By Betmaker Team
College football live betting, also known as in-game betting, has emerged as one of the most popular ways to wager on the sport. Gamblers that used to be stuck with bets that are obviously not going to work out can use live betting to turn losses into wins. There are a variety of factors that go into a gambler's decision to utilize live betting. Today we will examine the basics of live betting and the elements that draw bettors to it.
The Basics of Live Betting
Live betting offers the opportunity to wager on a game as it is in progress. Unlike the regular side and total odds that you see before a game, the live betting lines can be significantly different. And that is the entire point of betting during the game. Gamblers are continually checking the in-game odds for a vast price difference. In many cases, these gamblers use the opening line as a price reference to compare against the live betting lines. Ultimately, these bettors try to use the lines to get an overall price advantage by playing the opening line against the live betting odds.
Additionally, live betting is used as a reaction to events on the field. Now we are going to examine the different factors gamblers consider when looking at the live betting odds.
Reaction to a Strong or Bad Start
A tremendous example of a reason for live betting is an exceedingly good or bad start by a team. Let's say that the Alabama Crimson Tide are heavily favored in a game against a far lesser team but are tied or even trailing in the first quarter. The live betting line is going to be far different on Alabama than it was before the game.
Now before we get ahead of ourselves, keep in mind that the new in-game betting odds could be far higher on the Crimson Tide in anticipation of an Alabama comeback rally. That means that Alabama's latest live betting price may provide potentially worse value than the original pre-game odds.
Conversely, a big underdog that gets off to a great start will face live betting inspection too. Many gamblers will see such teams as having fired all of their bullets. In that case, live betting may increase against the underdog with the early lead against the powerhouse.
Regardless of which side of the equation that you choose, remember that oddsmakers know what the betting public is thinking. Thus, they will set live betting odds in anticipation of projected public demand. You will not outsmart the guys making the lines. But you can assess the value of the live betting odds they set.
Reaction to a Key Injury
When a key player is lost to injury during a game, live betting will get a significant spike in action. In the 2019 season, Alabama Crimson Tide superstar quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was injured in a game at Mississippi State. As soon as Tua went down, the live betting odds were out. Oddsmakers knew that the public would flock towards the Bulldogs and against the Crimson Tide. However, it didn't matter, as Mississippi State couldn't manage to score.
When Tua went down in the 2018 SEC Championship Game against Georgia, many gamblers licked their chops in anticipation of a Georgia rout. Instead, Jalen Hurts came off the bench to rally the Crimson Tide to one of their most remarkable program history wins. Once again, the masses were sucked in while the contrarian gamblers were paid.
Advantages and Pitfalls of Live Gambling
The advantages to live gambling are numerous. But the number one advantage of live betting is potential value. Live betting can offer a better price on a bet during the game than the pre-game odds.
The pitfalls to live betting are apparent too. A lot of gamblers can't control themselves and wager continuously throughout the game.
Live betting resembles the table game craps. There are bets within bets, and the action is fast. The money comes and goes at a rapid rate. Some gamblers can handle the opportunities that live betting offers. However, other gamblers blow their bankrolls before the game even ends. College Football Saturday, which features a laundry list of games, feeds into this.
