Middle betting is a clever way to find value in sports betting where bettors identify an outcome that allows for two opposing bets to hit. It’s one of the best opportunities a bettor can come across, and adding it to your arsenal could lead to big wins.
From the definition to expert tips on making the perfect middle bet, here's a thorough rundown of middle bet in sports betting.
What is Middle Betting?
Middle betting is when you place two opposing bets that leave room for you to win both based on how the sportsbooks have set their odds. This typically involves placing a wager on two different sportsbooks.
Since sportsbooks set their odds independently, you can often find differing odds for the same wager if you check various sportsbooks. This isn’t always the case, but when it is, you can sometimes find an opportunity to middle bet.
For example, let’s say that BetRivers had and over/under bet for Jayden Daniels passing for 214.5 yards in a game. And BetMGM had an over/under bet for Jayden Daniels passing for 224.5. yards. Note that there’s a 10-yard differential between the two wagers.
If you bet the under on the 224.5 and the over on the 214.5, there is a possibility to win both bets if Daniels happens to pass for between 224 and 215 yards. And even if Daniels passes for way less or way more than either of those amounts, you’d still win one of your two bets.
Depending on the odds and how much you bet on each, winning only one of the bets will typically lead to breaking very close to even or sometimes exactly even. In fact, if the odds are just right, you can make a small profit even with the bets essentially canceling each other out, which is referred to as arbitrage betting.
Understanding Various Types of Middle Bets
Middle bets can come in many forms. You can find O/U bets for team totals, team props, player props, and more. If you can find differing point spreads or money lines between two sportsbooks, you may be able to discover opportunities for betting the middle. This even includes live wagers and parlays. Here's some information to keep in mind:
Over/Under Team Totals
Perhaps the most straightforward type of middle bet occurs with team total over/unders. For example, if one sportsbook sets a team's total points at 24.5 while another sets it at 26.5, you could bet the over on 24.5 and the under on 26.5. Any final score of 25 or 26 points would win both bets, creating a profitable middle opportunity.
Team Proposition Bets
Team props offer another avenue for middle betting. These might include first-half totals, team touchdown counts, or even field goal attempts. The key advantage of team props is that they often show more variation between sportsbooks, as oddsmakers may weigh team statistics differently.
Player Proposition Markets
Player props can provide some of the most lucrative middle betting opportunities. Consider a quarterback's passing yards: if one book sets the line at 285.5 yards while another offers 297.5, any performance between these numbers creates a winning middle. These opportunities often arise because different sportsbooks may evaluate player matchups and conditions differently.
Live Betting Opportunities
Live betting introduces a dynamic element to middle betting. As odds shift rapidly during a game, discrepancies between sportsbooks become more common. For instance, after a quick touchdown, one book might adjust their total points line faster than another, creating a temporary middle opportunity. These situations require quick decision-making but can offer some of the best middle betting scenarios.
Parlay Combinations
Advanced bettors sometimes find middle opportunities within parlay structures. By combining different types of bets across multiple sportsbooks, you might identify situations where winning both sides becomes possible. While these opportunities are more complex, they can offer higher potential returns due to the multiplicative nature of parlay odds.
⚠️ Consider this: Simpler opportunities often provide more reliable results. Start with straightforward total bets or basic props before advancing to more complex strategies like live betting or parlays. This gradual progression allows you to build experience while managing risk effectively.
Advantages of Middle Betting
Middle bets are like low-risk lottery tickets for sports betting. If a lucky result occurs, you win both bets. If not, you lose next to nothing or possibly even win a bit through arbitrage.
When arbitrage betting is available with a middle bet, you’re getting an amazing deal. You’ll make a profit no matter what, and if both wagers hit, you’ll win both bets simultaneously.
These opportunities are somewhat rare, but among the thousands of betting options that any sportsbook offers daily, you can find a handful of middle betting opportunities at any given time if you compare odds between multiple sportsbooks.
Although middle betting minimizes risk, it requires more investment since you’d be placing two wagers instead of one. The strategy is not for newcomers because it requires a solid understanding of odds, using a middle betting calculator (more on this later), and familiarity with betting practices.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Limited Downside Risk: Even if the middle doesn't hit, you typically only lose the vig | Higher Initial Investment: Must place two bets instead of one |
| Potential for Double Wins: Possibile to win both bets if the result falls in the middle | Time-Sensitive: Requires fast decision-making as lines can move quickly |
| Arbitrage Bets: Possible to guarantee a profit regardless of outcome | Multiple Accounts: Need accounts at different sportsbooks to access opportunities |
| Regular Availability: Opportunities can be found daily across various sports | Complex Calculations: Requires careful math to determine optimal bet sizes |
Have Multiple Sportsbook Accounts and Bet Before Lines Change
Two things are important for being able to middle, having many accounts on sportsbooks so you can compare odds and make bets, and placing your bets quickly before the odds have a chance to change.
Sportsbooks often make corrections to their odds once they discover that they’re offering an opportunity for sports bettors to make a profit. For example, if a disproportionate number of bettors are taking the over on a bet, the sportsbook will often adjust the odds or the vig to compensate. That’s why speed in placing your bet is key.
For sportsbooks, the ideal scenario for them is for exactly the same amount of people to bet each side of a wager. That way, one side can pay off the other side and the bookmaker gets to keep the profit they gained from charging vig (a.k.a. juice). Meanwhile, sportsbooks are competing with one another for the most competitive lines in order to attract bettors.
How Does Vig Factor into Middle Betting
The standard vig for the vast majority of bookies and bet types is 10%. So instead of a bet being dead even at -100 odds (betting $100 wins you $200, so $100 in profit), you’ll normally see odds at -110 instead.
You have to take the bookie’s vig into account when calculating how much a bet can yield, including middle bets. In the case of middle bets, you have to calculate the vig from two bets on two different sportsbooks.
How to Middle a Bet Successfully
For any sport, you’ll find all kinds of different bets to choose from. So if you notice any lines that look advantageous, you can start there and compare the odds for the same bet to those of other sportsbooks. You can basically compare the lines of two different sportsbooks side by side and find any possibilities for middle bets.
Middle bets are rare, less than 1% of all available lines between sportsbooks offer the opportunity for a middle bet. But since there are thousands of betting options available, there are normally always some options to be found.
Determining the Value of a Middle Bet
Once you identify a middle bet, it’s important to consider how likely that middle range between the bets is to hit.
Here’s an example of two middle bets to consider:
FanDuel – New Jersey Devils O/U 3.5
Hard Rock Bet – New Jersey Devils O/U 4.5
Bet365 – New York Knicks O/U 120.5
BetMGM – New York Knicks O/U 121.5
If you take the over for the Devils on FanDuel and the under for the Devils on Hard Rock Bet, you’re hoping the final score is exactly four goals scored.
In the second similar example, you’re hoping the final score is exactly 121 for both your over and your under bet to hit.
The NHL middle bet is far more likely to hit than the NBA middle bet since four goals scored in a hockey game is a far more likely outcome than exactly 121 points in an NBA game.
When it comes to football, consider how likely the middle bet you’re making is to occur. That will help you determine how much to value the betting opportunity with the odds you’re being given (most middle bets won’t offer arbitrage).
Discrepancies in Odds and Arbitrage
A rule of thumb is that the larger the discrepancy in the middle bet, the more valuable the betting opportunity will be. With large-discrepancy middle betting opportunities, you end up with a situation where you have arbitrage betting plus middle betting. It’s a literal win-win situation.
Keep in mind that when the O/U is a whole number, for example in point totals, and the result ends up being that example number, you have a push. When there’s a push, the bettors are given their money back.
So if there were to be a push when you were attempting a middle bet, that particular bet would simply be refunded instead of winning or losing and you would presumably win the other wager from your middle bet.
For the next example, we’ll look at some specific football middle bets.
Middle Betting in Football
Let’s say Bet365 had the point spread for Ohio State at -8.5 with odds of -278. And Caesars had Notre Dame at +8.5 for +300. With the help of an odds calculator, we could determine exactly how much to bet in order to balance out the two wagers so that payout matches for each opposing wager.
In this case, there’s a profit for making these two bets regardless of what happens since one or both of the sportsbooks hasn’t corrected their odds yet. So there’s a golden opportunity to take advantage of.
In this example, the profit was 1.46%, which makes it an arbitrage bet. That may seem like a tiny margin, but over the course of a month, if a sports bettor increased their bankroll by 1.5% daily, it would really add up ($10,000 turns to $15,000).
| Sportsbook | Team | Spread | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bet365 | Ohio State | -8.5 | -278 |
| Caesars | Notre Dame | +8.5 | +300 |
Sometimes, you’ll need to take a minor loss in order to make a middle bet, such as 1%. In these situations, you should consider how likely the middle bet is to hit and make a determination accordingly.
Tips for Making a Middle Bet
Betting fundamentals are, of course, going to be essential to being successful at middle betting. After all, what is a middle in sports betting going to be worth if you are missing the bigger picture?
With that said, here are a few pointers to keep in mind.
Recognize the Importance of Key Numbers in Football
Since so many games are decided by three points in the NFL, any opportunity to middle bet an NFL game where you’re taking 3.5 for one line and laying 2.5 for the other is worth considering.
In that case, it might be worth sacrificing a bit in vig since the likelihood of the middle bet is higher.
Consider Prop Bets on Teams That You’re Already Familiar with
Especially starting out, you should take advantage of the knowledge base you already have. This will help you identify good betting opportunities.
Refer to Historical Data for Deeper Insight
The more data you look into for a prop bet, the more informed your decision-making will be. That will help you to avoid prop bets with high volatility and unpredictable outcomes.
Sportsbooks That Offer the Best Middle Betting
Just about any sportsbook could be one of the best middle betting sites, depending on what sports you’re looking to bet on and what types of bets you’re looking to make.
However, if your primary goal is simply to turn a profit, then it’s best to compare lines between sportsbooks and look for opportunities in markets you wouldn’t normally bet on.
With that said, there are a few sportsbooks that we’ve had good experiences with middle betting before. They are:
| Sportsbook | Key Advantage |
|---|---|
| BetRivers | Frequently has the lowest vig with some lines at -109 or even -108. |
| Bet365 | Widest selection of sports markets means more middle betting opportunities. |
| FanDuel | One of the best sportsbooks for live odds. Great for live middling. |
Money Management and Bankroll Protection
With middling, it’s important to understand that you are risking more at a time. That’s why it’s essential to make totally sure before placing your bets that you’ve crossed your t’s and dotted your i’s.
⚠️ Responsible Gambling Notice: Never bet with more than you can afford to lose. Avoid chasing losses and stay on top of emotional decision-making. If you feel you may have a gambling problem, call 1-800 GAMBLER.
FAQ on Middle Betting
What is middle betting in sports betting?
Middle betting is a sophisticated betting strategy that takes advantage of line discrepancies between different sportsbooks. Think of it as creating a “sweet spot” where you can win multiple bets on the same event. Here's how it works:
For example, imagine a basketball game where:
• Sportsbook A sets the total points at over/under 200.5
• Sportsbook B sets it at over/under 204.5
By betting over 200.5 on Sportsbook A and under 204.5 on Sportsbook B, any final score between 201 and 204 points would win both bets.
Even if you don't hit the middle, you'll typically only lose the vig (commission) since one bet will win while the other loses.
How does middle betting work in practice?
The process of middle betting involves three key steps:
1. Line Shopping: Continuously monitor different sportsbooks to identify discrepancies in their lines.
2. Quick Action: Place your bets promptly when you spot an opportunity, as lines can change rapidly.
3. Calculating Value: Determine if the potential middle opportunity justifies the investment in two separate bets.
For example, if one sportsbook offers an over/under of 214.5 yards for a player and another offers 224.5, betting the over on the lower line and the under on the higher line creates a “middle” range where both bets can win.
Success in middle betting often comes from understanding not just the mechanics, but also the underlying market dynamics that create these opportunities.
Do I need multiple sportsbook accounts for middle betting?
Yes. Simply put, having accounts with multiple sportsbooks is essential for middle betting as it allows you to compare odds and quickly place bets before the lines change.
How can I improve my middle betting strategy?
Improving your middle betting strategy requires a comprehensive approach that combines knowledge, tools, and experience:
1. Sports Knowledge
Understand key numbers in different sports (like 3 and 7 in football) and how they affect line movement.
2. Market Analysis
Study historical data and trends to identify patterns in line movement and betting behavior.
3. Technology and Tools
Use odds comparison tools and calculators to identify and evaluate opportunities.
4. Bankroll Management
Develop a systematic approach to sizing your bets and managing your overall betting portfolio.
Conclusion
Middle betting is one of the most beneficial strategies in sports betting. When done right, it’s like a low-risk lottery ticket. Sometimes you can find arbitrage opportunities along with a middle bet, which a win-win scenario.
However, the strategy isn’t for newcomers. Make sure you do plenty of research on middling before attempting it for the first time. That way you can go into it prepared, well-informed, and ready to pad your bankroll.