FAQ

Arb Bots: Automating Arbitrage Betting

Manual arbitrage betting (or "scouting for arbs") is a highly labor-intensive process that requires monitoring the betting odds across dozens of bookmakers. The "lifecycle" of most arbitrage opportunities is measured in seconds or minutes, as bookmakers quickly adjust their odds in response to market movements or anomalous betting volumes. This is precisely where arb bots (arbitrage scanners) come into play—specialized software designed for the automated detection and calculation of arbitrage situations.

How an Arb Bot Works:

1. Scanning: In real-time, the bot continuously analyzes and compares odds for thousands of events across hundreds of bookmakers.

2. Filtering: The software filters out illiquid events and selects only those odds discrepancies where the sum of the implied probabilities guarantees a profit above a user-defined threshold.

3. Calculation: For each identified arb, the bot instantly calculates the precise stake for each leg of the bet to ensure a guaranteed or user-specified profit.

4. Notification: The system alerts the user about the found opportunity. Advanced bots can automatically place bets via API integrations with bookmaker websites.

Using an arb bot significantly enhances an arbitrage bettor's efficiency, enabling them to process hundreds of events simultaneously and act at the required speed.

Criteria for Selecting a Reliable Arb Bot

When choosing such software, it is logical to consider the following general criteria:

• Data Speed and Update Frequency: A critical parameter. The bot must update data every few seconds.

• Number of Supported Bookmakers: The broader the coverage, the greater the number of potential opportunities.

• Availability of Filters: The ability to filter arbs by sport, minimum profitability, liquidity, etc.

• User Interface Convenience: The control panel should be intuitive, allowing for quick orientation within the data stream.

• Notification Features: Instant push notifications to a browser or mobile device.

• Integrated Calculator and Bankroll Management Tools: Built-in utilities for calculating stakes and managing your betting fund.

• Subscription Cost: The balance between price and the features offered.

• Reputation and Reviews: The presence of positive feedback from real users on specialized forums and communities.

The Sliding Bank is a hybrid financial strategy combining elements of loss chasing (increasing bets after a loss) and fixed percentage betting. Unlike the classic Martingale system, where bets double after each loss, this method adjusts the bet size based on the current bankroll, reducing the risk of a rapid deposit depletion.

If you deal with arbitrage betting, multi-accounting, or simply enjoy betting, you've probably heard about "fingerprint". This technology helps bookmakers identify users even without login and password. But how exactly does it work, and how can you minimize risks? Let's find out.

📌 What is fingerprint?

The fingerprint (digital fingerprint of your device) is a set of unique data that identifies your computer or phone. It is generated based on several parameters, including:

• IP address and geolocation – where you are accessing the site from.
• Device type – computer, smartphone, tablet.
• Operating system and browser – Windows + Chrome or MacOS + Safari.
• Screen resolution – each user has slightly different settings.
• System fonts and plugins – unique to each device.
• Behavior on the site – typing speed, mouse movements, reaction time.

With this data, the bookmaker creates a unique ID for each user. Even if you clear cookies, change your IP, or use incognito mode, the system can still recognize you.

🎯 How do bookmakers use fingerprint?

• Detecting multiple accounts – if you create several profiles from the same device, the bookmaker will quickly identify and link them.
• Tracking arbitrage bettors – large deposits, bets on unusual odds, and quick withdrawals trigger security algorithms.
• Blocking unauthorized access – if a betting site is banned in your country, but you use a VPN, the fingerprint can detect the mismatch between IP and system language.

🛡 How to protect yourself from fingerprint?

It is difficult to hide completely, but you can minimize risks:

✅ Use anti-detection browsers (Dolphin, Indigo, AdsPower).
✅ Access via mobile internet instead of Wi-Fi.
✅ Change screen resolution and avoid installing the same plugins on all devices.
✅ Use different devices for different accounts.
✅ Do not log into bookmakers with Google or other connected services.

Bookmakers track not only your bets but also your digital behavior. If they detect suspicious activity, they may limit or block your account. So, in addition to mastering betting strategies, prioritize your digital security! 🚀

The pari-mutuel system (from the French pari mutuel, meaning "mutual betting") is a betting system where all bets placed are pooled together, and the payouts to winners are distributed from this pool after deducting the organizer's commission.

Key Features of the Pari-Mutuel System:

1. Common Betting Pool:

   • All bets placed by bettors on a specific event are combined into a single pool.
   • Money from the pool is then distributed among the winners proportionally to their stakes.

2. No Fixed Odds:

   • Unlike traditional bookmaker betting, the odds are not fixed in advance.
   • Odds are dynamically calculated based on the total amount bet and its distribution across outcomes.

3. Commission Deduction:

   • The organizer (e.g., a racetrack) deducts a percentage from the total pool as a commission (usually between 10% and 20%).
   • The remaining pool is divided among the winning bettors.

4. Dynamic Payouts:

   • The payout depends on how much money was bet on the winning outcome.
   • If a large amount of money is bet on the winning outcome, the payout per unit bet is lower, and vice versa.

Example of How the System Works:

• Let’s assume the total betting pool is €10 000.
• The organizer deducts a 10% commission, leaving €9 000 in the pool.
• Bettors placed the following bets:
  • €5 000 on Horse A,
  • €3 000 on Horse B,
  • €2 000 on Horse C.
• If Horse C wins, the payouts are distributed among the bettors who bet on it:
  • Total remaining pool: €9 000.
  • Amount bet on Horse C: €2 000.
  • Winning odds: €9 000 / €2 000 = 4.5.
  • A bettor who placed bet €100 on Horse C would receive: €100 × 4.5 = €450.

Advantages of the Pari-Mutuel System:

• No Risk for the Organizer: The organizer only collects a commission.
• Fair Distribution: Winnings are distributed based on actual bettors demand.

Where It’s Used:

• Most commonly in horse racing and greyhound racing.
• Sometimes applied to sports betting and lotteries.

This system is less popular for traditional sports betting, where fixed odds are preferred, but it remains relevant in gambling involving animal competitions.

Prop bets (short for Proposition bets) are a type of wager where the bettor predicts specific events that are not directly related to the final outcome of a match. These bets cover unusual and often entertaining aspects of sports (or even non-sports) events. Prop bets are popular among both casual bettors and professionals, as they add excitement and variety to the betting experience.

Examples of prop bets

Sports:

• Who will score the first goal?
• Will there be a penalty in the match?
• What will be the exact number of corner kicks?
• How many points will a specific player score?

Entertainment events:

• What color will the performer’s outfit be at the ceremony?
• Will a specific word be mentioned in the Oscar winner’s speech?

Special cases:

• Will the coin toss land heads or tails at the Super Bowl?
• How long will it take to perform the national anthem?

Characteristics of prop bets

Uniqueness:

They allow predictions on events that are usually not the focus of standard bets (e.g., 1X2 or totals).

Variety:

Prop bets offer the chance to experiment with unconventional predictions, adding fun to the process.

High risks and rewards:

Odds for prop bets are often high due to the difficulty of predicting such events.

Advantages and disadvantages

Advantages:

• Excitement and entertainment:
  They make watching events more engaging.
• Variety:
  You can bet not only on the game result but also on unusual aspects.
• High odds:
  Successful prop bets can yield significant profits.

Disadvantages:

• Prediction difficulty:
  These bets are often random or chaotic in nature.
• Limited analysis:
  It’s hard to find statistics or data for predicting most prop bets.
• Risk of losing money:
  Beginners might get carried away and lose money on overly risky bets.

Who are prop bets for?

Prop bets are most often chosen by:

• Casual bettors looking for more entertainment than serious profit.
• Professionals seeking high odds and unexpected opportunities.
• Fans who want to add excitement to watching sports events.

Gubbing  is a term used in the world of betting to describe the restriction or blocking of an account by a bookmaker due to suspicion of using arbitrage betting (arbing), bonus hunting, or other strategies considered unfair or undesirable by the bookmaker.

What gubbing involves:

1. Reduction of betting limits:
   • The bookmaker restricts the maximum amount a user can bet. For example, instead of 1000 euro, the user might only be allowed to bet 1 euro.
2. Blocking bonuses:
   • The user loses the ability to participate in promotions, receive free bets, or other bonuses.
3. Withdrawal restrictions:
   • The bookmaker may delay the withdrawal process by requesting additional documents for verification.
4. Account closure:
   • In extreme cases, the bookmaker may completely block the user's account.

Reasons for gubbing:

1. Arbitrage betting:
   • If a user places bets on opposite outcomes at different bookmakers to guarantee a profit.
2. Bonus hunting:
   • Taking advantage of bonuses without regular bets using real money.
3. Consistent winnings:
   • If a user consistently wins, it may attract the attention of the bookmaker's security team.
4. Suspicious behavior:
   • For example, frequent large bets, unusual betting patterns, or the use of bots.

Determining the exact number of people worldwide who earn money from sports betting is challenging due to the lack of official statistics and the diversity of approaches to betting. However, it is known that professional bettors who generate consistent income from betting are extremely rare. Estimates suggest that only about 2-3% of bettors reach a level that allows them to earn from betting on a regular basis.

Success in this field implies having knowledge that gives you an edge over bookmakers.

Typically, this is related to bookmakers making mistakes when setting the actual odds or correct betting lines.

However, the more people start earning from such mistakes, the faster bookmakers notice and fix these issues.

Therefore, the only way to maintain profitability in the long run is to remain inconspicuous if you have an effective strategy.

Pre-match arbs are arbitrage opportunities that arise before a sporting event begins, meaning at the stage when bookmakers set their odds in advance, and the game has not yet started. Unlike live arbs, which occur during an event and require a quick reaction, pre-match arbs allow players to place bets with more time to spare.

How Do Pre-Match Arbs Work?

Pre-match arbs occur when different bookmakers offer varying odds on the outcomes of the same sporting event. These discrepancies arise for several reasons, such as differing analyses of the event, incorrectly set odds, or the bookmaker's attempt to balance their risks.

Example: If one bookmaker offers odds of 2.10 on team A winning, and another bookmaker offers odds of 2.05 on team B winning, a player can bet on both teams with different bookmakers and guarantee a profit regardless of the match outcome.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Pre-Match Arbs

Advantages:

• More time for analysis: Pre-match arbs allow players to assess bets and allocate their budget more thoroughly, reducing the likelihood of errors.
• Stability of odds: Since the event has not yet started, odds change less frequently than in live betting, making the betting process more predictable.
• Accessibility for beginners: Pre-match arbs are easier for beginners as they don’t require instant reaction.

Disadvantages:

• Sanctions from bookmakers are quicker and more frequent: Since pre-match arbs are visible in advance, bookmakers may monitor arbitrage players and impose restrictions on their accounts.
• Risk of odds changes: If odds change after placing one of the bets, the arb may disappear, and the player may lose part of their funds. In this article, we explained how to minimize the risk of such a situation.

Overall, pre-match arbs are suitable for players who want to earn stable profits without the rush and pressure typical of live betting.

A soft bookmaker is a betting company aimed at a broad audience of amateur bettors, aiming to provide more flexible and "user-friendly" betting conditions, especially for beginners. Unlike "sharp" bookmakers, soft bookmakers generally do not welcome professional arbitrage bettors.

Main Characteristics of Soft Bookmakers

• Attractive Bonuses and Promotions: They often offer lucrative bonuses, promotions, and free bets to attract a large, general audience.

• Broad Selection for Popular Events: Soft bookmakers usually offer a wider range of betting options on popular sports and major events.

• Relatively Lower Odds: Soft bookmakers tend to have lower odds compared to professional bookmakers. This approach allows them to minimize risks by attracting a high volume of casual bettors rather than relying on precise calculations.

• Slower Odds Adjustment: Odds at soft bookmakers are not updated as quickly as at sharp bookmakers.

A sharp bookmaker, on the other hand, is a betting company aimed at professional bettors.

Main Characteristics of Sharp Bookmakers

• Accurate and Higher Odds: Sharp bookmakers often provide more competitive odds on sports events due to their advanced analysis and prediction systems. This appeals to experienced bettors who value high odds.

• Minimal or No Bonuses and Promotions: Such bookmakers rarely offer bonuses or promotions to attract casual bettors, as their target audience consists of experienced bettors betting for the efficiency of high odds rather than promotional incentives.

• Quick Reaction to Odds Changes: Sharp bookmakers swiftly adjust odds in response to changes in probabilities, helping them avoid significant losses in fast-moving markets.

• High Bet Limits: Unlike soft bookmakers, sharp bookmakers often allow high-stakes bets on sports events, as their primary audience is professional bettors with high betting volumes.

In general, soft bookmakers are better suited for casual bettors who value simplicity and accessibility in betting rather than high odds or professional opportunities for profit. Conversely, sharp bookmakers are attractive to experienced bettors and those knowledgeable in professional betting.

Negative middles in betting are a strategy where a bettor bets on opposing outcomes of a single event, with a scenario where both bets may win simultaneously under certain conditions. Generally, these middles imply that both outcomes cover different possibilities in the same event, but the odds do not fully cover each other. When the event outcome falls into the middle, both bets are successful.

Example of a Negative Middle

Imagine a football match where you have two possible bets on the total goals:

• Total over 2.5 goals with odds of 2.0

• Total under 3.5 goals with odds of 1.8

For example, your betting budget is 100 dollars. You place 50 dollars on the first bet with odds of 2.0 and 50 dollars on the second bet with odds of 1.8.

Possible bet outcomes after the match:

• If exactly 3 goals are scored, both bets win, and you receive a payout on both: 2.0×50+1.8×50 =175 dollars.
• If 4, 5, or more goals are scored, only the first bet wins with a payout of 2.0×50 = 100 dollars. The second bet loses, resulting in a net outcome of 0 dollars.
• If 0, 1, or 2 goals are scored, only the second bet wins with a payout of 1.8×50 = 75 dollars. The first bet loses, the overall result is negative -25 dollars (hence the name negative middle)/

Features and Risks

• Potential Profit: If the event outcome falls into the "middle" (in this example, exactly 3 goals), both bets win, resulting in increased profit.
• Risk of Loss: Unlike surebets, where any combination of outcomes results in a profit, some outcomes in negative middles can be unprofitable.