Betting strategy for low odds: How to profit from low odds betting

Table of contents

If you’ve ever followed betting predictions from tipsters, you might have noticed that they usually offer forecasts with medium or high odds. It’s often assumed that finding an event with low odds is easy, and such bets do not attract much attention. However, betting on low odds can be one of the simplest ways to earn money: just filter out matches where an upset is unlikely.

In this article, you will learn about the low odds betting strategy, its pros and cons, and how to find games that fit this approach.

What Is the low odds betting strategy?

The main advantage of betting on low odds is their high probability of success. It is much easier to find a suitable match with odds of 1.3 than to select uncertain events with a probability of around 60%. The essence of this strategy is to place bets on events with odds no higher than 1.40, balancing decent profit with minimal risk.

Some bettors even place bets on extremely low odds, such as 1.01–1.02. In these cases, large sums are needed for small gains, but the high likelihood of success can compensate for the less cautious bank management.

How to bet correctly

Various tactics can be employed when using low odds betting. Some recommend dividing your bankroll into 10 parts and betting them in succession, going all-in with each part. Over a long distance, one part can yield a significant profit that covers losses and puts you ahead. In this case, it’s best to use odds between 1.14 and 1.20.

For those who prefer a conservative approach, a flat betting strategy is advisable. You choose a fixed percentage of your balance and bet only that amount, regardless of the current balance. Periodic adjustments can be made if the balance grows or shrinks significantly.

The riskiest method involves betting on outcomes with odds of 1.05 or lower. These bets can help you recover quickly from a loss, but a single loss can wipe out your bankroll.

Types of strategies

Next, we will examine different strategies for winning with low odds, depending on the type of outcome. Most of these strategies are based on football but can be applied to other sports as well.

Total

One of the simplest ways to bet on low odds is using the total. Find a football match from a high-scoring league and bet that at least one goal will be scored. Pre-match, this can be done with odds around 1.10 or lower, but it’s also effective in live betting, especially if you wait until the middle of the first half or even halftime. By then, the odds on the over may have increased, offering better returns.

It’s important to note that bookmakers often build in a high margin for outcomes with extremely high or low odds, making arbitrage impossible. Players who overlook this can end up with significant losses.

To consistently win on football totals, wait until the 20–25 minute mark before placing your bet on a goal being scored. By this time, the odds will have slightly increased, but the chances of winning remain high.

Handicap

Beginner bettors often bet on negative handicaps for favorites. Instead, consider the opposite outcome. For example, in a match between Osasuna and Real Madrid, the odds of the visitors’ victory might be around 1.70. You could take a +2 handicap on Osasuna with odds of 1.03 and enjoy the game, knowing that a three-goal win for the underdog is highly unlikely.

You could also bet on the second team winning, but keep in mind that top teams often rest their key players before Champions League matches, fielding second-string lineups. Bettors frequently overlook this and increase their risk of losing.

Express

Sometimes, you might not want to bet on odds of 1.04 or 1.05 repeatedly for small gains. As an alternative, you can use express bets, combining multiple such outcomes. To win such a bet, choose matches where the most likely outcomes are one team winning or a high total. Club football matches are ideal for this, as they are easier to analyze.

You can select different odds: 2–3 matches with odds of 1.40 each, or even 10 matches with odds of 1.01 each. Remember that low odds act as a strong multiplier in express bets. A slight drop in odds can significantly reduce the final payout.

Moreover, beginners often forget about the margin in express: odds are multiplied, increasing the bookmaker’s share in the final odds. The betting industry thrives on players losing on such bets.

Flat betting

The most reliable way to bet on low odds is to use a fixed percentage of your balance. This approach requires either a large bankroll or a high percentage to make the profit substantial. Bets with odds of 1.01 won’t contribute much to your overall profit.

When using flat betting, choose optimal odds between 1.30 and 1.40. This range offers a good balance between risk and reward. Bookmakers can’t add a significant margin to these odds, and in live betting, you can find value bets, especially in football or tennis.

Live Betting

Live betting is a favorite for many players. It offers several key advantages:

  • The match is already underway, so you don’t have to wait.
  • You can use a chase strategy after a loss.
  • There is more room for analyzing the games.

However, live betting requires psychological resilience. Otherwise, you might lose your entire bankroll in minutes. Small odds in live betting can quickly increase your balance if you manage your bankroll and choose events wisely.

Low odds live betting means avoiding bets in local leagues and focusing on predictable outcomes.

Odds Below 1.2

Using low odds can almost guarantee a win and a bank increase. However, remember that bookmakers restrict withdrawals immediately after deposits. You’ll need to bet on higher odds to meet turnover requirements and withdraw your funds.

Tips for selecting matches and managing your bankroll

The low odds betting strategy requires careful match selection and bankroll management:

  • Choose football matches from popular leagues to minimize the chance of an upset.
  • The odds should be sufficient to increase your bank and cover potential losses.
  • Don’t bet your entire bankroll unless you’re 100% sure of the outcome; otherwise, the bookmaker will profit, not you.

Best matches for the strategy

This strategy works well for matches in top leagues: Bundesliga, English Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, and Eredivisie, where upsets are rare. Even in Ligue 1, PSG sometimes loses to lesser teams due to a lack of motivation.

In lower divisions, where teams are more evenly matched, this strategy may be less effective and could lead to significant losses.

As with any strategy, approach small odds betting with caution. Choose your bets wisely, and positive results will follow.