Engaging the modern fan: The allure of live betting and live stream sports

Modern technology has revolutionised how fans consume sports and interact with their favourite teams. Before live-streaming services, fans had to go to a stadium or watch sports on TV. Now, they can watch any sport they want, anywhere, as it happens. But that's not all. To enhance this experience, some live-streaming platforms also allow live betting. Stake Sportsbook is the ultimate destination for all things sports betting, with a huge variety of betting markets available for keen sports bettors. Not only that, but Stake.com offers free live streams of all major sporting events, such as the Premier League, Wimbledon, UFC events, boxing, basketball, and many more. Watching your favourite sports live whilst placing live bets is the best way to get behind teams and players as the action unfolds and supplement your pre-match wagers. In this guide, we will discuss in detail the allure of live betting while watching a live stream of a sporting event.

What is live betting?

Live betting, also known as in-play betting, is a way of placing bets on a sporting event while it's in progress. It can be done through various online channels, including online sportsbooks and mobile apps. It gained popularity mainly due to these factors:

Convenience: Live betting is a convenient option for busy fans, as it can be done anywhere. Moreover, if you've missed the pre-game wager, it can allow you to place your bets mid-game.
Potential to win more money: Another advantage of live betting is the opportunity to win more. Usually, the odds can fluctuate based on how the game progresses. When you make smart in-play bets, you get a chance to win bigger.
Excitement: Games are unpredictable, and this makes live betting exciting in and of itself. As mentioned, the momentum during the game may vary, and bettors can capitalise on these changes.
Early payouts: Live betting offers the chance to get early payouts on your winning wagers. Moreover, you can still place more bets on the same game.

Indeed, live betting has its merits, but there are risks. With changing odds and early payouts, it's easy to get addicted. Because it is fast-paced, there is less time to analyse and research, often leading to impulsive bets. That said, live betting can be enjoyable and exciting when done responsibly and with proper knowledge.

How to watch a live stream at Stake.com

Stake.com offers the opportunity to place bets while watching a live stream. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to watch a live stream on the platform: Step 1: Visit Stake.com and create an account. Step 2: Click the 'Sports' tab, and then click the 'Live Events' tab. This tab contains all the live events. The live fixtures will be listed alongside the current scores and the live betting odds. Step 3: Click on the event you want to watch. Next, click the 'Live Stream' toggle button, which you will find in the upper-right corner of the screen tab. Step 4: You can now enjoy the live stream and make your bets.

Benefits of live betting to supplement pre-match bets

Live betting is an excellent way to supplement pre-match bets or get into the action if you missed the chance of making pre-match bets. Some of the top benefits of playing live bets are the following:

1. Hedge your bets

If you have placed pre-game bets on a losing team or player, you can hedge that bet to reduce your potential losses through in-play bets. For example, if you've placed USD$100 on team A and they're two goals down, you can place in-play bets on different options, such as predicting the final score of the game or which team will score the next goal. In some cases, the odds of the in-play odds could be higher than the pre-game odds. Not only does this help you reduce your losses, but you can also make a profit even if the original bet loses.

2. Take advantage of changing odds

Live betting is a very volatile market, unlike the pre-game market, where the odds are usually constant. Once the game starts, the odds can fluctuate. These changes can result in increased odds, offering the potential for higher payouts. For example, if a team concedes an early goal, their chance of winning drops, which means the odds will increase. As such, you can choose to take a risk by betting on them to make a comeback and win the game. While it's a riskier bet, it guarantees a higher payout if the team wins. Alternatively, you can place a bet on the team that has scored first. Usually, the odds will decrease, but they also carry a lesser risk. Betting on the team that has taken the lead is often considered a safer option, and you stand a chance of winning.

3. Bet on specific events

In-play betting has many unique markets and events. You can find events like the next play, quarter/period spread, or game spread. These markets give you strategic betting flexibility since you can focus on specific where you feel you have an advantage. With live betting, you don't have to wait for the entire game to finish to get your payout. For example, if you place a bet on a team to score the next goal and they do so within five minutes, you will instantly receive your payout. You can use the funds to place additional bets, including on other aspects of the game, like the final result.

4. More information at hand

Pre-match bets are placed based on the information and analysis before the game starts. However, these analyses are merely predictions. With live betting, you're equipped with real-time updates that can help you make more informed wagers. For instance, in a football game, you can see real-time updates and stats—such as possession, shots on goals, attacks, passes, cards, and goal attempts—to help you determine which team is likely to win. These stats are not available for a pre-match bet, reducing your chance of winning.

5. Enhanced strategy

Combining in-game and pre-game bets can help spread the risk and enhance your betting strategy. You can place a pre-game bet on a team to win the game. Yet, if it appears that the opposing team is gaining momentum as the game progresses, you have the option to place a live bet predicting that this team will concede the first goal or point.

Types of betting markets

There is a wide variety of betting markets. The markets have different odds based on how risky they are. Usually, a risky market, such as a correct score, will have higher odds than straight wins. Additionally, the markets can vary depending on the sport. Team sports have different markets from individual sports.

Betting markets come in different forms depending on the sports and the possible outcomes. Some of the top options are the following:

Moneyline: This is the most common type of sports bet. It's a straightforward bet where you predict the outcome of a game.
Point spread: This is a more specific bet where you place bets on the margin of victory instead of the straight outcome. For example, if Team A is favoured by âˆ’3.5 points over Team B, Team A must win by 4 points or more for a bet on them to win. If Team B loses by 3 points or fewer (or wins the game), a bet on them would win.
Over/Under (Totals): Here, you bet if the total number of points or goals scored by each or both teams will be higher or lower than a certain number. For example, if the total is set at 2.5, then over 2.5 would mean that there must be 3 or more goals for the bet to win.
Proposition bets: Proposition bets are wagers on special occurrences in the game that may not necessarily be related to the potential outcome of the game. Examples include betting on the total number of yellow cards issued, identifying the first player to score, predicting the total number of corner kicks, determining when the first substitution will take place, and guessing the number of penalties awarded.
Futures: This bet is a wager on future events, such as which team will win the World Cup or which team will secure the championship in the next season.
Accumulators: This is a single bet that combines two or more wagers and has higher payouts compared to placing each bet separately. All the predictions must be correct for the accumulator bet to result in a payout.

Different bookmakers offer a variety of other betting markets that are specific to them. It's always important to check these options and assess their viability and the risk you're willing to take before placing your bet.

Popular sports to bet on

Live streaming has revolutionised sports betting, giving bettors a real-time, immersive experience across a wide range of sports for in-play betting. Punters can now actively participate and make smart bets as the action unveils. Here are some of the top sports they love to wager on:

Football: This is arguably the most followed sport in the world and the most popular sport to bet on. With several leagues and tournaments in different countries, football can be termed a 'gambler's haven.' The betting options include a variety of choices, such as predicting match outcomes and precise scores, betting on the total number of goals scored, and many more.
Basketball: It includes leagues and tournaments, such as the NBA, NCAA, and other international leagues. The markets include point spreads, money lines, and other player-specific prop bets.
Tennis: The common bets in tennis include match winners, set scores, and the total number of games in a match.
Boxing: The betting markets in boxing, UFC, and MMA include fight winners, methods of victory, and round-specific bets.
American Football: The popular markets in this sport include over/under bets, point spreads, and prop bets related to individual players.

Hockey, baseball, motorsports, and horse racing are also popular among bettors. Each bet is a risky investment; therefore, ensure you have a comprehensive understanding of both the sport in question and the various betting markets it offers before placing a bet.

Popular live betting options

There are several in-play betting options worth trying, including the following: Winner: This is a live betting option that predicts the outright winner of the game. Total: This is a bet on whether the total number of goals or points scored in that match will be above or below a certain number. It's a good bet for a match in which you're unsure who will win but can predict whether the score will be high or low. Handicap: This involves adjusting the starting points or goals to level the playing field between a favourite team and an underdog. For instance, if you give a +1.5 handicap to a team, they start with a 1.5 goal advantage. If you bet on this team, they can afford to lose by 1 goal, and you would still win the bet. This adds an extra layer of strategy to your betting. Correct score: The correct score wager in a live bet is where you predict the final score of the game. It's very difficult to win, but it usually has some of the highest odds, especially when placed early in the game.

There are various options to choose from, depending on your strategy and preferences. Whether you want to predict the winner, estimate the total score, use handicaps to level the playing field, or take a chance on predicting the correct score for higher odds, live betting ensures that you'll never be bored while the game is in progress.

Conclusion

The opportunity to place live bets while enjoying a live stream of a game is a new and exciting way for fans to engage in their favourite sports. With just an internet connection and a computer, sports bettors can follow any sporting event from anywhere in the world. They can follow all the action as they happen and stay informed before placing a live bet.