Hedging betting is a way to bet on sports with low risk. Many bettors use the hedge method when they want to make sure they do not lose much money. A hedge bet can guarantee a small profit, no matter the result of a game. It can be used on betting exchanges, sportsbooks and it helps bettors stay safe and avoid uncertainty.
What Is Hedging Betting?
Hedging betting is placing a second bet on a different outcome of the same game in order to secure a profit or to lower risk. A bettor backs an outcome, and later they bet on the other opponent to make sure they still win something no matter what. Hedging is like insurance for a bet. Even if the main bet loses, the hedge bet helps cover part of the loss.
How to Hedge a Bet
Hedging bets is usually done by following an order of steps.
Placing the main bet
A bettor starts by first placing a normal bet. They can support a team to win an a sportsbook or if they use an exchange they can start by laying an outcome and betting against it.
Watching the odds change
As the time passes, the odds in the market may move. For example, if the team starts winning, the odds on the other team will change and they will be higher.
Using a hedge calculator
a hedge calculator helps bettor find how much money they should bet on the second side to make the best balance between risk and profit.
Placing a hedge bet
when the odds change, it is an opportunity to hedge. Bettors can now place a bet on the other side to protect their money. If the backing team wins, the first bet wins. If the other team wins, the first bet loses and the hedge bet helps recover some or all of the money.
Example of a Hedge Bet
A bettor wants to apply hedging betting on a football game between Team A and Team B. They decide for their first bet to back Team A and place 100€ at odds of 3.00.
If Team A wins the game, the first bet wins. The bettor will get from that bet 300€ in total. Deducting the 100€ stake, the bettor will make a net profit of 200€.
Later, before the game ends, Team A is leading the game by scoring a goal. This means that the odds will move. The odds for Team B to win have gone up to 6.00 because that team at this point of the game is considered the underdog.
The bettor decides that it is a good time to place a hedge bet on Team B to win. Using a hedge calculator, they bet 50€ at odds of 6.00.
If Team A wins, the bettor wins 200€ net profit from the first bet and loses 50€ from the hedge bet. The total net profit is 150€.
If Team B wins, the bettor loses 100€ from the first bet and wins 250€ net profit from the hedge bet. The total net profit is 150€.
By this example, it is very clear that with hedging strategy, no matter who wins, a bettor can make the same profit.
Types of Hedge Bets
Moneyline hedge bets
This is the most common type. Bettors place a hedge bet on the other side to win a game. It works well in simple win/lose matches like football, basketball or baseball.
Spread hedge bets
In spread betting, bettors can hedge by betting on the opposite spread line. For example, if a bettor takes one team -3, they might later hedge with the other team + 3. This helps losing less money if the game is close.
Free bet hedge
Free bets from sportsbooks are ideal for hedging. Bettors use this bonus on one sportsbook and place a free bet on one side and they use another sportsbook or betting exchange to place a normal bet on the other side. This way they make a small profit with no risk.
Risk-free hedge bets
Sometimes, sportsbooks offer “risk-free bets” where if the first bet loses, the money is returned as credit. This is a very good opportunity for bettors to use this to hedge with a second bet elsewhere, making a guaranteed profit.
Other Opportunities to Hedge a Bet
Parlay bets
Parlay bets are also known as accumulators. It is placing two or more bets in one. In order for the parlay bet to win, all the bets placed must win. If a parlay bet has several legs, and most have already won, bettors can hedge by betting against the final leg. This protects profit if the last result goes wrong.
Future bets
Hedging betting can also be used for long-term bets like which team will win the World Cup. Bettors can back a team to win and if this team reaches the final, then bettors can hedge by betting on the other side in the final to make sure they win something either way.
Sports & Markets for Hedging Betting
Hedge betting works in many sports and markets and that is why it is very popular among professional bettors. Multibookmaker platforms like Asianstorm and betting exchanges like Orbit Exchange and Winfair24 are popular places for hedge betting because they allow backing and laying.
Football (Soccer)
1X2 or Match Odds markets, Over/Under goals, both teams to score and more.
Basketball
Moneyline, Match Odds, Point spread, total points, and more
Tennis
Match Odds, set winner, and more
Baseball
Moneyline, run line, and more
Cricket
Match winner, in-play markets, and more
American Football (NFL)
spread totals, half time markets, and more
Horse racing
win and place markets, and more
FAQ on Hedging Betting
Is which sportsbooks and exchanges can I hedge bets?
hedging betting works best where odds change often and both sides of a market are easy to bet on. Betting exchanges are usually better for hedging than regular sportsbooks.
Multibookmaker platforms like Asianstorm are good for football and basketball hedge bets and for asian markets where bettors can compare odds across more than 10 bookmakers and betting exchanges.
Orbit Exchange is good for in-play hedge betting with fast changing odds and high liquidity.
Winfair24 is also good to use for all types of sports and markets and use tools for quick betting.
Is hedging betting illegal?
No, hedging betting is not illegal. It is a legal way to bet on sports with minimum risk. Both professional and casual players use it. However, some sportsbooks may limit an account if a bettor uses a hedging strategy only to exploit free bets and bonuses.
Why hedge a bet?
There are many reasons to use a hedging strategy.
-to protect profits
– to lower risk
-to use free bets
With this strategy players can lock in profits before a game ends. They can also lower the risk of losing much money. This makes betting less stressful because it does not depend on the result. Creating small and safe profit is a good way of a long-term plan to make stable money.
Which tools can I use when hedging?
There are plenty of helpful online tools for hedge betting:
– hedge calculator
-odds comparison tools
-bet tracking apps
Calculators show the exact stake needed on the hedge bet to balance the profit or the loss. Odds comparison tools help find the best odds for both sides of a bet. Bet tracking apps keep track of open bets, profits, and hedge chances.
A hedge calculator is one of the most useful tools. It helps bettors see clearly how much to place for a perfect hedge bet.
Can I hedge live during a match?
yes, in-play betting offers good opportunities to hedge because the odds move. Betting exchanges are good for live betting because the odds move faster and bettors have more flexibility, they can offer their own odds, and they can use both back and lay bets.
In Short
Hedging betting is a safe way to bet on sports. It helps bettors protect their money, and place low-risk bets and even guarantee profits. With the help of a hedging strategy and tools like a hedge calculator, anyone can use this method on sportsbooks and exchanges and apply it on most sports and markets.





