You could also choose a sport with only two possible outcomes, such as MMA or Tennis, in order to simplify things. Lay bets are ideal for sports like football, which have three possible outcomes. Head to a betting exchange and place a lay bet on team A to win (this means you think team A will lose).Īlternatively, you could head to a regular bookie and place a double chance bet on Team B to win or Draw. Pay attention to how lay bets work, since you will have to pay out if the bet loses. Exchange betting sites like Smarkets or Betfair Exchange are ideal for this, since they allow you to “sell” bets. Place this bet with real money at a different bookie. Since your back bet was for A to win, your lay bet is for team A not to win. (Qualifying odds are usually 3/2 (1.50) or 2/1 (2.00), depending on which promotion or bookie you use.) Lay Bet Make sure to place it at qualifying odds for your free bet to be valid, otherwise you will not be able to collect your free bet winnings and you may have to wager it again. Your back bet is a bet predicting that an event will happen for example, a win by team A. Your matched bet means that winnings from your back bet will cover any loss from your lay bet. The Two Parts of a Matched BetĪ matched bet consists of two parts: a back bet and a lay bet. Betting exchanges are ideal for this as they allow you to place lay bets. Usually, you would place the second bet on a different site than the first, to ensure the bookie does not see you betting against yourself. Additionally, you often have to place a small wager in order to qualify for a free bet. Matched betting involves placing two wagers: one with your bonus money, one with real money. It takes advantage of changes in odds in outright, in-play or other markets, allowing you to bet safely against yourself.

Hedge betting or hedging uses movement in odds to guarantee a profit.

It takes advantage of bookies’ discrepancies to find opposite odds, allowing you to bet on both outcomes.

Arbitrage betting uses differences in odds to guarantee a profit.

It takes advantage of bookies’ promos and freebies.

Matched betting uses free bets and other promos to guarantee a profit.

While matched betting is related to hedge betting and arbing, since all three involve betting on opposite outcomes, there are key differences. Matched Betting, Hedge Betting and Arbing Not available to API, RDT or trading software customers. Standard 2% commission rate applies on 101st day.

Offer only available to users who deposit via debit card.

Promo code 0COMM100 must be entered during registration. 0% commission on all exchange sports for 100 days.

The best matched betting sites