Live Football Betting Guide: How to Bet on the NFL In-Play in 2025

Live football betting is when you bet on a game after it’s already started, in real-time. It’s one of the best ways to use a sportsbook. Live betting gives you a new way to bet on the game, with different odds and under different circumstances.

Below, we’ll give you a rundown on how it all works and how to use live betting to your advantage.

The Basics of NFL Live Betting

Live betting takes place after the game in question has already kicked off, and can last until the final minute of a game. Since the action depends on realtime events, the odds shift as the game goes on.

Of course, live betting is subject to the same rules and regulations as any other form of sports betting, including age limits, geographic constraints, and responsible gambling support.

Live Lines & Real-Time Odds

When real-time odds are being updated, you may see them lock up momentarily, preventing you from adding the bet to your bet slip until the updated odds are given. This locked period for a real-time bet normally only lasts a few seconds.

When placing a bet on a game that isn’t live, you don’t need to worry about this problem since the NFL betting odds are generally stable for most bets until the game starts.

You may sometimes see a live game referred to as ‘in-play’, which is the same thing. A live game will have ‘live lines’, meaning the odds for various bets are subject to change at any moment. These ‘real-time odds’ are what makes live betting possible.

How NFL Live Betting Odds Change During Games

Understanding how and why odds shift during NFL games is crucial for successful live betting. Sportsbooks employ sophisticated algorithms that adjust lines based on several key factors happening in real-time.

The most obvious factor is the score differential. If a team that was favored by 7 points suddenly falls behind by 14 points, the live spread will adjust dramatically to reflect the new game situation. Similarly, if an underdog takes an early lead, their moneyline odds will improve significantly.

Game flow and momentum also heavily influence odds adjustments. A team that gains 150 yards in the first quarter will see their total yards props and team performance bets shift favorably, even if they haven't scored yet. Conversely, a team struggling to move the ball will see their odds lengthen across multiple bet types.

Fanduel's live betting odds updated in real time. Captured September 22, 2025. 

Sportsbooks also factor in time remaining, field position, and possession. A team driving in the red zone with 2 minutes left will have much better odds to score next than a team starting at their own 20-yard line. These situational factors create constant opportunities for savvy live bettors to identify value.

Types of Live Bets You Can Place on NFL Games in 2025

Just like with betting before a game starts, you have a wide variety of betting options for in-play games. The bet types can vary depending on which sportsbook you’re using, but nearly all of the main bet types should be covered.

These include the following:

Point Spreads

The point spread is the expected point differential between two teams. This handicapped score allows you to pick a team to either cover the point spread or not cover the spread, regardless of whether they win or lose the game outright.

The live line for the point spread will shift during the game. If the underdog ties the game in the third quarter for example, you will likely see the point spread shift significantly.

Moneylines

The moneyline is simply betting on who will win the game. However, the odds for the bet are what you have to pay attention to. The odds for moneyline bets are always shown as what you’ll get if you bet $100.

The favorite might have -200 odds for example. In that case, you’d have to bet $200 to win $100 in profit. The underdog for a game might have +175 odds for example. In that case, a $100 bet would get you $175

The odds for the moneyline shift during a live match. Consider the team you back’s estimated probability of winning the game. That will help you understand whether or not you’re getting favorable odds for betting the moneyline.

Totals/Over-Under

Totals, i.e. over-under bets, are very simple. You’re wagering on whatever the combined total points scored in a game will be, the sum of both teams’ final score. This is normally represented as a fraction, such as 56.5.

If you think both teams will combine for 57 or more points, then take the over. If you think it’ll be 56 or fewer, take the under. When live NFL betting, you’ll see the number fluctuate throughout the game.

Live Prop Betting

Props are when you bet on a specific outcome, such as player performance, team performance within one quarter, and sometimes even things as random as who will win the coin toss.

For live betting, you’ll find a list props to choose from. Specific bets will come and go, with some options disappearing after a certain point or being replaced by new prop betting options.

Where to Bet on NFL Games Live

As of September 2025, virtually all of the best sportsbooks for NFL betting support live betting, both through their mobile app and main website. Here are some of the top bookmakers that support live football betting:

• Bet365
• DraftKings
• FanDuel
• BetMGM
• BetRivers
• Caesars
• Fanatics
• Hard Rock Bet

If you create an account at any of the above sportsbooks, you’ll be able to do in-play football betting for both NFL and college football.

Best Features on a Live Betting Platform

Most sportsbooks have developed simple to use, intuitive interfaces for their platforms—including the live betting functionality. However, you might be more comfortable with one platform over another in terms of the layout and design.

The speed of the live betting is key. Although peak hours can sometimes cause platforms to stall a bit, some apps can be more laggy than others. That’s why it’s best to test out a few different apps in your state and see which platform you prefer.

Likewise, the betting menu will vary from platform to platform. If one bookmaker offers live betting options that you prefer over others, then you might want to stick with that one.

However, it’s important to compare lines between sportsbooks if you’re prone to make numerous bets at a time or relatively high bet amounts. Then, you can find the most favorable odds for the bet you want to make.

Cash Out Feature

One great feature to have for live betting is the early cash out. This handy feature lets you withdraw a bet mid-game. For example, if the team you back in down by two touchdowns at half time, you might have a change of heart and decide to cash out what you can and cut your losses.

You won’t be able to cash out the entire bet in this scenario, but you’ll get some of it back. Some sportsbooks only give you bonus bets when you cash out a bet, meaning you may have some restrictions on what you get for your cash-out, such as a bonus bet expiry.

How to Read Live NFL Betting Odds Like a Professional

Successfully interpreting live NFL betting odds requires understanding both the numbers themselves and the story they tell about the game's current state and future probabilities.

Live odds display both the current line and often the opening line for comparison. When you see a point spread that opened at -7 but now shows -10.5, this indicates the favored team has been receiving heavy betting action or has performed better than expected early in the game. Conversely, if a spread moves from -7 to -4.5, it suggests the underdog has either been backed by sharp money or has started the game stronger than anticipated.

Moneyline odds fluctuations reveal win probability shifts in real-time. A team with +150 odds (40% implied probability) that moves to +120 odds (45.5% implied probability) has seen their chances improve based on game events. Understanding these implied probabilities helps you identify when a team's actual chances might exceed what the odds suggest.

The key to reading live totals is recognizing pace and efficiency indicators. If a total drops from 47.5 to 44.5 after one quarter of low-scoring football, the sportsbook is adjusting for a slower pace than expected. However, if both teams have moved the ball effectively but settled for field goals instead of touchdowns, the total might be undervalued as teams could break through for touchdowns later.

Juice movements in live betting often signal sharp action. When the vig on a live bet moves from standard -110/-110 to -115/-105, it indicates one side is receiving disproportionate action, and the sportsbook is trying to balance the handle rather than necessarily reflecting true probability changes.

How to read the live betting odds for spreads on Bet365 // Captured September 22, 2025

NFL Betting Strategies for Live Wagering

NFL live betting is a matter of identifying value before the oddsmakers have a chance to catch on. That means watching the game develop very carefully and seeing how matchups play out.

If you spot something, it's important to take advantage while you can. You often need to trust your gut but at the same time be prudent. That's where bet sizing really counts.

Other Factors to Consider for In-Play NFL Betting

There’s a lot to keep track of when live betting. Here are a few key factors to keep in mind:

• Injuries for either team
• The weather if the game is at an outdoor stadium
• The momentum of the game
• How teams tend to perform when leading/trailing
• How teams tend to perform in various quarters of a game
• How to cut your losses with the cash-out feature

Some teams are more prone to a certain level of performance at various stages of the game, so it’s important to make note of this. If you can identify any patterns throughout their season, or through the past few years, it could help inform your decision-making.

Likewise, anything that affects the flow of the game, such as a player going down, the weather, crowd response, etc, is worth making note of. After all, the coaches and players on the field are only human.

Events and Situations to Look for

As mentioned above, the advantage of live betting lies in placing a bet before lines have a chance to change based on the action. However, this requires acting fast. Certain situations can be favorable, though.

Live betting on bet365 // Captured September 22, 2025

These include:

• High-scoring games
• Low-scoring games
• Momentum shifts
• Two-minute drill situations
• Garbage time situations

In a game that becomes a shootout, betting the over on the total before it can fully adjust is a great opportunity. Likewise, if a game becomes a defensive slog, betting the under in time can be a wise move.

Tips for Live Football Betting Success

Live betting can be a bit of an emotional rollercoaster, especially if you’re just starting out. That’s why it’s important to try to make your decisions calmly and with prudence.

If you feel something is a good bet, that’s a good sign you should act—but only bet as much as you’re comfortable losing in case your estimate turns out wrong.

Managing your bankroll is key. Start small, and shop around for the best lines. That way, you can get better odds by using multiple betting apps to place your bets.

And of course, do your research. The NFL is required to issue injury reports before their games. The NCAAF has just created a similar rule, so be sure to check before betting. Research player stats, team stats, and get an idea of what is likely and less likely to happen.

Common Mistakes to Avoid for Live Football Betting

We went over the ‘do’s’ above. Now here are the ‘don’ts’ for NFL betting strategies.

• Never chase losses
• Never bet without watching the game
• Don’t overreact to one single play or drive
• Don’t make bets in an unclear state of mind

And most importantly, gamble responsibly. If you ever feel that you may have a problem, seek professional help. Every licensed sportsbook in the US has a responsible gaming section filled with resources, including account management tools like deposit limits, spending limits, and account lockout.

Live Betting Guide Conclusion

Live betting is very similar to pre-game betting. The only difference is that the lines change frequently and in real-time. That means you must think fast and bet according to what you’ve seen in the game.

Rely on the research you’ve done before kick-off, and then use the insights you’ve gained from watching the game to guide your decision-making. Never bet emotionally and try to keep a logical point of view.

Start small and gain some experience before going at it full force. And as always, gamble smart and responsible.

FAQ on Live Betting on Football