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Since transitioning from cable to live streaming television, I haven’t made many live bets on sporting events.
I actually quite like the concept of live betting. It’s quite the opposite, to be honest. The idea of placing a bet with real money, based on what I’ve already witnessed in a game, is incredibly fascinating to me.
However, the delay… Oh dear, the delay.
During online streaming of television, the lag time or latency can range from 30 to 120 seconds. While all television experiences a certain delay, the additional 20-110 seconds (or even more) during streaming can feel like an eternity, especially when watching a live sporting event.
With the utmost importance placed on online sportsbooks in Michigan to have real-time updates for their live lines, it becomes challenging to stay updated while watching a streaming service, which inevitably leads to spoilers.
Due to excessive spoiling, I have had to modify my usage of other technology while watching sporting events as a Hulu Live subscriber. Consequently, I now refrain from viewing recent tweets on my timeline, disable all score alerts, and generally refrain from opening sportsbook apps.
Is it necessary for me to do so? Can I find a way to derive pleasure from live sports betting without detracting from the intended viewing experience?
I made the decision to dedicate a week to discover the truth. Although many of my preconceived notions were confirmed, I also gained new knowledge along the way.
What is live betting?
Michigan online sportsbooks offer a wide variety of live betting markets that can be categorized into two distinct types.
The updated odds are a reflection of the sportsbooks adjusting the pregame options to align with the current developments taking place in a game.
Some instances of this phenomenon are when two teams start their offense with great momentum, resulting in a significant increase in the total points scored. Another example is when an underdog team takes an unexpected lead, causing the moneyline to favor them and the spread to shift in their favor as well.
Additionally, there are in-game events that remain unknown until the game commences. These events, referred to by various sportsbooks under different names, enable you to place bets on forthcoming occurrences. For instance, predicting whether the next batter will achieve a hit or determining the team to be granted the subsequent corner kick.
For the most part, cutting the cord from cable has resolved the issue for me.
However, if you choose the latter option, it’s practically the same as not watching the game at all.
Instant bets are no fun as a cord cutter
If your main focus is watching the game and you rely on instant betting to enhance the excitement, you’ll be disappointed as a cord-cutter.
Sportsbooks have successfully developed impressive live game trackers that provide real-time updates on the ongoing events during a game.
In addition to traditional scores and stats readily available at your disposal, this app brings live ball movement and valuable insights to enhance your decision-making process. With the information you’ll discover within the app, you can truly make well-informed choices.
If you are live streaming a game, that is the task you must undertake.
I made three attempts at three different sports, and unfortunately, all three times turned out to be unsuccessful.
Soccer
In the Villarreal vs. Bayern Munich Champions League quarterfinal match, I decided to make a $5 bet on Villarreal at BetRivers Sportsbook MI. I placed my bet on them being the team to have the next corner kick. The odds offered were +330, and my app informed me that Villarreal was currently engaged in a “dangerous attack.”
Naturally, my assessment was solely based on the app’s performance, as it was a whole minute ahead of the television stream.
It was an unwise decision. When the bet was finally resolved, Bayern had already initiated their own “dangerous attack,” and shortly after, I witnessed firsthand how feeble the Villarreal attack truly was. The conclusion: far from being threatening.
I would not have placed that bet had I known what I saw on TV, and sure enough, I lost it within five minutes.
Basketball
This was hilariously impossible.
I tuned in to the Brooklyn Nets versus Cleveland Cavaliers Play-In game in the NBA Playoffs.
I placed a bet on DraftKings Sportsbook MI, wagering on the “Team to Score the Next Field Goal” for The Flash. It sounded like a straightforward bet, but I had no clue which team possessed the ball or who was playing on the court. Moreover, the game was already several scores ahead of what was being shown on my TV.
It would have been a complete guess without any knowledge or basis.
Baseball
By Sunday night, I had nearly abandoned the idea of instant betting. However, I contemplated that baseball could be a viable avenue to pursue.
I figured there were sufficient pauses and interruptions, so I likely wouldn’t be too delayed.
I stand corrected. As I watched my television screen, it appeared that Jacob Cronenworth was up to bat for the San Diego Padres in their game against the Atlanta Braves. However, according to my FanDuel Sportsbook MI app, Cronenworth was actually on first base, and it was Manny Machado who was currently at bat.
In my opinion, baseball is a sport where making bets solely based on the app’s graphics is the simplest. The circumstances are clear-cut – the players’ positions on the bases, the number of outs, the score, and so on. In this scenario, I don’t require a televised matchup to reach a conclusion.
However, if that is your desired outcome, simply utilize the app to watch the game and save $65 per month on the streaming service.
Live betting on traditional markets at Michigan sports betting apps
Although my week of in-game betting did provide some relief, it did not change my perspective on traditional markets.
To maximize your chances, it is crucial to enter the game with a strategy. Identify the specific events you are seeking and determine the optimal moments to log in and place bets, all while ensuring you steer clear of any spoilers.
Depending on the sport, the solution to the second question varies. However, your best bet is to take advantage of TV timeouts and breaks during quarters or halftime. These are the moments when the game pauses both on your TV screen and in real-time. Hence, not only can you avoid spoilers, but there’s a good chance that the odds will remain unchanged for you to make your wager.
Figuring out the first question may be more challenging, but that’s what adds excitement to this activity.
I not only watched the soccer, basketball, and baseball games, but I also caught the USFL game featuring the Michigan Panthers versus the Houston Gamblers, as well as an NHL match between the New York Rangers and Philadelphia Flyers.
I had specific expectations for both the soccer and baseball games, but unfortunately, they didn’t meet them. As a result, I decided not to make any live bets. Sometimes, not taking a chance can be considered a victory.
Basketball
As I tuned in to the Nets’ game against the Cavs, my main focus was on observing the teams’ performance after halftime. If the Nets managed to increase their lead, I believed they had a strong chance of dominating the game, considering that the Cavs had another match just a few days away which they needed to prepare for.
Fortunately, I managed to witness precisely what I desired – the line soared to Nets -18.5. Nonetheless, sensing an imminent 20-point thrashing, the slight shift to -19.5 while I was attempting to place the bet did not concern me. Regrettably, I had not yet heeded my own advice and attempted to wager during the live action.
It didn’t really matter, as my hypothesis turned out to be completely wrong, and the Cavs surprisingly made the game competitive.
Hockey
As I observed the Rangers and Flyers game, my intention was to keep a close record of the total score. By the beginning of the second period, the total score stood at 5, with the Rangers leading 1-0. At that moment, taking the bet on Under 5 seemed like a reasonable option, although it was priced at -155. However, I didn’t find it worth the investment.
However, as soon as Kaapo Kakko netted a goal in the middle of the second period, the odds for Under 5 increased to +110, and I took advantage of this opportunity during the TV timeout.
Although I initially felt worse after Artemi Panarin scored a few minutes later, the Flyers’ abysmal offense prevented them from surpassing my team, leading to my victory.
Football
I was unsure about what to anticipate from the USFL, and I’m fairly certain that sportsbooks felt the same. Therefore, live betting seemed like the optimal choice.
The intention was to observe the teams’ performance and promptly take action if there was any remarkable difference in the spread or total.
As an online streaming viewer, live betting on football has its perks. With numerous stoppages during the game, often triggered by significant events that alter your perspective (and the sportsbooks’ perspective) of the game, it becomes a rather enjoyable experience.
The Panthers were expected to dominate the game and were considered strong contenders to win the season. Yet, it quickly became apparent that this perception might have been slightly misguided.
When Michigan started struggling and fell behind 11-0, I decided it was a good moment to check the live line.
Luckily, I was able to take advantage of DraftKings’ listing of Houston as a mere 3.5-point favorite and promptly placed my bet.
Although the Panthers made a comeback in the second half, they failed to cover the spread.
Conclusions
Can cord cutters effectively participate in live betting?
To my surprise, yes.
It is unlikely that you will be able to utilize the amazing live tools and markets offered by sportsbooks for live betting, especially if you want to enhance your in-home viewing experience.
However, with a well-defined strategy in place, you can effectively capitalize on live odds fluctuations while minimizing any potential spoilers.
