Arbitrage Betting Calculator: Guaranteed Profit from Odds Differences

Arbitrage betting exploits odds differences across sportsbooks to guarantee profit regardless of outcome. Our calculator identifies arbitrage opportunities and calculates exact stake distribution for risk-free returns.

What Is Arbitrage Betting?

Arbitrage (arbing) places bets on all possible outcomes of an event across different sportsbooks where combined odds guarantee profit no matter what happens.

Quick Answer: Arbitrage exists when the sum of implied probabilities across outcomes is less than 100%. If Book A has Team 1 at +110 (47.6%) and Book B has Team 2 at +110 (47.6%), total = 95.2%—a 4.8% arbitrage opportunity. Distribute stakes proportionally to lock in guaranteed profit.

How to Use Our Arbitrage Calculator

Use the Arbitrage Betting Calculator →

Enter odds from different books to find and calculate arbitrage opportunities.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Enter Outcome 1 Odds: Best odds at any book

2. Enter Outcome 2 Odds: Best odds at another book

3. Input Total Stake: Amount to distribute

4. View Arbitrage %: If opportunity exists

5. See Stake Distribution: Exact amounts per outcome

Input Fields Explained

Field	Description	Example
Outcome 1 Odds	Best odds for Team A	+115
Outcome 2 Odds	Best odds for Team B	+110
Total Stake	Total to invest	$1,000
Stake on Outcome 1	Amount to bet	$478
Stake on Outcome 2	Amount to bet	$522
Guaranteed Profit	Risk-free return	$24.50

Arbitrage Math

Detecting Arbitrage

Calculate implied probability for each outcome:

For positive odds: 100 / (Odds + 100)
For negative odds: |Odds| / (|Odds| + 100)

If sum < 100%, arbitrage exists.

Example Detection

Book A: Lakers +105 → 100/205 = 48.78% Book B: Celtics +102 → 100/202 = 49.50% Total: 48.78% + 49.50% = 98.28%

Arbitrage margin: 100% - 98.28% = 1.72%

Stake Distribution Formula

Stake A = Total × (1/Decimal A) / (1/Decimal A + 1/Decimal B)
Stake B = Total × (1/Decimal B) / (1/Decimal A + 1/Decimal B)

Or simply:

Stake A = Total × Profit B / (Profit A + Profit B)

Real Arbitrage Examples

Example 1: Simple Two-Way

Event: Chiefs vs Bills Book A: Chiefs +108 (2.08 decimal) Book B: Bills +106 (2.06 decimal)

Check:

• Chiefs implied: 48.08%
• Bills implied: 48.54%
• Total: 96.62% ✓ Arbitrage exists

$1,000 total stake:

• Chiefs stake: $497.09
• Bills stake: $502.91

Profit:

• If Chiefs win: $497.09 × 2.08 = $1,033.94 - $1,000 = $33.94
• If Bills win: $502.91 × 2.06 = $1,036.00 - $1,000 = $36.00

Guaranteed profit: ~$33-36 (3.4% return)

Example 2: Three-Way Market (Soccer)

Event: Liverpool vs Arsenal Book A: Liverpool +180 (2.80) Book B: Draw +240 (3.40) Book C: Arsenal +175 (2.75)

Check:

• Liverpool: 35.71%
• Draw: 29.41%
• Arsenal: 36.36%
• Total: 101.48% ❌ No arbitrage

Need 100% or less for arbitrage.

Example 3: With Sharp Book

Event: Rams vs 49ers Pinnacle: Rams +102, 49ers -102 (no arb at one book) DraftKings: Rams +110 FanDuel: 49ers +105

Check with best odds:

• Rams +110: 47.62%
• 49ers +105: 48.78%
• Total: 96.40% ✓ Arbitrage exists

Where to Find Arbitrage

Soft Books (Higher Odds)

Book Type	Example	Odds Quality
Promotional	New user promos	Often +EV
Regional	Local market books	Sometimes soft
Recreational	Casual-focused	Sometimes soft

Sharp Books (Reference Lines)

Book	Use
Pinnacle	Benchmark odds
Circa	Sharp reference
Betfair	True market odds

Best Arb Markets

Market	Why
Moneylines	Simple, high limits
Totals	Multiple books differ
Player props	Odds vary widely
Futures	Significant differences

Arbitrage Challenges

Account Limitations

Issue	Impact
Low limits	Can't place full stake
Account closure	Books ban arbers
Bet rejection	Stakes get declined
Voided bets	One leg cancelled = exposed

Timing Issues

Problem	Risk
Odds change	Arb disappears mid-bet
Slow platforms	Can't place fast enough
Line moves	Second bet at worse odds

Practical Limits

Challenge	Mitigation
Small margins (1-3%)	High volume needed
Capital requirements	Tie up significant funds
Time investment	Constant monitoring

Arbitrage Strategy

Tools Needed

Tool	Purpose
Odds comparison site	Find discrepancies
Arb calculator	Calculate stakes
Multiple accounts	Access all books
Quick deposits	Move money fast

Execution Process

1. Identify: Find odds difference
2. Calculate: Verify arbitrage exists
3. Fund: Ensure both accounts have funds
4. Execute: Place both bets quickly
5. Record: Track for taxes/accounting

Risk Management

Risk	Management
Voided bet exposure	Keep stakes reasonable
Account limits	Diversify across books
Timing	Use pre-calculated stakes
Odds movement	Have backup arbs ready

Types of Arbitrage

Pure Arbitrage

Standard arbing across different books:

• Same event, same market
• Different books, different odds
• Guaranteed profit

Bonus Arbitrage

Using promotional free bets:

• Convert free bets to cash
• ~70-80% conversion typical
• Lower risk than pure arbing

Middling

Betting both sides with potential for both to win:

• Team A -3 at Book 1
• Team B +5 at Book 2
• Middle if Team A wins by 4

Legal Considerations

Is Arbitrage Legal?

Jurisdiction	Status
USA	Legal (terms may prohibit)
UK	Legal
Australia	Legal
Europe	Generally legal

Legal but often against terms of service. Books can limit/close accounts.

Tax Implications

Aspect	Consideration
Winning bets	Taxable income
Losing bets	May offset wins
Record keeping	Essential for taxes

Common Arbing Mistakes

1. Slow Execution

Mistake: Taking time between bets Risk: Odds change, no longer profitable Fix: Have stakes pre-calculated, act fast

2. Ignoring Fees

Mistake: Not counting deposit/withdrawal fees Risk: Fees exceed profit Fix: Factor all costs into calculation

3. Obvious Patterns

Mistake: Identical bet amounts every time Risk: Books detect arbing behavior Fix: Vary bet amounts, round numbers

4. Single Book Exposure

Mistake: Placing first bet, unable to place second Risk: Exposed to normal bet risk Fix: Confirm both bets can be placed

Frequently Asked Questions

How much can I make arbing?

Typical margins are 1-5%. With $10,000 capital and finding 5 arbs/day at 2%, that's ~$1,000/month. Reality varies significantly.

Will I get banned?

Probably eventually. Books track arbing behavior and limit/close accounts. Longevity depends on bet sizes and patterns.

Is arbing worth it?

For committed bettors with capital and time, yes. For casual bettors, the effort often exceeds rewards.

What starting bankroll do I need?

$5,000+ recommended to make meaningful profit after fees and to have funds across multiple books.

How do I find arbitrage opportunities?

Odds comparison sites, arbitrage alert services, or manually comparing lines across books.

Can I arb live betting?

Possible but harder. Odds move fast, execution must be near-instant.

Pro Tips

• Speed matters: Arbs disappear quickly; act fast

• Multiple accounts: Need 5-10+ books for consistent opportunities

• Start small: Learn the process before scaling up

• Track everything: Know your ROI, factor all costs

• Expect limitations: Plan for account restrictions

Related Calculators

• Hedge Bet Calculator - Lock in profits
• Odds Converter - Format conversion
• Expected Value Calculator - EV analysis
• Implied Probability Calculator - Odds to %
• Kelly Criterion Calculator - Stake sizing

Conclusion

Arbitrage betting offers guaranteed profits by exploiting odds differences across sportsbooks. Our calculator identifies opportunities and calculates exact stake distribution. While mathematically sound, arbing requires significant capital, multiple accounts, quick execution, and acceptance that account limitations are likely.

Calculate Your Arbitrage Bets Now →

Arbitrage is not a get-rich-quick scheme—it's a grind requiring discipline and infrastructure. Calculate carefully, execute quickly, and understand the practical challenges beyond the math.