Hedge betting is placing a second bet on the opposite outcome of your original bet to guarantee a profit or minimize potential losses. It's commonly used when your original bet is looking likely to win but you want to lock in some profit regardless of the final outcome.
Consider hedging when: (1) Your original bet has significant value remaining and you want to lock in profit, (2) A parlay or futures bet is close to hitting and odds have shifted, (3) Live betting odds make hedging profitable, or (4) You want to reduce variance on a large potential payout. The decision depends on your risk tolerance and the guaranteed profit vs. potential maximum profit.
The optimal hedge stake depends on your goal. For equal profit either way: Hedge Stake = (Original Stake × Original Decimal Odds) ÷ Hedge Decimal Odds. For a specific target profit, adjust the formula to account for your desired guaranteed amount. This calculator handles all the math for you.
Equal profit hedging calculates the stake needed to guarantee the same profit regardless of which bet wins. Target profit hedging lets you specify a guaranteed minimum profit you want to lock in, which may result in different payouts depending on which outcome hits. Equal profit is simpler; target profit gives you more control.
Hedging can guarantee a profit only if your original bet has gained value since you placed it. If odds haven't moved in your favor, hedging might only minimize losses rather than guarantee profit. The calculator shows your exact guaranteed outcomes for both scenarios so you can make an informed decision.
