STEALTH GUIDE
How not to get banned
Arbitrage is not illegal. But books don't like consistent winners — they will limit or ban accounts that show clear arbing patterns. This guide shows you how to operate quietly and extend the life of your accounts.
ℹ️This is general information based on common experience in the arbing community. It is not financial or legal advice. Always follow each bookmaker's terms of service.
What books look for
Stake precision
High risk
Timing between legs
High risk
Always best odds
Medium risk
Instant withdrawals
Medium risk
No recreational bets
Medium risk
Same books repeatedly
Low risk
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Stake sizing
How you size your bets is the clearest signal books use to identify arbers.
01
Never place the exact mathematical split
If the calculator says £47.23, place £47 or £48 — never the precise decimal. Books flag suspiciously precise stakes immediately.
02
Use odd, natural-looking numbers
Real punters bet £50, £75, or £100. Arbers bet £47.23. Round to the nearest £5 or add a random £1–3 offset to look human.
03
Don't always use the same stake
Vary your total stake between arbs. Sometimes £40, sometimes £60, sometimes £80. A fixed stake on every bet is a pattern.
04
Stay well below maximum stake limits
Always betting the maximum on a book is a major red flag. Stay under 70% of their limit, especially on books you want to preserve.
⏱️
Timing
When you place — and how fast — matters as much as how much.
01
Wait 20–30 seconds between legs
Don't place both legs within seconds of each other. A short delay looks natural. Millisecond-perfect simultaneous placement screams automation.
02
Don't log in and immediately bet
Browse the site for 30–60 seconds first. Click on some markets. Act like you're deciding. Books track session behaviour, not just bet patterns.
03
Avoid betting right when lines open
Sharp money moves immediately when lines open. If you're always first to bet on a newly opened market, you'll get flagged as a sharp.
04
Place the less liquid leg first
Place your bet on the smaller or less liquid book first. If odds move before you place the second leg, you'll have locked in the better side already.
🎭
Behave like a punter
Books don't just look at your bets — they look at your whole account behaviour.
01
Place some recreational single bets
Occasionally back your team, a favourite, or a popular market with a small stake. £5–10 on a Premier League match makes your account look real.
02
Don't only bet on obscure markets
Arbs often appear on niche markets with thin liquidity. If you only ever bet on AHL ice hockey or Kazakh football, books notice.
03
Rotate sports and markets
Mix football, tennis, basketball and more. A real punter has interests. An arber follows the algorithm wherever it points.
04
Don't bet exclusively on the best odds
Real punters are lazy — they don't always shop for the best price. Occasionally take a slightly worse price on a book you want to preserve.
🏦
Account management
How you handle money in and out is watched just as closely as your bets.
01
Don't withdraw immediately after winning
Leave winnings in your account for a few days. Instant withdrawals after a profitable run is a classic arber pattern.
02
Avoid round-number withdrawals
Withdrawing exactly £500.00 or £1,000.00 looks automated. Withdraw £487 or £523 instead.
03
Use different payment methods where possible
Using the same card on multiple accounts (via shared IPs or devices) can trigger cross-account linking. Use separate cards and devices where you can.
04
Never bonus abuse on arbing accounts
Using welcome bonuses and free bets while arbing on the same account dramatically accelerates your gub or ban. Keep bonus accounts separate.
♟️
Long-term strategy
Think in months, not bets. Protect your most valuable accounts.
01
Categorise your books
Divide books into 'long-term' (Betfair Exchange, Smarkets — exchange-based, arber-friendly) and 'short-term' (soft books you'll eventually lose). Protect the long-term ones.
02
Accept smaller edges on valuable books
On a book you want to keep for years, only take arbs with a smaller margin. Don't hammer a soft book with every 3%+ arb you find.
03
Rotate books — don't hammer the same pair
If Bet365 and Unibet appear together on every single arb you place, both books will notice the pattern. Spread your action across as many books as possible.
04
Use exchanges as anchor legs
Betfair Exchange, Smarkets, and Matchbook don't ban winners — they make money on commission regardless. Use them as one leg of your arbs to protect soft book accounts.
05
Have sacrificial accounts
Some soft books will gub or limit you no matter what. Accept it. Use them hard while they last, then move on. Don't waste caution on books that were never going to last.
Quick reference
✅ Do
Round your stakes to natural numbers
Wait 20–30s between legs
Browse before betting
Place recreational bets occasionally
Rotate sports and books
Use exchanges as anchor legs
Leave winnings in your account
❌ Don't
Place exact decimal stakes
Place both legs simultaneously
Log in and immediately bet
Always take the best available odds
Hammer the same two books
Withdraw immediately after winning
Mix bonus abuse with arbing
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