Oddsmart Arbitrage Calculator
Welcome to the Oddsmart Arbitrage Calculator—your go-to tool for spotting risk-free betting opportunities on sports betting exchanges.
Whether you’re a seasoned matched-bettor or exploring arbitrage for the first time, our intuitive calculator handles the maths in seconds, freeing you to focus on the strategy.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore exactly what betting arbitrage is, why it works, and how to use our arbitrage bet calculator step-by-step.
We’ll also cover practical tips, a worked example, and a popular FAQ section to answer all your burning questions.
Oddsmart Arbitrage Betting Calculator
What Is Betting Arbitrage?
Arbitrage (or “arb” for short) is a betting strategy that exploits differences in odds offered by two or more bookmakers or exchanges to lock in a profit regardless of the event outcome.
It typically involves placing a back bet on one platform at the highest odds and a lay bet (betting against the same selection) on an exchange at equally favourable odds.
- Back Bet: You bet on an outcome to happen (e.g., backing Team A to win).
- Lay Bet: You bet on the same outcome not to happen (e.g., laying Team A on the exchange).
If the odds and stakes are correctly balanced, you guarantee a small profit no matter who wins.
This is especially attractive in horse racing, football, and tennis, where odds can differ significantly between platforms.
Why Use the Oddsmart Arbitrage Calculator?
Manual arbitrage calculations can be tedious and error-prone. Our calculator automates everything:
Instant Lay Stake Calculation
Enter your back stake and odds, lay odds, and exchange commission. We tell you exactly how much you need to lay.
Profit Breakdown
See your profit or loss if the back bet wins, and if the lay bet wins.
Commission Accounting
Automatically deducts the exchange’s commission (e.g., 2%, 5%) to give you net figures.
User-Friendly Interface
Designed for desktop, mobile and tablet; no clunky macros. By removing the friction of number crunching, Oddsmart’s betting calculator ensures you capture every arbitrage opportunity without second-guessing your maths.
Step-by-Step Guide: Using the Oddsmart Arbitrage Calculator
Follow these simple steps to begin arbing
Set Your Back Stake
Enter Back Odds
Enter Lay Odds
Enter Lay Commission (%)
Review Outputs
Worked Example: Horse Racing Arbitrage
Let’s run through a real-world example using our calculator settings.
- Back Stake: £6
- Back Odds: 6.0
- Lay Odds: 7.0
- Lay Commission: 5%
- Lay Stake Calculation
The calculator computes:
Plugging in our numbers: - Profit if Back Wins
= (6 \times 5) – (5.18 \times 6)
= 30 – 31.08 = -£1.08 - Profit if Lay Wins
= (5.18 \times 0.95) – 6
= 4.92 – 6 = -£1.08
In this scenario, both outcomes yield a small loss, indicating the odds gap wasn’t large enough to guarantee a profit. Try different odds combinations until both profits are positive.
Stay Ahead with Live Promotions & News
Maximising Your Arbitrage Success
Here are some expert tips to help you capture superior arbs:
Monitor Multiple Markets
Odds fluctuate constantly. Use Oddsmart to spot discrepancies across bookmakers.
Act Quickly
Bet exchanges and bookmakers update odds independently—what’s profitable one minute may vanish the next.
Factor in Liquidity
Ensure the exchange has enough market depth to accept your lay stake at the desired odds. A large bet on a thin market can move the odds against you.
Manage Commission Tiers
Some exchanges offer reduced commission for high-volume traders—this can turn a marginal arb into a guaranteed profit.
Record-Keeping
Log each arb opportunity and outcome to refine your strategy over time.
Common Arbitrage Betting Pitfalls & How to Avoid Them
Getting Matched at Worse Odds
Your lay bet may be partially matched at less favourable odds than quoted. Always check market liquidity before placing large bets.
Commission Miscalculations
Different exchanges have different commission structures. Verify whether your exchange charges on the winnings only or on total stakes.
Overexposure
Betting multiple arbs simultaneously can tie up large sums on exchanges. Keep track of available funds.
Latency Issues
Using slow internet or multiple browser tabs can cost you precious seconds. Work from a single, reliable platform.
Ready to turn odds gaps into profit? Try the Oddsmart Arbitrage Calculator now and seize every risk-free opportunity across your favourite sports markets!
Ready to Revolutionise Your Betting Slips?
Visit Oddsmart.co now and start your free trial.
Discover how simple, fast and accurate multi-bookmaker slip building can be. Your next big win could be just a few clicks away.
Popular Arbitrage Betting Tool FAQs
What makes a ‘true’ arbitrage opportunity?
A true arbitrage occurs when both Profit if Back Wins and Profit if Lay Wins are positive. This guarantee comes from backing at odds that are higher than those you can lay (after deducting commission).
How much profit can I expect per arb?
Profits are typically small (1–5% of your stake) but build up over volume. A £100 arb at 2% yields £2 risk-free; repeated consistently, this becomes substantial.
What’s the difference between matched betting and arbitrage?
Matched betting uses free bet promotions to secure profit, whereas arbitrage exploits odds discrepancies directly. You don’t need promotions for arbing, just nimble odds comparison.
Can I subtract commission directly in the lay odds?
Our calculator asks for the raw lay odds and commission percentage. It then nets off commission in the formulas, ensuring accurate profit figures.
Is there an arb alert tool in Oddsmart?
Yes—Oddsmart Pro features real-time arb alerts across multiple markets. Combine this with our calculator for lightning-fast execution.
How do dead heats or voids affect arbitrage?
Arbitrage is generally used in sports markets with win/lose outcomes, so dead heats and voids aren’t common. When they occur, the bet is adjusted (e.g. void returns stake); manually recalculate if needed.
Are there tax implications for arbitrage betting?
Tax treatment varies by jurisdiction. In the UK, gambling winnings are currently tax-free for private individuals.
Can I arb tennis or football markets?
Absolutely—arb opportunities appear in any market with multiple outcomes. Tennis, football correct-score markets, and golf often yield lucrative arbs due to odds differences.
What if one leg doesn’t get matched?
If your lay bet partly matches, you end up with unbalanced exposure. It’s best practice to use exchange features like “Fill or Kill” or “All-or-None” to prevent partial matches.
How can I scale up my arbitrage operations?
Subscribe to Oddsmart for a full suite of arbitrage betting tools.