Arbitrage Calculator
Enter odds from different bookmakers for each outcome. The calculator checks whether an arbitrage opportunity exists and shows optimal stakes for a guaranteed profit.
What is Sports Betting Arbitrage?
Arbitrage (also called sure betting or arbing) occurs when the odds at different bookmakers for every possible outcome in an event are collectively higher than they should be. By backing every outcome at the best available odds across multiple sites, you can guarantee a profit regardless of the result.
How Arbitrage Works
If Bookmaker A offers 2.10 on the home team, and Bookmaker B offers 2.05 on the away team, the combined implied probability is 1/2.10 + 1/2.05 = 47.6% + 48.8% = 96.4%. Because this is under 100%, there is a 3.6% arbitrage opportunity. Betting proportionally on both outcomes guarantees a 3.6% return on your total stake regardless of the result.
Finding Arbitrage Opportunities
True arbitrage is rare and usually short-lived. Bookmakers monitor prices and quickly adjust when odds diverge significantly from the market. Opportunities typically arise around team news announcements, when a bookmaker is slow to update, or when different bookmakers have significantly different opinions on a match outcome.
Risks and Limitations
Arbitrage is not completely risk-free. Bookmakers can limit or close accounts of customers who consistently arb. Prices can change between placing two legs. And the margins involved (typically 2-5%) require large stakes to generate meaningful profit. The how bookmakers work guide explains how bookmakers identify and restrict arbers. For understanding margins more generally, use our margin calculator.