Matched betting is often seen as one of the betting world’s best kept secrets. To its core, matched betting is a proven method of guaranteeing profit from Free Bet offers handed out by sportsbooks. If at first this sounds like a scam to you, you are not alone. Plenty of people express doubt about the concept of no risk matched betting when they first hear about it, but it is a genuine technique which many thousands have used in the past to make substantial sums.
Our matched betting guide below outlines everything you need to get started, including any risks to ensure you are best prepared. We hope you will learn to matched bet with confidence
What is Matched Betting?
Matched betting is used by many people as a means of generating a second income, as it is a tried and tested way of making money from the bookies. Using a Free Bet offer, matched bettors place a “back bet” on one outcome of a sporting event happening, then a “lay bet” on every other outcome occurring. Because one of these bets will have been using a Free Bet, where it is impossible to lose money, users of this technique can make use of a matched betting calculator to guarantee they make money, whatever the outcome of that event.
Let’s use an example from the world of NBA sportsbooks. Take the game at the top of the image below between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Brooklyn Nets, focusing on the Money Line column in the middle:
Using a BetOnline Free Bet offer, a user may choose to place their bet on the Nets to cause a surprise. Either way, this individual selection cannot lose, because even a defeat for the Nets will come at no loss to the user’s funds due to the nature of a Free Bet. However, matched betting is not about avoiding loss, but generating profit from this event.
To complete the no risk matched betting, the same player will then go to a betting exchange and “lay” the Nets to not win, i.e. a bet on every other outcome, including a 76ers win and a tie. They are now covered for all outcomes, and can guarantee a profit regardless of what happens in the game by calculating the potential profit on each side.
Handy Tip:
With this knowledge, you can start taking advantage of all the US best online sportsbook offers, found here on our helpful guide.
Matched Betting Explained
While a matched betting for dummies guide is not possible due to the complexity of the topic, online matched betting is possible in the US if self-taught. There are some terms used that may not be entirely familiar to regular bettors, so we have defined them below and given an example for what they mean.
Free Bet
A free bet is an offer dished out by the best online sportsbooks which ensures total safety for the player. If you place a free bet on an outcome which does not come in, you will not lose any of your own funds, but if it wins, you will still earn the same winnings as a regular bet. These free bets usually appear in your account as “free bet credits” and cannot simply be withdrawn from your account. They must be placed as a free bet on a market, which is what we want to do as part of matched betting.
Back Bet
Backing an outcome is what we will do with our free bet. A back bet is what 99% of placed bets are: those wanting an outcome to succeed. When we place a bet on a money line market for one team/player to win a match, this is a back bet.
Lay Bet
Laying an outcome is different to backing it. In fact it is the exact opposite: this is betting on an outcome not to happen. This is not quite the same as simply backing the opposing side, but rather every other possible outcome, be that the other team and a draw, or perhaps the rest of the field in a horse race.
What is No Risk Matched Betting?
Put simply, no risk matched betting is exactly the same if you take away the “no risk”. When done correctly, it is a foolproof way of making money, as the free bet one one side ensures you cannot possibly lose money.
It may take a few goes for matched betting to feel as if it is completely risk free. However, once you get into the swing, it will feel as simple as placing a regular bet. Only with your matched bet on both sides, you will have no risk attached to either of them, with every outcome of the sporting event you have bet on guaranteeing you a profit.
Is Matched Betting Legal?
Matched Betting is a completely legal practice, and thousands of online bettors have already taken advantage of the process. it effectively sits as a loophole in the online gambling world where you can generate profit, which is why many people baulk at the idea when it is first suggested.
The wider world’s understanding of gambling and betting online is built around the idea that there is always an element of risk. But when done correctly, matched betting eliminates that risk because you have all outcomes covered by your back and lay bets. There are no laws whatsoever against this and online sportsbooks, while wary of the practice, do not take an active stance against it, as it represent a very small loss to them compared to their earnings.
Matched Betting on Sport
Any sporting event can be subject to matched betting when done correctly. Even so, there are some sports which may lend themselves to matched betting to others.
NBA Matched Betting
Basketball is one such sport that is very popular when it comes to matched betting. The high-scoring nature of the sport really lends itself to this process because it is extremely rare for there to be a tie; usually one team wins or loses. As such, it is very easy to place your back and opposing bets with a free bet offer in order to generate a profit.
Football Matched Betting
Another sport with a very similar profile to basketball, in that with overtime added into the equation, it is very rare for there to be ties. Even with the start of the NFL season still being months away, the best football betting sites still options for matched bettors to take advantage of. One such market may be the “make the playoffs” market on BetOnline below, where either a team will make them, or fall short, once again presenting two simple options for backing and laying.
Soccer Matched Betting
The English Premier League (EPL) is rapidly drawing to a conclusion, so the best time to get involved with matched betting on soccer could be now. This is a little more complex on some US sites given that a lay bet will include a draw, but shop around your favorite online sportsbook to find those options, as football is the most popular matched betting sport worldwide.
Horse Racing Matched Betting
BetOnline also host a racebook for all horse racing markets. There are always other horse racing betting sites too of course, but while it is more complex than other sports for matched betting, you can nonetheless pursue it on racing. Backing your horse with a free bet, you can then lay it or back “the field” against it on other another sportsbook or exchange.
Best Matched Betting Sites
There are currently no dedicated matched betting sites across the US, nor are there any dedicated nationwide betting exchanges for the lay bet purpose of matched betting. That said, there are some which are available in a handful of states, such as Profit Exchange in New Jersey, which will enable players to place that half of the matched bet.
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How to do Online Matched Betting
Online matched betting requires at least two different betting accounts with two separate sportsbooks and exchanges. To start with, we recommend you sign up with BetOnline, one of our favorite new betting sites.
Step One – Register with BetOnline
BetOnline are easy to find. Pop their name as one word into your search engine and they will appear. They are also listed in our best offshore sportsbook page, so you can find a link to their site there too. Once on their site, click the “Join Now” button which will take you to the page to create your account, as seen below. Fill in your key details, including your postcode and date of birth, then set a password to get going.
Step Two – Verify Your Account
After your account has been registered with BetOnline, they will email you an account verification link. Click it to verify, then use your new username and password to sign back into BetOnline before beginning your risk free matched betting.
Step Three – Make A Deposit & Find Their Free Bet Offers
You can deposit using many options with BetOnline. There are up to 20 different cryptocurrency deposit options should you wish, along with all traditional payment methods too. Navigate to their promotions section, where you will find their Free Bet offers.
Step Four – Pick your Sport
Choose your favorite sport, and find a market on which you want to place your Free Bet.
Step Five – Place your Wager
Your no risk matched betting adventure can begin! From there, navigate to a separate betting site of your choice to lay your Free Bet and you can begin making money in no time.
Free Matched Betting Tips
Matched Betting is a complicated topic and not as easy to do in the US as it is in other countries. However, it is very much still possible, so we can offer you a few tips of note.
1. Take Your Time
Matched betting requires a good deal of math. The actual betting part of it becomes second nature after a while, as you will get used to using free bet credits to back one site, then lay it on another. However, getting the right numbers to maximize your profit with online matched betting is important.
2. Don’t Be Picky
For any other types of betting, it can pay to know a good deal about the sport you are betting on. There is an element of chance involved in all other betting though, whereas if you do risk free matched betting correctly, you cannot lose. As such, you can choose any sport you like, and you could uncover a market which is more profitable.
3. Keep At It
A big win with a regular type of bet is immensely satisfying. Because matched betting relies more on a methodical, mathematical approach, you will not win big as quickly, but you will definitely win if following the rules. As such, keep at it to guarantee your profits are as great as possible.
4. Read Forums
Matched betting is not something that can be fully understood in one go. There are plenty of people with a lot of experience in matched betting online, so heed their advice and ask questions if you need to.
5. Use Multiple Sites
This does not mean simply using two separate sites as you must with any form of matched betting. Use multiple different sites to back and multiple different sites to lay, as sportsbooks may become wise to matched betting if they see a pattern in your plays.
Pros & Cons of Matched Betting
Even with something as close to certain as matched betting, there are still upsides and downsides to taking part in it. It is worth being aware of these with a concept such as matched betting.
Pros:
- Profit Guaranteed – There are rules which must be followed, but once you have learned them, your funds will start rolling in.
- Control – While online gambling can sometimes be a problem in terms of keeping control, matched betting keeps you completely in control.
- More Bonus Offers – As matched betting is much easier when holding multiple different betting accounts, you will be able to take advantage of even more bonus offers beyond those free bet offers.
Cons:
- Tricky Concept – Matched betting takes a lot of working out and may not be something you can do instantly.
- Removes Emotion – For those who like to get invested in sporting events along with their bets, the removal of emotion that comes with matched betting can be jarring.
FAQs
What do back bets and lay bets mean?
Back bets are those you place on the outcome you favor occurring. A lay bet is then placed on all other potential outcomes of that event happening, meaning you win no matter what happens.
How much money can you make from matched betting?
While it cannot be said that matched betting can be used as its own individual income, players who use the technique can make four figures a month if dedicated to it. It is not as quick as winning from regular betting, but is of course far more guaranteed.
Should I matched bet on sports I don’t follow?
Yes, you should. Matched betting does not require an intuitive knowledge of the sports you are betting on, and you should definitely try and take advantage of free bets on the best value markets on any sport.