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Betting Hedge Calculator: This is How To Use a Sports Betting Hedge Calculator

Publish Date: 30/05/2021
Fact checked by: Josh Schwartz

Online gamblers today use a betting hedge strategy to help themselves win more consistently. This powerful wagering strategy involves wagering on the opposite side of a position to guarantee a win, or to form insurance to minimize a lost.

In this article, we're simplifying this for you to employ; it does require some research to get it right. You will learn about hedge betting; how to implement a hedge bet, using a Betting Hedge Calculator, and how to make the most of it generally. Let's get started!

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Hedge Betting Overview

  • Hedge betting is using a second wager to go against the first
  • It’s a useful insurance tactic
  • It can be used to guarantee profits in some instances
  • Hedge betting works well with future betting

A betting hedge is very simply the act of wagering on both sides of a position for either a profit, or to minimize the risk while still making it possible to get a decent profit if things go your way. It’s very common for gamblers to hedge their bets, and when done right the act is very smart and effective. Hedging is a bit more complicated than just placing two opposing wagers at the same time using the same sportsbook, but it can be done effectively after spending the time to get familiar with it.

How it Works: Hedge Betting Explained

In order to make hedge betting work well to result in a profit, or at the very least to create very little risk of losing money, it’s important to place the first wager as early before the game occurs, or to use multiple sports books. The goal is for the opposing wager odds to change dramatically between the initial wager and game day.

Imagine placing a $100 wager on one team that guarantees a $500 payout with a win. Now imagine being able to place a $200 wager on the other team that pays out $400 in the event that they win. The player would spend $300 wagering in this scenario, and always get back at least $400 and maybe $500 after the match. Most times, the player is walking away with a profit, and that’s what successful hedging looks like.

Sometimes it’s possible to do this using two different sportsbooks if the odds are different enough between the two providers. More commonly it’s possible to achieve some impressive guaranteed returns, or excellent risk management because the odds change over time. Hedging is a popular strategy with future bets for this very reason.

Implementing a Hedge Bet

If you decide that hedging one of your wagers is the way to go, it’s important to take the time to make sure you do so properly. Look at the other side of your position at multiple sportsbooks and choose the option that offers you the best odds. Often, you will have to wait until just before the position goes live before you place your wager to get the very best odds. Just take care that you are wagering on the exact opposite as your other wager. Make sure that you know you will be winning one wager or the other and that there aren’t situations where you will lose both of the wagers (a tie, for instance). By placing a hedge bet carefully enough, you can avoid any potential problems and ensure that you get a payout from one of your wagers.

What to look out for

  • Look at the other side of your position at multiple sportsbooks and choose the option that offers you the best odds.
  • Often, you will have to wait until just before the position goes live before you place your wager to get the very best odds.
  • Make sure that you are wagering on the exact opposite as your other wager.
  • Make sure that you know you will be winning one wager or the other and that there aren't situations where you will lose both of the wagers (a tie, for instance).

Different Types of Hedging Bets

There are different types of hedging bets and each one of them has a mode of operation which can be utilized to manage betting positions and potential outcomes in various scenarios. Here are the types of hedging bets;

1. Simple Hedging

Simple hedging involves placing a bet on the opposite outcome of your original wager to minimize potential losses or guarantee a certain level of profit. For example, if you initially bet on a team to win a match, but as the game progresses, the opposing team takes the lead, you might place a hedge bet on the opposing team to minimize potential losses from your original bet.

2. Multiple Bets Hedging

Multiple bets hedging, also known as cross-market hedging, involves placing bets on multiple outcomes across different markets to ensure a level of profit or minimize losses. This strategy is often used in scenarios where there are multiple interconnected events, such as in sports tournaments or financial markets.

3. Market Hedging

Market hedging refers to the practice of placing bets across different betting platforms or markets to offset potential losses or guarantee a certain level of profit. This could involve placing bets with different bookmakers or on different exchanges to manage risk and potential outcomes effectively.

Using a Betting Hedge Calculator

Step 1 - Understand the Concept: Before using a betting hedge calculator, it's important to understand the concept of hedging. Hedging involves placing bets on different outcomes to guarantee a profit regardless of the result.

Step 2 - Select the Calculator: There are several betting hedge calculators available online. Choose one that best suits your needs and preferences.

Step 3 - Input Bet Details: Enter the details of your original bet, including the amount wagered and the odds. Then, input the details of the hedge bet you wish to place, including the amount and odds.

Step 4 - Calculate: Once you enter all the necessary information, the calculator will provide you with the ideal stake for your hedge bet and the potential profit or loss, depending on the outcomes.

Step 5 - Evaluate the Results: Review the calculator's results to make an informed decision about whether and how to place your hedge bet.

Step 6 - Place the Hedge Bet: Based on the calculations, decide on the amount to bet and the selection to bet on, then proceed to place your hedge bet.

Hedge calculator

Odds Format
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Why Hedge Betting in Sports is Common

Hedge betting in sports is common due to the dynamic and unpredictable nature of athletic competitions. Real-life examples of hedge betting in sports include:

  • Futures Betting: In sports such as basketball or football, futures betting allows bettors to hedge their initial bets as the season progresses and the potential outcomes change.
  • Live Betting: During live sports events, bettors often hedge their original wagers based on the current game situation, such as placing a hedge bet on the opposing team if their initial bet is at risk.
  • Arbitrage Opportunities: Sports betting arbitrage, where bettors exploit variations in odds between different bookmakers, often involves strategic hedging to lock in profits regardless of the event's outcome.

Hedge Betting for Profit and Shifting Risk

Hedge Betting for Profit

Hedge betting allows individuals to lock in a guaranteed profit or minimize potential losses by strategically placing additional bets on different outcomes. This is commonly used in situations where the initial bet may result in a loss due to changing circumstances. By hedging, individuals can ensure a more favourable overall result regardless of the original outcome.

Shifting Risk with Hedging

Hedging also enables individuals to shift or manage their risk exposure in betting scenarios. By placing additional bets on alternative outcomes, individuals can tailor their risk to align with their preferences and overall betting strategy. This can be particularly useful in situations where unforeseen events may impact the original bet.

Hedge Betting for Profit

With the right circumstances it’s possible to guarantee a profit in some instances regardless of which of the two teams wins by with the betting hedge strategy. To do this, carefully determine how much to wager on both sides of the wager to guarantee a prize payout worth more than the total amount wagered with each of the different wager options. If this option is possible it’s almost always a good move to make, unless the cost of the second wager eats up the majority of the profit potential, in which case the player will have a tough decision to make.

Shifting Risk with Hedging

Hedging a bet can be an excellent tool for shifting risk as well. Adept players can go with a larger or smaller hedge bet depending on the change in odds and the likelihood that the other team or player is going to win. In circumstances where the other team becomes much more likely to win, it’s possible to guarantee a bigger payout with that win while still maintaining the potential for a small win if the original team comes through. Carefully choose a hedge amount to get the best prize payout depending on the most likely scenario. This is a powerful betting hedge strategy.

Start Playing today and Practice Hedge Betting

Hedging your bets is a powerful strategy and hopefully you understand why now. If you would like to try out bet hedging, you need to be a member of an online sports book first. Take a moment to look over our betting recommendations to find the option you want to go with. We have a great sports betting comparison page to look at to help with the decision making process. Choose the best option today and start practising hedging bets and trying to win more consistently.

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Conclusion: Learning to Hedge Bets is an Essential Skill

Bet hedging is a powerful strategy that many advanced bettors use. It allows them to minimize their risk and ensure they get a payout, even if their initial wager doesn't go their way. Even bookies use hedge betting as insurance in some instances, showing how valuable this technique can be.

Getting familiar with the technique is the first step toward becoming more profitable over time with sports betting.

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Frequently Asked Questions

🧐What is an example of a hedging bet?

For instance, you have $100 on a five-leg parlay bet and have won your first four legs. To be certain you will earn something, you bet $200 on the opposing possible result of your final leg. You may enjoy a net profit no matter how the final leg ends.

😎Is hedging similar to shorting?

Hedging is surely another strategy to use for short-selling. This is the act of holding two positions at the same time to offset losses from one position with profits from another. With hedging, traders that have a short position can guard against losses to a long position.

🤔When should you hedge sports betting?

For instance, If you are on the point of winning a big parlay, you can just hedge the final leg or two naked sure you obtain some kind of gain. If you have the probability to make a loss on a wager, and wouldn’t want to be continually exposed to that loss, you can employ hedging to mitigate the size of that loss.

😧Is it possible to hedge a single bet?

To hedge a bet, you ought to place more than one bet. A hedge bet needs some bets or at least an additional wager on the same market to reduce risk. This can be carried out simply by guaranteeing a gain on the market, mitigating exposure, or even limiting loss.

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