Surebetting or arbing is a situation where a player can place bets on opposing outcomes of a specific event in such a way as to get income regardless of its final result.

Surebets arise due to differences in the odds offered by various bookmakers and are categorized into several types: based on the timing of the event and the number of outcomes.

Simple sure bets consist of two outcomes, but three-outcome arbs, which are more complex to work with, are also quite common.

If we talk about the division of surebets based on the timing of the event, there are Prematch and Live. Prematch sure bets are formed for events that will start after some time. Live, on the other hand, are arising in events that are happening at the present moment. In order to understand what is surebet - let’s talk about each of this types in more details.

Prematch Surebets

Experts often advise beginners to start with Prematch. The reason is that Prematch involve a slow change in odds, allowing players sufficient time to place the necessary bets.

Another undeniable advantage of Prematch is that there are usually plenty of them, giving you the flexibility to choose an arbitrage situation that fits your requirements

However, Prematch surebets have some drawbacks, including high competition. Since this type of arbs has been around for a while, many players manage to place bets on them. This often leads to a situation known as "loading," where the majority of bets are placed on one outcome of a specific event. This gives the bookmaker an additional reason to pay attention to you, increasing the likelihood of facing their sanctions.

Prematch surebets also stand out for not having the highest profitability compared to live, and when working with this type of arbitrage situation, the turnover of funds is slower. This is because events in Prematch starts even days after the bet is placed, and during this time, your money will remain idle in the bookmaker's account.

Live Surebets

Among the main advantages of live surebets, one can note a higher percentage of profitability and a lower likelihood of getting flagged by the bookmaker. The reason is that live sure bets usually exist for a very short time, giving bookmakers fewer chances to detect them.

Live also involve a quick turnover of funds since you place bets during the event, and the settlement occurs within a few hours. Consequently, you can immediately use these funds for other bets.

However, live mode have some downsides, such as rapidly changing odds, which may prevent you from placing all the necessary bets in time. Additionally, live surebets are more challenging to find independently due to their short-term existence.

In this regard, surebet services come to the aid of players, providing all the necessary information about existing surebets at a low cost. One of the leaders among such services is BetBurger. This scanner offers services for finding both Prematch and live arbs and has an extensive additional functionality. Moreover, BetBurger provides an information about positive ev bets. If you’re wondering: what does ev mean in sports betting? - read a specialized article on this topic on BetBurger website.

Among the useful features of this arb scanner is the "close odds" feature. With a help of it, you can quickly find the odds for a specific outcome from different bookmakers in just one click. This allows you to promptly select an alternative option for a bet if the odds in your chosen bookmaker have already changed.

Conclusion

Today, we have discussed the key features of live and Prematch surebets, based on which every player can determine for themselves which type of arbitrage situations they are more comfortable working with.

By Sumeet Manhas

Disclaimer: The above is a matter of opinion provided for general information purposes only and is not intended as investment advice. Information and analysis above are derived from sources and utilising methods believed to be reliable, but we cannot accept responsibility for any losses you may incur as a result of this analysis. Individuals should consult with their personal financial advisors.

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