If your favorite team starts floundering in the first quarter, it’s natural to feel disheartened – but if you believe they could make a comeback, all is not lost. In fact, you can back your belief with a very real bet midgame – but how exactly does in-game betting work and how can you make it work for you?
The Basics of In-Game Bets
Historically, most sports bets have been placed and accounted for before the game or match begins. But these days, it’s much easier for people to communicate and execute transactions in real-time, thanks to modern technology. Accordingly, we’ve seen increased availability and interest in in-game betting.
In-game betting functions in an intuitive way. After the game has begun, you may be able to update your existing bets or place new bets according to the new information you’ve gathered or in alignment with some upcoming portion of the game.
There are several different types of bets that can be placed in the middle of a game, including traditional moneyline bets, bets associated with specific time periods (like the quarter or the half), and unique prop bets in which you’ll bet on a specific thing happening or not happening during the game.
Because modern apps allow you to place bets quickly and efficiently, you can place a new bet at a moment’s notice. At the end of the game, or potentially after a specific event during the game, you’ll win or lose the money.
Strategies for Better In-Game Bets
If you want to start placing better in-game bets, these are some of the best strategies to help you:
- Use the right app. Choose a sports betting app that’s designed to be as intuitive and streamlined as possible. You’ll also want to verify that this app has in-game betting and odds updated in real time. Some apps offer even more in-depth features, like Sporttrade, which allows you to buy and sell betting contracts, place limit orders, and more. With the right app, you’ll have a much smoother betting experience overall.
- Know what you’re betting on. Before finalizing any bet, verify that you know what you’re betting on. Make sure you understand the exact parameters of this bet, what the potential payoff is, and how much you could lose if things don’t go your way. In the middle of a game, it’s easy to get lost or make an impulsive decision.
- Try to separate your emotions. Speaking of impulsive decisions, many people practice in-game betting emotionally, responding to whatever is happening on the screen and immediately updating their bets. This is usually a bad idea, since most of us make poor decisions when we’re feeling heightened emotions. Make sure you’re making rational, thoughtful decisions when placing bets, or consider avoiding betting entirely if you’re too emotionally invested in the outcome of this particular game.
- Set a limit for yourself. As with all forms of gambling, it’s important to set a limit for yourself. It’s easy to lose track of how much you’ve spent if you’re placing multiple in-game bets in a short period of time. Always be cautious not to gamble more than you can afford to lose.
- Update your assessments in real time. One of the greatest advantages of in-game betting is that you can update your positions based on the new information that you acquire. If you notice that a team member is overperforming or underperforming, you can adjust your positions accordingly. Try to absorb as much information as possible during the game so you can be more effective in your new bets.
- Keep practicing. The more experience you have with in-game betting, the better you’re going to get. Don’t be discouraged if your first few bets result in a loss; most newcomers initially struggle to find their stride.
Are In-Game Bets Necessary?
There are many advantages of in-game betting that you should know about. For starters, you’ll have access to a much wider range of betting opportunities; because you can place bets and change your bets frequently throughout a match, you’ll have more options for how to manage your bankroll.
Additionally, you won’t have to suffer a total loss if something unexpected happens in the middle of a game. On top of that, many people find that in-game betting enhances their enjoyment of the game, since they can interact with the match in real-time.
Still, in-game bets aren’t necessary, nor are they the definitive “best” way to practice sports betting. If you have a different sports betting strategy, or you just don’t like the idea of betting in the middle of a game, this option may not be for you. There are plenty of other ways to get involved in the sports betting world.