A surebet calculator splits one total stake across every outcome and shows the arbitrage margin before you bet. Enter 2 to 5 prices in decimal, American or fractional format. When their combined implied probability is below 100%, the tool returns each exact bet and the same guaranteed profit whichever outcome wins.
Enter the best odds for each outcome from different bookmakers, in decimal, American, or fractional format, set your total stake, and the calculator returns the stake per outcome, the arbitrage percentage, and your guaranteed profit.
How to Use the Surebet Calculator
- 1Select number of outcomes and odds format, 2-way (win/lose), 3-way (win/draw/lose), 4-way, or 5-way, in decimal, American, or fractional odds.
- 2Enter the best odds for each outcome, from different bookmakers, in whichever format your bookmaker shows. Example: Home win at 2.10 (Bet365), Away win at 2.05 (Betway).
- 3Enter your total stake, the combined amount you are prepared to bet across all outcomes.
- 4Check the result, if the arbitrage percentage is below 100%, place the recommended stake at each bookmaker immediately. Odds change fast.
The Surebet Formula: A Worked Example
You need to cover all outcomes at different bookmakers. To check for an arb, calculate the implied probability for each odds and sum them:
Implied probability formula
Implied probability = 1 ÷ Decimal odds
Example: 2-way match
Home win @ 2.10: 1 ÷ 2.10 = 47.6%
Away win @ 2.05: 1 ÷ 2.05 = 48.8%
Total = 47.6% + 48.8% = 96.4% → Arbitrage exists. Margin = 3.6%.
Stake per outcome
Stake for outcome = (Total stake × Implied prob) ÷ Total arb %
With €200 total: Home stake = (200 × 0.476) ÷ 0.964 = €98.75. Away stake = €101.25.
Guaranteed return: €98.75 × 2.10 = €207.38 or €101.25 × 2.05 = €207.56. Profit ≈ €7.45 regardless of result.
Common Mistakes That Turn Surebets Into Losses
- ✕Odds change before you place all legs. Surebet windows can close in seconds. Place the less liquid leg first to avoid being half-exposed.
- ✕Betting on different markets at each bookmaker. Both bookmakers must settle the same event under the same rules. Asian handicap at one and 1X2 at another is not a surebet.
- ✕Ignoring withdrawal and deposit fees. A 2% arb margin disappears if your bookmaker charges a 2% withdrawal fee. Factor all costs before placing.
- ✕Using maximum stake at one bookmaker repeatedly. Consistent maximum bets on arb opportunities is one of the fastest ways to get your account restricted or closed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is arbitrage betting legal?
Yes, arbitrage betting is legal everywhere sports betting itself is legal. You are placing normal bets with different bookmakers, not exploiting any loophole in the law. The risk is contractual, not legal: bookmakers can still limit or close your account for arbitrage activity under their own terms of service.
How does a surebet work?
A surebet works by placing bets on every possible outcome of an event at different bookmakers, using odds where the combined implied probability falls below 100%. Because all outcomes are covered, one bet always wins, and the payout from that bet covers every stake plus a guaranteed profit.
How much can you make from surebets?
Surebet returns come from the margin, not a fixed income. Typical arbitrage margins run 1-5% of your total stake per opportunity: a 2% margin returns 2% of your stake as profit, guaranteed regardless of the result. Margins above 5% are rare and usually vanish within minutes as bookmakers move their odds.
Can you get banned for arbitrage betting?
Yes, bookmakers can and do restrict or close accounts that show consistent arbitrage patterns, since arbing carries no risk for the bettor and guarantees a loss for the book. Varying stakes, avoiding round numbers, and mixing in occasional recreational bets slows detection. A matched betting strategy alongside surebets reduces account exposure risk.
Can I use this calculator for 3-way, 4-way, or 5-way markets?
Yes. Select 3, 4, or 5 outcomes and enter the best odds for each from different bookmakers, for example home win, draw, and away win in a 3-way football market. The formula is the same for any outcome count: the sum of implied probabilities must fall below 100% for an arb to exist.
How is a surebet different from matched betting?
Arbitrage uses odds discrepancies between bookmakers. Matched betting uses bookmaker free bets and promotions, laying off risk on an exchange. Both guarantee profit but require different tools and account types.
Is arbitrage betting profitable?
Per trade, yes: a verified surebet locks in a guaranteed 1-5% return no matter the result. Staying profitable over months is a different question. Bookmakers gradually restrict accounts that show repeated arbing patterns, so the stake you can safely place per account shrinks over time, and running enough accounts to keep finding fresh margin takes real hours every week. Treat it as bankroll protection with modest, capped upside, not a full-time income.
Can I run a surebet with a betting exchange leg and commission?
Yes, but adjust the odds first. Exchange commission is charged on net winnings, not on the price you see, so entering the raw exchange odds overstates your edge. Effective odds = 1 + (exchange odds - 1) × (1 - commission rate). At 3.00 odds with 2% commission that is 1 + (2.00 × 0.98) = 2.96, so enter 2.96 as the odds for that outcome. The Exchange Commission Calculator works out the effective odds for you first.
Can I use a free bet as one leg of a surebet?
Only if you adjust the odds first. A stake-not-returned (SNR) free bet only pays the winnings, not the stake, so its effective decimal odds for arbitrage math are (odds - 1), not the full price. Entering the raw free bet odds here overstates how much you need staked on the other outcomes. For the exact stake-by-stake numbers on SNR and stake-returned (SR) free bets, use the Matched Betting Calculator instead.
Do I need to download an app for this calculator?
No. This calculator runs entirely in your browser: there is nothing to install, and your odds and stakes are never sent to a server. Every stake, profit and arbitrage percentage updates locally on this page as you type.
Finding surebets manually across dozens of bookmakers is time-consuming. The Oddsmatcher scans for the best available odds automatically so you can focus on placing the bets.