together a decent winning streak, it definitely boosts moral and makes the experience a lot less daunting. Should you go through a losing streak instead, not to worry this happens to everyone. Just keep focused and maybe try changing up your betting strategy or even try a different sport to mix things up a bit. 

There is a plethora of bet types; we will discuss one that is considered to be the easiest to call.

Over/Under 1.5 Goal Bets

First of all, this type of bet can only be made on certain sports, sports that require goals to be scored of course. For the purpose of this tip we shall focus our attention on football, purely due to the fact the football is currently the market leader in terms of sports betting. This has to be one of the most popular bet types in the world of sports betting and for good reason. According to the statistics, most football games will have just under two goals scored per game, this essentially means that you will have a 50/50 chance of winning the bet. These odds in terms of betting are extremely good, hence why it is the perfect starter bet for rookies. 

Firstly, make sure you are familiar with the teams for the following reasons.

• Injuries can make a massive impact on the team’s performance; get to know the team and their key players such as strikerswho usually score the goals, defenders who have proven themselves to be unbeatable or playmakers that play a big role in the overall performance of the team. These factors can make or break a team and be a deciding factor in how well the team is going to perform.

• Mismatches are common in football, all too often there will be a scheduled match between a team at the bottom of the log and a team. Here the favourites will often get much lower odds compared to their opponents who are considered the underdogs. This may seem like a straightforward bet, but there are a few factors to consider before placing.

• It is a crunch game, for instance, the favourites may be involved in a few other tournaments and may be resting their key players for the next big game or they may be dealing with injuries and therefore not be at their best. Another factor to take into account is how vital the game is for the underdogs, do they need a win to stay in the tournament, what has their performance been like in the past couple of games or is it a game of little consequence to both teams.

Bookies offer different benefits, so which one should you choose?

When it comes to choosing the best bookmakers for you there are certain things that will help you make the choice. There are literally hundreds available online and more seem to be popping up each day. One way to decide on who to go with when starting out is by checking to see who has the best welcome deal on offer for new sign ups.

These will vary and sometimes quite drastically, here are a few factors to take into account before making the call.

• Are they available in your country?
• How vast is their range of markets?
• Do they offer a solid selection of payment methods?
• Do they offer a variety of sports & betting options?
• How does their welcome offer compare to other bookmakers?
• Do they offer mobile support and live streaming?
• Make sure they are a reputable & trustworthy bookie

Conclusion: Take your time with the first live bets

What most rookies fail to take into account is how much time and research goes into live sports betting. Unless you are a super fan and already know everything there is to know about the teams playing, like if they are fielding their best players are what their past few performances have been like. This will apply to every sport, get to know who they are and what they are capable of, whether that be a driver, a player or even the toe wrestlers’ best attributes, all of these play a vital role in being able to maximise your chances of stringing together winning streaks. 

Even seasoned punters will have their slumps, so just keep on going and learn as much as can along the way. Always remember to keep a calm head and don't punt when you're boozed, it is never a good idea, no matter how confident you are feeling.

Read also our article about Live betting strategy.