What Is Arbitrage Betting?
Arbitrage betting (also called “arbing” or “surebetting”) is a strategy where you bet on all possible outcomes of an event at different bookmakers to guarantee a profit regardless of the result.
How it works:
- Bookmaker A offers high odds on Team 1
- Bookmaker B offers high odds on Team 2
- The combined odds create a profit margin
- You bet calculated amounts on both outcomes
- You profit no matter who wins
Example: Tennis match - Player A vs Player B
- Bookmaker 1: Player A at 2.10
- Bookmaker 2: Player B at 2.05
If the combined margin is less than 100%, an arbitrage opportunity exists.
How the Arbitrage Calculator Works
Enter odds from different bookmakers:
| Input | Description |
|---|---|
| Outcome 1 Odds | Best odds for first outcome |
| Outcome 2 Odds | Best odds for second outcome |
| Outcome 3 Odds | Optional: for 3-way markets (draw) |
| Total Stake | Amount you want to invest |
The calculator shows:
- Whether an arbitrage opportunity exists
- Exact stake for each outcome
- Guaranteed profit amount
- Profit percentage
Arbitrage Formula Explained
2-Way Arbitrage (Two Outcomes)
Arbitrage % = (1/Odds1) + (1/Odds2) × 100
If result < 100%: Arbitrage exists If result > 100%: No arbitrage (bookmaker margin)
Calculating Individual Stakes
Stake on Outcome 1 = Total Stake × (1/Odds1) / Arbitrage%
Stake on Outcome 2 = Total Stake × (1/Odds2) / Arbitrage%
Example Calculation
Tennis match:
- Odds 1: 2.10 (Player A wins)
- Odds 2: 2.05 (Player B wins)
- Total stake: $100
Step 1: Check for arbitrage
(1/2.10) + (1/2.05) = 0.476 + 0.488 = 0.964 (96.4%)
96.4% < 100% = Arbitrage exists!
Step 2: Calculate stakes
Stake on Player A = $100 × (1/2.10) / 0.964 = $49.38
Stake on Player B = $100 × (1/2.05) / 0.964 = $50.62
Step 3: Calculate returns
| Outcome | Stake | Return | Profit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Player A wins | $49.38 | $49.38 × 2.10 = $103.70 | $3.70 |
| Player B wins | $50.62 | $50.62 × 2.05 = $103.77 | $3.77 |
Guaranteed profit: ~$3.70 (3.7% return) regardless of result.
3-Way Arbitrage (Including Draw)
For sports like football with three outcomes:
Arbitrage % = (1/Odds1) + (1/Odds2) + (1/OddsDraw) × 100
Example: Football Match
- Home win: 3.50
- Draw: 3.80
- Away win: 2.20
(1/3.50) + (1/3.80) + (1/2.20) = 0.286 + 0.263 + 0.455 = 1.004 (100.4%)
100.4% > 100% = No arbitrage opportunity.
A Working 3-Way Example
- Home win: 4.00
- Draw: 4.20
- Away win: 2.10
(1/4.00) + (1/4.20) + (1/2.10) = 0.250 + 0.238 + 0.476 = 0.964 (96.4%)
Arbitrage exists! With $100 stake:
| Outcome | Stake | Return |
|---|---|---|
| Home | $25.93 | $103.72 |
| Draw | $24.69 | $103.70 |
| Away | $49.38 | $103.70 |
Guaranteed profit: ~$3.70
Types of Arbitrage Opportunities
1. Pre-Match Arbitrage
Found before events start:
- More time to place bets
- Easier to execute
- Lower profit margins (0.5% - 5%)
2. Live/In-Play Arbitrage
Found during events:
- Odds change rapidly
- Higher profit potential
- Requires fast execution
- Higher risk of odds changing
3. Cross-Market Arbitrage
Betting on related but different markets:
- Asian Handicap vs 1X2
- Over/Under vs Team Totals
- More complex calculations
Realistic Arbitrage Profit Margins
| Market Type | Typical Margin | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tennis | 1% - 5% | Two outcomes, competitive odds |
| Football (1X2) | 0.5% - 3% | Three outcomes, harder to find |
| Basketball | 1% - 4% | Moneylines and spreads |
| E-sports | 2% - 8% | Less efficient markets |
| Niche sports | 3% - 10% | Fewer bookmakers, bigger gaps |
When Arbitrage Opportunities Occur
Bookmaker Pricing Differences
Different bookmakers have different opinions:
- Bookmaker A favors Team 1
- Bookmaker B favors Team 2
- Combined odds create opportunity
Line Movement Timing
When news breaks or bets come in:
- One bookmaker adjusts quickly
- Another bookmaker lags behind
- Temporary arbitrage window opens
Promotional Odds Boosts
Bookmaker promotions can create arbitrage:
- Enhanced odds on one outcome
- Normal odds elsewhere
- Profitable combination
Arbitrage Betting Risks
1. Limited Accounts
The biggest risk. Bookmakers don’t like arbers:
- Stake limits on your account
- Restricted markets
- Account closure
Mitigation: Round bets to natural amounts, vary bet sizes, don’t withdraw too frequently.
2. Odds Changes
Odds can change between placing bets:
- You place bet 1
- Odds for bet 2 drop
- Arbitrage disappears or becomes a loss
Mitigation: Use betting exchanges, bet quickly, have accounts ready.
3. Palpable Errors
Bookmakers can void bets on obvious errors:
- Mispriced odds get cancelled
- You’re left with one-sided exposure
Mitigation: Avoid suspiciously high odds, check for mistakes.
4. Maximum Stake Limits
You may not be able to place your calculated stake:
- Bookmaker has lower limits
- Market liquidity insufficient
Mitigation: Check limits before calculating, use multiple bookmakers.
Arbitrage Betting Strategies
1. Start Small
Begin with:
- $100-500 total bankroll
- 5-10 bookmaker accounts
- Pre-match opportunities only
Build experience before scaling.
2. Track Everything
Keep records of:
- Every arbitrage bet placed
- Bookmaker used
- Stake and profit
- Account restrictions
3. Diversify Bookmakers
Don’t overuse any single bookmaker:
- Rotate between books
- Spread volume across accounts
- Maintain healthy betting patterns
4. Use Arbitrage Software
Manual searching is slow. Consider:
- Odds comparison sites
- Arbitrage alert services
- Betting exchange APIs
Required Bankroll for Arbitrage
| Monthly Goal | Avg. Margin | Monthly Turnover | Required Bankroll |
|---|---|---|---|
| $100 | 2% | $5,000 | $500-1,000 |
| $500 | 2% | $25,000 | $2,500-5,000 |
| $1,000 | 2% | $50,000 | $5,000-10,000 |
Assumes bankroll is bet 5-10 times per month across all bookmakers
Arbitrage vs Value Betting
| Feature | Arbitrage | Value Betting |
|---|---|---|
| Risk | Zero (in theory) | Some variance |
| Profit margin | Lower (1-5%) | Higher (2-10%+) |
| Account limits | Faster limits | Slower limits |
| Complexity | Higher (multiple bets) | Lower (single bets) |
| Capital efficiency | Lower | Higher |
Many experienced bettors combine both approaches.
Quick Arbitrage Reference
Minimum Odds for 2% Profit
| Odds 1 | Minimum Odds 2 |
|---|---|
| 1.80 | 2.33 |
| 2.00 | 2.08 |
| 2.20 | 1.92 |
| 2.50 | 1.72 |
| 3.00 | 1.52 |
Arbitrage Percentage Guide
| Percentage | Meaning |
|---|---|
| < 95% | Strong arbitrage (5%+ profit) |
| 95% - 98% | Good arbitrage (2-5% profit) |
| 98% - 100% | Marginal arbitrage (<2% profit) |
| 100% - 105% | No arbitrage (normal market) |
| > 105% | Heavily juiced market |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is arbitrage betting legal?
Yes, arbitrage betting is legal. You’re simply placing bets at different bookmakers. However, bookmakers may close or limit accounts of suspected arbers.
How much can I make from arbitrage?
With a $5,000 bankroll and dedication, $500-1,000/month is realistic. Professional arbers with large bankrolls can make significantly more.
Why don’t bookmakers stop arbitrage?
They try to, through limits and account closures. But different bookmakers have different opinions on odds, creating natural price differences.
Do I need special software?
Not required but helpful. Manual searching is time-consuming. Many arbers use odds comparison tools or arbitrage alert services.
How fast do I need to be?
Pre-match arbs can last minutes to hours. Live arbs may last seconds. Speed matters, especially for in-play betting.
What sports are best for arbitrage?
Tennis and basketball (2 outcomes) are easiest. Football is harder (3 outcomes). Niche sports often have bigger margins but less liquidity.
Start Finding Arbitrage Opportunities
Use our free arbitrage calculator above to:
- Enter odds from different bookmakers
- See if an arbitrage opportunity exists
- Calculate exact stakes for each outcome
- Know your guaranteed profit before betting
- Compare 2-way and 3-way markets
The calculator instantly shows whether you have a profitable opportunity and exactly how much to stake on each outcome for guaranteed returns.