The betting sphere is fast-paced, to say the very least. This leads to an ongoing debate about live betting and pre-match betting. Each has its advantages and challenges, which is why you should understand both to make a better, more informed choice.
So, is live betting better than pre-match betting or vice versa? Is it better to do research and place wagers pre-match or while the match is in progress? Let’s explore each type and find out which best suits your style.
What is Pre-Match Betting?
Pre match betting is one of the oldest, most straightforward forms of betting – and a very popular option today, too. In this case, the wagers are placed before the event takes place. This approach allows bettors quite a lot of time to research, strategize, and make their choice – which needs to be final and cannot be changed after the bet is placed.
In pre-match betting, the odds are set before the event. This means that bettors can place wagers without having to worry about the odds changing due to real-time factors like injuries or other changes on the field. Such stability is advantageous for players who prefer a more measured approach to betting.
The match betting done before the game begins is pretty straightforward since it allows bettors to:
- Review available stats and compare odds across different bookmakers
- Analyze the team and its dynamics
- Analyze players and their performance
Once the event starts, the wager remains locked.
Because of the nature of pre-match betting, this is a preferred option among many football, tennis, and horse racing bettors. Why is that, you wonder? Well, in sports like these, the pre-event data is pretty available and stable and can be easily analyzed to place bets.
The match betting market offers a variety of bet types that are exclusive to pre-match situations. If you want to place the following bets, then you need pre-match instead of live betting:
- Accumulator bets – where you place bets on multiple matches to boost your potential return
- Handicap bets – where you wager with a point or goal adjustment, giving one team an advantage or disadvantage
Live Betting Meaning and Explanation
Otherwise known as in-play betting, live betting allows you to place wagers during the game and adjust your best as the events unfold – all in real-time. This is very similar to casino gambling, where you can change your bet range on a slot, or decide whether to fold in poker based on what you have in hand. It offers a certain thrill and is quite adrenaline-boosting, which is why many players use the bonus codes at gamblizard.ca to play at top-ranked casinos in real-time – and take action as the game progresses.
Here is live betting, explained.
What’s a live bet, really? In live betting, you can place the wagers as the game is happening in front of your eyes. You can watch the game live or follow the numbers. Unlike pre-match betting, in-play betting comes with highly fluctuating odds. They simply change as the game progresses, influenced by factors like the current score, the players’ performances, injuries, and other factors. In many ways, this is a much faster-paced betting experience.
After an event starts, if the sportsbook allows for it, players monitor the game and place their wagers based not only on data about the teams or the players but also on current conditions. This allows them to capitalize on shifts in momentum, changes in weather, player injuries, and much, much more.
Live betting is popular in sports like basketball, football, tennis, and eSports. In these games, outcomes can change rapidly due to the game dynamics.
Now, let’s take a look at some bet types that are exclusive to live betting and not available in pre-match wagering:
- Next goal scorer – where you bet on which team will score the next goal (in the case of pre-match, you might be able to choose who will score first, but not second, third, etc.)
- Minute-by-minute bets – betting on outcomes with a specific timeframe such as ‘which team will score in the next five minutes’
- Injury-related bets – where you place wagers on the game’s outcomes following unexpected ejections or injuries that occur mid-game
Live Betting vs. Pre-Match Betting
Below is a comparative table where you can learn all about the key advantages and disadvantages of live and pre-match betting.
| Pre-match betting | Live betting | ||
| Advantages | Disadvantages | Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Time for research – more opportunities to analyze stats, form, and teams | Limited flexibility – when the match starts, you cannot change your bet | Real-time reactions – a chance to bet based on how the game progresses (use data such as team momentum, weather changes, key injuries) | Requires quicker decision-making under more pressure |
| More stable odds, since they are locked in once you place a bet | No option to adjust your strategy based on the game’s progress | Changing odds – dynamic odds that will change throughout the event, which opens up an opportunity for value betting | The odds can change rather fast, which can be confusing and challenging for inexperienced bettors |
| Less pressure, since there aren’t any time constraints, so you don’t need to make a decision fast | Potential for missed opportunities: your pre-match analysis might not apply any longer if conditions change (for example: Unexpected injuries) | More betting markets, including next goal, next corner, and even minute-by-minute betting | The excitement of watching the game live or placing bets fast may lead to emotional rather than calculated decisions |
| Ability to plan on multiple matches/tournaments over time and make long-term strategies | Boost of excitement as you can place wagers while the game is in progress | The fast pace can lead to over-betting or chasing losses | |
Key Differences Between Live and Pre-Match Betting
If you are still unsure about what to choose, let’s consider the differences between live and pre-match betting:
Timing. In pre-match bets, you place your wagers before the event happens. In live bets, you wait until the match starts and place wagers while it is played and before it ends.
Odds stability. In pre-match betting, the odds are fixed upon bet placement. They won’t change. With live bets, the odds fluctuate all the time based on the game’s developments.
Decision-making. Pre-match betting is more of a strategic approach since you have to anticipate the game’s progress or outcome ahead of time. In live betting, you need to be fast and adaptable. This method requires quick decision-making and adaptability.
Markets. There are now many different betting markets available for both types of betting. However, live betting typically comes with a wider range of options, such as next corner, next goal, etc. You won’t find these in pre-match betting (except for some bets such as ‘first to score’ or ‘last to score’).
Which Type of Betting is Better for Different Types of Bettors?
Choosing between pre-match betting and live betting most often depends on your personal betting style – as well as your experience. If you are more of a casual bettor or have limited experience in this form of gambling, you might want to start with pre-match betting. It gives you more time to consider your options and is more stable because it lacks the time pressure that comes with live betting.
Conversely, if you are a passionate bettor who enjoys the thrill and adrenaline boost of betting live, you should definitely try the latter option. Live betting has a fast-paced, reactive nature, making it perfect for experienced bettors or those who want to add some ‘spice’ to the activity.
Both types of betting will appeal to distinct types of bettors, as explained below:
| Casual bettors | If you prefer to relax and enjoy watching a game without the pressure to make rapid decisions, pre-match betting will offer you a more stable environment. |
| Seasoned bettors | More experienced bettors who understand the intricacies of the game might find live betting to be more exciting. If you have a deep understanding of the game’s dynamics, you can capitalize on rapid odds changes. |
| Risk-averse bettors | If you are a person who prefers consistency in betting or in general, you’ll find pre-match betting to be more suitable. This type offers a more predictable environment. |
| Thrill seekers | Are you someone who enjoys adrenaline-filled experiences? Do you react quickly to changes? If this is the case, you will most likely gravitate toward live betting. |
When to Use Pre-Match Betting vs. Live Betting
Knowing when you should apply each method is very important if you want to maximize your winnings and boost your experience. Let’s say that you have access to a lot of data. In this case, pre-match betting is ideal for you since you can make well-informed predictions.
If you have limited data, on the other hand, or find the data you have to be insufficient to make a prediction, live betting is a great option in this case.
Of course, in the end, it all comes down to preference. The best advice we can give you is to test both options at least once and decide which one you prefer. Many players these days, especially seasoned players, do both. Just under half of all Americans have placed at least one bet in the past year, 46% to be exact. They place wagers pre-match in some cases and play live in others.
Conclusion
Ultimately, whether live or pre-match betting is better depends on your preferences, goals – and the situation you are in. Hopefully, this post showed you the strengths and weaknesses of both, as well as how they are different. With this data in hand, you can decide what you prefer. Or, of course – you can do both!
