If you’re looking for something a little different to conventional fixed-odds sports betting, spread betting provides a welcome alternative which can allow you to try and cash in on your sports knowledge and nous.

Unlike fixed-odds betting, which pays out a multiple of your stake based on the odds, spread betting incorporates the accuracy of your prediction into the amount you win or lose. Real sports aficionados are drawn to spread betting on the premise that, the more accurate your prediction, the more money you can win. But of course remember that should the bet go against you, you can end up losing more than your initial stake size.

The accuracy element of spread betting is derived from the ‘spread’ the bookmaker offers. As an example, for a World T20 match a spread betting company might offer: Total Sixes 10.75-11.5, Total Wides 9.75-10.5 or Total Fours 27-29. The bettor will then decide to bet on whether the true number of sixes, wides or fours will be higher (buy) or lower (sell) than the spread.

How is in-play spread betting different?

In-play spread betting is live betting that occurs during the course of an event, rather than a bet simply placed before the event and allowed to run to the final conclusion, like traditional fixed odds betting.

During in-play spread betting, the available spreads are updated based on the action as it unfolds, providing bettors with the opportunity to challenge the views of the bookmaker based on their interpretation of the action.

If you’re watching the England v South Africa World T20 cricket tomorrow and fancy Alex Hales to again get in the runs you will be carefully looking at the best opportunity to buy either his Batsman Runs or England Total Runs as the spread changes during England’s innings.

What are the advantages of in-play over traditional fixed odds betting?

The beauty of in-play betting is the opportunity to make a bet based on your initial impressions of the action or on how you think the match or event will develop. Avid sports fans can pick up on the action during the opening exchanges to make informed decisions.

So, rather than placing a traditional fixed odds bet which is blown out of the water in the first twenty minutes and ruins your enjoyment of the game, you can pick your moment and take advantage of prices which may move back into your favour as the match or event progresses.

In-play spread betting also allows you the opportunity to bet on individual battles within a game, without being affected by the result of the match itself. For example, taking up the Hales example again, if you fancy the Notts hitter to have another storming match but don’t necessarily fancy England to win then betting on his own Batsman Runs spread at choice moments during the game would allow you to focus purely on his performance regardless of the final match outcome.

Those who bought his runs at 26 and went on to make 90 times their stake on his final 116 not out against New Zealand will know what I’m talking about. However, sellers of his runs at 23 will have felt the pain of a spread bet that goes wrong, losing 93 times their initial stake.

When are the odds for in-play spread betting updated?

Odds for in-play spread betting will be updated as and when there is a change of circumstances that affects that particular market.

In sports like cricket where every delivery results in an action, whether that’s a dot ball, a boundary or a wicket, the odds will usually be updated after each ball. In football, prices will usually be updated every minute or so based on the pattern of play, unless there is an incident which requires an instant update, such as a corner, goal or a sending off.

If England’s incredible encounter with New Zealand yesterday is anything to go by, then their clash with South Africa tomorrow will be another one enjoyed by the in-play spread bettors!