Hedging Betting System Explained: Hedging System Betting Guide and Tips Cover

Hedging Betting System Explained: Hedging System Betting Guide and Tips

by Oddspedia Experts
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The sports betting scene is continuously advancing, with gamblers figuring out ways to prevent losing their wagers at all costs. This has resulted in the rise of betting systems such as hedge betting. The gambling strategy is one of the brilliant ways to guarantee you a win or reduce the risk of losing your bet. Below is a detailed analysis of the hedge betting system with explanations of how to hedge your bets.
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What Does Hedging Mean in Sports Betting?

Hedge betting is an advanced gambling style where a player wagers against his original bet once they are unsure of the likelihood of the bet winning. You can also choose to hedge a bet if you feel the chances of your initial bet becoming successful increases, but you want to be sure you will make a profit even if that does not happen.

It is, however, vital to note that this sports betting strategy shrinks your expected earnings since you will have to spend more money to place the hedge bet.

In the long term, hedging is one of the best gambling systems, especially if executed well.

Where Did the Term Hedging Come From?

The term hedging comes from the noun hedge, a shrubbery fence known to offer security. George Villiers, Buckingham's second Duke, first used the phrase hedge your bets in the 1600s in his play 'The Rehearsal.' Since then, gamblers have coined the term to mean protecting one's bets from a loss.

How to Hedge a Bet?

Hedging a bet is simple, which explains why it is so common among sports bettors. As you already know, hedging is placing a second bet against your original wager. A good example is when you stake $100 on a futures bet for the Dallas Cowboys to win the Super Bowl at 60-1. The potential profits for this bet will be $6000 ($100x60). Once the big day comes, you can bet $1000 on the New England Patriots to beat the Dallas Cowboys at 2-1 to protect your bet; thus, if the Dallas Cowboys lose, you earn $2000, which is ($1000x2). By doing this, you will have hedged your bet.

Where Can I Play the Hedging Betting System

You can play the hedging betting systems at different betting exchanges and sportsbooks. However, some of the best sites where you will find the best hedging opportunities include 888Sport and Betway. You can also search for other bookmakers online. However, make sure the sports betting site you consider offers multiple markets with competitive odds. 

When and Why Should You Hedge Your Bet?

Like any other sports betting system, knowing when and why you should hedge your bet is vital. The knowledge will allow you to execute the gambling strategy perfectly, whether it entails a future wager. Here is important information about when and why you should go for hedge betting:

Hedging to Guarantee Profits

The most common reason why you should hedge your bet is if you want to guarantee profits. In this case, you hedge the opposite outcome of your original bet if its chances of winning decrease, but you still suspect you can lose it. In short, by placing a hedge bet, you will cover your initial wager with minimum cash.

Hedging Due to Changes in The Game or A Change in Opinion

Sudden changes in an event can significantly shift the outcome of the game. This includes shifts in weather or ruling out of the star player. Therefore, to ensure the alterations don't affect your potential profits, you can hedge your original wager instead of letting the bet ride. In this situation, either wager significant cash on the hedge bet to erase the initial bet or stake just enough cash to reduce the loss or break even.

In-play Hedging

Certain happenings on the field influence the match's outcome as the game progresses in real-time. For instance, if the star player gets injured, the probability of your bet being correct decreases. But thanks to in-play betting, you can hedge against the bet and earn a guaranteed profit. You can also consider in-play hedging to minimise the loss. This will be determined by the stake you place on the hedge bet.

Cutting Potential Losses

You don't just use the hedging betting system to lock in profits. Sports bettors can also place hedge bets to cut potential losses. If everything points to your initial bet losing, you can mitigate the losses with the hedge betting system. This is by staking substantial sums of money on the opposite bet. Therefore, if your bet does not win, you still rake in profits in a scenario that would have otherwise turned into a loss.

Hedging Future/Outright Bets

Hedging future bets is common among players since it usually leads to significant profits thanks to favourable odds. Most of the markets covered here are long-term. For instance, you will find options like UEFA Champions League winner and FA Cup winner. You can easily walk away with substantial earnings after bet settlement.

Hedging Accumulator Bets

In accumulator betting, you need all wagers in your bet slip to be correct to win. The more events you include on your accumulator, the less likely the bet will hit. As a result, you should consider hedging your last bet, especially if your initial legs on the accumulator are correct. This way, you increase the chances of cashing from the parlay significantly. Here, hedge betting serves the same purpose as placing a future wager.

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Important Basics for Hedging Betting Strategy - Tips and Tricks

Even though hedge betting is simple compared to other gambling strategies, such as system bets, it is key to have strategies to increase your chances of making profits. Here are the tips and tricks you should consider when applying this betting strategy.

Pick the Right Games

Hedge betting is versatile and, therefore, suitable for different games. However, picking the right matches increases your chances of earning significant profits. It is advisable to pick games with markets that offer you only two possible outcomes. With such betting options, you can easily lock in profits and avoid losses by wagering on the opposite outcome.

Game Analysis Is Not the Only Decisive Factor

You should know that game analysis is not the only decisive factor in Hegde betting. There are other external aspects to consider, such as changing the odds as the game continues. Your main aim is to understand the right time when to place a hedge bet and why. Furthermore, look at weather patterns, among other external factors.

Create Betting Accounts with Several Betting Providers

To use hedge betting successfully, you must open accounts with several bookmakers. Multiple sports betting accounts will give you enough room to search for better odds and compare markets. It is also the only way to place opposite bets without any problems whatsoever. The advantage is that there are multiple bookmakers that you can use to place a hedge bet.

Compare Bookmakers

Don't settle for a single sportsbook whenever you want to hedge a bet. Compare different bookmakers until you find the one with competitive decimal odds, better hedging markets, and generous bonus offers you can use for hedging. By sticking to a single sportsbook or just a few options, you limit yourself to the bet-hedging opportunities.

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Hedge Betting Using Betting Exchanges

You don't necessarily need to place your hedge bet on a sportsbook. You can try sites such as Betfair, William Hill, and Ladbrokes, which double as betting exchanges. The advantage of betting exchanges is that you can return and lay a bet at the same site. Thus, you don't require a different operator to hedge your bet.

Bets Must Be Optimally Balanced

You need to make sure your bets are balanced. This is where a hedge betting calculator comes into play. It would be best if you had the stake a certain amount as a hedge wager to balance your original bet. This way, you can profit, minimise the loss, or break even depending on the outcome. Bettors can also do their calculations to balance their hedge bets.

Risk Management

Understand how to manage the risk in hedge betting. A good player will mitigate the risk by placing an optimal stake so they don't lose money in the worst-case scenario. Do this to protect your futures wager or when placing in-play hedge bets. An ideal risk management strategy will protect you against making unnecessary losses and see you increase your profits drastically.

Use Bonus Offers

Always use bonus offers whenever you can. Sportsbooks offer promotions such as free bets, cashback bonuses, and reload promos. These offers will make you spend very little of your cash at the betting sites. After all, you will place free bet stakes on either the initial or hedge bet. However, go through the bonus terms and conditions to certify its suitability. Check the minimum qualifying bet settlement requirements for activating the offers and the bonus rollover terms.

How To Claim Your Bonus

Everything You Need To Know In 5 Easy Steps!

How To Claim Your Bonus
Sign Up With A Bookmaker

Click the ‘Register' button to display the registration form

Create An Account

Create your account login details (username + Password) and enter your personal information and submit the information to create an account.

Choose A Bonus

Bookmakers will usually have multiple bonus offers, so pick the one that suits you the most. *Read the small print, especially the wagering requirements to ensure that you will be able to meet them!

Claim The Bonus

Claim your chosen bonus and provide a promo code if you have one. *if a deposit bonus you need to add funds to your account first to activate it

Use Your Bonus

Read the T&Cs and use the bonus to its full potential. *You will not be able to withdraw your bonus or bonus winnings before fulfilling the bonus requirements

The Difference Between Hedge Betting and Arbitrage Betting

Gamblers always confuse hedge betting with arbitrage betting or vice versa. If you are new to these two betting systems, you should note that hedge betting involves placing another bet to cover the already active bet depending on odds movement. Therefore, you only place a hedge wager for an existing original bet to compensate for a loss or increase your profits further. On the other hand, arbitrage betting places two opposite bets on the same event at different sportsbooks to increase your chances of winning.

Pros vs Cons
Thumb Up
Thumb Down
  • Guarantees profit in some instances
  • Minimises gambling risks
  • It is easy to apply compared to other betting systems
  • You don't need different sportsbooks to place bets
  • Requires a huge bankroll to accomplish

Conclusion

Hedging is one of the best ways to guarantee profits and completely minimise the risks involved with betting. The strategy requires analysing the odds movement and placing a favourable bet.

Hedging is applicable in different sports, with the main ones being football and American football. It is easy to apply even with minimal analytical skills. However, you should be ready to spend a little more on the stakes since you have to wager the original and hedge bet. This piece has included multiple tips and tricks that you can use to get the most out of your hedge betting strategy. Generally, it is the best betting system to secure your qualifying bet and ensure profits regardless of the outcome.

Hedging as a Betting Strategy - FAQ

What Does Hedging Mean?


Hedging means placing a bet to cover the original wager after analysing the changes in the odds values. The main reason for a hedge bet is to guarantee profits or minimise the loss regardless of the event's outcome.

🏆 Is the Hedging Strategy Usable for Sports Betting?

Yes, hedging strategy applies to sports betting since it does what other betting systems do. That is to minimise your chances of losing and help you make substantial earnings both short-term and long-term. It is also a very good strategy if executed perfectly.

💶 Is the Hedging Strategy Used by Betting Professionals?

Yes, many professionals use hedging strategies. Some combine it with other betting systems to increase their chances of winning. This is why the betting strategy has become popular among professionals and amateur punters.

💳 Can Hedging Guarantee Profits?

Hedging can help you increase your chances of making profits by minimising the risk significantly. However, it does not guarantee profits since you are not 100% sure about the odds' direction.

🤔 What Types of Bets Make Sense when Hedging?

The types of bets that make sense when hedging are futures bets and accumulators. In these two betting options, hedging happens right before the outcome, minimising the risk further.

What Is the Difference Between Hedging and Arbitrage Betting?

Hedging is a betting strategy whereby the change of odds determines if and how you should cover the original bet. In contrast, arbitrage betting entails betting on all the possible outcomes of an event to guarantee some winnings.

🏆 Which Sports Are Best Suited for Hedging?

The sports suitable for hedging are those that come with two-way Moneyline markets. These include football, baseball, hockey, tennis and basketball. However, these are not the only sports with suitable events for placing an appropriate bet.

💶 Are Hedging Bets Safe?

Yes, hedge bets are safe since they help you minimise risk and, to an extent, guarantee profits in some instances. Furthermore, hedging is not illegal. You can do it on any bookmaker with desirable hedging sports and markets.

💳 Should I Use a Hedging Calculator?

Yes, you should always use a hedging calculator, especially if you want to figure out the right stake that will lead to a balanced bet. Remember that most hedge betting strategies rely on the kind of wagers you place.
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This article was written by our team of betting experts, any contributing references are noted below.
Last updated 23/02/2024
References
  1. How to calculate a hedge bet. (2021). Https://Help.Smarkets.Com. https://help.smarkets.com/hc/en-gb/articles/115001431011-How-to-calculate-a-hedge-bet
  2. Wikipedia contributors. (2022, May 3). Hedge (finance). Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hedge_(finance)
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