Hedging Calculator

A hedge bets the opposite side of an open position so both outcomes return the same amount — converting an uncertain result into a fixed one. Useful when a futures bet is one game from cashing, or a line has moved hard in your favour.

Enter your original bet and the odds currently available on the other side. The calculator returns the exact hedge stake, the result you lock either way (it can be negative — the calculator is honest about that), and the unhedged alternative so you can compare.

Original stake (€)

Original odds

Hedge odds (other side, now)

Hedge stake

€187.50

Locked result

+€12.50

Locked ROI

4.35%

If you don't hedge

+€200.00 / −€100.00

How to use the Hedging Calculator

1
Enter the stake and decimal odds of your ORIGINAL open bet (the position you want to reduce).
2
Enter the decimal odds available RIGHT NOW on the opposite outcome.
3
Read the hedge stake for an equal result both ways, the locked profit or loss, and what you'd stand to win or lose if you don't hedge.

Worked examples

Example 1 — line moved your way

You staked €100 at 3.00 (returns €300). The other side now trades at 1.60. Hedge stake = 300 ÷ 1.60 = €187.50. Total outlay €287.50, both outcomes return €300 — a locked +€12.50 (+4.3% ROI). Unhedged you'd win €200 or lose €100.

Example 2 — hedging locks a loss

You staked €100 at 2.00, but the other side only trades at 1.80 (the line moved against you). Hedge stake = 200 ÷ 1.80 = €111.11; outlay €211.11 against a €200 return — a locked −€11.11. Sometimes capping a loss is still the right call, but the calculator won't pretend it's a win.

FAQ

Hedging Calculator FAQ

What is hedging a bet?

Hedging means betting the opposite side of an open position so that both outcomes return a similar amount. Typical situations: your futures bet is one game from cashing, the line has moved heavily in your favour, or you want to take risk off a parlay's last leg. The hedge converts an uncertain outcome into a fixed result — usually a smaller, certain profit instead of a larger, uncertain one.

How is the equal-profit hedge stake calculated?

Hedge stake = (original stake × original odds) ÷ hedge odds. Example: €100 at 3.00 returns €300 if it wins. With hedge odds of 1.60 on the other side, staking €300 ÷ 1.60 = €187.50 makes both outcomes return €300 against a €287.50 total outlay — a locked €12.50 either way.

When does hedging lock in a loss?

When the implied probabilities of your entry odds and the current hedge odds sum to more than 100% (1/original + 1/hedge > 1). That happens when the line moved against you, or when the combined vig eats the gap. The calculator shows the locked result in red when it is negative — sometimes accepting a small certain loss still beats holding the full risk, but that is a judgment call, not math.

Should I always hedge when I can lock a profit?

Mathematically, hedging at vigged odds usually sacrifices expected value — you pay the hedge book's margin for certainty. If you only care about long-run EV and can absorb the variance, not hedging is typically the higher-EV play. Hedging makes sense when the position is large relative to your bankroll, when your Kelly stake would never have been this size, or when the certainty has real value to you.

BetEdge is an analytics and decision-support tool — not a bookmaker and not a tipster service. We don't accept bets or hold funds. For educational and informational purposes only. 18+.

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