Hedge Calculator
Calculate the optimal hedge stake to guarantee profit regardless of outcome.
What is Hedging?
Hedging is placing a second bet on the opposite outcome to lock in a guaranteed profit or minimize potential loss. It is most common when your original bet is in a strong position, like the last leg of a parlay. The hedge calculator determines exactly how much to wager on the opposing side so you profit no matter what happens. While hedging reduces your maximum potential payout, it eliminates risk. This is useful when the guaranteed profit is large enough to justify giving up additional upside.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I hedge a bet?
When the guaranteed profit from hedging is larger than the EV-weighted expected return of letting the bet ride. Common use cases: locking in profit on a parlay's last leg, or capping downside on a futures bet.
Does hedging always reduce my long-term ROI?
Yes - you're paying vig twice and giving up positive EV. But hedging is about variance reduction, not ROI maximization. Bankroll insurance has value.
How do I split stakes for a perfect hedge?
The calculator does the math. The principle: stake the hedge so the payout on either outcome equals the same dollar amount.
Can I hedge across sportsbooks?
Yes - and you should, since you'll often find better hedge odds at a different book than where you placed the original.