Arbusers

Matched betting is not the most straightforward concept for new bettors to understand. However, with a bit of patience, everybody should be able to pick up the idea. While studying the in-depth strategies behind matched betting can take a lot of your time (and you will need to do this if you want to become a pro), just understanding the basics only takes a matter of minutes. We are going to explain the concept to you right here.

What Is Matched Betting?
Explained in its simplest form, matched betting involves engaging in two types of bets in a bid to cover the market (all possible outcomes of a match). One bet is played at an exchange, and this consists of a wager on something not happening, also known as a lay. The second bet is placed at a sportsbook and is a wager on something happening in a game, also known as backing a bet. If done correctly, you can guarantee a return.

Key Terminology to Learn
It is not just the basics behind matched betting that you need to learn. While strategies and tactics can wait until you are more seasoned, you must get to grips with the terminology used in matched betting straight away. Again, we can help you with this. Here are some key terms you need to know from the off:
Arbitrage: Arbitrage is one of several terms for matched betting. This type of betting involves claiming free bet bonuses to back and lay bets and guarantee a profit.
Back: When you back a bet, you are essentially saying that you believe something will happen in a sports match. For instance, an example of backing a bet would be wagering money on Team A to beat Team B. You can back bets at conventional sportsbooks.
Exchange: An exchange is a type of betting site where you can act as the bookmaker. It is essential if you want to lay a bet.
Free Bet Bonus: This type of money is also known as a money-back bet and is commonly awarded to new players at online sports betting sites. It is essential if you want to guarantee a profit and cover the market.
Lay: Laying a bet involves betting against an outcome. For instance, you could wager that Team A will not beat Team B, meaning that you have covered two out of three outcomes (Team B winning or drawing). To lay a bet, you must visit an exchange and offer up your bet for someone else to back it. This makes you the bookmaker, so if you lose your bet, you are going to have to pay the backer their winnings.
Liability: Liability is the total amount of money you could be liable to lose (to pay backers) if your lay bet goes wrong at an exchange. Always use a matched betting calculator to assess your total liability before you bet.
Liquidity: This details the amount of money in a market. It tells backers and layers how much money is available in a specific bet for them to get involved with. Bets with plenty of liquidity may not be taken up, but once all the liquidity is gone, nobody else can wager on that market.
Market: The market is the specific sport or event that you are laying or backing. This may be Team A versus Team B, the first player to score, or any other type of bet.
Sportsbook: A sportsbook is an online bookmaker or betting site. These are essential to back bets, and you can find hundreds of them out there to use.

How to Place a Matched Bet
If you want to engage in matched betting, you need to sign up for a sportsbook and a betting exchange. Be sure to claim a free bet money-back bonus. This will see you get your money back if the match you back goes the wrong way.
Back a bet at the sportsbook. For example, Team A beating Team B. Be sure to use your free bet money-back offer. This way, if Team A wins, you will pocket money, and if they lose, you will get your money back. To cover the “draw”, you now need to head to an exchange and “lay” a bet. This involves betting on Team A not winning. Somebody will back your bet (bet on Team A winning).
If Team A wins, you will have to pay out those who backed your lay bet at the exchange. However, you will win your back bet at the sportsbook. If Team A does not win, you will get your money back at the sportsbook and pocket winnings from those who backed your lay bet at the exchange. Either way, you should win.

Can I Really Win?
Assuming you have covered the market (all possible outcomes of a sporting event), then you will pocket a return. The question is, will that return be enough to cover any possible payouts via your lay bets? To ensure that it is, most matched bettors use a matched betting calculator. This allows you to calculate (ahead of time) the right odds to offer your lay bet to ensure that you come away with a profit no matter what. The critical thing to remember is that unless you want to splash the cash from the start, you need patience to accumulate significant winnings via this method. You will also need to sign up at many dozens of bookmakers to keep claiming new sign-up free bet, money-back offers.

Is Matched Betting Legal?
Matched betting or arbitrage wagering is not illegal per se. However, it is fair to say that bookmakers frown upon it because you are essentially taking away an edge and profiting from it. Because of this, bookmakers only typically offer one free bet money-back offer to players. This stops you from engaging in matched betting at the same bookmaker in the long term. However, there are those bookies that continually offer such deals, and these are well worth keeping an eye out for.

By default, matched betting is not for dummies. You have to take certain steps in gambling before moving to matched betting. The chicken or the egg is a causality dilemma resembling to matched betting and gambling.