How Much Do You Need to Start Matched Betting?
Matched betting is often seen as a profitable, low-risk way to make extra money.
Whether you’re looking to make a bit of side income or dive deeper into full-time matched betting, one key question always comes up: how much do you need to start matched betting?
In this guide, we’ll cover how much you need to get started, what factors influence your profits, and how you can maximise your returns over time.
By the end, you'll have a clear understanding of how to set yourself up for success in the world of matched betting.
How Much Do You Need to Get Started?
One of the best things about matched betting is that you don’t need a huge starting bankroll to get going.
However, the amount you start with will impact how quickly you can ramp up your profits.
Starting with £100-£200: A Reasonable Target
For most people, £100-£200 is a good starting amount.
This sum gives you enough flexibility to participate in several offers at once, which will help you generate profits faster.
When you place a qualifying bet to unlock a free bet, you’ll need to have enough funds in both your betting account and your exchange account to cover the liability (the money that backs your lay bet on a betting exchange like Betfair or Smarkets).
Even if you start with less than £100, don’t worry—plenty of people have grown their bankroll from as little as £50.
It just means you’ll need to be a bit more patient, completing offers one by one rather than several at once.
Why a Larger Bankroll Can Be an Advantage
While £100-£200 is enough to get started, a larger bankroll can give you more opportunities to profit faster.
If you have £500 or more to invest, you’ll be able to place multiple qualifying bets across several offers simultaneously.
This allows you to take full advantage of higher-value reload offers and bookmaker promotions, rather than waiting for your funds to clear after each offer.
For example, football and horse racing promotions, like extra place offers or 2UP early payouts, often require you to lock in bets across multiple events.
With a larger bankroll, you can take advantage of multiple offers during the same time period, rather than waiting for one to complete before moving on to the next.
How Matched Betting Earnings Can Vary
Your earnings from matched betting can vary widely depending on several factors. Let’s break down the main variables that will determine how much you can make.
1. How Much Time You Spend
Time is one of the most significant factors in how much money you can make from matched betting. The more time you dedicate to finding and completing offers, the more profits you can generate.
- Beginners typically earn between £200-£500 per month, depending on how many offers they complete and how much time they dedicate to it.
- Experienced matched bettors—those who know how to spot and take advantage of reload offers and use advanced strategies—can earn upwards of £1000-£2000 per month. Some dedicated individuals even go full-time, turning matched betting into their primary source of income.
The key takeaway is that the more time you can invest, the more potential profit you can unlock.
If you’re only spending an hour or two a week on matched betting, your earnings will reflect that. However, even a few hours per week can still lead to significant extra income.
2. The Type of Offers You Complete
Not all bookmaker offers are created equal. The type of offers you focus on will significantly impact your earnings.
- Sign-up Offers: These are the most lucrative for beginners. You can expect to earn between £10 and £30 from each bookmaker’s sign-up promotion. With dozens of bookmakers offering these, it’s easy to generate a few hundred pounds in your first month.
- Reload Offers: Once you’ve completed the sign-up offers, reloads (promotions for existing customers) become the bread and butter of matched betting. Offers like price boosts, extra place races, horse racing refunds, and 2UP early payout offers can generate consistent profits.
- Price Boosts and Enhanced Odds: Bookmakers frequently offer price boosts—increased odds for specific events or outcomes. By laying the same outcome on an exchange, you can lock in guaranteed profits.
3. Using Matched Betting Tools
If you want to maximise your earnings and save time, using matched betting software is essential. Tools like Outplayed’s odds matcher will automatically scan bookmaker offers and betting exchanges, showing you the best opportunities to profit. You can also use their calculators to figure out exactly how much to stake on each bet, taking all the guesswork out of the process.
Matched betting tools are especially helpful if you're trying to juggle multiple offers or increase your efficiency. They also reduce the chances of making mistakes, which can cost you money.
How Time Spent Affects Profits
In matched betting, the more time you can dedicate to finding and completing offers, the more profit you’ll see in your account.
However, not everyone has hours of free time to dedicate each day.
Let’s look at how different time commitments affect your potential earnings.
Part-Time Commitment (1-5 Hours Per Week)
If you’re working full-time or have other commitments, you can still make matched betting work around your schedule.
Dedicating just 1-5 hours per week can net you a respectable £200-£500 per month. This is perfect if you’re simply looking for a side hustle to boost your monthly income.
To maximise your earnings with limited time, focus on high-value reload offers and stick to offers that require minimal effort—like placing a bet and lay bet on price boosts or completing risk-free offers.
Extra-Time Commitment (10+ Hours Per Week)
If you’re able to put in more time, matched betting can become an extremely lucrative side income source.
Matched bettors that can put in more time can make £1000+ per month.
To reach these levels, you’ll need to be on the lookout for reload offers and high-value price boosts.
During peak sporting seasons (like the Cheltenham Festival), experienced bettors can easily earn several thousand pounds in just a few weeks.
How to Maximise Your Profits
To get the most out of matched betting, it’s essential to use smart strategies and take full advantage of the offers available to you. Let’s explore some of the best ways to ensure you’re making as much profit as possible.
1. Take Advantage of Reload Offers
Once you’ve completed all the available sign-up offers, reload offers become your primary source of income. Reload offers are promotions targeted at existing customers and can include everything from free bets to price boosts. Don’t ignore them! Consistently completing reload offers is the key to sustaining long-term profits.
Common reload offers include:
- Price Boosts: These are a quick and easy way to lock in a guaranteed profit. By betting at the boosted odds and laying the same bet on an exchange, you can often secure a risk-free return.
- Extra Place Offers: During horse racing events, bookmakers may pay out for an extra place if your horse finishes outside the normal payout range. By strategically placing your back and lay bets, you can profit from these promotions even if your horse doesn't win.
- 2UP Early Payout Offers: Some bookmakers will pay out on football teams if they go two goals ahead, regardless of the final result. This creates an opportunity to profit by laying the same team on an exchange.
2. Keep Detailed Records
Keeping track of all your matched betting activity is crucial to maintaining long-term success. A well-organised matched betting spreadsheet will help you:
- Track profits and losses.
- Stay on top of which offers you’ve completed.
- Avoid mistakes like repeating offers or betting on the wrong events.
3. Avoid Getting Gubbed
“Gubbing” is when a bookmaker restricts your account, often after they suspect you're using it purely for matched betting. Once you’re gubbed, you won’t be able to take advantage of any promotions or free bets. To avoid this:
- Mix in mug bets (bets that aren’t part of a promotion) to make your account look like that of a regular bettor.
- Don’t always bet on obvious matched betting opportunities or high-value price boosts.
- Keep your stakes varied and avoid consistently placing the maximum bet.
Tips to Make the Most Profits Possible
Here are a few more expert tips to help you maximise your matched betting profits:
- Use multiple betting accounts: The more accounts you have, the more offers you can complete. Don’t limit yourself to just one or two bookmakers.
- Sign up for email alerts: Many bookmakers send out exclusive offers to loyal customers. Make sure you’re signed up for their emails so you don’t miss out on these high-value offers.
- Join matched betting forums: Communities like Outplayed’s forum are invaluable for discovering new offers, advanced techniques, and advice from seasoned bettors.
Conclusion: Start Small, Scale Up
With an initial bankroll of £100 to £200, you can comfortably start matched betting and scale your earnings over time.
Your earnings will depend on how much time you dedicate, the types of offers you complete, and whether you use advanced strategies to boost your profits.
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