Arbitrage / Hedge
Arbitrage Calculator: How to Split Stakes and Lock In a Profit Either Way
An arbitrage bet exists when the implied probabilities of the two sides of a game, taken from different sportsbooks, add up to less than 100%; stake both sides in proportion and you profit whatever the result. Arb percentage = 1 − (1 ÷ odds A + 1 ÷ odds B), and it has to be positive. The arbitrage calculator then splits your total stake so both payouts match. The same math powers hedging an open ticket after the line moves.
Arbitrage Calculator
Arbitrage / HedgeSplit stakes across two books to lock in a profit, or hedge an open bet
Arb % = 1 − (1 ÷ odds A + 1 ÷ odds B); stake A = total × (1 ÷ odds A) ÷ (1 ÷ odds A + 1 ÷ odds B)Stake B = total − stake A; locked-in return = stake A × odds A.
How to use the arbitrage calculator
Enter the best price on each side of the game and the total you plan to stake. The calculator returns the arb percentage, the stake for each side, the locked-in return and the profit. A positive arb percentage means the two implied probabilities sum to less than 100% and you win either way; a negative one means it is not an arb, and betting both sides guarantees a loss.
Arbs come from price differences between sportsbooks, or from the same book at different times. Because most legal states have several books and each posts a market at -110 (1.91) or thereabouts with its own hold, no single book will ever offer an arb on both sides at once; you need two books that disagree. Line shopping across your legal apps is where the opportunities appear, and they close quickly.
The split rule is to make both payouts equal: bet less on the longer price, more on the shorter one. The calculator does the arithmetic; round each stake to whole dollars, and watch for maximum bet limits and the chance one book moves its line before you place the second leg.
Hedging: locking in profit after the line moves
A hedge is a wager on the opposite side of an earlier wager, and it uses the same math. Suppose you bet $100 on the Chiefs moneyline at +150 (2.50) and, by game day, the Chiefs have shortened to -167 (1.60) and the other side has drifted to +130 (2.30). Enter 2.50 as odds A and 2.30 as odds B: the calculator shows a positive arb percentage, meaning a bet on the other side now locks in a profit.
The hedge stake is not a guess; it makes both outcomes pay the same. Hedge stake = original payout ÷ hedge odds = $250 ÷ 2.30 = $108.70. Either result returns $250 on a total outlay of $208.70, locking in $41.30. This works because your original ticket keeps its +150 price no matter how the line moves afterwards.
Parlays can be hedged too. When the first legs of a parlay have hit and only the last leg remains, betting the other side of that final game locks in part of the payout. Take the total odds from the parlay calculator and enter them here. Many sportsbooks also offer a cash out option, which is the book doing this hedge for you at its own price.
Example: +110 (2.10) at one book, +105 (2.05) at another, $1,000 total
- Implied probabilities: 1 ÷ 2.10 = 47.6%, 1 ÷ 2.05 = 48.8%; total 96.4%, arb percentage 3.6%.
- Stake A = $1,000 × 47.6 ÷ 96.4 = $494; stake B = $506.
- A wins: $494 × 2.10 = $1,037.40; B wins: $506 × 2.05 = $1,037.30; either way you get back about $1,037, a profit of about $37.
A pair of plus prices like this never appears on both sides at the same sportsbook at the same time. It comes from two books disagreeing, or from the line moving after you placed your first bet, which is the hedge case.
FAQ
What is an arbitrage bet?+
An arbitrage bet, or sure bet, is when the implied probabilities on the two sides of a game from different sportsbooks add up to less than 100%. Staking both sides in proportion to the odds guarantees a profit. Arb % = 1 − (1 ÷ odds A + 1 ÷ odds B).
Is sports betting arbitrage legal in the US?+
Placing bets at two legal sportsbooks is legal in the states where they operate. Books do not like it, though, and may limit accounts that arb consistently. Rules and minimum age vary by state, and you must be physically located in a state where each book is licensed.
How do you calculate a hedge bet?+
Hedge stake = original ticket payout ÷ hedge odds. If your open bet pays $250 and the other side is +130 (2.30), bet $250 ÷ 2.30 = $108.70 on it. Both outcomes then return $250 on a total outlay of $208.70.
How big does an arb need to be?+
Experienced arb bettors generally look for 1% to 3% or more, because lines move, stakes get rounded to whole dollars and bet limits can block the second leg. Below 1% the margin for error is too thin to be worth the effort.
Do I have to hedge the full amount?+
No. Matching both payouts is a full hedge that locks in a fixed profit. You can also hedge part of the ticket, keeping some upside on the original bet while reducing the worst case, or compare the hedge with the sportsbook's cash out offer.
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For informational purposes only. Sports betting is legal in 39 states and D.C.; rules and minimum age vary by state. 21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
Odds and vig conventions follow standard US sportsbook pricing (-110 on spreads and totals). The tax line is based on IRS Topic 419 and the Form W-2G instructions (rev. 01/2026); it is not tax advice.