Live betting
Betting on a game after it has started, with odds that update as goals, penalties and the clock change the situation.
Live betting, or in-play betting, keeps markets open once the puck drops. Prices change after every goal, penalty and period, and the sportsbook suspends markets for a few seconds whenever something big happens. Most books add a short acceptance delay to live bets so a price cannot be taken after the event has already moved it.
Worked example
Before the game, Toronto is -140 on the moneyline, an implied 58.3%. Toronto trails 1-0 after the first period and the live price drifts to +125, an implied 44.4%.
- $40 on Toronto at +125 pays $50 profit if they come back and win, overtime included under standard rules.
- The same $40 placed before the game at -140 would have paid $28.57.
Live markets cover period winners, next goal, live totals and live puck lines too.
Things to know
- Live margins are often wider than pre-game, so the vig costs more.
- Streams and TV broadcasts run behind the real action, sometimes by many seconds. The book's data feed is usually faster than your screen.
- Bets on a changed price can be rejected or re-offered. Read the new price before confirming.
- Fast markets and small stakes add up. Set a deposit limit before a long night of games.