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Arbitrage betting calculator

When two or three bookmakers disagree enough, backing every outcome locks in a profit. Enter the best odds for each outcome and your total stake to see whether it is an arb and how to split it.

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Book %–
Total staked–
Return if any wins–
Guaranteed profit–

18+. A calculator shows what a bet would return, not how likely it is to win. Set a budget before you bet. Free help: GamCare (UK, 0808 8020 133) · Gambling Care (Ireland).

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The formulas

book % = Σ(1 ÷ odds). Below 100% is an arbitrage, and the margin is 100% − book %.

stake on an outcome = total × (1 ÷ odds) ÷ book and return = total ÷ book

Worked examples

Two-way market

Bookmaker A offers 2.10 on one side, bookmaker B 2.05 on the other. Book 96.40%. With 100 to stake: 49.40 on A and 50.60 on B. Either result returns 103.73, a 3.73 profit.

Three-way market (home, draw, away)

Best prices 2.90, 3.60 and 4.20 at three bookmakers. Book 86.07%. Stakes of 40.06, 32.27, 27.66 return 116.18 whatever happens: 16.18 profit on 100.

No arbitrage

A standard −110 / −110 line (1.91 each way) adds up to 104.71%. Backing both sides with 100 loses 4.50 whichever side wins.

Questions

What is an arbitrage bet?

Backing every outcome of an event at different bookmakers when their best prices add up to less than 100%. Staked in proportion, every outcome returns more than the total stake.

How do I know if odds are an arbitrage?

Add up 1 ÷ odds for every outcome. Under 1 (100%) is an arbitrage. 2.10 and 2.05 give 96.40%; the usual 1.91 and 1.91 give 104.71%.

How much do I stake on each side?

Stake on an outcome = total × (1 ÷ its odds) ÷ the sum of (1 ÷ odds). That makes every outcome return the same amount.

What can go wrong with arbitrage betting?

Prices move before both bets are on, a bookmaker can void a bet at an obvious error, and accounts that only place arbitrage bets get limited. Place the harder bet first and check each bookmaker's rules on voids.

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