Betting
Middle Betting for Beginners: A Simple Guide
Discover how to use middle betting in our beginners’ guide. Use middle betting on point spread and totals bets to maximize profits.
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A middle bet is a wager placed on two different outcomes to guarantee a return at the best betting sites, whatever happens. Betting the middle has a certain knack, but with some good research, you can secure a profit without sweating the winner.
What is Middle Betting?
Middle betting is similar to arbitrage (“arbing”) in soccer wagering. It’s a way to bet on two outcomes in the same game to minimize the risk and almost guarantee a profit.
The middle bet is most common in betting markets that have a spread attached. These include point spread and totals (O/U) markets. For moneyline bets, it’s harder to find arbitrage potential unless you do a lot of research on dozens of sportsbooks.
Essentially, you are trying to find the “middle”, the sweet spot between two opposing bookmaker positions. For example, by betting Over points at one bookmaker and Under points on the same market with another bookie, you are finding the “middle” and guaranteeing a return.
Betting the middle requires some homework to hunt out the best bets. However, you can use a middle betting calculator to work out what size stake you need to maximize profits.
How Does Middle Betting Work?
The mid bet is used predominantly in games that offer point spread and total points (over/under) markets. These include football, basketball, and baseball. You bet on both sides of the spread to maximize your potential returns.
Imagine you find the Kansas City Chiefs at -6.5 on the point spread versus the Miami Dolphins. You place a bet at -6.5pts for the Chiefs to cover the spread. The Dolphins are +6.5 points on the spread.
During the week, the bookmaker moves its line and makes the Chiefs a -11 point favorite. The Dolphins are now +11, i.e. they have an 11-point points advantage going into the game. You can now bet on the Dolphins at +11 points and secure a “middle bet” of 4.5 points.
The best outcome is that you win both point spread bets at once. However, there is still some wiggle room that you secure a profit if only wager wins.
Here are the possible outcomes:
• Chiefs win by 7 points: You win on the Chiefs
• Dolphins lose by 10 points or less: You win on the Dolphins
• Chiefs win by 12 points: Both bets win
Benefits & Drawbacks of Middle Betting
There are several pros and cons to employing the middle bet. Remember to do your homework and never bet with money you can’t afford to lose.
Pros | Cons |
Maximize profits and minimize losses when you bet on multiple outcomes | Requires plenty of research to find moves in the lines |
Use the teaser to set your own point spread | Only guarantees small profits |
Advantage over arbitrage betting as both bets can win | Bookmaker’s vig needs to be factored in |
Take advantage of enhanced odds to boost your profits |
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Use free bets to use on your preferred mid bet |
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Best Sports for Middle Betting
Here’s a quick recap of which sports to look out for when you try a middle bet. Remember, all of our top-rated online sportsbooks at Sportsboom offer totals (O/U), point spreads, and moneyline wagering on all US sports.
You want to find sports that have potential for high point totals. Soccer is a trickier prospect as the Asian Handicap doesn’t offer a lot of wiggle room for spreads.
• NHL (Totals, Puck Line)
• NBA (Totals, Point Spread)
• MLB (Totals, Run Line)
• NFL/Football (Totals, Point Spread)
Middle Betting Tips & Strategies
Here are some quick middle bet tips to help you make more informed decisions and secure long-term profits.
#1 – Do Research and Study the Form
Middle betting works best with specific sports like basketball and American football. It’s important, then, that you understand the sports well and the teams that you’re betting on.
Check out the statistics and form of the teams you’re betting on too. Most betting sites offer a stats page displaying current head-to-head results and recent form. You can also track recent scores and total points for individual games.
#2 – Compare Betting Sites Regularly
Finding the right middle bet means putting in the legwork and finding discrepancies among online sportsbooks. Consider using an odds comparison site to spot arb and middle bet opportunities.
In addition, you can see which sports betting sites are changing their lines so that you can move in quickly and take advantage.
#3 – Use a Middle Betting Calculator
With a middle calculator, betting on spreads and totals is a lot easier. You can enter the odds values at different betting sites to find the ideal sweet spot.
For example, you enter your preferred stake and the spread or total market you are betting on. The middle betting calculator then displays how much you can win if you hit the middle.
#4 – Hit the Live Betting Markets
Live betting is a great way to hedge your bets as the game progresses. You can close out positions and settle bets as the live odds change in real-time. For example, you may bet the spread and decide to cash out the bet before the game ends, regardless of whether you have the middle covered or not.
#5 – Make Use of Free Bets
Sportsbooks offer free bet tokens as part of a sign-up package or during a major event. You will have to make a qualifying minimum deposit before claiming free bets.
However, you can use your free bets on a mid bet and secure a profit without any financial risk. Free bets are also great for testing out some riskier strategies on picks you may usually avoid.
Jon is an experienced journalist and editor working in the gambling industry for over 17 years. He started life as a football betting blogger before being bitten by the online poker bug, eventually becoming editor of some of the largest gambling and poker publications around, including Gambling Magazine and WPT (World Poker Tour) Poker Magazine.
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