Understanding pre-match and online sports betting

If you’re new to online sports betting, you might be unfamiliar with terms like pre-match betting and live betting (also called in-play betting). What exactly do they mean, what are the differences between them, and which one is the best choice for you ? 

All good questions, all of which we have the answers to. Follow along with us as we break down these terms in a way that’s easy to understand, and let’s get you betting online with confidence!

What is pre-match betting?

There’s nothing complicated or hidden here. Pre-match betting is exactly what it sounds like – bets that are placed before a game or sports event takes place. Log onto your online sports betting site, take a look at the odds that the bookmakers have placed in advance, and lock in your bet based on those odds. Easy!

Here’s how it works:

·         You decide that you want to place a sports bet online.

·         You visit your online sports betting site to browse the upcoming events, and to see what bets and odds are available.

·         You choose the type of bet you want to place, such as choosing the team you think will win.

·         You place your bet before the match starts.

And that’s it! It’s important to remember that unless your bookmaker offers early cash-out options, you won’t be able to amend or cash out your bet, so you’ll need to be completely sure that the bet you place is correct. Check everything first, and once you’re ready, you can go ahead with your wager.

The pros of pre-match betting

Does pre-match betting come with any particular advantages? Let’s take a look.

·         You’ll have fixed odds – Once you’ve placed your bet, the odds are set and they won’t change, so you’ll always know exactly what your potential payout is.

·         You’ll have more time to research – There’s a lot that goes into choosing the right bet, and with pre-match betting you’ll have time to focus on it. Whether you want to analyse stats, team form, injuries or trends, you’ll be able to do the research you need before coming to a final betting decision.

·         You’ll have less pressure – Sports are already so adrenaline-fuelled, there’s no need to add extra stress into the mix. Betting before the game will take away the need to make split-second decisions, and take away any added pressure at the same time.

The cons of pre-match betting

While pre-match betting does sound like a good option (and it is), there are still a few considerations you’ll need to bear in mind before deciding if it’s the right choice for your particular bet.

·         You won’t be able to make any adjustments – Once you’ve placed your bet, that’s it. You won’t be able to make any changes to it as the game progresses. So if someone is injured or sent off, or the game takes an unexpected turn, your bet will still stand, regardless.

·         You’ll have limited betting options – Pre-match betting is typically used for outcomes such as win, loss, or draw, as well as a few other key markets, but that’s essentially it. If you’re looking for more variety or versatility, you might want to try the live betting options instead.

What is live betting?

Now that you’re familiar with pre-match betting, let’s move onto your other online sports betting option. Live betting (also known as in-play betting) is the form of betting used while a game is taking place live. This means that the odds will change in real time based on any events that occur while a game or match is in progress – so you’ll need to stay alert and focused if you want to keep on top of the betting options available.

Here’s how it works:

·         A sports match will start, and the betting market will stay open.

·         You’ll watch the match to see how events unfold in real time.

·         You’ll place your bets based on the events taking place, such as which player will be next to score a goal in a football match.

·         As a result of the betting being live, the odds will fluctuate constantly, meaning your potential payout could change based on the progress of the match.

It might sound complicated but you’ll get the hang of it in no time. What’s more, you’ll enjoy all the thrills of live betting too – keeping an eye on the match to see how it plays out, and placing your bets accordingly. If you’re lucky and your predictions and grasp of live sports are on point, you could soon be reaping the benefits!

The pros of live betting

Just as pre-match betting has its own set of benefits, live betting comes with certain advantages too. 

·         You’ll have more betting opportunities – Unlike pre-match betting where win, loss or draw bets are the most common, live betting allows you to bet on almost anything. Whether you want to bet on who’ll score next, how many corners there will be, or which player will receive a yellow card, the opportunities are almost endless.

·         You’ll be able to adjust your strategy – No need to rely on pre-game predictions as you would with pre-match betting. If you see the match going a certain way or a particular team dominating, you’ll be able to place your bets in real time and follow along with the action!

·         You’ll enjoy your betting more – Pre-match betting is hugely thrilling, but there’s just something about watching a match in real time and adjusting your betting as it plays out. There’s an extra level of excitement that can’t be beaten!

The cons of live betting

Of course, as exhilarating a live betting is, there are still a few points to consider before you start placing your bets, such as:

·         You’ll need to be quick with your decisions – If you’re someone who likes to take their time when making a decision, live betting might not be for you. The odds change quickly, so you’ll need to react quickly and decisively to stay in the game.

·         You’ll open yourself up to more risk – With the fast-paced nature of live betting, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement and place impulsive bets as a result. If you want to manage your finances effectively, you’ll need to keep a clear head and leave emotion out of your betting decisions.

·         Your odds could potentially be lower – While the odds in pre-match betting stay consistent throughout, the odds in live betting fluctuate according to the progress of the match. All of which means that if a certain team or individual is performing well, their odds may drop, meaning lower payouts for you. Which is a risk you take, and ultimately one you’ll need to come to terms with.

Which form of betting is right for you?

There’s no easy answer here, as you can imagine – it all depends on what type of sports bettor you are. If you’re new to online sports betting and prefer to take a calm, strategic approach, you’ll probably do better with pre-match betting. You’ll have the time you need to do your research, analyse the game and the players, and make informed choices without the pressure of real-time decisions.

If, however, you enjoy action-packed betting and the thrill of making decisions on the fly, then live betting is most likely the right choice for you. You’ll be able to react to the events of a game in real time as they take place, and take advantage of unexpected developments as a result.

What about combining both?

Great question, and this is actually the option that many experienced bettors use – a combination of pre-match and live betting, rather than one or the other. Here’s what that could look like as a practical example:

1.       You place a pre-match bet on a certain team to win.

2.       During the game, you notice that the opposing team is playing surprisingly well.

3.       You use live betting to hedge your bets by betting on the opponent, thereby balancing your risk.

Two forms of betting, one ultimate goal – to succeed!

Pre-match vs live betting – it’s up to you

As you can see, there are pros and cons to both pre-match and live betting, so it’s all about choosing the type of betting that fits best with you and your gambling personality. Whether you want to choose either one or a combination of both, remember to always keep a clear head and to protect your bankroll – because sound financial management is always the best way to stay in the game. Good luck!