An Introduction to Matched Betting

Savvy betting fans across the country are currently taking advantage of a process called matched betting. Matched betting is a technique which presents bettors with an opportunity to turn the tables on the country’s bookmakers and make a guaranteed profit

Our handy guide to matched betting will tell you all you need to know about this technique and how it offers a risk-free opportunity to generate profit whilst having fun at the same time.

What is Matched Betting?

Matched betting is a technique that takes advantage of introductory offers and free bets handed out by bookmakers to ensure an individual a profit. Rather than the usual strategy of placing a single bet and relying on luck, matched betting uses a technique in which you place a bet on both outcomes of an event, with carefully planned amounts ensuring that whatever happens, you come out with a profit.

All bookmakers have sign-up offers and free bets available at some point and by utilising those, as well as a stake of your own, you’re basically betting on both outcomes, positive and negative. Whatever the outcome, you’re the winner.

Matched betting might sound too good to be true, but it is a genuine way in which you can place a bet and turn the tables on the bookmaker, making a profit every time.

How Do Matched Bets Work?

Matched betting is a process which might seem complicated at first, but that presents an almost guaranteed method to generate money, through a careful process which is extremely easy to learn.

At a basic level, matched betting is a method of placing a bet which covers both outcomes of any sporting event, but uses free bets or reload offers from bookmakers to ensure you turn a profit. In some instances, you’ll need to place a qualifying bet before unlocking an offer, but the level of risk is non-existent if it is done correctly.

Before we go into matched betting in any depth, it is important to understand the terminology we’ll be using. There are two types of bet concerning match betting, a ‘back bet’ and a ‘lay bet’.

A Back Bet

A back bet is a straightforward bet on the outcome of a game, for instance betting on Manchester United to beat Arsenal. If Manchester United win, your bet is paid out. If they lose, you lose your bet. That’s the first component of matched betting and a back bet is a bet usually placed with the likes of Paddy Power or William Hill.

A Lay Bet

The second type of bet you need to understand is a lay bet. This type is a little less common and is where you’re betting against a certain event happening. For instance, you bet that Manchester United will not win against Arsenal. This type of betting is only available with a betting exchange and is used to cancel out your original bet, thus creating matched betting. You’re basically backing both outcomes, a loss and a win, but at odds which means you’ll make money whatever the outcome.

By placing a qualifying bet and utilising a free bet offer, you can begin to make money on a regular basis with a carefully planned method of matched betting.

A Matched Betting Example

As an example, let’s say you pick Manchester United against Arsenal. The game you pick is important, you’re looking for one that has similar odds on the opposite outcomes. Initially, you would head over to someone like William Hill or Paddy Power and find the odds for a Manchester United win. Check those against the betting exchange (let’s use Betfair for example), and check if they’re close, then process your matched bet.

Once you’ve correctly identified a game, simply place a back bet with whichever provider has a suitable offer and the correct odds, for Manchester United to win the game. Using decimal odds, let us assume they’re 2.28 to win the match.

You then head over to Betfair exchange and lay the opposite bet, for Manchester United NOT to beat Arsenal. That might come at odds of 2.33 for example, close to the opposite outcome. Once that is done, you have your match bet. Regardless of how much money you stake, you can ensure that whatever the outcome you will be left with a small profit. Matched betting is simply repeating this process for a variety of suitable matches every week. You’re simply going to match bets again and again and in doing so turn a small profit every time.

You don’t even have to bet on a win, if the odds are right you might back a team to draw, then place a lay bet against the draw, but again covering both bases. You can’t fail to win on one account and whatever you lose on one bet should be covered by your win on the second. It’s a solid way of making money which thousands of people are out there taking advantage of right now.

Does Matched Betting Work in 2020?

Absolutely, matched betting works as well today as ever. It can be used with any sporting event, from football matches to tennis and rugby, as a solid way to make money from placing bets. It is a sure-fire way of making a profit with the bookmakers, something that cannot be said about any other process. Everyone thinks they have a scheme by which they can beat the bookie, but not one of them is 100% proven to work time and again, apart from this one.

The process is becoming increasingly popular as people recognise the opportunity to generate money for themselves through what is essentially a remarkably simple process. It’s always going to be effective as long as companies are putting out offers to take advantage of and help generate income for you.

If you follow the process, you can’t fail to get it right. Be aware of all the different providers and make sure you are watching out for any offers or free bets that come up. If you stick to the guidelines, you’ll find this is a solid way of making money.

What are the Risks?

The theory suggests that matched betting is risk free and to a certain extent, it is. When you match a bet, you’re guaranteeing an income and therefore you should always come out on top if it is done correctly. Follow the rules, be incredibly careful in everything you do and you can’t fail to win. That isn’t to say it isn’t completely risk free, but the risk is not in the outcome of the games you choose.

Every process is prone to mistakes and this is where the risk comes in with matched betting. If you fail to make a correctly matched bet then you could find yourself losing out, so the only risk you face with matched betting is your own errors. Making sure you triple-check all your bets is important, as is selecting the right free bets and a manageable bet amount.

Take time to understand the procedure and the types of bets you can use for matched betting. It isn’t suitable for an accumulator bet for instance, another popular type of sports betting. You must make sure you’re taking advantage of the right offers, as well as carefully electing your matches or events.

There are a range of providers out there who have software that can be used to select the bets for you, helping to make the process more automatic and ensure that your betting works in the right way.

Can You Make a Living From Matched Betting?

Technically, yes. It is easy to make money using matched betting if you do it correctly, but be aware that you couldn’t class your winnings as earnings. You wouldn’t be able to use it as proof for a mortgage, for example. Simply finding the offers, placing a qualifying bet and then carefully matching bets every day, you can generate an income.

It is possible to make between £500 and £700 per month using these techniques if you invest the right amount of time, which would certainly form a good portion of an income, but it might be risky to give up your job purely to concentrate on matched betting.

Matched betting is perhaps best described as a great secondary income, a way by which you can aspire to have a little bit more money in your life. However, to be a success, it is better to ensure you are not simply withdrawing small amounts and spending it, as the more you generate, the greater scope you’ll have for taking advantage of offers.

Is Matched Betting Illegal?

Absolutely not, matched betting is 100% legal and a genuine way to make money from free bets and different bookmakers. The bookmaker puts the offers out and sets the different odds, the betting exchange offers their services and you’re merely taking advantage of the system to make a profit.

It sounds too good to be true, but it really isn’t. It does require work on your part, perhaps 40 minutes or so a day, but once you grasp the technique and understand how to use the system, you can make some real money.

Just to clarify, matched betting is a 100% legal way of placing bets to ensure you come out on top. By exploiting sign-up offers and placing lay bets that reflect your backed bets, you can come out on top every single time. It is like any process, it takes time and understanding. It isn’t a ‘get rich quick’ scheme, you do have to show some dedication and understanding, but if you do you will be rewarded with a fully legal profit.

How Do I Get Started?

How do you get started with matched betting? It’s a common question for someone looking to get into matched betting and it really couldn’t be easier. The process might take a short while to get used to, but once you grasp the basic concept it is very straightforward indeed.

There are some basics you’ll need to do though before you start with matched betting. Make sure you fully understand the concept and how it works, then you can look to follow these simple steps to ensure you’ll be placing your first matched bet in next to no time at all.

Open Your New Betting Accounts

You’ll need an account with an exchange, someone like Betfair, in order to place your lay bet. They’re not like a traditional bookmaker, because they allow you to bet against other people, rather than the bookie themselves. If you’re lucky, they might be offering free bets when you sign up as well, increasing your matched betting profit right from the start. You’ll more than likely need to make a deposit here though, with a figure of around £50 a good starting point for someone new to the process.

After that, you’ll need an account with a traditional site as well, such as William Hill. For hugely successful matched betting, you’ll want to have accounts with a number of bookmakers, but to get started you’ll be looking to open an account with at least one. Hunt out those free bets and offers, making sure you’re taking advantage of whatever they’re using to lure in new customers to maximise your profit with matched betting. You may not need to make a deposit with the traditional bookmaker, you’re looking for the absolute best bookmaker offers.

Once both accounts are setup, it is also important to change your bookmaker account, the one with which you’ll be placing back bets, to decimal odds as opposed to fractions. You’ll find exchanges use decimal odds and you’ll want to make sure your other accounts match your betting exchange for absolute clarity. This is crucial when comparing odds and deciding which bets to place, which makes it essential for matched betting.

Find and Place a Qualifying Bet

If you’re going to place your first matched bet manually, you’ll now be looking to find a suitable bet. You’re hunting for a match which has the closest odds on for both sites, lay odds and back odds. Be aware that lay bets on Betfair should be red boxes; if they’re not red, you need to make sure you ‘Go to The Exchange’ using the menu.

Some free bookmaker offers will limit the odds you can use, but you’ll be looking for anything between 1.5 and 4 as a suitable bet. Once that’s placed, sit back and watch with interest. Whatever the outcome, you’ll be a winner and start generating cash.

Repeat and Prosper

That’s the basic process covered, but in order to turn a real profit you’ll need to rinse and repeat as often as possible. How much you make is up to you; it depends on how much time you must commit to the process. The more you put in, the more you take away.

Always be aware that one of the common offers that matched betting takes advantage of is reload offers from bookmakers. These are offers made to existing customers to get them to re-engage and are just as valuable to creating money for you as the initial free bets.

Don’t be tempted to start spending the money you win straight away though, which is a common mistake those new to matched betting make. The more you have in your accounts, the more new offers you can take on and the more matched bets you can place. If you really want to make a profit, play the long game and make your money work for you.

What Advice Would You Offer New Matched Bettors?

To become one of the thousands of successful matched bettors across the country, you must remember to start off with realistic expectations or targets. Matched betting is a great way to make money, but you won’t be in a position to buy a speedboat straight away. If you’re going to be successful you must start by being well-informed and knowing exactly what you are going to do.

Don’t focus on how much you can win at first, focus on how you’re going to win. Understanding the process is key to becoming successful. Make sure you’re taking advantage of all the different offers as well. Betting companies love to dangle offers in front of you and it’s vital you know how to best take advantage of them with your bets and betting strategies.

Matched betting can seem overly complicated to a beginner and there is no better way of learning than just getting stuck in. Yes, you must have a firm grasp of how to approach your first bet, but the absolute best way to learn properly is to have a go. Matched betting is a solid method to generate profit, but it is one you must understand fully. It isn’t a ‘get rich quick’ scheme as aforementioned – there are no such things in the world of betting. Instead, matched betting is a tried and tested system by which you can look to earn yourself some money and have a bit of fun in the process.

Always be aware of the different offers out there for new customers of sites. If you want to make good sums of money then you’ll need to be savvy as to where the best offers are. Make sure you’re signed up with as many bookmakers as possible, perhaps waiting for the optimum time to get the absolute best offers available.

Conclusion

Matched betting is a great way to truly beat the bookmaker and for anyone left in any doubt, matched betting works. It is a way you can generate profit with a little application, understanding and time.

It is fully legal and a genuine way in which you can finally get to beat the bookmaker. No other method is 100% guaranteed to earn a person money. Make sure you follow our advice, make sure you understand the tutorials and take your time when you first start out and you’ll be beating the bookie in no time at all.

Good luck and happy matched betting.