Using Middles For Assured Profits From Free Bets
var CasaleArgs = new Object();
CasaleArgs.version = 2;
CasaleArgs.adUnits = “4″;
CasaleArgs.casaleID = 129019;
There is a little known concept in online sports betting known as “middling”.
Middling can take on a number of forms, but the common denominator amongst all of them is that when a result lands squarely in the “middle” of a particular wager the outcome is a disproportionately attractive payout for the client.
Unsurprisingly the most popular kind of middle is the one that also doubles up as an “arb”, otherwise known as a sure bet. This type of bet will make an assured profit whatever the outcome.
Let’s consider an example. In a particular, hypothetical soccer match Bookmaker A is offering 2.10 (11/10) on there being more than fifteen corners in total. Bookmaker B is offering 2.00 (evens) on less than seventeen. By placing 100 with Bookmaker A and 105 with Bookmaker B the bettor is promised a return of 210 whatever the number of corners in the match, locking in a safe profit of 5 without any risk of loss.
However, in the unlikely but entirely possible event of there being exactly 16 corners taken in the match both bets will be successful and the bettor will have made a cool profit of 215, again without any risk to his own bank. Hence although staking a total of 205 in order to chase a mere 5 profit may appear like a lot of work for not very much return, the small possibility of picking up 215 on a successful “middle” surely makes the whole exercise worthwhile?
Sometimes however the bet may not work out as a pure “arb”. Let us suppose that instead of evens, Bookmaker B is in point of fact offering 1.90 (9/10) on under seventeen corners taking place in the same match. If the bettor places 100 with Bookmaker A and 111 with Bookmaker B then the total return in either case will once again be 210, from a total stake of 211. In other words a loss of 1 will have been sustained.
var CasaleArgs = new Object();
CasaleArgs.version = 2;
CasaleArgs.adUnits = “4″;
CasaleArgs.casaleID = 129019;
However if there are exactly sixteen corners in the match the return will be 420, a profit of 209. Assuming the real odds of there being exactly sixteen will be much shorter than 210.00 (209/1), the wager remains a good value bet notwithstanding the fact that on the balance of probabilities it will be unsuccessful and a very small loss will be incurred.
Middling is one of the few strategies, other than using a free bet, that will actually pay out dividends over the long-term. Using an odds comparison site it is possible to take maximum advantage of matched betting with free betsand to combine them with middles that produce either arbs or extraordinarily good value bets.
