Horse racing offers a lot of opportunity for smart sports bettors. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting out, finding low-risk strategies with high reward potential is an excellent strategy. This guide lays out an effective horse racing arbitrage strategy designed to maximize betting value, reduce risk, and grow your bankroll.
What is Horse Racing Arbitrage?
Arbitrage betting exploits price differences between bookmakers and betting exchanges. By placing back bets with bookmakers and lay bets on exchanges, you can lock in a profit regardless of the outcome. When paired with promotions, such as Best Odds Guaranteed (BOG) offers, arbitrage in horse racing becomes even more lucrative.
This isn’t a method to make quick riches. It’s a disciplined strategy for consistent, low-risk returns over time. Now, let’s break it down step by step so you can apply it effectively.
Tools You’ll Need
Low-Commission Betting Exchange
Use platforms like Smarkets, which typically offer lower commission rates than Betfair. Lower commission means higher profits. Some even provide 0% commission offers through partnerships.Best Odds Guaranteed Bookmakers
Identify bookmakers offering BOG promotions. These bookmakers pay you the highest odds if the horse’s starting price (SP) drifts after you’ve placed your back bet. You can use tools like Oddschecker to find and compare BOG bookmakers.Market Awareness
Keep an eye on close back and lay price gaps. For instance, when a horse’s odds at a bookmaker closely match its lay odds on a betting exchange, you’re in arbitrage ‘sweet spot’ territory.
Step-by-Step Guide to the Horse Racing Arbitrage Strategy
Step 1: Find a Close Back and Lay Match
Search for a horse where the back price offered by a BOG bookmaker is almost identical to the lay price on a low-commission exchange. Using an example, say Copper Baked is available at 1.91 both with a BOG bookmaker and on Smarkets.
Step 2: Place the Lay Bet
Start by laying the horse on your betting exchange. Enter a stake at the current lay odds and wait for it to be matched. In this example we aim for 1.9 to ensure we make a very small profit no matter the outcome.
Step 3: Place the Back Bet
Once your lay bet is matched, place a back bet with a BOG bookmaker at the same odds you laid. This ensures your initially calculated risk or profit holds steady.
Step 4: The Outcome
If Your Horse Wins Without an SP Drift
You’ll win a very small amount from backing at 1.91 and walling at 1.9.If the SP Drifts and the Horse Wins (Best Case)
If the SP drifts to higher odds, the BOG bookmaker pays out on the new, higher price. For example:- Backed at 1.91, but SP drifts to 2.50. Your payout from the bookmaker would be £150 (at 2.50 odds). Deducting £90 from the exchange lay bet, you’re left with a whopping £60 profit—off an initial £2 risk!
If the Horse Loses
You win your lay bet on the exchange minus commission, while losing the back bet. If you have 0% commission you can make a profit on minimal odds differences.
Why BOG Promotions Are Crucial
The BOG feature is the highlight of this method. It transforms an otherwise standard arbitrage trade into a more lucrative opportunity. Frequent drifts in SP within the volatile horse racing market mean you’ll often see sizable returns.
Keep It Under the Bookmakers’ Radar
Focus on shorter-priced favorites to blend in. Bookmakers associate arbitrage activity with unusual patterns, so subtlety helps keep your accounts operational longer. It also takes much less odds movement for bookmakers to increase odds on favorites compared to higher odds horses.
Advantages of This Strategy
Minimal Downside, Large Upside
You risk pennies but stand to gain significant profits thanks to BOG. It’s a low-risk strategy compared to other gambling methods.Grows Your Betting Bank Over Time
Done correctly, this strategy builds your bankroll steadily without huge swings.Works Alongside Other Methods
Combine this with matched betting and traditional arbitrage to further amplify your returns.Reliable in Liquid Markets
Horse racing markets are rich with opportunities due to their depth and price movements.
Maximize Your Profits with the Right Tools
To make the most of this strategy, consider using tools and exchanges offering low or zero commission. For example:
- Smarkets and Matchbook often run promotional deals that can save you thousands in commission fees compared to platforms like Betfair.
Joining services like OddsMonkey helps you identify these promotions, find arbitrage opportunities, and provides the key insights you need to succeed. The difference between paying a 2% commission and no commission adds up over weeks, months, and years of trading.
Build and Sustain Your Edge
The key to consistent success in horse racing arbitrage lies in patience and persistence. Regularly seeking arbitrage opportunities, taking advantage of promotions, and protecting your bookmaker accounts will ensure a steady flow of income. It’s not flashy or exciting in the short term, but the compound impact of disciplined trades will pay off significantly over time.
Final Thoughts
Arbitrage betting in horse racing is not just another strategy—it’s a measured and calculated approach to smart betting. With proper tools, a disciplined mindset, and an understanding of BOG dynamics, you can take advantage of the opportunities the market offers.
Bet carefully, stay informed, and always look for value. Done correctly, horse racing arbitrage allows you to secure big profits for very little risk.
