Described below is a method that professional gamblers use to ensure a return from a number of bets. It can be used to eliminate risk or reduce the risk, and is known as ‘hedging your bets’. This is not gambling, it’s a calculated risk, gambling in it’s pure form will involve risks and you should never bet if you can’t afford to lose your stake.

 

Arbing is the most simple of all betting methods, basically you back a result at the bookmakers and lay the same bet at a betting exchange. The odds at the exchange need to be shorter than the odds at the bookmakers to ensure a profit. To complicate the matter you will have to pay a commission at the exchange if that side of your bet wins so this typical 5% needs to be factored in to the calculation.

 

The most important factor to understand is that you are LAYING exactly the SAME bet – Place a bet on England to beat Germany, then lay England to beat Germany again.

 

DON’T back Germany. By laying England you are actually betting on a draw or Germany win.

 

Example

 

Back England Evens (2.0) £10, Lay England 5/3 on (1.6) £12.90

 

If England win return is £20 including stake but exchange loss means paying out £7.74 (this 3/5 of your bet at the exchange, the amount you offered to the exchange bettor) – Profit £2.26.

 

If Germany win you lose your £10 stake at the Bookmaker but you win £12.90 less 5% at the exchange – Profit £2.26.

 

If the result is a draw you lose your £10 stake at the Bookmaker but you win £12.90 less 5% at the exchange – Profit £2.26.

 

Whatever the result - £2.26 Profit.

 

A small profit but at 9% of the outlay this starts to look good when we are placing £1000 or more at each side - £180 profit guaranteed for an outlay of £2000

 

Once again the only risks are differing rules on void bets, a bookie refusing to take your bet, the odds being wrongly quoted resulting in the bookmaker palping your bet or a mistake whilst placing the bet. All these can be avoided by checking T&C’s, not placing too large a bet, checking the odds are better but still in line with other bookmakers and being careful double checking your bet whilst placing it.

 

Link to calulator here

 

The above method will become much clearer after a few attempts but I would advise reading the article more than once and possibly researching further information.

 

Please use our links to the bookmakers and exchanges as the more you are signed up for the more chance of finding suitable bets.

 

Speed of finding and speed of placing your bet is crucial but you will learn where arbs and dutching occurs.

 

ALWAYS place your bet at the bookies first as if any leg of your bet can’t be placed you may end up paying out on one side only, therefore you are better off losing your stake than your stake times your odds as the layer of the bet.