FAQ

Arbitrage betting can be used successfully in various sports, and there is no definitive answer to the question of which sport is best for doing so. However, arbitrage opportunities (including value bets and middles) are often easier to find in sports with clear rules, stable odds and high competition among bookmakers. Football, basketball, tennis and baseball are often considered suitable for arbitrage betting due to their popularity and the broad coverage provided by bookmakers. It is important to choose sports not based on what you like or know best, but those that are most suitable for arbitrage betting because of the nature of their markets and the behavior of the odds. Here are some factors to consider when choosing a sport for arbitrage betting:

1. Popularity of the sport

   • Advantages of popular sports: Sports with high popularity, such as football, tennis, basketball and hockey, offer a large number of events and markets. This means more opportunities to find arbitrage, as well as greater competition among bookmakers, which leads to more frequent discrepancies in the odds.

   • Disadvantages of popular sports: Bookmakers often adjust the odds more quickly in popular markets, making arbitrage opportunities less stable and requiring players to react quickly.

2. Odds volatility

   • Sports with high odds volatility: Sports such as tennis and basketball often show significant fluctuations in the odds, especially in live betting (real-time betting). This makes them an excellent choice for arbitrage betting, since the chances of finding arbitrage opportunities are greater.

   • Lower volatility: Sports with more stable odds, such as football, especially in popular markets, may offer fewer arbitrage opportunities, but the arbitrage opportunities found are often more stable.

3. Market availability

   • Variety of markets: The greater the number of different markets offered in a sport (for example, match outcome, totals, handicaps, goals, etc.), the greater the chances of finding arbitrage. Sports with many markets, such as football and tennis, offer more opportunities for arbitrage betting.

   • Specific markets: In some sports, there are unique or less popular markets where arbitrage opportunities may be found because bookmakers react more slowly to changes. For example, betting on tennis games or individual totals in basketball.

4. Tournament and match characteristics

   • Frequency of matches: It is important to choose sports with regular tournaments and matches. For example, in tennis and football, matches take place almost daily, ensuring a constant flow of events on which to bet.

   • Seasonal sports: Pay attention to sports that have a pronounced seasonal nature. For example, baseball and American football can offer many arbitrage opportunities during the season, but opportunities will be limited off-season.

5. Access to information

   • Ease of access to data: It is important to have up-to-date information about the chosen sport, including team lineups, statistics and other critical data. This will help you make more informed decisions when selecting arbitrage opportunities and reduce risks.

6. Knowledge of and interest in the sport

   • Personal interest and knowledge: If you have a good understanding of a particular sport and are interested in it, this can be a major advantage. In-depth knowledge will help you better assess the market situation and make more precise decisions when placing arbitrage bets.

7. International and regional characteristics

   • Local and international events: Pay attention to regional differences in the popularity of sports. For example, cricket may be an excellent choice for arbitrage in South Asian countries, while hockey may be more suitable in Northern European countries. Less globally popular sports can offer unique opportunities for arbitrage betting.

"Limit Reduction" in a Bookmaker's Office refers to the process where a bookmaker restricts the maximum amount a player can bet on a single event. This action is usually taken against players whom the bookmaker considers too successful or suspects of using arbitrage strategies (also known as "surebets").

Why Does Limit Reduction Happen?

1. Protecting the Bookmaker’s Profits: If a arber consistently wins large amounts or actively uses strategies that guarantee them a profit (such as arbitrage), the bookmaker may reduce their betting limits to minimize their losses.

2. Suspicious Activity: Bettors who place large bets on certain events or markets often attract the attention of the bookmaker's analysts. If the bookmaker notices that a bettor is placing bets in a way that is not typical for regular one, it can lead to a limit reduction.

3. Using Arbitrage Betting: Bookmakers do not favor arbitrage betting because it guarantees the arber a profit regardless of the event's outcome. If the bookmaker discovers that a bettor is actively engaged in arbitrage betting, their betting limits may be drastically reduced.

What Does This Look Like in Practice?

After a limit reduction, the bettor might find that instead of placing large bets as before, they are only allowed to bet small amounts on an event. For example, if they previously could bet thousands of dollars on an event, after the limit reduction, this limit might be reduced to just a few dozen dollars or even less. This makes the arber’s strategy ineffective and often leads them to stop using that account for betting.

What Are the Consequences for the Bettor?

• Decreased Profitability: The bettor can no longer place large bets, making their strategy less profitable.
• Ineffectiveness of Arbitrage Betting: Arbitrage bets require significant amounts to ensure noticeable profit. With reduced limits, this strategy becomes almost impossible.
• Inconvenience of Using the Account: The limits might be so low that it becomes pointless to place bets on that account.

Overall, limit reduction is a way for bookmakers to protect their business from bettors who are too successful or use methods that are disadvantageous to the bookmaker. For such bettors, this is a signal that they need to look for other strategies or move to other bookmakers.

Calculation of the Required Bankroll for Arbitrage Betting Considering the Cost of a Scanner

Calculating the necessary bankroll for arbitrage betting, considering the cost of purchasing a scanner, requires taking into account several factors, including the initial cost of the scanner, the average return from bets, and the number of bets you plan to place. Here is a step-by-step guide for the calculation:

1. Determine the Cost of the Scanner

   Suppose the cost of the scanner is S euro.

2. Estimate the Average Return per Bet

   Let the average return (profit) per bet be P rubles. This value can be determined by estimating your average profit per bet after accounting for all expenses.

3. Estimate the Number of Bets per Month

   Assume you plan to place N bets per month. This number may depend on your experience, the frequency of scanner use, and the time available.

4. Calculate Monthly Profit

   Monthly profit from bets without considering the cost of the scanner: P × N.

5. Consider Scanner Payback

   To cover the cost of the scanner over a certain period (e.g., within one month), your profit from bets should cover its cost.

   Therefore, the necessary monthly profit: P × N ≥ S.

6. Determine the Initial Bankroll

   The initial bankroll should account not only for covering the cost of the scanner but also for potential losses at the initial stage. For example, you can use the Kelly criterion or conservatively set the 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 (which is quite conservative), then the initial bankroll will be B × 100.

7. Overall Calculation

   Ultimately, your initial bankroll should be sufficient to cover bets until the scanner's cost is recouped. For example, you can calculate the bankroll as follows:

   Initial Bankroll = B × 100 + S

   This calculation assumes that your bets will eventually cover the cost of the scanner and that the initial bankroll will allow you to withstand potential fluctuations.

Example of Scanner Payback Calculation

Input Data:

• Scanner Cost: S = 100 euro
• Average Return per Bet: P = 2 euro
• Number of Bets per Month: N = 100 bets
• Average Bet Size: B = 5 euro

Scanner Payback Calculation:

• Monthly Profit: 2 × 100 = 200 euro
• Scanner Payback: 200 ≥ 100, i.e., the scanner pays off within one month.
• Initial Bankroll for Betting: 5 × 100 + 100 = 600 euro.

Thus, you will need a bankroll of 600 euro to account for the cost of purchasing the scanner and to provide yourself with a sufficient reserve for betting.