How to Find Arbitrage Opportunities

Arbitrage betting (“arb”) is every bettor’s dream: guaranteed profit with zero risk. It’s possible when two or more sportsbooks have significantly different odds on the same fight. In boxing, an arbitrage opportunity might happen if one book has Fighter A as an underdog and another book also has Fighter B as an underdog in the same matchup. By betting on all outcomes using the right amounts, you lock in a profit no matter who wins. Essentially, you’re exploiting price discrepancies.

For example, imagine Sportsbook X offers Fighter A at +110 and Sportsbook Y offers Fighter B at +120 for the same fight. These odds shouldn’t both be plus money – at least one book is off. If you bet on Fighter A at X and Fighter B at Y with proportional stakes, one of those bets will win, and the payouts will exceed your total stakes, resulting in a risk-free gain. This is a classic arbitrage scenario. An easy way to calculate stakes: divide your total amount to invest by each outcome’s decimal odds to know how much to put on each side. If done correctly, you’ll get the same profit regardless of the fight’s result.

Why do arbitrage opportunities exist? Sometimes sportsbooks disagree or move their lines at different speeds, creating a window where odds diverge. Boxing odds can swing due to local sentiment or slow adjustments, and vigilant bettors can capitalize. Also, in lower-profile fights, books might post varied odds due to lower betting volume.

Be careful: Arbitrage betting is a known strategy, and sportsbooks don’t love it. If you consistently exploit arbs, a book may limit or ban you. Also, the window for arbing is often small – odds can change quickly once bettors (or the book itself) correct the discrepancy. Always place all legs of an arb bet simultaneously (or as close as possible) to ensure you lock the prices. And double-check that the bets are for the same market (don’t accidentally bet one book’s 2-way line and another’s 3-way line with a draw included – that could backfire).

Finding arbs requires monitoring multiple sportsbooks or using an odds comparison service. While rare in major fights (since those odds are usually tight across books), arbs do pop up. When they do, it feels like free money – because it essentially is. Just proceed stealthily and enjoy the guaranteed payday when you catch one.

Sources: OddsShopper