In Running Betting Basics

In Running and Live Betting Guide

In this section we look at in running betting on specific sports .

All of the following areas are covered in this guide.

• How Do I Bet In Running?
• Which Bookmakers Offer In-Running Betting?
• What In Running Markets Can I Bet On?
• Why Do The In-Running Odds Change?
• Why Is An In Running Event Suspended?
• TV Streaming In Running
• In Running Statistics
• How Do I Cash Out In Running?
• Betting Exchanges In Running
• What Not To Do In Running
• Ante-Post In-Running Betting
• Unmatched bets

How Do I Bet In Running

On most bookmaker apps and websites you will see a live or in play tab. It is normally at the top of the screen. 

Once you click that tab all the current in running events will be listed, along with the live odds.

You will normally on each individual event have a choice of in-play markets, generally the bigger the event the more in-play markets available. 

Also, the bigger the bookmaker the more choice of events and markets will be on offer. 

Navigate to the event you are interested in and you will see the odds updated as the match or race progresses. 

There should also be a clock and up to date score on the in-play screen allowing you to understand the current state of play on the event. 

The event may be available via the bookmaker streaming service or there could be graphic showing the action. 

Click the odds of the bet you are interested in and the bet slip will open in front of you, be aware that because it's live the odds will be fast-changing, and if you want the price on offer you will need to place the bet swiftly. 

There will be a small delay when placing your bets with the bookmakers checking that the odds have not changed, this can be up to 10 seconds.

If the odds do change mid bet you're normally asked if you want to accept the new odds. 

Some bookmakers offer one-click betting which makes bet placement quicker.

You can bet in play via your mobile, PC or Mac. 

What are the Key Features Of In Running Betting

• Live Streaming
• Quick Cash Out
• 1 Click Betting
• Statistics
• The ability to bet quickly

Which Bookmakers Offer In-Running Betting

The majority of featured bookmakers on OLBG offer in-running betting. 

Where they differ is the number of events available in play, the generosity of their prices, and how quickly they update their in-play odds. 

Due to the huge growth of in-play betting when on the bookmaker's websites or app, the in-play tab will be front and center, the bookies do not want you to miss an opportunity! 

What Sports Can I Bet on In Running

If the bookmaker prices up an event then in many cases they can also offer this event in running. 

Bookmakers generally have between 25 and 50 sports on their index. 

The most popular sports in running are:

• Football
• Tennis
• Basketball
• Snooker
• Rugby
• Cricket
• Golf
• E sports
• Horse Racing 

You can see above both fast-changing sports such as football where prices change quickly, and also sports where you have longer to make your in-play decision, with Cricket and Golf being good examples. 

The best bookmakers publish a calendar of sporting events and times that are going in-play on that specific day. 

During a very quiet Monday in April 2020 at 8.00 am in the morning there were 500 events going in play that day, that was just with one bookmaker, so you can see you will have plenty of in-play choices! 

What in-running markets can I bet on?

With more bookmakers that offer in-play betting becoming available,  the choice is endless, if you add in the amount of in running sports then daily should be plenty of in-running opportunities. 

Football is the most popular in running sport to bet on and the following footy betting markets see the most in play action

• Full Time Result
• HT/FT
• DNB
• Over Under
• Corners
• BTTS
• FGS/AGS/NGS
• Red/Yellow Cards

Betting on whether there will be a card in a match when available for in-running betting can be quite easy to spot. If you are watching a game, you can see tempers rising, harsher tackles going on and will be able to bet on the number of cards to be shown

OLBG Blogger bobslay has a full guide to betting on yellow and red cards in football and many of the principles can be applied to in-running betting too.

The World Cup also provided some ideas on how to look for betting opportunities in international football.

Why Do The In-Running Odds Change

In-Play odds change for a myriad of reasons, they also vary from sport to sport. 

Football:

• A goal has been scored
• A penalty has been awarded
• A player has been sent off or injured
• The star player has been sent off.
• One team is in the ascendency
• A corner or free kick is being taken
• All substitutes have been used

Horse Racing:

• A front runner is well clear of the field
• The horse is going well/badly
• The favourite is going well/badly
• A horse/s have fallen
• A horse is out the back of the field
• The commentator is confident/negative of a selection. 

You need to weigh up the new odds on offer now that the race or match has gone in play. 

Betting odds will change in-running when a significant event within the game, match, race or contest happens

Why is an in-running event suspended

In-Play betting can be suspended at any time with the bookmakers aware of an event that could or is having an effect on the odds, such as goal being scored, penalty awarded, or player sent off. 

In-Play Betting Via TV or Streaming 

When an event is covered on television there is more in play-action, it makes sense that if watching an event you and other bettors will have a better understanding of what is happening in-play.

The bookies know this and prices will be more changeable on televised events and will change more quickly with more in-play bets being wagered. 

You can watch the action and decide which in-running bet to place based on the “live” pictures. 

Streaming services from the bookmakers have improved greatly in recent years, with many more sports now available to view if you have placed a bet. The better bookies also stream events in HD.

As an example of this coverage Betfair state that they stream over 1000 football matches a week. 

You need to be aware that with most sports there is a delay on the television and streaming pictures compared to being at the event, and “live” pictures are not truly live. 

Court-Siding in-running betting on Tennis

A BBC documentary on gambling highlighted this delay where the presenter was “fed” information directly from a tennis match and he placed bets knowing which player had won the point ahead of the bookmaker changing the odds. In tennis this is known as courtsiding: 

In Running Statistics

Most bettors are now guided by some form of statistical analysis. 

Many of the best bookies have helpful in-running stats on a match or race that you can refer to. 

These can include dynamic graphs and charts on an event. 

How Do I Cash Out In Running

Because the event you are involved in has gone in play, you have the opportunity to both place a bet, cash out bet, or partially cash out a bet.  We have a brilliant article on https://www.olbg.com/bookmakers/articles/what-is-cash-out cash out which guides all readers to the best in play practices and the best bookmakers for cashing out. 

Example:

Arsenal £10 @  3.0 

Arsenal score after 10 minutes, your bookmaker immediately offers you a cash out figure of £17. Obviously less than you would win if Arsenal ultimately won the game, but you now do not need to worry about the 90 minute result. 

Cash out in Running on Horse racing

Whilst you can cash out whilst a race is in progress [sometimes] on horse racing, it is more common to consider in-running cashing out on horse racing as doing so between races once some of the results within a multiple bet are already known.

The example below shows how that can work with a couple of winners on an inexpensive bet offering a huge return in cashing out early, in the knowledge that a loser in this bet will return nothing at all - 

What would you do?

The punter has the choice of cashing out £249 right now, a profit of £247, or risking it all in the event of one loser in the 6 runners. - Of course, we also have to take into consideration that in this case there is possible close to half a million pounds to be potentially won!

This Cash Out Betting Uncovered blog gives you all the elements on cashing out your bet. 

In Running On Betting Exchanges 

Betfair the major betting exchange was the first to offer in-running betting on sporting events. 

Now other exchanges Betdaq, Smarkets and Matchbook all offer an in-running service for their customers. 

To check out all the exchanges and any welcome offers please visit our full list of betting exchange sites. 

Sports trading has grown since Betfair launched in 2000 and many exchange customers are just looking to secure a profit before an event has finished. 

The difference between in running on the exchanges and the bookmakers is the ability to lay (bet against a selection). You cannot lay bets with a bookmaker. 

You could for example back a selection with a bookmaker and then lay that selection when the price has moved in play with an exchange, thus guaranteeing not to lose whatever the outcome.

E.G

1. Arsenal score after 10 minutes.
2. Back Manchester United in play with £10 at 5.5 with Bet 365.
3. Manchester United score twice within 10 minutes to take the lead. 
4. In Play Lay (bet against) Manchester United with £10 at 1.65 on an exchange. 
5. Your initial £10 bet is now risk free, you lose nothing whatever the outcome. 
6. Manchester United win your profit is £38.50
7. Manchester United do not win; your loss is 0 (zero). 

The above scenario can also be utilized not to lose anything but you can also guarantee a profit however the match finishes by altering the lay amount, so called trading. 

E.G

1. Arsenal score after 10 minutes.
2. Back Manchester United in play with £10 at 5.5 with Bet 365.
3. Manchester United score twice within 10 minutes to take the lead. 
4. In Play Lay (bet against) Manchester United with £33 at 1.65.
5. You win 23.33 whatever the outcome.

By trading Manchester United in play at different prices to different amounts you can make a profit in play before the game has finished. 

This scenario can be replicated when prices go in your favour after your initial pre-match or in-play bet. 

What Not To Do In Running

You should not allow your preconceived thoughts to solely dictate your in-running bets, but understand the new in running odds in front of you. 

Do not bet in running without all the up to date facts. 

Many bettors are guilty of Confirmation Bias this means you only search, agree and recall information that backs up your thoughts and beliefs. 

By thinking Manchester City will turn around a game when losing at half time just because they are Manchester City is not a good basis to make an in running bet. You may not have taking into account (ignored) that they are missing key players. 

When backing a horse you have a "fancy" but have not factored in that the horse has never won on soft ground or ever run on a right handed track. 

You have to consider all elements, facts and stats about the bet, the first half and the teams on the field.

Ante-Post In-Running Betting 

In many instances we back a  team or player way ahead of an event kicking off, popular ante-post events are the:

• The Aintree Grand National
• The Olympics
• European Football Championships
• World Cup Finals
• The Golf Majors 
• The Super Bowl
• The Ashes

If you have placed a bet “ante-post” you can now take advantage of “in-running” prices to 

back other selections so you have more chances to win.

Example:

Tiger Woods 12/1 Ante Post to win the US Masters.

Tiger starts well and other players at the head of the US Masters betting drift in the betting, it looks like only 3 players are in contention as you go into day 4, Woods, Speith (4/1) and Stenson (5/1). 

You have already backed Tiger so can back the other two golfers in play and have 3 chances of winning. 

In-play betting allows you to cover more of the field having struck an ante-post bet. 

Betting In Running On Horse Racing

If you are a horse racing bettor it's very likely that you are aware of running opportunities. The fast moving horse racing odds can offer plenty of value to the switched on punter. On the reverse your risk is greater with the odds updating every second. 

It takes a period of time for everyone to get used to in play horse racing markets but once you have watched a few races and see what happens to the odds many grow to love this style of betting. 

Betting Horse Racing in Running

It is now thought that up to 20% of all horse racing bets are placed in running. 

You yourself can calculate the amount of in running matched bets by checking the pre off figures on matched money by the end of the race money and collating those figures. 

As an example of this I checked some races from a Tampa Bay Downs meeting during April and found the following:

• 7.45 Tampa Bay:  Pre Race 87% In-running 13%
• 8.15 Tampa Bay:  Pre Race 77%  In-running 23%
• 8.45 Tampa Bay:  Pre Race 84% In-running12%

You can see there is no real standard percentage, it can depend on a variety of factors including the popularity of the meeting, card number, how many runners, whether there is an odds on favourite.

As well as backing something in play you can also bet on something not happening (a lay bet) such as a horse losing.

Horse Racing Picture Delay

You as always need to consider the time delay from the pictures you are watching on the television or by the bookmaker streaming service. 

Despite advances in the speed of the pictures you can still be up to 5 seconds behind what is actually happening on the track. 

A horse is expected to cover around 5 lengths per second, so you can calculate that the race you are watching could have changed dramatically in real time. 

Anyone who is betting in running at the course is going to have a huge advantage over those doing the same at home so if some seemingly bizarre in running odds appear it could be because something has happened that you won’t be aware of for another few seconds or so.

The odds on your computer or mobile will overall be a better reflection of what is happening rather than the pictures you are watching. 

Betting In Running Strategies For Horse Racing

The racing style of a horse often means it is overbet or underbet. 

Form students know if a horse likes to set the pace from the front or if it prefers to sit out the back and come with a late run. 

Front Runners

Front runners are highlighted by many horse racing tipsters in the OLBG tipping competitions and are often supported pre race knowing that the price will immediately shorten on the betting exchange, enabling that horse to be traded for a profit in running. 

You regularly hear a trainer say our horse is "going to jump and take it up" or "We are going to be handy" so the exchange trader knows he can back the horse and then lay it in running.

Front runner betting is a tried and trusted exchange betting strategy but as with everything betting related you need to proceed with caution. 

Find the best horse racing tips right here on OLBG

There can be dangers on trading front runners in running

Hold Up Horses

In contrast, hold up horses can trade at a much bigger odds in running as many novice punters will think the horse is struggling, however, if you know about the horse's tactics you can place a value in running bet knowing (or hoping) that the horse will come with its customary late run. 

In Running Favourites

Another riskier but often lucrative strategy is betting on favourites when they go in running. A horse that is sent off favourite due to weight of money and bookmaker expectation that this horse justifies favouritism status can often drift appreciably just after the start. 

This drift can mean you are getting double or treble the odds on a horse that for the preceding 24 hours has been sitting on top of the betting market, a horse that you may have considered too short at 2/1 is all of a sudden 6/1.  

How many times do we hear ATR, ITV, and RUK quote in running prices after a race “the favourite was returned at 2/1 despite its in running price having hit 6/1. 

You do not need to back many 2/1 favs at 6/1 to build your betting bank.

If you are already an accomplished race reader or can spend the time learning to race read then in-running betting on horses can be very exciting and very lucrative. 

Laying Horses In Running

One type of in-running bet is a lay bet on an exchange. 

One OLBG Blogger has a strategy where he considers laying a horse in running that he has already backed to win.

Many Betfair Traders lay bets on the betting exchange, looking to place bets in running when the prices go in their favour

This means looking to lay horses whilst they are taking part in their races. It is a somewhat specialist skill as the layer will need to have a good understanding of the way horses travel. 

It is also important to have a great knowledge of the form book as horses that appear to be going well but find little under pressure are an in running punter's dream.

Things to learn before laying horses

• Understand pace if you are laying in running
• Learn how different horses travel
• Study market movements
• Look for support for other runners in the race
• Understand ante post markets as they can be layers gold mines
• Identify reasons to oppose horses

Trading A Horse In Running

A trader on an exchange can simply make money by backing or laying horses that are later going to be trading at a bigger or smaller price. 

Once the trader has got themselves into a position where they will profit if a horse shortens or lengthens they can then back/lay the same horse at bigger or smaller odds (if the market allows it) without needing to deposit further cash based on the position they have already achieved. 

The amount of profit that can be locked in will depend on the original stake and how big the support or drift has taken place of the horse's price 

Predicting which horses are going to increase or contract in price is often difficult. 

There are however, some horses that always seem to be backed or drift in the betting, and there are also horses that have put together a run of wins and regularly shorten, and others that regularly trade at bigger prices in play. 

Laying More Than One Horse In Running

This should not be undertaken until you are fully up to speed with betting exchanges. 

We know that only one horse can win a horse race (in a dead heat the payout will be split so your payout will be the same). 

You need to make sure that the in running combined lay odds of your selected horse exceeds 100%. 

Each horse will have a price, that price has a percentage figure attached to it. 

If you could get two lay bets matched to the same lay stake in running at say 1.8, that would be a book percentage of 111.00%. 

Only one horse can win so you know at least one of your lay bets is going to be a winner.

On a £10 lay bet at 1.8 you would lose £8 from the horse that won but win £10 from the successful lay, giving you a profit of £2.00 before the commission. 

The tricky part is getting both bets matched in running at those kind of prices. 

If you are laying two horses in running you need to make sure that the odds are less than 2.0.

three horses the odds are less than 3.0.

four horses the odds are less than 4.0, etc.

Laying Four Horses at 4.0  with a £10 stake

• 4.0 Win  -     Pay £30.00
• 4.0 Lost  -    Win £10.00
• 4.0 Lost  -    Win £10.00
• 4.0 Lost  -    Win £10.00

Break Even. 

You can see that laying 4 horses where the odds are a point smaller gives you a decent profit. 

• 3.0 - Pay  £20.00
• 3.0 - Win £10.00
• 3.0 - Win £10.00
• 3.0 - Win £10.00

Profit = £10.00

You can increase the number of horses laid meaning you are likely to get matched but with that increase of laid bets you need to make sure that you get all your bets matched, otherwise you could be sitting on a big payout if for example you only match the winner at the price you are after you will lose!

You can of course lay all horses as a bookmaker would do, but need to make sure that the prices you lay at will return a profit + monitor in running which horses have been successfully laid. 

To test this in a real race before the off, use the “what if” function on Betfair. 

• Choose a race on Betfair
• Input lay bets with prices and check your payout.

Betting In Running On Football

The sheer number of football punters and tipsters makes betting in running on the beautiful game incredibly vibrant. 

Somewhere in the world 24 hours a day there is normally a match being played and the bookmakers continue to expand their in-play football coverage.

You can make a more informed decision having watched the opening exchanges between the two teams.

Your reading of the game in play may be different from the traders at the bookmakers and you could be getting a value price for your opinion. 

Alternatively, If you have placed a bet pre-match you can top up your wager having seen the team you bet on start the game on the front foot, or if you don't like what you see why not cover your pre-match bet with a bet on the opposition?

New in-play football betting markets are being added regularly to go alongside the already very popular

• Win-Draw-Win
• First Goalscorer
• Correct Score
• Double Chance
• Number Of Goals
• Handicap Betting
• HT/FT

With some matches you will find no opportunity in the most popular market, the Win - Draw Win, with the favourite too short a price and the outsider poor value to win the game. This is where you need to be aware of all other in-running markets.

Betting In Running Strategies For Football

Lay The Draw

This betting exchange strategy has gone into betting folklore such is its popularity, however, some of the value has gone out of it now everyone is aware of laying the draw.  

You select a match where the favourite is at short odds, you then lay the draw.

As soon as the favourite scores in running, you can back the draw at the new price and secure a profit whatever happens.

Pre Match

• Barcelona 1.8
• Draw 3.25
• Chelsea 6.0

Barcelona score in the 5th minute.

In Running Prices

• Barcelona 1.5
• Draw 3.95
• Chelsea 9.0

You can see that the draw price has moved from 3.25 to 3.95 having laid the draw at 3.25 you can now back the draw at 3.95.

Over 1.5 Goals

Over 1.5 or 2.5 goals is a popular in running bet on betting exchanges as less than 10% of matches end up goalless. https://www.olbg.com/blogs/premier-league-statistics-from-different-angles

The odds rise the longer the game remains 0-0, you can place your bet after a certain period of time at 1.6 for there to be over 1.5 goals and as soon as the goal goes in those odds reduce. You obviously need to read the game well to understand that “it's likely a goal is going to be scored.     

Cash Out

Cash Out is a much-used strategy when you are in profit at any time during the game, or to cut your losses when a bet has gone against you. 

On OLBG we have comprehensive cash out article on the pros and cons of cashing out your bet, including the much-vaunted partial cash out and edit my bet, as well as what we consider the best cash-out bookmakers.  

Betting In Running On Tennis

Betting on Tennis is the perfect sport for in-running as it allows you to place a lot of bets, allowing you to instantly profit. 

The in play markets update every minute as a player wins or loses points. 

Because games are so fast you need to make sure that you are watching the game on TV or via the bookmakers streaming services, or using the bookie's court graphic showing you what is happening.

It is very easy to be left behind or to have a winning position quickly turn against you, especially if court siders are live at the tournament. 

Courtsiding is when bettors relay information live from an event, giving the recipient of that information the ability to place a winning bet before the bookmakers have updated their prices.

If you are on the wrong side of one of these court siders on an exchange you can quickly lose money because of their time advantage. 

As always with any kind of betting the more statistics and information you have researched the more confident you should be in placing in play bets.

• Does the player tire?
• Is the player in good form?
• How many times has the player fought back from losing positions
• What is the overall head to head record
• How does the player handle pressure?
• Which player has the momentum?
• Does the player perform better on grass or clay?
• Does the player perform well against big servers?

When betting in play on tennis arm yourself with as many stats as possible, the ATP Tennis and WTA Tennis websites are good places to start, with a range of helpful statistical analysis including.  

• Aces
• Double Faults
• 1st Serve %
• 1st Serve Points %
• 2nd Serve Points %
• Serve Points Won
• Break Point %
• Service Games Won

Individual matches that go to 5 sets see the odds fluctuate wildly giving the in play bettor a myriad of opportunities to scoop up profits. 

If a 5 set game at a Grand Slam tournament involves one of the star names of tennis such as Djokovic or Federer then the money bet in play can be astronomical 

In-Play tennis betting really comes into its own when the 4 Grand Slam tournaments are taking place.

These tournaments are a good place to start for the inexperienced in-play bettor, with the Grand Slams having so many matches and spread out over 2 weeks. 

• January - Australian Open Tennis Preview, Trends & Analysis 
• July - Wimbledon Betting Tips Preview, Trends & Analysis
• August - US Open Tennis Preview, Trends & Analysis
• September - French Open Tennis Preview, Trends & Analysis

Although if you want to start your in play tennis betting at a smaller tournament you will not struggle, with tennis events happening nearly every week of the year.  

The most popular in running tennis markets are:

• Match Winner
• Set Winner
• Game Winner
• Next Break of Serve
• Point Betting

The bigger bookmakers such as bet 365 have up to 30 in-play tennis markets, with their tennis offering the best in class in our opinion. 

Betting In Running On Golf

To a degree Golf betting is the opposite of tennis because in this sport you have longer to decide on your in-running bets. 

You can spend time reflecting on a particular player's form as he walks from tee to tee. 

The outright market is naturally the most popular in-running market, after each round prices are updated and you can place bets at the new prices.

After the cut which happens when all players have completed two rounds the field is further reduced and prices are again updated. 

The cut normally consists of 70 players although it can vary depending on the amount of players competing. 

FAQ's

Responsible Gambling

With any form of betting including in running you must always make sure that you gamble responsibly. 

At the foot of each OLBG.com page are links to sites that can assist you if you feel you need help and guidance with your betting.

We also have dedicated blogs on responsible gambling such as the one below. 

ALSO READ

Responsible Gambling Features, Function and Help

Editorial Information

This in running betting guide was collated and presented by Nigel Skinner one one of the betting experts on olbg. Nigel has been betting in running on horse racing and football for many years. 

Nigel Skinner

Blog Content Manager

Nigel is one of OLBG's senior editors with 19 years of industry experience. Today he specialises in researching and writing about the betting angles to political and mainstream news stories and being the OLBG in-house expert on 'next football manager' betting markets.

Specialist Subjects🔬📚

⚽️👨‍💼 Nigel is an Arsenal fan first and foremost but has an unrivalled knowledge of English football managers at every level. Meticulously putting together our Next Manager articles, Nigel can quite possibly name you every manager of every club in the land, not to mention a pretty good eye for predicting replacements when changes happen. 

📈📊📉 A long-time exchange trader and spread betting fan, Nigel is our go-to for advice on the subjects and uses them daily in his own betting activity. 

🗳️💼 Finally, Nigel loves his politics and [some would say] has an unhealthy interest in the day-to-day events in the UK's political landscape, contributing to all our Political betting content and new pieces.