Forgetting that frequency matters.
A small stake can turn into a lot of wagering when there’s another bet every few seconds.
A bet on Saturday’s game and repeated bets throughout the game can start with the same stake. They create very different amounts of activity.
When each wager has an average disadvantage, more total wagering means more expected loss. Actual results still vary, and a deposit can be reused many times as some bets return money.
Frequent opportunities also mean more decisions while you’re reacting to the last result. Live betting can keep offering a next play long after the bet you originally came for.
The amount per ticket is only one part of the picture. Count how often you’re betting and how long you stay with it.
Sources & further reading
- Structural characteristics of fixed-odds sports betting products
Newall, Russell & Hing, 2021. A review of features including in-play betting and complex bets.
- Mean, expected value, and standard deviation
OpenStax. Definitions and worked examples for averages and variation in random outcomes.
Examples on this page are illustrative.