01 Definition
Matched betting involves placing a qualifying bet with a bookmaker and then "laying" the opposite outcome on a betting exchange to guarantee a profit (or minimal loss) and unlock a free bet. The free bet is then used with the same lay strategy to extract profit. It's mathematically risk-free when executed correctly.
02 Example
A bookmaker offers "Bet $10, Get $10 Free Bet." You bet $10 on Team A at 3.00 and lay Team A on Betfair at 3.00 (approximately). You lose a small qualifying loss ($0.50-$1) but unlock the free bet. The free bet is then used and extracted at ~80% value = ~$8 profit.
03 Why It Matters
Matched betting is often the entry point into professional betting. It teaches the fundamentals of odds, exchanges, and value extraction with zero risk. However, it's limited by available promotions and isn't a long-term strategy.
04 How thetipster.xyz Uses This
Matched betting is unrelated to our signal feed but is a useful concept for tipsters to understand. Some of our users started as matched bettors and graduated to value betting — that's where our signals come in.
Related Terms
See Matched in action
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