Matched betting is another exciting betting strategy for sports betting today. It is a relatively new strategy, and therefore more common among experienced punters than newbies. The tips and tricks used by sports punters are on a continual evolution, the eternal goal being to increase profits and minimize the loss in betting. Few strategies, nonetheless, can claim to be as foolproof as this one. With properly executed matched betting, bookmakers have well and truly met their match. There’s a saying that has been around the gambling industry for years. “In every bet, there’s a fool and a thief.” Well, with matched betting, a meticulous punter can ensure they are not the former. Let’s break down this strategy and see exactly how it can be used in everyday sports betting.
How Does Matched Betting Work?
Also known as double betting, matched betting is a formula for guaranteed profit from betting. It is a strategy that sort of flouts the natural law of all gambling, which is that every bet should expose the punter to a degree of risk. Yes, matched betting is zero risks! That said, one needs to understand how it works and apply it effectively for the strategy to bear dividends.
Matched betting is a lot similar to another risk-free sports betting strategy – arbitrage betting. Both involve, for one, betting on a market with only two possible outcomes, which have to be contrary to each other. The above means that the two outcomes have to cover the entire probability space for an event. A good example is horse racing. In a certain 12-horse race, a certain horse “A” may win the race or, if not, then one of the other 11 may win it. Horse “A” winning or failing to win two contrary outcomes covering the entire probability space for the race makes it a very good choice for a matched betting scenario.
So exactly how does it work? A matched bet is made of two parts:
- A back bet: A back bet is a normal, regular bet made on a certain outcome. It involves backing that outcome to turn out true. Using the horse racing example above, betting on horse “A” to win the race is a back bet. Any bookie can place it with any bookie.
- A lay bet: A lay bet is the opposite of a back bet. It involves betting AGAINST a certain outcome turning out to be true. Coming back to the horse example above, a lay bet would involve betting against our horse “A” to win. The punter, in this case, would be saying, “I bet that horse “A” will not win the race.” Not all bookies offer lay bets, but many do.
So just like in arbitrage, the punter places two contrary bets to the same outcome. The major catch with double betting is that it involves using the bookmaker’s free bets/bonus promotions.
Matched Betting Relies On Free Bet/Bonus Promotions
A back bet and a lay bet are two ingredients for double betting. The third is free bets/bonuses. How free bets or free-play credits come into the strategy is that one bet, either the back bet or lay a bet, will be made using the free bet. The other one is made using real money. Of importance in this scenario is to ensure that the potential earnings from the free bet wager exceed the potential loss from the bet made with real money. This opens up two scenarios:
- Real money bet wins, and free bet loses. Since the free bet did not cost any money, this means a profit from the real money bet.
- Real money bet loses, and the free bet wins. Since the free bet win earnings are greater than the loss from the real money bet, this ultimately also leads to profit.
Since the whole probability space is covered, one of the two scenarios MUST happen. And since they are both profitable, then profit from the whole betting venture is assured! One key factor distinguishing matched betting from arbitrage is that while the latter requires two different bookmakers, matched betting does not. In an actual sense, matched or double betting usually involves the same bookmaker. Also, matched betting requires free bets/bonuses, while arbitrage does not necessarily.
The Bottom Line?
When looking for a way to guarantee profits from sports betting, you can’t go wrong with matched betting. As the two scenarios above show, the punter is 100% ASSURED of a profit regardless of the sports event’s outcome. Thankfully, in the modern gambling world, it is not that difficult to find free bets. It is a cut-throat competition between bookmakers for customers, and the most popular way for enticing new customers is with these free bets/bonuses.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sports Betting
Sports betting can be an enjoyable and potentially profitable activity for some people, but it is important to approach it with caution and a clear understanding of the risks involved.
It's worth noting that sports betting is often considered a form of gambling, and like any form of gambling, there is an element of chance involved. This means that it's possible to lose money, and it's important to have realistic expectations and not to bet more than you can afford to lose. It's also important to be aware that the odds are generally in favor of the bookmakers, so it can be difficult to consistently make a profit.
That being said, sports betting can be a fun and exciting way to engage with your favorite sports. If you are going to bet, it's important to be well informed about the sport or event you are betting on, to have a clear and consistent betting strategy, and to practice good money management.
It's important to remember that sports betting should not be considered as a way to make a living, but as a form of entertainment with the added possibility of making some extra money.
Online sports betting sites determine the odds and lines for games by using a combination of factors including statistical analysis, historical data, and the expertise of their oddsmakers. These odds and lines are designed to predict the likelihood of a certain outcome and to create a balanced market where there is roughly equal betting on both sides of a wager. The oddsmakers will take into account various factors such as the teams' performance, injuries, weather conditions, and other relevant information. The goal is to create odds and lines that will accurately reflect the likelihood of each outcome, so that the betting site can generate a profit through the "juice" or "vig" built into the odds.
Providing personal information and financial details to an online sports betting site can come with some risks, as with any website that handles sensitive information. However, many reputable online sports betting sites use advanced security measures, such as encryption, to protect the personal and financial information of their customers.
It's important to make sure that the online sports betting site is legitimate and has a good reputation. You can research the site online to see if there are any complaints or issues related to security. Additionally, you should look for certifications and licenses, such as the eCOGRA Safe and Fair Seal, which indicates that the site has been independently audited and meets certain standards for security and fair play.
Furthermore, it's always a good practice to use strong passwords and to avoid using public Wi-Fi when entering personal information or making financial transactions. Also, it's recommended to use a virtual credit card or e-wallets to deposit, this could add an extra layer of security to your account and personal information.
If you suspect any suspicious activity or unauthorized access to your account, you should contact the customer support of the online sports betting site immediately.
The types of bets that can be placed online may vary depending on the jurisdiction in which the online sports betting site operates and the laws that apply in that area.
In some countries, the government may impose restrictions on certain types of bets, such as those on college sports or on certain types of casino games. In the United States for example, some states have legalized online sports betting while others have not, and the types of bets that are available may vary depending on the state.
Additionally, online sports betting sites may have their own internal policies and restrictions on certain types of bets. For example, they may limit the maximum amount that can be bet on a single event or prohibit certain types of "prop" bets.
It's important to check the terms and conditions of the online sports betting site to understand what types of bets are allowed and any restrictions that may apply.
Yes, many online sportsbooks offer live betting, also known as in-play betting, which allows players to place bets on ongoing sporting events.
Yes, we do offer bonuses for new players, such as sign-up bonuses, referral bonuses, and loyalty bonuses. These bonuses can be in the form of free bets, deposit matches, or cashback.
