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Hedging a bet explained: What it means and how to do it

James Leeland

By James Leeland - Last Updated on October 6, 2026

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Have you been wondering how to hedge a bet, but you’re not really sure what it’s all about? In this guide, we will be clueing you in on what hedge betting is and how you can hedge some bets of your own.

We will examine the different types of hedge betting as well as impart our wisdom and practical tips on what your best avenues are for getting the most enjoyment out of hedge betting. Read on to learn everything you need to know to get started.

Table of Contents

Overview of Hedge Betting

You may have heard of the term ‘hedge your bets’ as a phrase used to describe a situation where somebody is staying open to multiple possibilities and not making a definitive choice. This phrase derives from the technical term hedge betting and gives you an idea of what it truly means. Hedge betting in sports betting means to place two bets that have two opposing outcomes so that you can guarantee yourself a win. It can also be used when you place more than two bets, but these bets would have to be on the same event, and the different outcomes would have to contradict each other to get the desired result.

The simplest example of hedge betting is where two teams are playing against each other, the favourite and the underdog. To hedge your bets for this match, you could place a bet on the favourite to win and also a bet on the underdog to win. That way, as long as the game doesn’t tie, you will win something. You could even put a third bet on a tie to completely cover yourself. The aim of the game when it comes to hedge betting is to try and reduce risk and guarantee some form of reimbursement.

Pros and Cons of Hedge Betting

Pros and Cons

Pros and Cons
  • Minimize losses
  • Easy to carry out
  • Can guarantee a payout
  • Not allowed at all sportsbooks

Partial Vs Full Hedge Betting

There are two main types of hedge betting that you could try. I’ve broken them down so you can learn what the lowdown is with a quick scan. Hedge betting sometimes gets mistaken for each-way betting, but this is an entirely different concept. You can take a look at each way betting explained if you want to find out what it’s all about.

Partial hedge bet Having a primary bet and placing a small wager on the opposite result as insurance
Full hedge bet Betting the same amount of money on two opposing outcomes

Different Betting Types to Try Hedge Betting

Hedging can be used in various types of betting and we’ve compiled a list of what to focus on and why. We want to make it as easy for you as possible to get started and give you all the facts so you don’t have to do any research. These modes of betting can also be useful, whether you are considering a parlay betting strategy or moneyline betting strategy.

Future Betting

Future betting simply refers to placing a bet on a future game. You decide on your bet for the upcoming event and place the bet, which is then decided and cannot be changed. This is the opposite of live betting, where you partake once the game has already begun. You can take a look at the different variables for an upcoming match and place a bet on the two different outcomes. Then all you have to do is wait until the match finishes and you will have a payout.

In-play/live Betting

Live hedge betting is a great way to get involved in the action when it has already begun. There is no need to quickly gather your bets together before the game has started and just wait around to hear your fate. You can get a feel for the energy of the match and make a decision whenever you feel it’s best. You might even change your mind if a team gets ahead by a lot of points or goals right off the bat, you may decide it’s not worth the hedge bet as the winner is already clear.

If you have been wondering about the meaning of fixed odds, it is worth noting that both live betting and future betting will most commonly use fixed odds, where the odds you receive when placing your initial bet remain the same and do not fluctuate.

Top Tips to Maximise Your Hedge Betting Enjoyment

We’ve collected our best pieces of advice to help you apply your hedge betting strategy. Remember, no strategy can guarantee success when it comes to sports betting and you must never see hedge betting or any other type of betting as a source of income.

  • 🎲 Use Different Sportsbooks for Each Bet

    Not all sportsbooks allow hedge betting and you will be unable to do so if you attempt it and potentially banned from that particular operator. Check with the betting site you use before you consider placing a hedge bet. A simple way around this matter, however, is to use a different sportsbook for your opposing bet. You place your first bet with one operator and then use an account with another operator for your second bet. Another benefit of this method is that you can shop the different odds and try and get the best possible odds for each of your bets, which can increase your potential payouts.

  • ⚽ Look for Games Where a Draw is Not Possible

    Hedge betting is usually played with two opposing outcomes, as more than that would require too much in outgoing costs. There are, however, plenty of games out there that you might want to bet on where a draw is a possibility, but you can choose to avoid these games. In football, for example, the Premier League is tricky because a draw is always possible, but if you instead bet on the Champions League past the group stages, then the games will go to penalties and force a win. These would be the best football matches for hedge betting. Another place to look for suitable games to hedge bets is at betting exchanges, but make sure you know exactly what they’re all about by reading up on betting exchanges explained.

  • 💰 Hedge Within Your Means

    It is vital that you manage your bankroll wisely when taking part in hedge betting and always play within your means. You should set yourself a clear budget of money that you can afford to potentially lose and stick to the budget. You can set yourself limits for specific sessions with both a budget and a time limit. Hedge betting can add up, especially since you are playing two bets or more per game, so make sure that you actually have the money to try this method. If you ever feel that you are playing irresponsibly and focusing too much on trying to make money rather than enjoyment, then it is definitely time to take a break and access the support available.

  • 🎉 Use Bonuses and Promotions

    You can amp up your hedge betting potential by making sure that both sides of your hedge bet are part of a promotional bet. To do this, you would most likely have to use more than one sportsbook, but most hedge bettors already do this to avoid unfair play accusations. One sports betting site may be offering boosted odds on a certain bet, and another may be offering a free bet. You could use one of the offers to place one outcome and the other offer to place the opposing hedge bet. This way, you can maximise the amount you could potentially win and minimise the amount you wager.

Final Thoughts on Hedge Betting

We’ve covered just about everything when it comes to hedge betting and how to get started when trying it out with your favourite sports. The sports betting universe is jam-packed with different outcomes and there are always games available with a winner/loser result. This means that you can give hedge betting a go and only have to place two bets at once to get a guarantee of some form of a payout. We’ve given you our top-tier advice for keeping your head in the game and ensuring you always play responsibly. And, if you’re looking for a good betting site to apply this strategy, we recommend choosing one from our banners. Click on the links to claim a welcome offer.

Hedge Betting – FAQs

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