In-game betting is a popular feature at PA online sportsbooks. Significant advancements have been made in micro-betting markets, which cover the next event in a game, like who will score the next basket during NBA games. This gives players a chance to wager on what’s going on as they watch.
PointsBet PA Sportsbook rolled out new “flash markets” for NBA and college basketball. Sportsbook users can wager on who scores next, along with how many points will be scored in the next minute or four-minute intervals of action.
I tried PointsBet’s new live betting markets during Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals between the Philadelphia Sixers and the Toronto Raptors on my PointsBet sportsbook app. I was at home and connected to WiFi. Could I be quick enough to keep up with the lightning pace?
Live betting at PointsBet PA sportsbook
I’m used to making pre-game bets on my phone, which I find very useful when comparing prices. I downloaded the PointsBet sportsbook earlier in the week from the Google Play.
To Score Point 25
A little surprise in the starters as Danny Green took the floor over Matisse Thybulle. The app is more than 10 seconds ahead of the game broadcast. However, the clock doesn’t run as I’ve seen on browser sites.
I took the Sixers to get point 25 in the game when they led 11-7 at -125. The two teams traded three-pointers to give the Sixers the ball at 14-10. Danny Green, against his former team, buried a corner three to make it 17-10. Cash it.
Four-Minute Moneyline Market
I took the Sixers at -125 to win the final four minutes of the first period. The Sixers led 23-18 at the four-minute mark. James Harden has been an effective distributor in his first quarter of postseason action in Sixers colors, starting the scoring in the portion with a dime to Tyrese Maxey, who buried a three from the elbow. Scottie Barnes matched that with an and-1 drive. Embiid converted two free throws and Siakam buried a J to answer. Shake Milton drew a three-shot foul to stretch the overall lead to eight. Siakam hit the rim trying to beat the buzzer to end the quarter as Philly led 35-27. Cash it.
Three-point Prop Bet
I tried getting the three-point bet in the first couple of minutes the game. Threes are raining down at the Wells Fargo Center, with five in the first five minutes of action. The betting action moves very fast so it wasn’t offered after the 10-minute mark.
I tried again at the start of the second quarter but couldn’t secure it after two attempts during the commercial break between quarters. Of course, the Raptors start the quarter with a trey, which would’ve cashed a +165 ticket. I managed to get it at +125 for the third minute of action with the score at 37-32 Sixers. Thad Young missed against his former team before James Harden cruised coast to coast for a lay-up. Maxey missed a pull-up trey on the next trip. Scottie Barnes hit two free throws and that ended scoring for the minute. Oh well, didn’t get that one.
What I thought of my live betting experience
I will confess, I am not a frequent in-game better. I’ve done it a few times with soccer games, which is a much less frenetic pace than NBA action. It’s a bit easier to do on a smartphone than on a laptop. Also, it might even be easier for those not watching a game on another screen.
During the first half, I made three $5 lightning bets. The app is very responsive and the bets went through with ease (aside from user error). I did get logged off twice during the game due to inactivity so it might be smart to keep an eye on the timer or just hit links to keep it active. I didn’t have that issue betting on my phone, so something to consider.
There’s a lot to like about this option for players who want to live bet. I did win two of the three bets and finished up. However, I didn’t get to meet Drew Brees or do anything exciting like in the ad that ran after halftime. Not sure if the UX team can do anything about that.
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