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Arbitrage Betting

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ByBets Funder

Arbitrage Betting

✅ General Definition

Arbitrage betting, often shortened to arbing, is a betting strategy where a bettor places bets on all possible outcomes of an event at different bookmakers to guarantee a profit, regardless of the outcome.

It exploits odds discrepancies between bookmakers, typically caused by slow line updates or differing opinions.

📌 How It Works

You place multiple bets on all outcomes of an event using different sportsbooks where the combined implied probability is less than 100 percent.

This creates a mathematical edge, not a predictive one.

💬 Example

Tennis Match – Federer vs. Nadal

  • Bookmaker A: Federer 2.10

  • Bookmaker B: Nadal 2.10

Implied probabilities:

  • Federer: 100 ÷ 2.10 = 47.62 percent

  • Nadal: 100 ÷ 2.10 = 47.62 percent

  • Total: 95.24 percent → Arbitrage exists

You bet:

  • $500 on Federer at Bookmaker A

  • $500 on Nadal at Bookmaker B

Guaranteed profit:

  • Payout either way: $1050

  • Profit: $1050 – $1000 = $50

💡 Key Characteristics

  • Risk-free if executed correctly

  • Requires multiple accounts at different sportsbooks

  • Profits are usually small, but consistent

  • Fast reaction time is essential — odds change quickly

🧠 Strategy Tools

  • Use arbitrage calculators to determine stake sizing

  • Use odds comparison sites and arbing software like:

    • RebelBetting

    • OddsJam

    • BetBurger

⚠️ Common Pitfalls

  • Bookmakers voiding bets or changing odds mid-process

  • Stake limits or account bans for arbers

  • Currency conversion or withdrawal fees cutting into profit

  • Relying on slow manual execution

🧮 Formula for Arbitrage %

Arb Opportunity (%)=(1Odds A+1Odds B)×100\text{Arb Opportunity (\%)} = \left( \frac{1}{\text{Odds A}} + \frac{1}{\text{Odds B}} \right) \times 100

If total is less than 100 percent, there’s a profitable arbitrage.

🔍 Variants

  • Two-way arbs (e.g. tennis, basketball moneylines)

  • Three-way arbs (e.g. soccer 1X2)

  • Middling (if lines are far enough apart, you can win both bets)

📈 Related Concepts

  • Hedging – similar idea, but often used after initial exposure

  • Dutching – placing multiple bets to cover all outcomes with calculated stakes

  • Surebet – another term for arbitrage bet

💬 In Summary

  • Arbitrage betting guarantees profit by leveraging odds inefficiencies

  • Requires precision, tools, and discipline

  • Often not sustainable long-term on a single bookmaker due to restrictions

  • Best suited for experienced bettors with multiple bookmaker access

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