Arbitrage Betting Explained (Sure Bets)

We believe that arbitrage betting, also known as sure bets, is a guaranteed way to make a profit in betting.

Gambling can be an investment, too, not only entertainment if you make calculated moves.

In our article, you’ll learn everything you need to know about arbitrage betting.

Here’s an arbitrage bet calculator to check your chance of a profitable bet. 

You can also use various services that pick arbitrage bets for you to make the job easier.

However, the services are usually costly, so consider whether you have the budget for them first.

In simple terms, arbitrage betting is placing bets on all possible outcomes of a sport’s event.

You take advantage of different odds across various online betting sites and bet on both competing teams or players. 

For example, if you plan on spending €100 on betting, you bet €50 for one team on one betting site and bet the other €50 for the other team on another betting site.

Thus, your bet will be profitable no matter what the result of the match is. 

However, arbitrage bets aren’t always possible, you must check the odds across different sites and place similar bets smartly.

Arbitrage Formula

Arbitrage size = 1 / X odds + 1 / Y odds

When X and Y stand for possible outcomes of the match.

We will guide you through calculating an arbitrage bet to guarantee that you understand arbitrage betting. 

The arbitrage betting example is for a tennis match between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner. 

1. Identify different odds across betting sites.

Let’s say the tennis betting site A offers odds of 2.10 for Carlos Alcaraz, and the betting site B offers odds of 1.95 for Jannik Sinner to win.

2. Calculate the arbitrage size with a formula.

The formula is:

1/ Odds for Carlos Alcaraz + 1/ Odds for Jannik Sinner = 1/ 2.10 + 1/ 1.95 = 0.4762 + 0.5128 = 0.989

3. Convert the arbitrage to a percentage. 

Multiply the number you get with the arbitrage formula by 100.

0.989 × 100 = 98.9%

4. Calculate your stakes for €100 budget.

Stake for Carlos Alcaraz: 100 x arbitrage size for Jannik Sinner / arbitrage size = 100 x 0.5128 / 0.989 = €51.8

Stake for Jannik Sinner: 100 x arbitrage size for Carlos Alcaraz / arbitrage size100 x 0.4762 / 0.989 = €48.2

5. Calculate the return profit.

You can calculate the return profit by multiplying the stake with odds.

If Carlos Alcaraz wins 51.8 × 2.10 = €108.78

If Jannik Sinner wins 48.2 × 1.95 = €108.78

By calculating our example, we get a return profit of €180.78, which guarantees a profit of €8.78 on your €100 investment.

Understanding the calculation is recommended, yet you can also rely on our calculator, which is much easier. 

You need a reliable strategy and proper preparation to profit from your arbitrage bets. A few strategies to keep in mind:

Prepare a Reasonable Budget

A small budget usually doesn’t cut it in arbitrage gambling.

We recommend you have at least 2,500 to spend to get good returns and make the effort worthwhile. 

Have Verified Accounts

Verify your accounts on multiple betting sites. 

Verification ensures you don’t miss out on favorable opportunities by taking too much time. 

Act Fast When Placing Bets

Your calculations must be quick and accurate to profit from an arbitrage bet. 

Odds change frequently, and even a tiny adjustment can make the bet unprofitable.

So far, arbitrage betting sounds like a risk-free way to win, but it does come with several risks:

Odds Changes

Timing is everything. You risk losing betting money if the odds change before you place both bets.

Deposit Delays

Delays when depositing money to a betting site can cause you to miss out on noteworthy arbitrage sports betting possibilities.

Always keep your betting funds ready to use. 

Calculation Errors

Mistakes can be costly. It takes time to master arbitrage betting calculations, which are prone to errors. 

You can also use paid automated software to calculate arbitrage bets for you and avoid any errors if you have the finances.

Bet Limits

Some betting sites restrict the maximum sum you can bet, which can reduce your profit. 

Moreover, make sure the betting site doesn’t mark you as a suspicious bettor, which can limit your bets even more.

Restrictions of Betting Sites

Some betting sites restrict arbitrage betting and block your account if they suspect you are using it, so be aware of the restrictions.

Arbitrage betting is a smart way to secure profits by betting on all possible outcomes of sports events using different betting sites. 

Make fast calculations, verify your accounts, and prepare a large budget to get the best out of sure bets.

Additionally, remember that odds change quickly, and the betting sites can delay deposits or limits. 

However, if you have the resources and prepare accordingly, arbitrage betting is one of the best ways to get a profit out of betting.