Live betting: In-play markets and live odds

Live betting, also called in-play betting, lets you place bets on a sporting event while it is happening rather than only before it starts. Odds shift in real time as the action unfolds, so you can back a comeback, a next goal or a momentum swing the moment you spot it. Betway runs live markets across hundreds of events a day, from football and tennis to cricket, basketball and esports. Darts and other sports join the list as the schedule allows, and you can bet in-play from the first whistle to the last, with in-play odds and in-play markets updating throughout.

So, if you've never tried sports betting live before, here's what you need to know about navigating its markets.

How does in-play sports betting work?

Drawing straight from its name, in-play betting is exactly as it sounds: it lets you place a bet while a game is still happening, rather than locking you in before a given match actually starts.

Think of it like this. Imagine you're managing one of the UK's biggest football teams. Suddenly, you score to take the lead. This could be the perfect opportunity to make a substitution and sure up your team's performance by going more defensive.

In-play odds work in a very similar way. They alter based on what's happening at any given moment in time, lengthening or shortening based on what's currently going on pitch-side and giving you a chance to capitalise on a sudden shift in momentum to increase your potential betting payout.

How to read in-play sports betting odds

At their base level, in-play betting odds can be read in the exact same way as standard odds, the only difference being that they're constantly changing and updating as a game goes on. For example, here at Betway, we display all our odds in a fractional betting format, with the number on your right determining your wager, and the number on the left being your payout.

So, let's say that your team starts a football match with odds of 5/1 to win. If they scored within the first minute, these odds could then swap to 4/1. Alternatively, if they were drawing until injury time, and then their opponents score, then these odds could suddenly shoot up to 10/1 or higher!

All of which is to say that live betting odds can flip and change at any moment, so you'll want to keep a constant eye on them as the game progresses if you hope to capitalise on a sudden and unexpected twist.

Each price also implies a chance. Divide the right-hand number by the sum of both, so 5/1 implies 1 in 6, or about 17 per cent, while a shortened 4/1 implies 1 in 5, or 20 per cent. As the odds shorten, that implied chance rises.

How to start live betting online with the Betway app

Getting started with live betting online takes only a minute, and whether you use the website or the app, the flow is the same:

1. Log in or sign up, and verify your account if you haven't already. UK Gambling Commission rules mean operators confirm your age and identity before you can withdraw.
2. Open the In-Play section to see every event currently running.
3. Filter by sport to find the match you want, from football to tennis to cricket.
4. Choose your market and check the fractional odds, remembering they can move between selecting and confirming.
5. Add the selection to your bet slip, set your stake, and confirm.

From there you can watch the game and place further bets as the action develops, adjusting to what you're seeing on the pitch or court. Setting a deposit limit while you're in your account is a sensible habit before you start. Our other responsible gambling tools sit in the same account area, and they're worth a look before your first live bet rather than after a bad night.

What sports offer in-play odds?

Given the lengthy nature of most sporting games, you’ll be thrilled to hear that we have a huge range of sports options in our in-play betting markets, including the likes of football, tennis, and more. Here’s a quick look at the main live sports bet markets you can get started with:

Football

Sitting at the top of our live betting list, the beautiful game is the place to be if you’re trying our in-play markets for the first time. From cards to corners, goals to the final result, you can put a wager down on just about any outcome right up until the final whistle.

Including livestreams of the biggest Premier League matches, Champions League games, European leagues and much more, you can follow along with all the in-play football action as it unfolds to place your in-play bet at exactly the right moment. Live football betting covers markets such as next goal, next goalscorer, total goals and the updated match odds, and the next goal market is usually the first to react after a big chance goes begging.

Tennis

The home of iconic court legends, our tennis in-play options focus primarily on the four major tournaments of the season – Wimbledon, the US Open, the French Open, and the Australian Open.

Indeed, the fluid nature of tennis actually makes it one of our most popular areas for sports betting live, with fans able to place bets on a set-by-set basis or lower as each game develops over the course of the evening. Tennis live betting runs to markets such as set betting, next game winner and total games, so there's a price to consider on almost every changeover.

Cricket 

Much like tennis, the multi-day nature of live cricket lends itself well to the in-play betting structure, which is why we’ve chosen to include it in our core suite of live betting markets. After all, one poor day of play isn’t necessarily the be-all and end-all of a match.

With the Ashes taking centre stage, alongside countless other smaller competitions and worldwide tournaments, bettors can take advantage of our changing live odds to adapt their strategy as each day of play starts and ends. In-play cricket markets such as next wicket, runs in the over and innings totals tick over ball by ball, and they're just as lively in a T20 as in a Test.

Basketball

Fast-paced yet forever unpredictable, basketball’s prevalence for high-scoring games and on-pitch scuffles makes having access to live basketball betting odds an absolute game-changer for punters.

Focused on the major games of the NBA, but still available for leagues of all levels, our basketball in-play market means you can increase or reduce your betting frames based on how your team of choice is currently performing at any given moment. Live markets such as next points, quarter winner and the in-play total move with every scoring run, which is what makes basketball such a natural fit for in-play.

Darts

Short legs and quick sets keep darts odds on the move, which is why it has become a regular in our In-Play section on the big televised nights. Live darts markets such as match winner, next leg winner and over/under legs let you react to a player finding their doubles or losing them, and a 180 can shift the price before the next throw.

Live betting features: cash-out, live streaming and in-play stats

A few features make live betting more than just shifting odds. Cash Out lets you settle a bet before the event finishes, taking a return based on the current state of play rather than waiting for the final result. If your team is ahead but you sense the momentum turning, you can lock in part of the value early, or buy yourself out of a position that's gone the other way. In practice, that might mean settling a bet on a side leading 2-0 before a nervy final ten minutes, or closing out a bet that has gone wrong for a smaller return rather than a total loss. Cash Out is offered on selected markets and can be briefly unavailable while a price is being updated.

Live streaming puts the action on the same screen as the markets for many events, so you can watch and bet in one place rather than following the score elsewhere. Pairing the stream with the odds is the closest thing to sitting in the dugout. Streams are available on selected events, so look for the stream icon next to a fixture once you're logged in.

In-play statistics and live visualisations, things like possession, shots, dangerous attacks or a tennis serve count, give you more than the scoreline to work from. A side trailing 1-0 but dominating the stats tells a different story to one hanging on, and reading that gap is where in-play betting rewards attention.

How to bet sports live: in-play scenarios and market examples

The best way to picture how to bet sports live is through the moments where the odds move. Here's how a few play out, with prices shown as illustrative fractions.

Football, a late equaliser. A team leading 1-0 with ten minutes left might be 1/5 to win. Their opponents grab an equaliser, and that price drifts out to 6/4 as a draw or even a loss comes back into play. Next goal and the updated match result react instantly.

Tennis, a break point. A player a break down in the deciding set might be 5/2 to win the match. Break straight back, and the price can tumble towards even money as the set swings. In-play tennis prices move on almost every point.

Cricket, a mini-collapse. A side cruising in a run chase can be odds-on, then two quick wickets push their price out sharply while the bowling team shortens. Next wicket and total run markets move over by over.

Across all of them, the skill is reading the shift rather than chasing it. You can also combine in-play selections in a bet builder when a single event is offering several moving markets at once.

Can I use the Betway app to place in-play bets?

Yes, it’s absolutely possible to place in-play bets through our app. In fact, we’d say it’s the best way to do it! Whether you’re at the big game or down at the local bar, you can stay ahead of the game with the Betway Sports app!

Download it now from the Play Store or the App Store to enjoy live betting, real-time updates, and exclusive offers right at your fingertips. Our in-play market is just a touch away.

Frequently asked questions about live betting

What is live betting?

Live betting, or in-play betting, is placing bets on an event while it is happening. The odds update in real time as the action unfolds, so you can bet on the next goal, point or wicket as the game develops.

How is live betting different from pre-match betting?

Pre-match bets are placed before the event starts, with the odds fixed at that point. Live betting opens once play begins, with prices moving constantly in response to what happens on the pitch or court.

Can you cash out a live bet?

Yes. Cash Out lets you settle a bet before the event finishes, taking a return based on the current state of play rather than waiting for the final result.

Which sports can you bet on live?

Betway offers live betting across football, tennis, cricket, basketball, esports and more, with many of the biggest events also carrying live streaming.

How do live betting odds work?

Live odds are shown as fractions in the UK and change as the game does. A price like 5/1 can shorten to 4/1 after a goal, or drift out if the situation turns against your selection.

What are the most popular live betting markets?

Match odds, next goal and total goals lead the way in football, with next game and set betting the busiest in tennis and next wicket in cricket. Whatever the sport, the markets that move most are the ones tied to the next scoring event.

Is live betting legal in the UK?

Yes. Live betting is legal in Great Britain with operators licensed by the UK Gambling Commission, and you must be 18 or over to place a bet.