Sports Arbitrage Calculator: Lock In Guaranteed Profits

Sports arbitrage exploits odds differences between bookmakers to guarantee profit regardless of outcome. Our calculator finds these opportunities, calculates optimal stakes for each side, and shows your guaranteed return before placing any bet.

What Is Sports Arbitrage?

Arbitrage (arbing) occurs when different bookmakers offer odds that, combined, guarantee profit. By betting all outcomes at the right amounts, you win regardless of result. The profit comes from the "arb percentage"—the gap between true probability and combined implied odds.

Quick Answer: Arbitrage = betting all outcomes across different bookmakers for guaranteed profit. If Book A offers Team A at +150 and Book B offers Team B at +140, you might have an arb. Calculate: (1/decimal odds A) + (1/decimal odds B). If sum < 1, there's an arb. Typical arb profit: 1-5% per opportunity. Requires multiple funded accounts and fast execution. Risks: limited accounts, odds changes, human error.

How to Use Our Calculator

Use the Sports Arbitrage Calculator →

Enter odds from different bookmakers to find arbitrage opportunities.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Enter Odds (Side 1): First outcome odds

2. Enter Odds (Side 2): Second outcome odds

3. Input Total Stake: Amount to invest

4. View Arb Percentage: Profit margin

5. See Stake Distribution: Exact bet amounts

Input Fields Explained

Field	Description	Example
Odds Side 1	Decimal odds	2.50
Odds Side 2	Decimal odds	2.45
Total Stake	Investment	$1,000
Arb Percentage	Profit margin	2.3%
Stake Side 1	Bet amount	$493
Stake Side 2	Bet amount	$507
Guaranteed Profit	Regardless of outcome	$23

The Arbitrage Formula

Calculating Arb Percentage

Arb % = (1/Odds1 + 1/Odds2) - 1

Example:
Side 1 odds: 2.50 (decimal)
Side 2 odds: 2.45 (decimal)

Arb % = (1/2.50 + 1/2.45) - 1
Arb % = (0.40 + 0.408) - 1
Arb % = 0.808 - 1 = -0.192

Negative = Arbitrage exists!
Profit margin = |−0.192| × 100 = 19.2%
(Unusually high - most are 1-5%)

When Arb Exists

If (1/Odds1 + 1/Odds2) < 1:
Arbitrage opportunity exists

If (1/Odds1 + 1/Odds2) > 1:
No arbitrage (book has edge)

If (1/Odds1 + 1/Odds2) = 1:
Break-even (no edge either way)

Stake Calculation

Stake1 = Total × (1/Odds1) / (1/Odds1 + 1/Odds2)
Stake2 = Total × (1/Odds2) / (1/Odds1 + 1/Odds2)

Or simpler:
Stake1 = Total × Odds2 / (Odds1 + Odds2)
Stake2 = Total × Odds1 / (Odds1 + Odds2)

Real-World Examples

Example 1: Simple Two-Way Arb

Match: Lakers vs Celtics Book A: Lakers +130 (2.30 decimal) Book B: Celtics +125 (2.25 decimal)

Calculation:

Check for arb:
1/2.30 + 1/2.25 = 0.435 + 0.444 = 0.879

0.879 < 1 = Arb exists!
Profit margin = (1 - 0.879) × 100 = 12.1%

$1,000 total stake:
Lakers stake = $1,000 × 2.25 / (2.30 + 2.25) = $494.51
Celtics stake = $1,000 × 2.30 / (2.30 + 2.25) = $505.49

If Lakers win: $494.51 × 2.30 = $1,137.37
If Celtics win: $505.49 × 2.25 = $1,137.35

Guaranteed profit: ~$137 (13.7% return)

Example 2: Three-Way Arb (Soccer)

Match: Man City vs Liverpool Book A: City +140 (2.40) Book B: Draw +350 (4.50) Book C: Liverpool +180 (2.80)

Calculation:

Check for arb:
1/2.40 + 1/4.50 + 1/2.80
= 0.417 + 0.222 + 0.357 = 0.996

0.996 < 1 = Arb exists (barely)
Profit margin = 0.4%

$3,000 total stake:
City: $3,000 × (1/2.40)/0.996 = $1,253
Draw: $3,000 × (1/4.50)/0.996 = $668
Liverpool: $3,000 × (1/2.80)/0.996 = $1,079

Any outcome returns ~$3,012
Guaranteed profit: ~$12 (0.4%)

Example 3: Typical Small Arb

Match: Djokovic vs Alcaraz Book A: Djokovic -110 (1.91) Book B: Alcaraz +125 (2.25)

Calculation:

1/1.91 + 1/2.25 = 0.524 + 0.444 = 0.968

Arb exists: 3.2% margin

$500 stake:
Djokovic: $500 × (1/1.91)/0.968 = $270.75
Alcaraz: $500 × (1/2.25)/0.968 = $229.25

Either outcome returns ~$516
Profit: $16 (3.2%)

Finding Arbitrage Opportunities

Manual Methods

Compare odds across bookmakers:
1. Check multiple books simultaneously
2. Look for significant odds differences
3. Calculate arb percentage quickly
4. Act fast before odds change

Arb Finder Tools

Dedicated software scans:
- Hundreds of bookmakers
- Thousands of markets
- Updates in real-time
- Alerts on opportunities

Popular tools:
- OddsJam
- RebelBetting
- BetBurger
- OddStorm

Common Arb Markets

Market Type	Arb Frequency	Typical Margin
Moneylines	Medium	1-5%
Totals	High	1-3%
Spreads	Medium	1-4%
Props	High	2-8%
Live betting	Very high	3-15%

Practical Considerations

Capital Requirements

To make meaningful profit:
- Multiple funded accounts needed
- $500-$1,000+ per book minimum
- Must act on many small arbs

Example monthly:
50 arbs × $500 average × 2% = $500/month
Requires $5,000+ distributed across books

Speed Matters

Arbs disappear fast:
- Often last seconds to minutes
- Odds constantly updating
- Other arbers competing

Tools help but aren't instant
Execution speed critical

Account Limitations

Bookmakers don't like arbers:
- Win rate flags accounts
- Stakes get limited
- Eventually banned

Longevity strategies:
- Bet on losing props occasionally
- Vary bet sizes slightly
- Don't arb exclusively
- Use multiple identities (caution: ToS violation)

Risks and Pitfalls

Odds Changes

Problem: Odds change between bets
Solution: Bet fastest-moving odds first
Risk: Partial arb exposure

Palpable Errors

Problem: Obvious mistakes voided by books
Example: Lakers at +500 instead of -500
Result: Your bet gets cancelled
Left holding counter-bet at loss

Different Rules

Problem: Books have different dead heat, void rules
Example: Player scratches, one book voids, other doesn't
Result: Exposed to one side only

Human Error

Problem: Wrong stakes, wrong side, wrong event
Consequences: Potentially large losses
Prevention: Double-check everything

Arbing Strategy

Beginner Approach

Start with:
1. Focus on two-way markets
2. Use established bookmakers
3. Verify rules match
4. Start with small stakes
5. Track everything meticulously

Intermediate Approach

Scale up with:
1. Multiple book accounts
2. Arb finder software
3. Faster execution
4. Larger stakes
5. Three-way markets

Professional Approach

Full operation:
1. Many accounts (possibly multiple people)
2. Premium arb services
3. Automated/semi-automated betting
4. Cover bets to extend account life
5. Treat as business

Arb Percentage Benchmarks

What's Realistic?

Arb %	Frequency	Action
<1%	Common	Often not worth fees
1-2%	Regular	Standard arbing
2-3%	Less common	Good opportunity
3-5%	Uncommon	Very good
>5%	Rare	Check for errors
>10%	Very rare	Likely palp/mistake

Common Mistakes

1. Not Accounting for Fees

Mistake: Calculate profit without deposit/withdrawal fees Problem: Fees eat into small margins Fix: Factor in all costs

2. Betting Wrong Outcomes

Mistake: Bet same side at both books Problem: Double exposure instead of arb Fix: Verify opposite outcomes

3. Ignoring Rules Differences

Mistake: Assume all books have same rules Problem: Different void conditions cause exposure Fix: Check rules for each bet type

4. Over-Leverage

Mistake: Put entire bankroll in one arb Problem: Error or void = significant loss Fix: Diversify across many small arbs

Frequently Asked Questions

Is arbitrage betting legal?

Yes, in most jurisdictions. You're just betting at different bookmakers. However, bookmakers can (and do) limit/ban arbers—it's against their terms of service.

How much can I make arbing?

Depends on capital and time. With $10,000 across accounts and dedicated effort, $500-$2,000/month is realistic. More capital = more opportunity.

Do bookmakers really ban arbers?

Yes. They identify arbers by win rate, betting patterns, and timing. Accounts get limited first, then closed. It's a cat-and-mouse game.

Are arb finder services worth it?

If you're serious, yes. Manual arb finding is slow. Good services find more opportunities faster than you can manually.

What about taxes?

Gambling winnings are taxable in many jurisdictions. Arbing is gambling income. Keep records and consult a tax professional.

Can arbing be automated?

Partially. Finding arbs can be automated. Placing bets often requires human verification (CAPTCHAs, etc.). Full automation is difficult.

Pro Tips

• Bet the moving line first: Fastest-changing odds first to avoid disappearing arbs

• Use multiple payment methods: Fund accounts efficiently

• Keep meticulous records: Track every bet, every account, every result

• Expect account restrictions: Plan for limited account lifespan

• Start small: Learn the process before scaling up

Related Calculators

• Sports Hedge Bet Calculator - Hedge existing bets
• Odds Converter - Convert odds formats
• Expected Value Calculator - EV analysis
• Kelly Criterion Calculator - Optimal bet sizing
• Parlay Calculator - Multi-bet odds

Conclusion

Sports arbitrage offers genuine guaranteed profits—but it's not passive income. Our calculator finds opportunities and calculates exact stakes, but success requires multiple funded accounts, fast execution, and acceptance that bookmakers will eventually limit you.

Calculate Arbitrage Opportunities Now →

Arbing is mathematically sound but operationally challenging. The profits are real but require work: scanning for opportunities, managing accounts, acting quickly, and constantly adapting as books catch on. Our calculator handles the math—you handle the execution.