| 1 | x | 2 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Odds: |
To achieve this profit, regardless of the match result, bet following stakes on each outcome.
| 1 | x | 2 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stake: | - | - | - |
| Win: | - | - | - |
| Net income: | - | - | - |
What Is a Surebet?
A surebet (also called a “sure bet” or “miracle bet”) is a betting opportunity where you can guarantee a profit regardless of the outcome by betting on all possible results at different bookmakers.
How surebets work:
- Find odds differences between bookmakers
- Calculate the combined margin
- If margin is below 100%, profit is guaranteed
- Place calculated stakes on each outcome
- Collect profit no matter what happens
A surebet is essentially the same as arbitrage betting - the terms are used interchangeably.
How the Surebet Calculator Works
Enter your surebet opportunity:
| Input | Description |
|---|---|
| Odds 1 | Best odds for outcome 1 (e.g., Team A wins) |
| Odds 2 | Best odds for outcome 2 (e.g., Team B wins) |
| Odds 3 | Optional: odds for draw (3-way markets) |
| Total Stake | Total amount to invest across all bets |
The calculator instantly shows:
- Whether a surebet exists
- Exact stake for each outcome
- Guaranteed profit amount
- Return percentage
Surebet Formula
Checking for a Surebet
Surebet % = (1/Odds1 + 1/Odds2) × 100
If < 100%: Surebet exists (guaranteed profit) If ≥ 100%: No surebet (bookmaker has edge)
Calculating Stakes
For a total investment of $100:
Stake 1 = $100 × (1/Odds1) / (1/Odds1 + 1/Odds2)
Stake 2 = $100 × (1/Odds2) / (1/Odds1 + 1/Odds2)
Surebet Example: Step by Step
The Opportunity
Football match: Team A vs Team B
- Bookmaker X: Team A at 2.15
- Bookmaker Y: Team B at 2.05
Step 1: Check if surebet exists
1/2.15 + 1/2.05 = 0.465 + 0.488 = 0.953 (95.3%)
95.3% < 100% = Surebet confirmed!
Step 2: Calculate profit margin
Profit = (100% - 95.3%) / 95.3% × 100 = 4.93%
Step 3: Calculate stakes ($100 total)
Stake on Team A = $100 × 0.465 / 0.953 = $48.79
Stake on Team B = $100 × 0.488 / 0.953 = $51.21
Step 4: Verify returns
| Outcome | Stake | Calculation | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Team A wins | $48.79 | $48.79 × 2.15 | $104.90 |
| Team B wins | $51.21 | $51.21 × 2.05 | $104.98 |
Guaranteed profit: ~$4.90-$4.98 (about 5%)
3-Way Surebet Example
Football with Draw Option
- Bookmaker A: Home win at 3.80
- Bookmaker B: Draw at 4.20
- Bookmaker C: Away win at 2.15
Check for surebet:
1/3.80 + 1/4.20 + 1/2.15 = 0.263 + 0.238 + 0.465 = 0.966 (96.6%)
Surebet exists! Profit margin: ~3.5%
Stakes for $100 total:
| Outcome | Calculation | Stake | Return if wins |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home | $100 × 0.263 / 0.966 | $27.23 | $103.47 |
| Draw | $100 × 0.238 / 0.966 | $24.64 | $103.49 |
| Away | $100 × 0.465 / 0.966 | $48.13 | $103.48 |
Guaranteed profit: ~$3.47-$3.49
Finding Surebets
Where Surebets Occur
- Different bookmaker opinions - One book favors Team A, another favors Team B
- Slow line movement - One book adjusts odds faster than another
- Promotions - Enhanced odds or price boosts create opportunities
- New markets - Less efficient pricing on new events
Tools for Finding Surebets
- Odds comparison websites - Compare odds across bookmakers
- Surebet scanners - Automated software that finds opportunities
- Betting exchanges - Often have competitive odds
- Price tracking - Monitor odds changes over time
How Long Do Surebets Last?
| Type | Duration | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Major sports | Minutes to hours | Common |
| Niche sports | Hours to days | More common |
| Live betting | Seconds | Rare but profitable |
| Promotions | While offer lasts | Predictable |
Surebet Profit Expectations
Realistic Margins
| Market | Typical Margin |
|---|---|
| Pre-match 2-way | 1% - 4% |
| Pre-match 3-way | 0.5% - 3% |
| Live betting | 1% - 6% |
| Niche sports | 2% - 8% |
| Promotional | 3% - 15% |
Monthly Profit Potential
| Bankroll | Turnover/Month | Avg. Margin | Monthly Profit |
|---|---|---|---|
| $500 | $2,500 | 2% | $50 |
| $1,000 | $5,000 | 2% | $100 |
| $5,000 | $25,000 | 2% | $500 |
| $10,000 | $50,000 | 2% | $1,000 |
Assumes bankroll turns over 5x per month
Surebet Risks
1. Account Restrictions
Bookmakers don’t like surebetters:
- Stake limits - Maximum bet reduced
- Delayed bets - Manual approval required
- Account closure - Banned from betting
How to avoid: Vary bet sizes, bet on popular markets, don’t withdraw too often.
2. Odds Movement
Prices can change between bets:
- You bet on outcome 1
- Odds for outcome 2 drop
- Surebet becomes regular bet or loss
How to avoid: Bet quickly, have accounts funded, use multiple devices.
3. Betting Limits
You may not be able to place full stakes:
- Bookmaker has low limits
- Market liquidity is thin
- Account already restricted
How to avoid: Check limits first, use multiple bookmakers.
4. Palpable Errors
Bookmakers can void obviously wrong odds:
- 10.00 instead of 1.10 typo
- Your bet gets cancelled
- You’re exposed on other outcomes
How to avoid: If odds look too good, they probably are.
Surebet Strategy Tips
1. Multiple Accounts
Open accounts at many bookmakers:
- 10-20 accounts minimum
- More accounts = more opportunities
- Keep accounts active with occasional bets
2. Bankroll Management
Spread your bankroll:
- Don’t put all funds at one bookmaker
- Keep reserves for quick deposits
- Track your total exposure
3. Bet Sizing
Make bets look natural:
- Round to normal amounts ($10, $25, $50)
- Avoid exact calculated amounts ($47.83)
- Vary your bet sizes
4. Record Keeping
Track everything:
- Every surebet placed
- Profit per bookmaker
- Account status and limits
Surebet vs Regular Betting
| Feature | Surebet | Regular Betting |
|---|---|---|
| Risk | None (in theory) | Full stake at risk |
| Profit | Guaranteed 1-5% | Variable (can lose) |
| Effort | High (finding, placing) | Low |
| Account issues | Very likely | Less likely |
| Scalability | Limited by accounts | Limited by bankroll |
Quick Surebet Reference
Minimum Odds Combinations for 2% Profit
| Odds 1 | Minimum Odds 2 |
|---|---|
| 1.90 | 2.16 |
| 2.00 | 2.04 |
| 2.10 | 1.94 |
| 2.20 | 1.86 |
| 2.50 | 1.69 |
Surebet Quality Guide
| Combined % | Quality | Profit Margin |
|---|---|---|
| < 94% | Excellent | 6%+ |
| 94-96% | Very good | 4-6% |
| 96-98% | Good | 2-4% |
| 98-99% | Marginal | 1-2% |
| 99-100% | Barely profitable | <1% |
Surebet Calculation Shortcuts
Quick Margin Check
If both odds are around 2.00:
- Both at 2.00 exactly = 100% (no surebet)
- One at 2.00, one at 2.10 = 97.6% (2.4% surebet)
- One at 2.05, one at 2.05 = 97.6% (2.4% surebet)
- One at 2.10, one at 2.10 = 95.2% (5% surebet)
Stake Split Estimate
For similar odds (both near 2.00):
- Split roughly 50/50
- Slightly more on the lower odds
For different odds (1.50 vs 3.00):
- More on the lower odds (~67%)
- Less on the higher odds (~33%)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is surebetting legal?
Yes, surebetting is legal. You’re simply placing bets at different bookmakers. However, bookmakers can limit or close your accounts.
How much money do I need to start?
Start with $200-500 to learn. $1,000-5,000 is better for meaningful profits. Professional surebetters use $10,000+.
How many surebets can I find per day?
Depends on your setup. Manual searching: 5-20 per day. With software: 50-200+ per day. Most only last minutes.
Do I need special software?
Not required but recommended. Manual searching is time-consuming. Surebet scanners cost $50-200/month but find opportunities faster.
What sports are best for surebets?
Tennis (2 outcomes, many matches), football (high liquidity), basketball, and niche sports (less efficient markets).
Why do bookmakers allow surebets?
They don’t intentionally - surebets occur due to different opinions between bookmakers. They try to limit surebetters when detected.
Start Finding Surebets
Use our free surebet calculator above to:
- Enter odds from different bookmakers
- Instantly see if a surebet exists
- Get exact stakes for each outcome
- Calculate your guaranteed profit
- Verify returns before placing bets
The calculator handles all the math so you can focus on finding and executing surebet opportunities quickly before odds change.