Matched betting is commonly regarded as one of the betting world’s best-kept secrets. Using matched betting is a reliable way to ensure profit from Free Bet offers provided by bookmakers. You may think this sounds like a scam, and you’re not the only one. Plenty of bettors are skeptical about the idea of no-risk matched betting at first, but it’s a real betting method that thousands have successfully used to earn significant amounts.
We’ve put together a comprehensive guide to matched betting for you. It dives into everything you need to know to get started with matched betting, and we explain the risks you take on, too. You’ll walk away prepared and confident to start matched betting if it’s a suitable technique for your needs.
What is Matched Betting?
Matched betting is a way for you to generate profit by taking advantage of the free bets and bonuses that online sportsbooks offer to users. There are people who use matched betting as a means of generating a second income because it’s a tried and tested way of making money from 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 uses 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 can’t 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 aims to generate profit from an event.
To complete the no-risk matched betting, you then need to 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. You would now be covered for all potential 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 in our helpful guide.
Matched Betting Explained
While a matched betting for dummies guide isn’t possible due to the complexity of the topic, online matched betting is possible in the US if you’re self-taught. There are some terms used that may not be entirely familiar to regular bettors, so we’ve put together definitions below and given an example of what they mean for you.
Free Bet
A free bet is an offer dished out by online sportsbooks, ensuring total safety for you as the player. If you place a free bet on an outcome that doesn’t come in, you’ll not lose any of your own funds, but if it wins, you’ll earn the same winnings as a regular bet. These free bets usually appear in your account as “free bet credits” and can’t just be withdrawn from your account. You must use them as a free bet on a market, which is what you do as part of matched betting.
Back Bet
Backing an outcome is what you’re going to do with your free bet. A back bet is what 99% of placed bets are: bets where you want the outcome to succeed. When you 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 from backing it. In fact, it’s the exact opposite: this is when you bet on an outcome not to happen. This isn’t quite the same as simply backing the opposing side, but rather placing a bet on every other possible outcome, so the other team wins or there being a draw, or perhaps the rest of the field if you’re betting on 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’s a foolproof way of making money, as the free bet on one side ensures you can’t 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’ll feel as simple as placing a regular bet. Only with your matched bet on both sides, will you 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 balk at the idea when it’s first suggested.
The wider world’s understanding of gambling and betting online is built around the idea that there has to be an element of risk. However, 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 bookmakers, while wary of the practice, don’t take an active stance against it, as it represents a very small loss to them compared to their overall earnings.
Matched Betting on Sport
Any sporting event can be subject to matched betting when done correctly. Even so, there are some sports that better lend themselves to matched betting to others. Here, we’ll guide you through using matched bets on some of the most popular sports.
NBA Matched Betting
Basketball is one such sport that’s very popular when it comes to matched betting. The high-scoring nature of the sport lends itself to this process because it’s extremely rare for there to be a tie; more often than not, one team wins. As such, it’s 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. The best football betting sites have plenty of 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 easy to get involved with, along with cup matches and UEFA competitions. This sport is a little more complex on some US sites given that a lay bet will include a draw which is a much more common outcome in soccer, but shop around your favorite online sportsbook to find those options, as soccer is the most popular matched betting sport worldwide.
Horse Racing Matched Betting
BetOnline also hosts a racebook for all horse racing markets. There are always other horse racing betting sites too, of course, but while it’s 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 another sportsbook or exchange.
How to do Online Matched Betting
Online matched betting requires at least two different betting accounts with two separate sportsbooks or exchanges. To start with, we recommend you sign up with BetOnline, one of our favorite new betting sites.
Step One – Register with BetOnline
BetOnline is easy to find, and you can check out our complete BetOnline review and join up when you’re happy. It’s also listed on our best offshore sportsbook page, so you can find a link to the site there, too. Once on the 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 zip code and date of birth, then set a password to get going.
Step Two – Verify Your Account
After your account has been registered with BetOnline, it’ll 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 process.
Step Three – Make A Deposit & Find The 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. Navigate to the promotions section, where you’ll find the Free Bet offers.
Step Four – Pick your Sport
Choose your favorite sport and find a market where you want to place your Free Bet.
Step Five – Place your Wager
Your no-risk matched betting adventure can begin! From here, 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’s definitely still possible, so we’ve out together these helpful tips you can take into account.
1. Take Your Time
Matched betting requires a good deal of math. The actual betting part becomes second nature after a while, as you 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 type of betting, it usually pays to know a good deal about the sport you’re betting on. There is an element of chance involved in all other betting though, whereas if you do risk-free matched betting correctly, you can’t lose. As such, you can choose any sport you like and you could end up uncovering a more profitable market.
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’ll not win big as quickly, but you’ll definitely make profit if you follow the rules. As such, keep at it to guarantee your profits are as high as possible.
4. Read Forums
Matched betting isn’t something that you can fully understand 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 doesn’t mean simply using two separate sites, it’s a must-do for any form of matched betting. Use multiple different sites to back and multiple different sites to lay because bookmakers 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 you getting involved. It’s worth being aware of these with a concept such as matched betting.
Pros:
- Profit Guaranteed – There are rules that you need to follow, but once you’ve learned them, the funds will start rolling in.
- Control – While online gambling can sometimes be a problem in terms of keeping control, matched betting keeps you in overall control.
- More Bonus Offers – As matched betting is much easier when holding multiple different betting accounts, you’ll be able to take advantage of even more bonus offers beyond those free bet offers.
Cons:
- Tricky Concept – Matched betting takes a lot of time to work 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.
