In this article, we’ll explain the maths behind it and how to go about arbing on esports, with plenty of real-life examples. We’ll also talk you through how to find arbing opportunities through various channels. 

What Is Arbitrage Betting? 

It’s a bet placed using a strategy that allows players to guarantee themselves a profit by placing numerous bets that cover all the possible outcomes of an event. 

Key to the strategy is exploiting discrepancies in odds laid by different esports betting sites on the same event, although it’s also possible to place arbitrage bets with the same sportsbook.

One of the key points about betting arbitrage is that it’s a purely mathematics-based strategy that requires no knowledge at all of the sport or event in question. 

Following that, the strategy can be applied to betting on any sport, from the winner of a tennis match to the winner of an esports match. 

How Does Arbitrage Betting Work?

When placing an arbitrage bet, you’re eliminating any element of risk by relying on maths/odds. 

Here’s how to place an arbitrage bet on esports. 

1. Open an account at any esports betting site that is licensed and regulated. Then, make a real-money deposit.  
2. Navigate to the esports betting section of the site. 
3. Choose an esports match you’re thinking of betting on. 
4. Navigate to a market that has two runners in it, as arbing a two-runner market is far easier to do than for markets with three or more runners. 
5. Let’s say you have identified a Valorant match between Sentinels and Team Heretics as one providing a potential arbitrage opportunity. 
6. When examining different sportsbooks, you’ve noticed that Sentinels are available at +130 with sportsbook A, while Team Heretics are available at +125 with bookie B, which appears to be a potential arbitrage opportunity. 
7. Next, you need to apply the arbitrage betting formula to the odds on offer. 
8. Start by converting the American odds into implied probability. 
9. In the case of this esports match, applying the formula yields the following results, which are listed in the images below.
10. You’ll then need to enter the implied probabilities and other details of the bet into an arbitrage betting calculator, which will provide you with the amount you’ll need to wager on both outcomes to generate a profit. 
11. Watch the action unfold, and providing you’ve staked correctly, you’ll have your profit paid out once the event reaches a conclusion.

When looking at the example used in our step-by-step guide, you’ll be able to see how the arbitrage betting formula is broken down in an esports event. 

If the number is below 1, this will always provide an arbing opportunity, and the lower the number, the better. With the figure of 0.8792, you have an arbing opportunity. 

Where Can You Find Arbitrage Betting Opportunities?

You’ll be pleased to hear that there are many different ways in which you can find arbitrage betting opportunities. There are thousands of sporting events every week to bet on, including dozens in the world of esports, and there are hundreds of sportsbooks laying ever-changing odds on these events.

Arbitrage Betting Esports Examples

Here are some other arbitrage betting examples related to esports, which we hope will provide you with a more relatable approach to this type of betting. 

Bet on Team A to win pre-match, bet on Team B to win in live betting 

Let’s use the example of the Sentinels v Team Heretics again. This time, you’re still backing the Sentinels at +130 pre-match to beat Team Heretics, but in the absence of pre-match arbing opportunities, you need to wait. 

Knowing that the match will be offered in live betting, you follow the moneyline market while the match is in progress and wait/hope that Team Heretics reach +120 in live betting, using the same $49.5/$50.5 staking plan as before. 

Theoretically, you could do this just on one sportsbook, but the danger with that is that it will be far more obvious that you’re arbing, which sportsbooks don’t like you doing. A better alternative is to place the pre-match bet with sportsbook A and the live bet with sportsbook B. 

Back the pre-match underdog in Map Betting and arb 

Even though esports is something of a niche sport to bet on, sportsbooks are already wise to the abilities of the best-known teams. That’s particularly true of the moneyline market for an esports match, but it may not be the case when it comes to some of the other markets. 

If you know the esports teams well, you may be better informed about which teams are stronger on specific maps than the sportsbook is. That means you may get a wrong pre-match price on the outsider with a particular sportsbook, making it easier to arb, whether that’s still pre-match or in live betting. 

Pros and Cons of Arbitrage Betting

Conclusion

Arbitrage betting is one of the most methodical and risk-averse betting strategies, as it is designed to always result in a profit when executed properly. 

It’s purely based on maths, so it will require a decent understanding of odds, probability, and staking. 

Arbing does carry an element of risk if you can’t level up on both sides of the bet, so as ever, remember to engage in responsible gambling by not leaving a large liability on one of the outcomes. 

FAQs 

What is an arbitrage bet?

An arbitrage bet involves betting on both outcomes in a game to secure a profit. In order for this to occur, you’ll need to spot betting odds that you can profit from on both outcomes. 

Is arbitrage betting legal?

It’s certainly not illegal to arb. However, sportsbooks don’t take kindly to players doing it, as it removes the element of risk, so they may restrict or close the accounts of players doing it.  

Is arbitrage betting worth it?

The wins secured from arbitrage betting tend to be between just 1% and 5% of the value of your stake, which is far less in comparison to a successful sports bettor wagering successfully at value prices.  

How much can you make from arbitrage betting?

That will depend on the size of your stakes and the exact odds at which you placed your bets to arb, but as a rule of thumb, you can look to make between 1 and 5% of your arbing stake. 

Is arbitrage betting profitable?

Yes. The whole point about arbitrage betting is that it doesn’t expose you to any risk, so if you do it properly, you’ll always win, albeit in small amounts, making it a profitable long-term strategy. 

What is an arbitrage betting example?

Betting on esports Team A at odds of +130 and then betting on Team B at odds of +120 is an example of arbing, as adjusting the stakes accordingly will result in a profit on either outcome. 

What tools help with arbitrage betting?

There’s special arbitrage software available that alerts you to arbing opportunities by scanning prices at different sportsbooks on the same betting market 24/7.