Matched betting has emerged as a popular strategy used by punters trying to profit from bookmaker bonuses and promotions. But how exactly does matched betting work and how can it be applied to betting on football matches?
This beginner’s guide explains the basics of matched betting and strategies for using it to generate regular football betting profits.
What is Matched Betting?
Matched betting involves strategically using free bet and bonus offers from bookmakers to guarantee profits by covering all potential outcomes of a sporting event.
It removes the regular gambling risk of sports betting because the punter uses promotions to secure a profit regardless of the actual match result.
For example, when given a $10 free football bet, you can place your free bet on Team A to win. You then bet your own money on Team B with another bookmaker. This way you collect the payout from one bet or the other, profiting around $8-9 regardless of the match outcome after accounting for the stakes.
Advantages of Matched Betting
Key benefits of matched betting include:
- Risk-free profits – The maths behind matched betting guarantees income if done correctly.
- Utilizing promos and bonuses – Extract value from bookmaker incentives most punters cannot profitably use.
- Beating wagering requirements – Matched betting allows you to beat playthrough rules and withdraw profits from bonuses immediately.
- Generating steady returns – Careful application provides reliable and consistent profits.
- Doesn’t require advanced betting skills or knowledge. Returns are predictable.
Matched betting essentially allows regular punters to take advantage of bonuses like professional bettors.
Implementing Matched Betting Strategies
Here are some key strategies for applying matched betting techniques to football wagers:
- Target new customer free bet offers when signing up with bookmakers. These are most lucrative for matched betting.
- Specialist matched betting sites generate selections and calculate optimal stakes for you every day. Worth the small subscription fees.
- Focus on betting markets with just two or three potential outcomes like match winner, both teams to score and total goals.
- Avoid complex bets like high-odds accumulators where covering all outcomes is difficult.
- Use calculation tools to determine required stakes to guarantee profits from the free bet and lay bet.
- Withdraw any profits safely once wagering requirements are met rather than risk losing them back to the bookmaker.
Minimizing Risks and Challenges
There are some challenges to be mindful of:
- Bookmaker restrictions – Getting free bet offers becomes difficult once bookies identify you are doing matched betting. Use family/friends accounts.
- Maintaining discipline – Resist temptation to reinvest profits rather than withdraw them. Manage bankroll carefully.
- Meeting playthrough rules – Some lengthy wagering requirements on bonuses must be satisfied before withdrawing.
- Keeping up with offers – Time-consuming to regularly find and assess the best free bet deals. Use free matched betting sites.
With care and discipline, matched betting provides reliable profits for football punters.