What Is Arbitrage Sports Betting?
Arbitrage sports betting is the practice of placing bets on all outcomes of a game across multiple sportsbooks in a way that ensures a guaranteed profit. This strategy, also known as “arbing,” exploits discrepancies in sports betting lines and is legal, although not always welcomed by the bookmakers.
Here is a breakdown of arbitrage sports betting, how it works, mistakes to avoid, and why you should use tools like Pick The Odds for your arbitrage betting. I used Pick The Odds, and I can confidently say it is one of, if not the best, arbitrage betting tools on the market. Read our full Pick The Odds review.
Key Takeaways
Arbitrage betting defined
Why arbitrage betting still works
Best arbitrage betting tool
Arbitrage betting summarized
How Does Arbitrage Betting Work?
Let’s say one sportsbook lists Team A at +110, while another lists Team B at -105. If you bet the right amounts on both sides, you can lock in a small, guaranteed return regardless of the outcome. This is the foundation of a risk-free betting strategy that relies on price inefficiencies. The best sports betting tools can help you spot these instances.
These situations are rare, and when they do occur, they are brief. Speed and having access to multiple sportsbooks are essential when arbitrage betting.
Betting With Guaranteed Profit
The key to success in arbitrage is doing the math. That’s where an arb calculator comes in—it tells you exactly how much to stake on each side to ensure you’re profitable no matter who wins. There are free arbitrage betting calculators available online, but some tools also incorporate this functionality within their arbitrage features. A tool that can tell you exactly what to bet, where, and how much to bet on each side, like Pick The Odds, is essential.
Why It’s Hard to Find Arbs Manually
Arbitrage windows often last seconds, not minutes. Manually scanning books and calculating percentages is too slow. Additionally, without automated alerts, you may never even be aware of the opportunity's existence.
That’s why bettors use sports betting arbitrage finders to automate the process and move quickly. Sportsbooks do not want to be taken advantage of for free money. Users love free money. Speed is essential as these discrepancies, especially the larger ones, are not up for long.
Why Arbitrage Still Works in 2025
While sportsbooks have gotten sharper, arbitrage betting still exists, especially in live markets, props, and niche sports. The edges may be shorter-lived, but they’re still there for bettors who act fast and use the right tools.
In fact, with so many more sportsbooks and exchanges in the market, there are more arbitrage opportunities than before. Additionally, with the increased availability of numerous sports and markets, there have never been more opportunities for arbitrage. That said, these opportunities do not last long, so speed and market access are two of the most important factors for arbitrage betting tools in 2025.
The Role of Real-Time Odds
To capitalize on arbitrage, you need to compare real-time odds in order to identify opportunities. Real time odds comparison tools are available to assist with the process. Lines move quickly, especially in live games, and the windows for betting on both sides may only last a few seconds. Speed and market access are essential. Having a tool to help you find the arbitrage opportunities, perform the calculations, and reach the sportsbooks as soon as possible gives you a massive advantage in making risk-free profits.
Arbitrage Calculators vs Automated Tools
A standalone arbitrage calculator is helpful, but it still requires you to find the opportunity yourself. A true arbitrage betting finder does the discovery and math for you, so all that’s left is placing the bets.
As we mentioned, some tools take it a step further, allowing you to enter your bankroll, perform the math for you, and integrate with sportsbooks to pull up the bets you're looking for quickly.
Common Markets for Arbs
Player props, totals, and international leagues are fertile ground for arbs. These markets often exhibit greater variance in pricing across books, creating a perfect opportunity for sportsbook odds comparison and arbitrage (arbing).
Live betting is also one of the best ways to arb. When events are live, sportsbooks tend to make mistakes more frequently or are slow to adjust their odds when presented with additional data. In smaller markets, there are opportunities for significantly higher arbitrage profits, which means a higher margin of profit for the bettor, all risk-free.
I used Pick The Odds for arbitrage betting, and it was the fastest tool I've used. It also allows you to access sportsbooks easily, does the math for you, and has a robust odds comparison functionality. Odds comparison tools are essential.
Example
Example: Live Arbitrage on a Total
Game: Suns vs. Nuggets
BetMGM: O/U 226.5 (Over at +115)
FanDuel: O/U 227.5 (Under at +120)
After a quick run by the Suns, odds shift sharply
You place:
Over 226.5 at +115 on BetMGM
Under 227.5 at +120 on FanDuel
Both bets are profitable regardless of the final total, as long as both are accepted at those odds.
Using Pick The Odds for Arbitrage Sports Betting
Pick The Odds is a powerful tool for spotting and executing arbitrage bets in real time. It refreshes every two seconds and flags arbitrage opportunities using a clean, icon-based interface that’s ideal for speed.
Pick The Odds has 100+ sportsbooks, giving you more chances at finding arbitrage opportunities. They also allow you to set your bankroll, and it does the math for you, so there is no guesswork. When I used the tool, it was simple. I put in my bankroll, Pick The Odds scanned the market, told me how much to bet on each side and where, and allowed me to add each side of the bet, at different sportsbooks, directly to my bet slips.
Line Comparison and Arb Flags
The tool provides a market-wide snapshot of live odds, highlighting discrepancies where they exist. Its icons make it easy to identify when an arb is available and what type of opportunity it is. It also keeps you up to date on whether or not the game is in progress. This is essential. If a game is in a timeout, you have more time to get your arbs in, and if the game is ongoing, these arbs move more rapidly. Pick The Odds shows you where the game is, lets you know when the arb goes off the board, and does it all with lightning speed.
Filters and Icons That Flag Arb Opportunities Instantly
Pick The Odds includes:
Visual flags when both sides of a market offer profit
Filtering by sport, game, or bet type
Tools to sort by live arb tool, potential,l and expected margin
This helps you quickly focus on bets worth investigating, without getting overwhelmed by noise. Pair that with one-click integration, blazing speed, customization, and access to over 100 sportsbooks, and Pick The Odds is superior.
Built-In Arb Calculator for Easy Bet Sizing
Once an arb is identified, Pick The Odds helps you calculate your stake for each side. This ensures your bets are properly balanced to guarantee profit. It is a massive value add, and it is all done on the same sleek interface. There is no need to bounce around. In one view, you can see the arb, do the math, and place the bet in seconds before the opportunity no longer exists.
Try Pick The Odds for FREE.
Example
Let’s say you’re betting on a tennis match:
DraftKings has Player A at +110
FanDuel has Player B at +115
Pick The Odds immediately flags the opportunity. You hover over the arb icon, see a potential return of 2.1%, and click through to place both bets. The entire process—from identification to execution—takes under a minute.
That’s what makes Pick The Odds one of the most effective tools for finding arbitrage bets in real-time.
Arbitrage Sports Betting Summarized
Arbitrage sports betting may not be glamorous, but it remains a mathematically sound way to grind out profits, especially when powered by a free, real-time tool like Pick The Odds.
I used Pick The Odds along with many other sports betting tools, and it is the best one out there. Their features, ease of use, and functionality surpass those of different tools. Read our full Pick The Odds review.
Final Thoughts
Arbitrage sports betting is a proven, risk-free strategy that still works today, especially when you use tools like Pick The Odds to spot line discrepancies and bet both sides with confidence.
Arbitrage Sports Betting FAQ
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