What is a Middle Bet in Sports Betting?
A middle bet in sports betting is when you place two bets on two opposing lines, and hope the result lands in the middle of your two bets, resulting in both bets winning.
With lines on totals and spread markets always moving, these markets are perfect for placing middle bets across NFL, NBA, and more. We'll go into more detail on middle bets and how to spot middle bet opportunities below.
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How Does a Middle Bet Work?
A middle bet in sports betting is where you place two wagers on the same game that oppose each other, to create a window of outcomes (middle) where both bets can win - and result in a high payout.
Middle betting is popular across high scoring events and sports, as higher scoring sports provide greater middle margin than low scoring sports. Football and basketball are the best sports for middle betting, across point spread or point totals markets.
If you bet on Over 45.5 Total Points in a football game, and Under 48.5 Total Points in the same game, this gives you a middle margin of 3 points - if the game ends with either 46, 47, or 48 total points, both of your bets win - this is called a middle bet.
Why Do Bettors Use Middle Bets?
Middle bets are popular with bettors as they offer high payouts if you can successfully land your bet in the middle, while you can ensure only minimal losses by betting on two opposite outcomes in the same game. The ideal scenario is that the spread or points total of the game you have wagered opposite outcomes on lands in the middle of your bets. This would provide a high payout, as both of your bets win.
But, middle betting essentially ensures that even if the game doesn't end in the middle margin between your two bets, you are still guaranteed a return on one of your bets, by placing them to oppose each other. Different sportsbooks offer different spread and totals lines for football and basketball games, creating the perfect opportunity for middle betting.
Examples of Middle Bets
Middle bets are commonly placed on spread and totals lines across basketball and football markets. Here are examples of how to place middle bets, and what you need to happen to win a middle bet.
Bet 1 | Bet 2 | Middle Range | Best Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
Team A -3.5 | Team B +6.5 | Team A wins by 4-6 points | Both bets win |
Team A -5 | Team B +9 | Team A wins by 6-8 points | Both bets win |
Over 55.5 Total Points | Under 60.5 Total Points | Total points 56-60 | Both bets win |
Over 214.5 Total Points | Under 219.5 Total Points | Total points 215-219 | Both bets win |
When Is a Middle Bet Worth Making?
A middle bet is worth making when there are clear discrepancies between how different sportsbooks have priced spread or totals markets, or major line movements in these markets. The larger the gap between two sportsbook lines, the wider your middle window is, therefore the better chance you have of your middle bet winning.
The perfect opportunity to place a middle bet is when the cost of missing the middle (the vig or juice) is smaller than the implied mathematical value of hitting the sweet spot between two different betting lines.
A middle bet is worth taking when there is a wide middle on offer, and the cost of missing the middle is at worst, a small loss on your outlay. If there is a small middle margin available, and missing the middle could result in a big loss, it's not worth middle betting.
Advantages and Risks of Middle Betting
As with any method of sports betting, there are benefits and drawbacks. Here are some of the key advantages and disadvantages of middle betting on sports.
Advantages
- Potential for big payouts if the score lands within your middle margin
- Market inefficiencies between sportsbooks can lead to big discrepancies in line pricing
- One bet always wins, capping your downside to roughly the vig on the losing leg
Risks
- Double the outlay - for middle betting to work, you must place two bets at a time, which must be considered before placing, as it may not fit your bankroll
- High juice can deny profits if the game doesn't land in the middle, meaning you will likely make a loss overall
How to Find Middle Betting Opportunities
The best way to identify middle betting opportunities is by comparing point spreads and totals for the same game across various sportsbooks to look for discrepancies in lines. The more significant the discrepancy, the better the opportunity for a middle bet is, as there is a bigger 'middle window' where both of your opposing bets can win.
It's also worth looking for specific gaps between your two lines. In football spread betting for example, gaps of 3 or more points are valuable, as numbers like 3 and 7 are common scoring margins between two teams.
When looking for a middle bet opportunity, also consider how much you will lose if you miss the middle. If your loss will be minimal if the game doesn't land in the middle, it could be a good opportunity for a middle bet, if the potential payout for landing in the middle is high.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Middle Betting
Middle betting can quickly become confusing when trying to figure out potential payouts and profit margins of two opposing wagers across three different potential outcomes, and one of the most common mistakes when middle betting is simply miscalculating potential payouts, and therefore risking losing money if you miss the middle.
Another common mistake is betting on volatile markets, such as player props. These markets have a sharp vig, and it's recommended to stick to more common markets such as spread and totals, where odds are less volatile and the market is slower to correct itself.
Not accounting for the vig is another common mistake when middle betting. The vig is the fee charged by the sportsbook for accepting a bet, and as middle betting requires two bets, that's two times as much vig. You must ensure the potential payout from the middle comfortably beats these losses, or the strategy will not be profitable long term.
Additional Betting Insight & Explainers
The Fanatics Sportsbook blog offers further insight to sports betting markets, terms, and methods, including:
- What Is a Futures Bet? Futures Betting Explained
- What Is Live Sports Betting?
- What Is a Prop Bet? A Beginner's Guide to Sports Prop Betting
- What Is a Point Spread?
- What Is Line Movement in Sports Betting?
Middle Bet FAQs
What is a successful middle bet?
A successful middle bet is when you place two opposing bets on the same event at different point totals or spreads, and the final score lands exactly between the gap between your two wagers, meaning you win both bets.
If you bet on both Under 56.5 Total Points in a game and Over 53.5 Total Points in a game and the game finishes with 54 points, this is a successful middle bet.
Can you win both bets in a middle?
Yes, winning both bets in a middle bet is the goal. By taking two opposing bets in the same game, you are hoping that the result finishes in the middle of your bets, meaning both of your bets win. This is how you win on a middle bet.
Is middle betting legal in the US?
Yes, middle betting is completely legal in the US. You are simply placing two separate bets on opposite outcomes with licensed bookmakers, so there are no legal issues with placing middle bets.
Which sports are best for middle betting?
Sports that are good for middle betting include basketball and football, as these sports tend to have high scoring numbers, meaning greater discrepancies in spread and totals lines compared to sports like soccer and baseball. These lines are also constantly changing in-game, making live middle betting an excellent opportunity for winning middle bets.
What's the difference between a middle and an arbitrage bet?
The key difference between middle bets and arbitrage bets is that arbitrage betting guarantees a profit by betting on every possible outcome of an event where there are odds discrepancies across sportsbooks, while middle betting involves placing opposing bets at different lines on spread or totals markets, while trying to land in the middle of the two lines you have bet on.
If the result lands in the middle of your two opposing bets, your middle bet has won, but if the middle isn't hit, you will likely break even or make a narrow loss due to the vig. Arbitrage betting guarantees profit, while middle betting doesn't.
Reviewed by Fanatics