Thinking about starting matched betting? You definitely should!
Matched betting is the easiest and fastest way I’ve found to make money from home. You can potentially earn hundreds or even thousands of pounds each month. And don’t worry, it’s not gambling, despite the name.
Matched betting uses special calculators to match your bets (both for and against an outcome) so you shouldn’t lose money. The profit comes from the free bet special offers. If you follow the instructions carefully, you should make money every time.
I use the training service Outplayed, which has detailed guides for each offer. I earned my first £1000 in just under three months, which is actually slow compared to others in the matched betting community.
If you’re ready to get started, here are my top tips for beginners:
1. **Take it slow**: It can be confusing at first, especially if you’ve never placed a bet online before. Spend time understanding the first few offers. You’ll make money as long as you don’t make mistakes, and you’ll get faster with practice.
2. **Start with football matches**: Avoid betting on horses until you’re more experienced because horse odds can change quickly, especially near race time. If the odds change while placing your bets, don’t panic; it’s fixable, but easier to avoid the hassle when you’re new.
3. **Avoid matches that are in play or about to start**: Odds are more likely to change closer to kick-off. It’s easier to choose matches starting in a day or two if you’re just starting out.
4. **Don’t be put off by the jargon**: Matched betting has its own lingo which can be confusing at first. I created a matched betting glossary to help newbies like me. Anything else you don’t understand can usually be solved with a quick Google search or by asking on the Outplayed forums.
5. **Set up a new email address**: You’ll get a lot of promotional emails from bookies. Keep all your matched betting emails in one place so you can easily check for new offers.
6. **Think ahead if you’re planning to apply for a mortgage**: Matched betting doesn’t affect your credit rating, but bank staff might not understand it. If they see a lot of bookie transactions, it might look like you have a gambling problem. Some people use a separate bank account for matched betting, but some mortgage providers may want to see statements from all accounts. It might be safer to take a break for a few months before applying.
7. **Consider using a separate bank account**: It’s a good idea to keep your matched betting transactions separate from your everyday money. It helps track your transactions and work towards a savings goal. Plus, it’s motivating to see your balance grow each month. Note that some bookies don’t offer bonuses if you deposit via PayPal or other money transfer services, so check the terms and conditions.
8. **Save up to create a matched betting fund**: You need about £60 to start, but things will be slow at first as you wait for each bet to settle. The more money in your fund, the more offers you can do, and the quicker you’ll make money. Outplayed recommends a fund of about £1000-£3000. My plan is to keep around £1500 for matched betting in my PayPal and Betfair accounts, and then ‘pay’ myself anything above that at the end of each month.
9. **Don’t be scared or panic**: Sometimes things go wrong, but most issues are easy to fix. If you’re an Outplayed member, you can contact customer support or ask on the forums or Facebook group. There’s support 7 days a week and a community of matched bettors who help each other out.
Get started! Matched betting has been life-changing for me, not just for the money (I’ve made about £1,500 so far), but because it’s the first time I’ve made real money through a side hustle. It’s opened my eyes to other possibilities and boosted my confidence in making money and my future. If you haven’t signed up to Outplayed yet, give it a try.
Any questions? Feel free to ask. I want everyone to succeed with this! And for those already doing matched betting, do you have any more tips to share?