Arbitrage betting involves placing bets on all outcomes of an event by finding differing odds between sportsbooks. This allows bettors to guarantee a profit regardless of the result by capitalizing on the odds variations across platforms.
But it isn't just as simple as that, arbing takes clever strategies and a few crucial tips if you want to make serious profit.
In this post, we’ll explore how to identify lucrative arbitrage betting opportunities, share valuable tips to help you maximize your winnings and introduce you to essential tools that can make your arbitrage strategy as profitable as possible.
Contents
- How Arbitrage Betting Works
- 3 Arbitrage Betting Strategies for Consistent Success
- Essential Arbitrage Betting Tips for Beginners
- Taking Your Arbitrage Betting Strategy to the Next Level
1. How Arbitrage Betting Works
Arbitrage betting allows bettors to guarantee themselves profit by exploiting the differences in odds offered between various sportsbooks. This method involves identifying situations where the combined odds allow you to lock in a profit no matter the result. You then place a bet at multiple sportsbooks to cover all possible outcomes.
Arbing opportunities occur when the odds offered by different sportsbooks differ to the extent that you can cover all possible outcomes and still secure a profit.
Why Sportsbooks Offer Different Odds
Odds variations happen because sportsbooks are responsible for setting their own odds. They use a number of factors to do this which include:
- Differing Opinions: Sportsbooks use their own expertise, analytics and models to predict outcomes, leading to variations in odds.
- Sportsbook Strategy: Some sportsbooks may deliberately offer higher odds to attract more customers, especially in competitive markets.
- Market Influences: Betting activity, such as large amounts being placed on a specific outcome, can shift the odds at one sportsbook without affecting others.
You won’t necessarily know if or when an arbitrage betting opportunity will occur but there are some strategies you can use to ensure consistent success and guaranteed profit.
2. 3 Arbitrage Betting Strategies for Consistent Success
Strategy 1: Check Multiple Sportsbooks
Known as “line shopping”, this is probably the most essential strategy for successful arbitrage betting. Line shopping is the process of scanning multiple sportsbooks and comparing the odds on offer - for the same event - to find arbing opportunities.
By consistently betting on the best odds available, you'll increase your profit margins and find more frequent arbitrage opportunities. However, looking through hundreds of odds from numerous sportsbooks can be incredibly time-consuming.
Key Tip: Use odds comparison tools or arbitrage betting software to quickly find the best odds across different sportsbooks, saving time and increasing your arbing activities.
Strategy 2: Timing is Everything
Timing is crucial when it comes to arbitrage betting. Odds fluctuate based on market movements, team news, injuries and bettor activity. And this can happen in a matter of seconds.
Arbitrage opportunities can appear and disappear quickly, so it's important to place your bets at the right time. Experienced arbitrage bettors know when to jump on odds early or wait for the market to shift in their favor. Sometimes, placing one part of your arbitrage bet early and waiting for the odds to improve on the other side can ensure better profits.
Key Tip: Monitor odds movements and be ready to place your bets as soon as an arbitrage betting opportunity arises.
Strategy 3: Bankroll Management
Effective bankroll management is a cornerstone of successful arbitrage betting. Since arbitrage margins can be relatively small, consistently betting a portion of your bankroll on each opportunity ensures you don’t risk too much on any single bet. It's important to calculate your stake precisely to make sure you lock in guaranteed profits across multiple sportsbooks.
Key Tip: Use an arbitrage calculator to work out the exact amounts you need to wager at each sportsbook to maximize your profit potential.
Strategy 4: Automate the Process
Specialized arbitrage betting software is designed to scan odds across multiple sportsbooks in real-time, automatically identifying arbitrage opportunities. These tools compare odds for different outcomes of the same event and alert you when a potential arbitrage bet exists, saving you so much time and meaning you can place your bets quickly before the arbs disappear.
Key Tip: Want to take your arbitrage betting game to the next level? Try ProfitDuel, home of the #1 arbitrage bet finder software. With our $1 trial, you can see for yourself how easy it is to uncover profitable opportunities and maximize your winnings.
3. Essential Arbitrage Betting Tips for Beginners
Tip 1: Start Small
Arbitrage betting isn’t a get rich quick scheme. Instead, it’s a way to build up consistent, guaranteed profit on a regular, ongoing basis.
Take some time to understand how odds work, how to identify profitable arbing opportunities and how to calculate stakes.
The strategy can be a bit overwhelming, especially for beginners and especially for those trying to do it all manually*. Therefore, starting with smaller amounts can let you build confidence and avoid any errors (we’re only human, after all).
*Automate your arbitrage betting strategy with ProfitDuel.
Tip 2: Use Multiple Sportsbook Accounts
To do arbitrage betting, you need accounts with at least two sportsbooks. However, if you only sign up with two, you’re cutting off a huge amount of earning potential.
There are currently 50+ sportsbooks available in the US. (Please remember that not every sportsbook will be available in your state, so check your eligibility before you sign up). Increase your arbing opportunities by having accounts with as many sportsbooks as possible.
Tip 3: Track Your Bets and Profits
By tracking every bet you place, including the odds taken, amount wagered and profit, you can accurately record your overall profit. This helps you spot trends, identify any potential issues and make data-driven adjustments to your betting strategy.
Tip 4: Avoid Betting on Highly Volatile Markets
Highly volatile markets, such as those with unpredictable or rapidly shifting odds, can be risky for arbitrage betting. In these markets odds change too quickly, making it difficult to place all the necessary bets before the arb disappears. This can leave you exposed to losses if you're unable to cover all outcomes in time.
Instead, focus on more stable markets where odds fluctuate less frequently to minimize your risk of missing out on profitable arbitrage opportunities due to rapid odds changes.
Tip 5: Use Sportsbooks’ Promo Offers
Did you know that sportsbooks often give promotional offers such as free bets out to new and existing customers? These free bets promos can be converted into real profit using a method called “matched betting”. The process is similar to arbitrage betting but means you can increase your profits further by utilizing the bonus at one sportsbook to offset your hedge bet at the other sportsbook.
4. Taking Your Arbitrage Betting Strategy to the Next Level
Ultimately, the key to a successful arbitrage betting strategy is the ability to move quickly. Guaranteed profits are a given, thanks to the arbitrage method but maximizing your profits depends on finding the best arb opportunities before odds change.
To do this, it makes sense to automate the process by using the best arbitrage betting software available. ProfitDuel is home to Dutch Matcher, the #1 arbitrage bet finding software. This amazing tool takes the guesswork out of arbing, scanning thousands of odds, comparing across sportsbooks and calculating the necessary stakes for you.
And that’s not all you can do at ProfitDuel; arbing is just one way to earn guaranteed profit from online sportsbooks. Matched betting is a method that uses free bet offers and promos to guarantee risk-free profits. By converting these free bets into profit, you can systematically secure monthly profits in the $1,000s, all thanks to matched betting.
Why not try ProfitDuel out, starting with 50% off your first month, where you can earn your first profits.