Surebetting Manual

Complete guide to using FairOdds Terminal for guaranteed profit arbitrage betting

Quick Summary

Surebetting (arbitrage betting) guarantees profit by betting on all possible outcomes of an event at different bookmakers. When bookmakers set odds independently, temporary price discrepancies create opportunities where you profit no matter what happens.

This manual teaches you how to find arbs, calculate stakes, and execute risk-free arbitrage bets using FairOdds Terminal.

What is Surebetting?

Surebetting, also called arbitrage betting or arbing, exploits odds differences between bookmakers to guarantee profit.

How Arbitrage Works

Bookmakers set their odds independently based on their own analysis, betting patterns, and risk management. Sometimes their odds get "out of sync" creating mathematical arbitrage opportunities.

Why arbitrage exists:

• Bookmakers have different opinions on event probabilities
• Books adjust odds at different speeds
• Regional books may have different information
• Some books are slower to react to market movements

Arbitrage vs Value Betting

• Arbitrage: Guaranteed profit, zero risk (if executed correctly), lower returns (1-5%)
• Value Betting: Probability-based, variance risk, higher long-term returns (5-15%)

Step-by-Step: How to Place Arbitrage Bets

Step 1: Find an Arbitrage Opportunity

FairOdds Terminal scans thousands of odds across 60+ bookmakers to find arbitrage opportunities. When bookmakers' odds are misaligned, an arb appears in your Arbitrage Bets view.

Key information displayed:

• ARB %: Your guaranteed profit percentage (e.g., 2.8% = 2.8% return)
• Event: Match name and start time
• Market: Bet type (Moneyline, Totals, 1X2, etc.)
• Odds for each outcome: Best available odds with bookmaker names
• Suggested stakes: Exact amounts to bet on each side

Step 2: Click to View Bet Details

Click on an arbitrage to open the bet details panel showing:

• All outcomes you need to bet
• Exact odds at each bookmaker
• Calculated stake amounts for each side
• Guaranteed profit amount and percentage

Step 3: Place First Side

1. Click "Bet Now" for Side 1 (opens bookmaker)
2. Find the match and market at the bookmaker
3. Verify the odds match what FairOdds Terminal shows
4. Enter the exact stake amount
5. Place the bet

Step 4: Place Second Side Immediately

1. Click "Bet Now" for Side 2 (opens second bookmaker)
2. Find the match and market
3. Verify odds still match
4. Enter exact stake amount
5. Place the bet quickly

Speed is essential! Arbs disappear within seconds to minutes. Place both sides within 1-2 minutes maximum.

Step 5: Log Your Bets

After placing both sides, click "Add to Bet Tracker" to log the complete arbitrage. This helps you:

• Track which arbs have been completed
• Monitor your overall profit
• Verify both sides settled correctly

Understanding ARB % (Profit Percentage)

The ARB % is your guaranteed return on investment. Here's what different percentages mean:

• 1-2% ARB: Common, still worth taking (€1,000 stake = €10-20 profit)
• 2-3% ARB: Good opportunities, appear regularly
• 3-5% ARB: Excellent, but disappear very quickly
• 5%+ ARB: Rare, usually errors, gone in seconds

Filter Settings

Customize which arbitrage opportunities you see using the filter panel.

ARB % Minimum

Set the minimum profit percentage you're willing to accept. Most bettors use 1.5-2% minimum to filter out very small arbs that aren't worth the effort.

Recommended settings:

• Beginners: 2% minimum (easier to execute, more forgiving)
• Experienced: 1.5% minimum (more opportunities, need speed)
• High volume: 1% minimum (maximum opportunities, requires efficiency)

Market Filter

Select which bet types to display:

• Moneyline (1X2): Win/Draw/Lose bets (soccer, hockey)
• Moneyline (H2H): Head-to-head winner (tennis, MMA)
• Totals: Over/Under combined score
• Spreads: Handicap markets

Beginner tip: Start with Moneyline markets only. They're simpler to understand and less prone to errors.

Event Date Filter

Control the time window for matches:

• Next 3 hours: Immediate opportunities (riskier as odds move more)
• Next 24 hours: Good balance
• Next 3-7 days: More stable, good for planning

Sport Filter

Focus on sports you know well. Popular sports for arbitrage:

• Soccer: Most arbs, wide variety of markets
• Tennis: 2-way markets, frequent opportunities
• Basketball: High volume, fast-moving
• American Football: Good margins, stable odds

Stakes and Profit Calculation

FairOdds Terminal automatically calculates optimal stakes using our built-in Arbitrage Calculator.

How Stakes Are Calculated

The calculator distributes your total stake across all outcomes to ensure equal profit no matter which side wins.

Using Suggested Stakes

Always use the exact suggested stakes (or very close to them). If you change the amounts significantly, you may not achieve guaranteed profit.

Rounding stakes:

• ✅ Suggested: €147.23 → Bet: €147 or €147.20 (minor difference okay)
• ✅ Suggested: €52.77 → Bet: €53 (rounding up small amounts is fine)
• ❌ Suggested: €147.23 → Bet: €150 (too much change, alters profit balance)

Tips for Surebetting Success

1. Speed is Everything

Arbitrage opportunities disappear in seconds to minutes. Fast execution is critical.

• Have bookmakers open in multiple browser tabs
• Keep accounts logged in and funded
• Practice finding markets quickly at your bookmakers
• Place both sides within 1-2 minutes maximum

2. Double-Check Everything

One mistake can turn guaranteed profit into a loss.

• Verify odds: Match exactly what FairOdds shows
• Check market type: Moneyline vs spread vs total
• Confirm team/player names: Avoid betting wrong side
• Review stakes: Use calculated amounts

3. Multi-Account Strategy

More bookmaker accounts = more arbitrage opportunities.

• Open accounts at 10-20+ bookmakers
• Keep funds distributed across multiple books
• Prioritize books with good odds and high limits
• Use Bet365, Pinnacle, DraftKings, FanDuel, Caesars, BetMGM, etc.

4. Start Small, Scale Up

Practice with smaller stakes while learning the process.

• First 10-20 arbs: €20-50 per arb
• After mastering speed: €100-200 per arb
• With experience: €500-1,000+ per arb

5. Track Every Arbitrage

Use the Bet Tracker to monitor all arbs:

• Log both sides of each arbitrage
• Track completion rate (did both sides get placed?)
• Monitor overall profit
• Identify which bookmakers work best

Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Mistake 1: Betting Too Slowly

Arbs disappear in seconds. If you take 5+ minutes between sides, odds will change. Solution: Have bookmakers ready, practice speed.

❌ Mistake 2: Wrong Stake Amounts

Using incorrect stakes breaks the arbitrage. Always use calculated amounts (minor rounding okay). Solution: Copy-paste stakes directly.

❌ Mistake 3: Not Verifying Odds

Odds change constantly. What you saw 30 seconds ago may not match now. Solution: Always check odds before placing bet.

❌ Mistake 4: Betting Both Sides at Same Book

This violates bookmaker terms and will get you banned instantly. Solution: Always use different bookmakers for each side.

❌ Mistake 5: Forgetting to Log Bets

Without tracking, you won't know if arbitrage completed successfully. Solution: Log immediately after placing both sides.

❌ Mistake 6: Chasing High ARB% Only

5%+ arbs are rare and gone instantly. You'll miss 95% of opportunities. Solution: Accept 1.5-3% arbs which are more reliable.

Arbitrage vs Middle vs Low-Hold Bets

FairOdds Terminal shows three types of opportunities:

Arbitrage (Surebet)

• Outcome: Guaranteed profit, one side always wins
• Risk: Zero (if executed correctly)
• Profit: 1-5% typical
• Best for: Risk-free profit

Middle Bets

• Outcome: Potential to win BOTH sides
• Risk: Low (small loss if middle doesn't hit)
• Profit: 10-50%+ if middle hits
• Best for: Maximizing upside with minimal risk

Low-Hold Bets

• Outcome: Small guaranteed loss
• Risk: None (known loss amount)
• Profit: -0.5% to -2% (intentional loss)
• Best for: Clearing bonuses and rollover requirements

Understanding Bookmaker Limitations

Will you get limited? Yes, eventually. All successful arbitrage bettors get limited by bookmakers. It's not a matter of if, but when.

How Long Until Limits?

• Soft recreational books: 2-8 weeks (Bet365, William Hill, Unibet)
• US sportsbooks: 4-12 weeks (DraftKings, FanDuel, Caesars)
• Sharp books: Never or very rare (Pinnacle doesn't limit winners)

Maximizing Time Before Limits

• Don't bet only arbitrage - mix in some regular bets
• Avoid betting max limits on obvious arbs
• Round stakes to normal numbers (€243 instead of €243.87)
• Don't withdraw immediately after every arb
• Use different bet sizes, not always the same amount

Read our complete guide: How to Avoid Bookmaker Limitations

Key Takeaways

You now have everything you need to start arbitrage betting with FairOdds Terminal. Here's your checklist:

✓ Core Principles:

• Arbitrage guarantees profit by betting all outcomes at different bookmakers
• Speed is critical - place both sides within 1-2 minutes
• Always verify odds match before placing bets
• Use exact suggested stakes (minor rounding okay)

✓ Setup Requirements:

• Accounts at 10-20+ bookmakers
• Funds distributed across multiple books
• Bookmakers open in browser tabs, ready to go
• FairOdds Terminal filtering to your preferences

✓ Best Practices:

• Start with 2% minimum ARB filter
• Focus on Moneyline markets as beginner
• Begin with small stakes (€20-50) while learning
• Log every arbitrage in Bet Tracker
• Accept 1.5-3% arbs instead of waiting for 5%+

✓ What to Expect:

• 1-5% profit per arbitrage (guaranteed)
• Arbs disappear within seconds to minutes
• Account limitations after weeks/months
• Make profit while accounts are unlimited

FAQ: Surebetting (Arbitrage Betting)