❓Common Problems

In the dynamic world of arbitrage betting, encountering hurdles is part of the game. Here's how to effectively navigate common challenges and keep your betting strategy on track.

One-Sided Bet Placement

Issue: There's a risk of one bet being placed while the corresponding bet fails or changes, potentially exposing you to losses. This is likely the most common problem you will run into.

Solution: If you find yourself with an unmatched bet, the immediate step is to cash out where possible to minimize any potential loss. Stay composed—overreacting can lead to hasty decisions. If you have a strong understanding of the sport, keep an eye on the odds and wait for them to change to hedge effectively. When in doubt, it's safer to step back and wait for a more secure arbitrage opportunity.

Calculation Errors

Issue: Mistakes in manual input or delays in updating odds can lead to calculation discrepancies, affecting the profitability of bets.

Solution: To mitigate this, always double-check your inputs before placing bets. The Calculator's 'lock' feature is invaluable for securing your inputs against accidental changes. Staying vigilant with your checks ensures that you're working with the most accurate information.

Hidden Arb Opportunities

Issue: Sometimes, potential arbitrage opportunities may not be visible due to overly restrictive filters or settings.

Solution: Regularly review your Bet Settings to ensure filters are appropriately adjusted to your betting strategy. If certain arbs seem missing, consider clearing hidden bets to refresh your view of available opportunities.

Split-profit Arbs

Issue: Given that AVO rounds to the nearest dollar (at minimum) when determining the hedge bet amount—aiming to bypass the need for placing bets with cents, which can be seen as unusual by sportsbooks and also saves you time—the calculations may not always result in identical profit margins across all outcomes. Consequently, the profit from one outcome might slightly exceed that of another due to this rounding practice.

Solution: The calculator will signal this situation by showing two distinct profit figures. You have the option to fine-tune the initial bet amount manually (we suggest adjusting in $1 increments) until the profits displayed are equal. Alternatively, you could choose to proceed with the uneven profit distribution, banking on the outcome with the higher projected profit to prevail.

Repeated winning by chance

Issue: Since your focus in arbitrage betting is not on any particular team's victory but rather on identifying the most profitable arbitrage opportunities across the sportsbooks at your disposal, there's a chance you may inadvertently win multiple bets in succession on the same sportsbook. From the perspective of the sportsbooks, it appears as though you're consistently winning, despite your strategy being centered on exploiting odds discrepancies rather than predicting outcomes. This perception could draw unwanted attention to your betting activities, as consistent winning is often scrutinized by sportsbooks.

Solution: Exercising caution before engaging in an arbitrage opportunity, even if it's a lucrative one, can be prudent if it involves placing a bet with negative odds on a sportsbook where you've already accumulated multiple consecutive wins. Negative odds imply that the sportsbook's algorithm considers this outcome more likely (hence the smaller payout). Should this outcome materialize, it would result in yet another win on the same sportsbook, potentially elevating the risk of having your account limited. In such scenarios, weighing the risk of account limitations against the potential profit is essential.

You can also try to purposely place small losing bets when not arbing to try to not look like too much of a winner.

Best Practices for Arbitrage Betting

- Stay Informed: Keeping up to date with the AVO Dashboard and understanding its features can make a significant difference in how effectively you can respond to these challenges.

- Be Prepared: Anticipate common issues and have a plan for how to address them. This preparation can include setting aside time to familiarize yourself with the sports you're betting on and having contingency plans for one-sided bets.

- Maintain Discipline: Arbitrage betting is as much about discipline and patience as it is about speed and efficiency. Recognizing when to act and when to wait is crucial.

By being proactive and prepared, you can navigate the challenges of arbitrage betting with confidence, making the most of the AVO tool to secure profits while minimizing risks.