Middle Betting for Beginners: A Simple Guide

A middle bet is a wager placed on two different outcomes to guarantee a return at the best betting sites, whatever happens. Betting the middle has a certain knack, but with some good research, you can secure a profit without sweating the winner. 

What is Middle Betting?

Middle betting is similar to arbitrage (“arbing”) in soccer wagering. It’s a way to bet on two outcomes in the same game to minimize the risk and almost guarantee a profit. 

The middle bet is most common in betting markets that have a spread attached. These include point spread and totals (O/U) markets. For moneyline bets, it’s harder to find arbitrage potential unless you do a lot of research on dozens of sportsbooks. 
Essentially, you are trying to find the “middle”, the sweet spot between two opposing bookmaker positions.  For example, by betting Over points at one bookmaker and Under points on the same market with another bookie, you are finding the “middle” and guaranteeing a return. 

Betting the middle requires some homework to hunt out the best bets. However, you can use a middle betting calculator to work out what size stake you need to maximize profits. 

How Does Middle Betting Work?

The mid bet is used predominantly in games that offer point spread and total points (over/under) markets. These include football, basketball, and baseball. You bet on both sides of the spread to maximize your potential returns. 

Imagine you find the Kansas City Chiefs at -6.5 on the point spread versus the Miami Dolphins. You place a bet at -6.5pts for the Chiefs to cover the spread. The Dolphins are +6.5 points on the spread. 

During the week, the bookmaker moves its line and makes the Chiefs a -11 point favorite. The Dolphins are now +11, i.e. they have an 11-point points advantage going into the game. You can now bet on the Dolphins at +11 points and secure a “middle bet” of 4.5 points. 

The best outcome is that you win both point spread bets at once. However, there is still some wiggle room that you secure a profit if only wager wins. 

Here are the possible outcomes:

•    Chiefs win by 7 points: You win on the Chiefs
•    Dolphins lose by 10 points or less: You win on the Dolphins
•    Chiefs win by 12 points: Both bets win

Benefits & Drawbacks of Middle Betting

There are several pros and cons to employing the middle bet. Remember to do your homework and never bet with money you can’t afford to lose. 

Best Sports for Middle Betting

Here’s a quick recap of which sports to look out for when you try a middle bet. Remember, all of our top-rated online sportsbooks at Sportsboom offer totals (O/U), point spreads, and moneyline wagering on all US sports. 

You want to find sports that have potential for high point totals. Soccer is a trickier prospect as the Asian Handicap doesn’t offer a lot of wiggle room for spreads. 

•    NHL (Totals, Puck Line)
•    NBA (Totals, Point Spread)
•    MLB (Totals, Run Line)
•    NFL/Football (Totals, Point Spread)