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FAQ

How to quickly convert fractional odds to decimal? How to convert American odds to decimal?

Fractional odds

  • Where popular: The UK and Ireland.
  • Format: Expressed as fractions, for example, 5/2 or 10/1.
  • How they work: The first number shows how much you can win if you stake an amount equal to the second number. For example, odds of 5/2 mean that for every 2 units staked, you will earn 5 units of profit. If you bet 2 dollars at odds of 5/2 and the bet wins, you will receive 5 dollars in profit plus the returned 2 dollars stake, for a total of 7 dollars.

Decimal odds

  • Where popular: Europe, Russia, Canada, Australia, New Zealand.
  • Format: Presented as decimal numbers, such as 1.50, 2.75, or 10.00.
  • How they work: To calculate the total payout (including your stake), you multiply your bet by the decimal odds. For example, odds of 2.75 mean that if you place a 10-dollar bet, your total payout will be 10 × 2.75 = 27.5 dollars (17.5 dollars profit plus 10 dollars stake returned).

American odds (Moneyline odds)

  • Where popular: The USA.

  • Format: Presented with positive or negative numbers, for example, +150 or -200.

  • How they work:

  • Negative odds: Show how much you need to bet to win 100 dollars. For example, odds of -200 mean you need to bet 200 dollars to win 100 dollars in profit. The total payout will be 300 dollars (100 dollars profit plus 200 dollars stake).
  • Positive odds: Show how much you can win if you bet 100 dollars. For example, odds of +150 mean that a 100-dollar bet will bring you 150 dollars in profit. The total payout will be 250 dollars (150 dollars profit plus 100 dollars stake).

Comparison example:

  • A fractional odds of 2/1 means you will get 2 dollars in profit for every 1 dollar bet.
  • A decimal odds of 3.00 means your total payout will be 3 times your stake (2 dollars profit for every 1 dollar bet).
  • American odds of +200 mean a 100-dollar bet will earn you 200 dollars in profit.

Comparison for a single outcome:

  • Fractional odds: 2/1.
  • Decimal odds: 3.00.
  • American odds: +200.
    All three systems show the same thing—a doubling of your stake if you win, but with different approaches to calculation and presentation of information.

Formula for converting odds


Decimal odds = Fractional odds + 1,
Where the fractional odds are written as a fraction A/B, where:

  • A is the numerator,
  • B is the denominator.

Example: If the fractional odds are 5/2, the decimal odds will be:
Decimal odds = 5/2 + 1 = 2.5 + 1 = 3.5.

Converting American odds to decimal


There are two formulas, depending on whether the American odds are positive or negative.

  • If the American odds are positive (+X):
    Decimal odds = 1 + X/100
    Example: American odds of +150:
    Decimal odds = 1 + 150/100 = 1 + 1.5 = 2.5.

  • If the American odds are negative (−X):
    Decimal odds = 1 + 100/X
    Example: American odds of −200:
    Decimal odds = 1 + 100/200 = 1 + 0.5 = 1.5.

Summary

  • For fractional odds, add 1 to the result of the fraction.
  • For positive American odds, divide by 100 and add 1.
  • For negative American odds, divide 100 by the absolute value of the odds and add 1.

What are bets with positive expected value?

Bets with positive expected value (or +EV bets, from the expected value) are those where the mathematical probability of winning and the potential profit exceed the cost of the bet. In other words, these are bets that will bring you profit in the long run, even if individual outcomes may be unpredictable.

A specific case of positive expected value bets is betting on value bets.

How to choose the right time for arbitrage betting?

Что касается времени суток, лучше всего выбирать такое время, когда вы можете работать эффективно, например, когда вы не отвлекаетесь и не устали.

Опытные игроки, делающие арбитражные ставки, знают, что коэффициенты могут существенно колебаться по мере приближения события в зависимости от таких факторов, как новости о командах, изменения в составе, погодные условия и активность других игроков на рынке.

Наиболее прибыльное время для арбитражных ставок часто наступает, когда букмекеры впервые открывают свои линии и начинают публиковать коэффициенты. В этот период можно заметить существенные расхождения в коэффициентах, предлагаемых разными букмекерами. Однако важно помнить, что на рынках с высокой ликвидностью коэффициенты могут меняться очень быстро, поэтому действовать нужно быстро. Кроме того, помните, что по мере приближения события коэффициенты могут стабилизироваться, а возможность арбитража может исчезнуть.

Which scanner plan is the best to choose?

The choice of a paid scanner plan depends on several factors, including your goals, betting experience, available budget, and frequency of scanner usage. Here are some key criteria to help you decide:

Purpose of use

  • For beginners: If you're just starting and want to try it out, a basic or trial plan is suitable. It usually includes limited access to features and the number of arbitrages, but it's enough for the initial stage.
  • For experienced users:  If yo u already have experience and plan to actively use the scanner for finding arbitrages, choose a plan with full access to all features. Such plans usually offer access to all markets, sports types, and real-time data.

Frequency of use

  • Occasional use: If you plan to use the scanner occasionally, consider purchasing daily or weekly plans. This will save you money without paying for a monthly subscription.
  • Regular use: For those who plan to bet on arbitrages daily, it's better to choose a monthly or annual plan. This is more cost-effective in terms of daily usage.

Budget

Determine how much you're willing to invest in a subscription. The higher the cost of the plan, the more features it usually offers. However, it's important that these features justify the expenses and help you earn more than you spend on the subscription.

Functional capabilities

  • Access to different markets: Some plans offer access only to certain sports or bookmakers. If it's essential for you to bet on specific sports, choose a plan that includes them in the list.

  • Data update speed: Professional plans often offer faster data updates. This is important if you want to catch arbitrages that disappear quickly.
  • Automation: If the automation feature is important to you, make sure the chosen plan supports it.

Support and training

Some plans include access to training materials, webinars, or customer support, which can be helpful, especially for beginners.

Trial period

If the scanner offers a trial period, use it to see how convenient the interface is and whether it meets your expectations. This will help you avoid unnecessary spending on an unsuitable plan.

Reviews and recommendations

Check reviews and recommendations from other users to understand which plans are the most beneficial and functional.

Example of choosing an arbitrage scanner plan

If you're a beginner and want to try arbitrage betting with minimal costs, start with a basic plan. For example, a plan for pre-match (before the match starts) bets and access to the main types of sports.

If you're a professional bettor who regularly bets on arbitrages, choose a plan with maximum functionality: full access to markets, fast data update speed, and an automated betting feature.

How profitable is it to use arbitrage betting in less popular sports?

Using arbitrage betting in less popular sports can be quite profitable, but with certain caveats and risks. The main advantage of arbitrage in such sports is that bookmakers often pay less attention to them compared to popular disciplines like football, basketball, or tennis. This can result in significant differences in odds for the same event across different bookmakers, creating more opportunities for surebets.

 

Bookmakers typically monitor odds more closely in popular sports, where there is a large volume of bets and strong competition among bettors. In less popular sports, such as table tennis, darts, water polo, or various local leagues and tournaments, there is often less in-depth analysis, and the market is usually less liquid. This opens up opportunities for arbitrage bettors because in these sports, odds may remain inaccurate or react slowly to changes.

 

However, there are several risks involved. Firstly, these markets can be less predictable, and information about events in them is not always available or reliable, making analysis and decision-making more difficult. Secondly, bets in less popular sports usually have lower limits, which restricts the potential profit. Thirdly, active betting in such niches can quickly draw the attention of bookmakers, potentially leading to limit reductions or even account suspension.

Does the use of a paid arbitrage betting scanner pay off?

Calculation of the necessary bankroll for arbitrage betting, considering the cost of purchasing a scanner, involves several factors, including the initial cost of the scanner, average profitability per bet, and the number of bets you plan to place. Here's a step-by-step guide:

1. Determine the cost of the scanner

Let the cost of the scanner be S euro.

2. Estimate the average profit per bet

Let the average profit from one bet be PPP rubles. You can calculate this based on your typical profit per bet after accounting for all costs.

3. Estimate the number of bets per month

Suppose you plan to place NNN bets per month. This number depends on your experience, frequency of using the scanner, and available time.

4. Calculate monthly profit

The monthly profit from bets, excluding the scanner cost, would be P×N 

5. Account for scanner payback

To cover the cost of the scanner within a certain period (e.g., one month)  S , your profit from betting should cover the scanner's cost. Therefore, the required monthly profit is:

P × N ≥ S 

6. Determine the initial bankroll

Your initial bankroll should cover not only the scanner cost but also potential losses in the early stages. For instance, you can use the Kelly Criterion or conservatively set a bankroll to cover M average bets.

For example, if the average bet size is B euro and you want a bankroll that covers 100 bets (a conservative approach), the initial bankroll will be:

Initial bankroll = B × 100

7. Overall calculation

In the end, your initial bankroll should be sufficient to cover your bets until the scanner cost is recouped. For instance, you can calculate the bankroll as follows:

Initial bankroll = B × 100 + S

This calculation assumes that over time, your bets will cover the scanner cost, and the initial bankroll will help absorb potential fluctuations.

Example of scanner payback calculation:

Initial data:

 

  • Scanner cost: S=100 euro
  • Average bet size: B =50 euro.
  • Average profit per bet: P = 2 euro.
  • Number of bets per month: N = 100 bets.

Payback calculation: 

 

  • Monthly profit: 2 × 100 = 200 euro
  • Scanner payback: 200 ≥ 100 meaning the scanner will be paid off in one month.
  • Initial bankroll for betting: 50×100+100= 5100 евро

Thus, you will need a bankroll of 5100 euro to account for the cost of purchasing the scanner and to provide a sufficient buffer for your betting activity.

How to choose the right time for arbitrage betting?

When choosing the right time for arbitrage betting, it’s important to consider a few key factors to maximize your chances of success:

  1. Personal Availability: Choose a time when you can focus fully, without distractions or fatigue. This ensures you can react quickly to changing odds.

  2. Market Dynamics: Experienced bettors know that odds can fluctuate significantly as an event approaches. Factors such as team news, lineup changes, weather conditions, and other bettors' activities can all influence odds.

  3. Opening Lines: One of the most advantageous times for arbitrage betting is when bookmakers first release their odds. During this period, you may find significant discrepancies between the odds offered by different bookmakers, presenting profitable arbitrage opportunities. However, be aware that in high-liquidity markets, odds can adjust rapidly, so you need to act quickly.

  4. Closer to Event Time: As the event approaches, odds may stabilize as bookmakers adjust their lines in response to market activity. This can reduce the potential for arbitrage opportunities, so timing is crucial.

In summary, the optimal time for placing arbitrage bets is typically when bookmakers first release their odds, but you must be prepared to act quickly and remain vigilant as the event draws nearer, as opportunities may diminish.

What are matched betting?

Matched betting is a strategy for betting on sports events, where the player uses bonuses and promotions from bookmakers to guarantee a profit regardless of the outcome of the event. This approach involves using free bets provided by bookmakers to new or existing customers, as well as bet insurance.

The principle of matched betting is that the player places two bets on the same event:

  • Back Bet: A bet is placed with a traditional bookmaker on a specific outcome of the event.
  • Lay Bet: A bet is placed on a betting exchange where the player "hedges" their initial bet by betting against the same outcome.

As a result, regardless of how the event ends, one of the bets wins while the other loses, and due to the bonuses or free bets, the player ends up making a profit.

Is it possible to use a paid arbitrage betting scanner for free?

The question of using a paid arbitrage betting scanner for free interests many beginners. Some services indeed offer free trial periods or limited free versions of their products, allowing users to evaluate the functionality and decide whether it's worth investing in the full version.

Typically, free versions of scanners come with functional limitations: a limited number of supported bookmakers, lower update frequency, and no access to high-profit arbitrage opportunities. However, for beginners, this can be an excellent way to get acquainted with the basics of arbitrage betting and understand how the scanner works.

There are also promotions and promo codes that provide temporary free access to paid features. Such offers can be found on thematic forums, social networks, or the scanners' own websites.

It is important to remember that attempting to use cracked versions of scanners or illegally accessing paid features can lead to unpleasant consequences, including account bans and legal issues. Therefore, it's better to use legitimate methods for testing and working with scanners.

Can bonuses be used for arbitrage betting?

Of course, you can use promotions to significantly increase your profits from arbitrage betting in the early stages. Registering with all these bookmakers and betting exchanges not only gives you better chances to find low odds across multiple markets but also opens up more opportunities for you.

The value they can add can help implement an arbitrage betting strategy, especially with bonuses that directly affect the odds, such as boosted bets or enhanced odds. Just make sure to read the terms and conditions to ensure you don’t miss any important details, such as wagering requirements, volume, or time limits for using them.