Arbitrage betting is a strategy that relies on comparing odds between sportsbooks and betting exchanges. When the bettor finds a market that has two possible outcomes with different odds, they will place a bet on each side. One of the bets will win, and the bettor will make a profit. It is most effective when the markets only have two possible outcomes, such as in basketball and baseball. It is not recommended for bettors who want to win large sums of money, but it can be an excellent way to maximize profits.
The biggest problem with this technique is the amount of time required to find an arbitrage opportunity. If a bettor spends the entire day tracking money lines, spreads and totals on major leagues like the NFL, NBA, NHL and the most popular soccer leagues, it will be very difficult to find more than a small margin of profit.
Another issue is the risk that a bet can be canceled by the sportsbook. This does not happen often, but it can still cost you a profit. The last issue is the possibility that a line will move in your favor. This happens more frequently than you might think, and it is important to keep up with the lines to find these opportunities.
In addition to finding arbitrage bets, savvy bettors will also take advantage of the nightly odds boosts and free bets offered by some sportsbooks. These can make a huge difference in your profitability, and they are an excellent way to hide the fact that you are an arb bettor. Keeping your wagers to a minimum will also help you avoid drawing unwanted attention from the sportsbooks.