Myths about Surebets: What Works and What Doesn't?

Arbitrage betting (also known as sports arbitrage) is one of the most well-known ways to earn profits in the world of sports betting. The essence of the strategy lies in finding differences in the odds for the same event across different bookmakers and placing bets on opposing outcomes in such a way that, regardless of the result, you make a profit. In theory, this seems like a foolproof method, but in practice, there are many nuances and misconceptions that affect the success of arbitrage bettors.

In this article, we will debunk the most common myths about arbitrage betting and explain what truly works in the world of arbitrage and what doesn’t.

Myth 1: A beginner arbitrage bettor should learn to find arbitrage opportunities on their own

❗Why is this a myth?

• In today’s world, arbitrage opportunities only last for a few minutes, sometimes even seconds. Bookmakers quickly adjust their odds, and if a bettor spends time manually searching, they are likely to miss a profitable opportunity. While automated services scan hundreds of markets in seconds, manual searching requires much more time and effort.
• Manual searching also demands experience (which beginners lack), a high level of attention, and strong mathematical skills. You need to accurately calculate the bet proportions to guarantee profit regardless of the event's outcome. Mistakes in these calculations can lead to losses, which is particularly painful for beginners.

➡️What works?

For beginners, the best approach is using arbitrage scanners. These services find current arbitrage opportunities in a fraction of a second and provide all the necessary data for placing the correct bet. The bettor simply needs to choose the event and place the appropriate amount. These tools minimize the risk of mistakes and increase the chances of success.

There is a lot of free information available about arbitrage betting, stake calculation, bankroll requirements, recommendations on avoiding bookmaker limits, and more. Our entire site is dedicated to this.

Myth 2: You need a huge bankroll for arbitrage betting

❗Why is this a myth?

Many believe that a large initial capital is essential for successful arbitrage betting. In reality, you can start with any bankroll, and even small amounts can generate profit. However, the smaller the bankroll, the slower your profits will grow, and the longer it will take to see significant earnings.

We have provided a step-by-step guide on how to increase your bankroll by 20 times in this article on our website.

Small bankrolls also limit the number of available bets, as arbitrage betting requires placing bets on all outcomes, which may require substantial investments.

➡️What works?

You can start with a small bankroll, but be prepared for a slower process. Gradually increasing your bankroll is one path that some arbitrage bettors follow. Additionally, it's important to be cautious in managing your bankroll. There are strategies for managing your betting funds that have already proven effective.

Myth 3: Manually finding arbitrage opportunities won’t attract bookmakers’ attention

❗Why is this a myth?

Manual arbitrage searching may seem less suspicious than using automated scanners, but that doesn’t mean you will avoid the bookmakers’ attention. Bookmakers analyze bettors behavior based on a number of factors, and an arbitrage pattern can be easily detected:

• Unusual bets on different outcomes of the same event. If a bettor consistently bets on opposing outcomes of the same event with different bookmakers, this raises suspicion, especially if these bets occur regularly.
• Frequent use of favorable odds. Even if you found the arbitrage opportunity manually, your account can be flagged if you constantly bet on outcomes with obviously inflated odds. Bookmakers are aware when their odds deviate significantly from the market average, and sometimes they even set traps by offering inflated odds intentionally. They then settle the bet at odds of 1.00, meaning they lose nothing, and all arbitrage bettors are caught.
• Unusual bet amounts. Inexperienced arbitrage bettors with small bankrolls often place bets like €10.31 to perfectly match the required distribution between opposite outcomes. This is unusual compared to traditional bettors, who tend to bet round amounts like €10.

➡️What works?

Arbitrage scanners are useful tools for finding arbitrage opportunities, but success depends not only on using them. It’s important to monitor how you place bets, diversify your types of bets, use accounts across different bookmakers, and maintain discipline in bankroll management.

Myth 4: Arbitrage betting is an easy and quick way to make money

❗Why is this a myth?

Beginners often view arbitrage betting as a way to easily and reliably make profits, requiring no special skills. In reality, arbitrage betting demands a more thoughtful approach and some persistence. Here are a few reasons why it's not the easiest way to make money:

• Bookmakers actively combat arbitrage bettors. Although not always successfully, their efforts can complicate arbitrage betting in practice. Platforms use various methods to detect suspicious bets and may restrict the accounts of bettor engaging in arbitrage betting.
• Changing odds. Arbitrage opportunities often last only a few minutes, and the bettor must act very quickly to place bets on both sides of the market.
• The margin rarely exceeds 10%. Although arbitrage betting guarantees a no-loss situation, the margin is usually only 3-7%. To achieve significant profits, you need a large bankroll and a constant flow of new opportunities.

➡️What works?

Yes, arbitrage betting can indeed generate profits if the bettor is willing to invest time and effort in finding arbitrage opportunities (or purchasing a paid scanner subscription), managing their bankroll, and adapting to bookmaker conditions. However, it is far from a passive income stream. Successful arbitrage bettors use automated arbitrage scanners, refine their skills, and take measures to minimize the risk of account suspension.

Myth 5: The more arbitrage bets you place, the more profit you make

❗Why is this a myth?

Some arbers believe that the more arbitrage bets they find and place, the more profit they will make. However, this isn’t always the case. Placing too many bets can increase the risk of account suspension, especially if the bettor acts hastily without thoroughly checking the odds or making accurate calculations.

Additionally, not all arbitrage opportunities are equally profitable. Some have very small margins (1-2%), and even slight changes in odds can lead to losses. Bets with larger margins may be less frequent but more profitable in the long run.

➡️What works?

Instead of focusing on the number of arbitrage opportunities, it’s better to concentrate on their quality. The quality of an arbitrage bet is determined not only by its profitability but also by the bookmakers involved, reasonable betting limits, and the time available to make accurate calculations and place all bets.

Myth 6: You can always win with arbitrage betting

❗Why is this a myth?

In theory, arbitrage bets ensure a win in any situation, but in practice, many factors can prevent this:

• Odds fluctuation. Odds may change before the surebettor manages to place bets on both outcomes.
• Calculation errors. Even small mistakes in calculations or misjudging the odds can lead to losses.
• Bookmaker limits. Bookmakers may impose limits on the amount of the bet, making the process more difficult.
• Withdrawal issues. Some bookmakers may delay payouts or block withdrawals if they suspect the bettor is engaging in arbitrage betting.

➡️What works?

In an ideal world, under perfect conditions, arbitrage betting guarantees a win. However, mistakes by the arbitrage bettor, as well as bookmaker actions, can disrupt the strategy. Successful arbitrage bettors pay attention to every step: from finding the arbitrage opportunity to managing bets and withdrawing funds.

Myth 7: Bookmakers don’t have the legal right to prevent arbitrage betting

❗Why is this a myth?

Legally, using arbitrage strategies isn’t against the law since the bettor is merely exploiting differences in odds between various bookmakers. However, bookmakers set their own rules and have full authority to restrict, block, or confiscate funds from bettors if they suspect them of using arbitrage strategies.

Bookmakers lose money when bettors use arbitrage, so they implement complex algorithms to detect suspicious activities. Bettors who consistently win through arbitrage or place large bets on events with uncertain outcomes may face various sanctions from bookmakers, including:

• Limiting maximum bets.
• Closing accounts.
• Denying payouts.

➡️What works?

Arbitrage bettors must always be cautious — that’s a given. Using different accounts and betting on a variety of outcome types can reduce the likelihood of getting flagged. Some surebettors place bets on popular events with non-arbitrage odds to blend their arbitrage bets with “normal” bets, thus disguising themselves as regular bettors.

Conclusion

Arbitrage betting remains one of the most interesting ways to profit from sports betting, but success in this field depends on understanding the realities and avoiding common myths. While arbitrage betting can be profitable, it requires patience, discipline, and good bankroll management skills. Debunking the myths about arbitrage will help bettors develop the right approach to this strategy and avoid mistakes that could lead to financial loss or account suspension.

The most successful arbitrage bettors understand that it’s not a get-rich-quick scheme, but a serious endeavor requiring constant analysis and adaptation to the ever-changing market conditions.