What is Live Sports Betting?
Live sports betting is the ability to place bets once a game has already started. It's a relatively recent development in the history of the gambling industry. Traditionally, all your bets had to be placed before kickoff.
Like many industries, betting has been revolutionized by digital technology. The ability to change odds and lines – and display new ones – instantly meant books could continue taking bets once the big game was under way. Bettors have quickly latched on to the opportunity to keep betting as the action unfolds.
It is now hard to imagine how recently you had to place every wager before kickoff. FanDuel Vermont reported that it took up to 50,000 bets per minute through its online platforms during the 2023 Super Bowl.
Difference Between Live Betting vs. Live Streaming & In-Play Betting
The terms “live betting” and “in-play betting” tend to be used interchangeably in the online gambling industry. Live betting sites Vermont bettors can visit use the terms to describe any wager placed once a sport event has begun. You may argue that “live” refers to any wager placed once a game gets under way, while “in-play” specifically means a wager made while the teams are in action, as opposed to between plays.
Live streaming, however, refers to the ability to watch a game live. Many operators now deliver live video streams as part of their coverage. They may also use live data feeds to create animated visualizations of the arena so that you can follow the action with a clear idea of who is doing what.
What is Live Tracking in Sports Betting?
One of the features that enhances the excitement of live betting is a visually appealing live tracker. If there is no live video stream, you can still get a clear impression of what is happening through a visualization of the action.
During a tennis match, for instance, an operator might present an image of a tennis court, with icons to represent the players and the score constantly on show. As each point is played, you can follow the progress of the game – and use that to predict what happens next.
How Does Live Betting Work?
The process of placing a live bet is exactly the same as placing a pregame wager. You weigh up the odds, decide your selection, decide on your stake and make your play. The difference is that the sportsbook will adjust the odds constantly depending on the progress of the contest.
You may have to react quickly to get the price you want before the odds change again in response to the flow of the game. That makes it important to make quick, informed decisions and to use an operator with a responsive user interface.
How are Live Odds Calculated?
All odds displayed on a sports betting website or app were traditionally the work of expert compilers at each operator. They now have powerful algorithms that can move the live markets whenever a team makes a score. Rather than having people race to update every price, these algorithms can adjust the odds at hyper speed whenever the score changes, so that you can keep betting.
Hedging Live Bets
Live betting on sport offers ample opportunities to hedge your bets. Hedging, to put it simply, involves placing a second bet on a game to ensure that you cannot lose. Your payout may be limited (you’ve now staked twice, after all), but it’s a good way to protect your position.
Let’s say you place a moneyline bet on the Boston Celtics to win their next game at +120 odds. As the game unfolds, the Celtics go out in front, with the result that the odds on the opposite team go out to +130. If you now bet on their opponent, whichever side wins the game will net you a return.
What Are In-Game Statistics?
Many bettors love statistics and use them intensively to help predict the outcome of a game. If an operator provides in-play statistics, it can help you spot trends.
During the first set of a tennis match, for instance, you might find a first-serve percentage that shows you how well a player is performing. That can inform your bet on the market relating to the next set.
What Are In-Play Props?
Proposition bets allow you to wager on an outcome that may not have any effect on the overall result of a game. The best Vermont sportsbooks for live betting will provide a host of ways to bet on such a market.
For instance, if you enjoy live football betting you can bet on the outcome of the next drive. Tennis fans can speculate on the winner of the next game. The list of in-play props available should be substantial enough for anyone who enjoys live sports betting VT.
Recommended Sports for Live Betting
Many sports are ideal for live betting. There are breaks in play that allow you to put some thought into what might happen next. I believe all major American sports fit perfectly into this category, hence the popularity of live wagering at the in-play betting sites VT patrons can visit.
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Football Football could have been invented for people to bet live on. It is broken into four quarters with timeouts, and there are usually several seconds between intense action. There is time to consult the latest betting lines and to see how your point spreads are doing. For example, if the Pats are trailing at the half, but you still believe they will win, you should find good moneyline odds. -
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Basketball Basketball is a fast-moving and high-scoring sport, but there are still opportunities to see how in-play markets are looking. You may, for example, have watched the Celtics play a low-scoring first half and believe there will be more points in the second. There may be some real value there on the total money line. If you think a player will go big late in the game, check out the totals bets relating to his performance, too. -
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Baseball Baseball is another sport that could have been invented for live betting. Games are made up of moments of action punctuated by pauses which give you time to place your next a bet. You can bet on the Red Sox to be leading after five innings. You can then wait to see what the score is, predict how the remainder of the game is going to play out, and place another bet. -
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Hockey There are plenty of ways to bet on NHL in Vermont in-play. You may have bet on the Bruins to cover the puck line, but after two periods the goalie is injured. Chances are that more goals will be scored in the final period. Check out the updated totals market, and you may be able to grab some competitive odds.
What Makes a Great Real-Time Betting Site in VT?
When you are trying to find the best Vermont sportsbooks for live betting, there are several factors you can take into account. Here's what I look at when comparing live betting sites in Vermont:
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Live Odds You may find that the odds about a particular bet are different at various sites. Some operators may offer more value on certain sports. Others may work with a bigger margin – and thus less competitive odds – than they do on pre-game markets. With experience, you will find where the best odds are to be found. -
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Increased Odds Vermont odds boosts tend not to be applied to in-play lines. The action moves too fast for the oddsmakers and algorithms to keep up and ensure there is an extra piece of value being offered. However, if you take advantage of an odds boost on a pre-game market, it may put you in a better position to hedge during a match. -
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Unique Markets You may find an operator that offers a particular style of in-play bet which is unavailable elsewhere. This is most likely on proposition bets, where the possibilities range far and wide. Check the markets that are on offer on a certain match, then look elsewhere to see if any other operator is running such a prop. -
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Easy to Navigate A great user interface can make all the difference when you are in a race to place an in-play bet. Key to this is navigation. The website or app you are using should be so well designed that you can easily find the sport, league, or game you want to bet on, and can travel there at the touch of a button. -
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Live Betting Promotions Bonus bets generated by your welcome offer or other promos may be used to enjoy live betting. There could also be Vermont sports betting promotions that are applied specifically to in-play bets. Some operators even offer you a bonus bet if you place a certain number of live bets during a set time. -
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Fast Speed Speed is at the heart of the live betting experience. The excitement of watching sports games, added to the thrill of placing bets on the action, ensure that you want to get your money on as swiftly as possible. Look for a book that enables you to do that – and one that updates its odds at top speed rather than freezing the market for several seconds each time the odds move.
What to Expect from FanDuel Live Betting
An operator that has always been on the cutting edge of live betting, FanDuel Vermont will offer a wide variety matchups to choose from. There will also be a host of supporting features including a generous suite of live streaming options, live tracking, and in-game stats to help you analyze the action as it happens.
What to Expect from DraftKings Live Betting
The live betting offering by DraftKings Vermont is superb, with ever-increasing volumes of live streaming options. In-play odds are updated impressively fast, as is the tracker. There are substantial pregame statistics to help you make your betting decision, but the in-game stat provision is lacking.
What to Expect from Fanatics Live Betting
Packed with hundreds of in-play betting options, Fanatics Vermont Sportsbook sees its lines move quickly as the action unfolds alongside real-time score updates. It also features live streaming on select events.
Pros & Cons of Live Betting on Sports in Vermont
Tips for Real-Time Betting in Vermont
I can almost guarantee every licensed operator will offer in-play betting Vermont players can enjoy. If you want to get the most out of your live betting experience, I suggest following these tips:
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Find a Seamless Experience This is my most important consideration when live betting. The quality of the user interface will dictate your experience. Find an operator that makes it easy to navigate, possibly by personalizing your home page. You should be able to move from screen to screen instantly. When you make a selection, the platform should take no time at all to accept your bet. -
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Have Multiple Accounts I suggest having accounts at all sports betting sites that go live in Vermont. This will enable you to work out which has the best live betting interface, which offers the most competitive odds, and which allows you to place the types of live bets you enjoy most. -
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Have a Feel for the Game Stick with the sports you know best. If you are a big basketball fan, for instance, you may struggle to win if you place an in-play bet on a darts match. As you become a more experienced bettor, you may be confident enough to extend your reach. -
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Stay in Control Live betting is exciting. Placing a bet during a game can be a genuine rush. Unfortunately, that heightens the risk of irresponsible gambling. Even in the heat of the moment, ensure you are betting responsibly at all times. If you are worried that you are losing control at any point, every sportsbook should carry extensive advice on setting limits on yourself.
Make a Live Bet on Sports in Vermont
You should feel confident enough to visit the best sportsbooks for live betting in Vermont. Expect a vast array of live betting options on a range of sports, as well as enhancements such as streaming, tracking, and in-game stats that will help you to make the most of your visit.
Make sure you understand what is involved—whether you want to bet on the moneyline, totals, parlays or props. Live betting has been a fantastic innovation for the sports betting industry in recent years, and it should bring plenty of entertainment and enjoyment to Vermont bettors in the years to come.
Live Betting in Vermont FAQs
Author
Award-winning contributor with decades of covering sports betting and casino gaming around the world, Martin Booth is one of the most trusted voices in online gambling. From Vermont legislative updates to reviews of the best VT sports betting apps, Booth covers the full range of topics for BetVermont.com.
