Hedge Bet Calculator: Guarantee Profits on Live Bets

Hedging lets you lock in guaranteed profits when your original bet is in a winning position. Our calculator shows exactly how much to bet on the opposite side to secure profit regardless of the final outcome.

What Is Hedge Betting?

Hedging places a second bet on the opposite outcome of your original wager, guaranteeing profit (or minimizing loss) regardless of the final result.

Quick Answer: To hedge, bet on the opposite outcome of your original bet using current odds. The calculator determines exact hedge amounts for equal profit both ways or weighted profit favoring one outcome. Hedging is ideal for futures bets when your team makes deep playoff runs.

How to Use Our Hedge Calculator

Use the Hedge Bet Calculator →

Enter your original bet details and current hedge odds for optimal amounts.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Enter Original Bet: Amount and odds

2. Input Potential Win: What you'd win if original hits

3. Enter Hedge Odds: Current odds for opposite outcome

4. Select Strategy: Equal profit or weighted

5. View Hedge Amount: Exact bet to place

Input Fields Explained

Field	Description	Example
Original Bet	Initial wager	$100
Original Odds	Initial odds	+2000
Potential Win	If original hits	$2,000
Hedge Odds	Opposite side now	-150
Hedge Amount	Bet to place	$1,200
Guaranteed Profit	No matter what	$800

Hedge Betting Math

Basic Hedge Formula

To guarantee equal profit:

Hedge Amount = Potential Win / (Hedge Odds Decimal)
Guaranteed Profit = Potential Win - Hedge Amount (if original wins)
                  = Hedge Win (if hedge wins)

Example Calculation

Original: $100 on Chiefs +2500 (to win $2,500) Situation: Chiefs in Super Bowl Hedge Odds: Opponent -130

Calculation:

• Potential win: $2,500 (+ $100 stake = $2,600 total)
• Hedge decimal odds: 1.769 (from -130)
• Hedge needed: $2,500 / 1.769 = $1,413

If Chiefs win: $2,600 - $1,413 = $1,187 profit If Chiefs lose: $1,413 × 0.769 = $1,087 profit

(Not exactly equal due to juice—calculator optimizes this)

Common Hedging Scenarios

Scenario 1: Futures Bet Deep Run

Original: $50 on Bengals +4000 at season start Situation: Bengals in AFC Championship Potential Win: $2,000

Hedge Decision:

• If lose AFC Championship: $50 loss
• If win and hedge: Lock in $800-1,200 guaranteed
• If win and don't hedge: Ride to Super Bowl (more variance)

Scenario 2: Parlay Final Leg

Original: $20 on 4-team parlay, 3 legs hit Situation: Final leg tomorrow Potential Win: $850

Hedge:

• Bet opposite of final leg
• Lock in profit regardless of outcome

Scenario 3: Live Betting Hedge

Original: $100 pre-game on Team A Situation: Team A up big at halftime Current Odds: Team B now +400 (long shot)

Hedge Decision:

• Small bet on Team B hedges against collapse
• May create "middle" opportunity

Equal Profit vs Weighted Hedge

Equal Profit

Lock in the same amount no matter what:

Outcome	Profit
Original wins	$1,000
Hedge wins	$1,000

Best for: Risk-averse bettors, guaranteed money matters most

Weighted Hedge

Favor one outcome while still guaranteeing minimum profit:

Outcome	Profit
Original wins	$1,500
Hedge wins	$500

Best for: Still believe in original pick, want some upside

Partial Hedge

Hedge only part of potential winnings:

Outcome	Result
Original wins	Maximum profit
Hedge wins	Smaller guaranteed profit
Original loses	Smaller loss than no hedge

When to Hedge

Good Hedging Situations

Situation	Hedge?
Futures bet deep in playoffs	Yes
Parlay final leg	Maybe
Significant life-changing money	Yes
Unexpected value emerged	Yes
Sharp odds movement	Consider

Bad Hedging Situations

Situation	Hedge?
Small potential win	No (juice eats profit)
Early in long-term bet	No (too much juice)
Emotional decision	No (think clearly first)
Always hedging everything	No (reduces EV)

The Middle Opportunity

What Is a Middle?

A middle wins BOTH bets if the final result lands between your two positions.

Example:

• Original: Team A -3 at +100
• Hedge: Team B +6 at -110
• Middle: Team A wins by 4 or 5 (both bets win!)

Middle Math

Result	Team A -3	Team B +6	Net
A by 10	Win	Lose	Small profit
A by 4.5	Win	Win	BIG WIN
A by 2	Lose	Win	Small profit

Middles are rare but extremely profitable when they hit.

Real-World Hedge Examples

Example 1: Super Bowl Futures

February:

• $100 on Eagles +3000 (to win $3,000)
• Eagles make Super Bowl vs Chiefs

Hedge Decision:

• Chiefs -150 to win Super Bowl
• Hedge $1,900 on Chiefs
• If Eagles win: $3,000 - $1,900 = $1,100 profit
• If Chiefs win: $1,900 / 1.5 × 0.5 = $633 profit

Example 2: March Madness

Tournament Start:

• $25 on #12 seed +10000 (to win $2,500)
• Team reaches Final Four

Hedge:

• Now playing #1 seed (-400)
• Hedge $2,000 on #1 seed
• If #12 wins: $2,500 - $2,000 = $500 profit
• If #1 wins: $2,000 / 1.25 × 0.25 = $400 profit

Example 3: Live Game Hedge

Pre-game:

• $200 on Lakers -4 (-110) → to win $182

Halftime:

• Lakers up 15 points
• Celtics now +500

Hedge:

• $40 on Celtics +500
• If Lakers cover: $182 - $40 = $142 profit
• If Celtics cover: $200 = $160 profit
• Middle possible: Lakers win by 1-3 = Both win!

Common Hedging Mistakes

1. Over-Hedging

Mistake: Hedging every bet that gets ahead Problem: Juice destroys overall EV Fix: Only hedge significant positions

2. Emotional Hedging

Mistake: "I can't lose this now" Problem: Leaving value on table Fix: Calculate EV both ways before deciding

3. Ignoring Juice

Mistake: Not accounting for vig in hedge Problem: Guaranteed profit smaller than expected Fix: Use calculator for exact amounts

4. Hedging Too Early

Mistake: Hedging futures with games remaining Problem: Multiple hedge opportunities, excessive juice Fix: Wait until final game/outcome

Frequently Asked Questions

Is hedging a good strategy?

It depends. For life-changing money or guaranteed profit situations, hedging is smart. For regular betting, hedging too often reduces overall EV.

When should I NOT hedge?

When potential profit is small (juice eats too much), when you have clear edge on original, or when hedging is purely emotional.

How do I calculate hedge amount?

Use our calculator. The formula accounts for your original bet, potential win, and current hedge odds to find the exact amount for equal or weighted profit.

Can I hedge a parlay?

Yes. On the final leg, you can hedge by betting the opposite outcome. Earlier legs can't be hedged without live betting.

What's better: hedge or let it ride?

Depends on your risk tolerance. Hedging guarantees profit but caps upside. Letting it ride has higher EV but risks everything.

Do sportsbooks allow hedging?

Yes. Hedging is completely legal and books expect it. You're just placing another bet.

Advanced Hedging Strategies

Rolling Hedges

For multi-game futures:

1. Hedge partially after each win
2. Lock in increasing guaranteed profit
3. Still have upside if original hits

Arbitrage vs Hedging

Strategy	Timing	Goal
Arbitrage	Same time, different books	Guaranteed profit from start
Hedging	After odds move	Guarantee profit on winning position

Hedging Sports vs Markets

The concept applies beyond sports:

• Stock options
• Cryptocurrency positions
• Any binary outcome with changing odds

Pro Tips

• Calculate, don't guess: Small errors in hedge amounts reduce profit significantly

• Consider the juice: -110 on both sides means hedging costs money

• Emotional check: Are you hedging for math reasons or fear?

• Partial hedges: Don't have to be all-or-nothing

• Life-changing money: Always hedge amounts that would significantly impact your life

Related Calculators

• Parlay Calculator - Original parlay odds
• Arbitrage Calculator - Guaranteed profit
• Expected Value Calculator - EV analysis
• Odds Converter - Format conversion
• Moneyline Calculator - Basic odds

Conclusion

Hedge betting lets you lock in guaranteed profits when your original bet is in a winning position. Our calculator shows exactly how much to wager for equal profit, weighted profit, or partial hedges. Use hedging strategically for significant positions—not as a default for every bet.

Calculate Your Hedge Bet Now →

The best hedge is one that lets you sleep at night. Calculate the numbers, consider the juice, and decide whether guaranteed profit or maximum upside fits your situation.