Arbitrage is a strategy in which seizing opportunities is crucial. There are times in which you’ll see a set of odds that actually ends up being slightly different from the actual odds.

Tuesday was one of those instances, specifically with the over/under for total runs scored by Orioles outfielder Colton Cowser against the Toronto Blue Jays. Going over 0.5 on bet365 at +145 odds at a $74 stake combined with a $100 bet on the under at -123 through Parx yields a very favorable 3.82 arb percentage.

However, that could have been improved to 4.4% when amending the odds using the BetSmart calculator tool.

Arbitrage betting is when you place bets on all possible outcomes of a game using different sportsbooks. The idea is to take advantage of discrepancies in the odds so that no matter what happens, you come out with a profit. It’s a strategy that doesn’t rely on predicting who will win but instead on finding price inefficiencies between sportsbooks.

To make it work well, use the BetSmart calculator. Change the stakes to find out how much to wager on each side. This way, you can maximize your payout.

Knowing how different odds formats work is key, especially when using various platforms. Most serious arbitrage bettors use services that scan global betting markets in real time. You can search for these opportunities manually, but it's not as efficient.

One of the main appeals of arbing is that you don’t need deep sports knowledge to make it work. If executed properly, it can deliver consistent, risk-free returns. It’s something that can be repeated and even scaled. But it’s not without challenges. Bookmakers are improving at spotting sharp bettors using this strategy. Many have begun to limit or ban these accounts. On top of that, the window of opportunity (what is referred to as the “arbitrage window”) tends to be very short. You have to act quickly before the odds adjust.

In the Cowser vs. Blue Jays game on Tuesday, changing the under odds at Parx from -123 to -122 boosts the arb percentage. Keeping the stakes the same raises the guaranteed profit to $7.65, no matter the outcome. As it turned out, the Orioles scored plenty of runs, and Cowser scored enough to hit the over.

Arbitrage remains one of the few real advantages in sports betting. This is true even with tough competition and stricter sportsbook rules. If you can handle the logistics and react in enough time, it’s still a very real way to stay profitable.

This should leave you well prepared for the next time an arbitrage opportunity comes around. You can sign up to BetSmart and receive 20% off by using the code SMART20.