How To Avoid Being Gubbed: Matched Betting

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Dec 15, 2023
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✔ Fact Checked and Written by Steven Hillman FCA Chartered Accountant

Steven is the Editor-in-Chief of Sidehustles.co.uk. He is a Chartered Accountant (FCA) and ICAEW Business and Financial Professional (BFP) and has spent years advising clients on different side hustles and taxation.

Home / Make Money Quick / Matched Betting / How to Avoid Being Gubbed: Matched Betting

summary

  • Gubbing limits accounts, reducing matched betting profits.
  • Avoiding popular markets is a beginner's mistake.
  • Watch livestreams and clear cookies to maintain anonymity.

🎧 Listen Now: Sidehustles.co.uk One-Minute Podcast: How to Avoid Being Gubbed: Matched Betting.

Transcript available below.

Tips on How To Avoid Being Gubbed: A Guide for Matched Bettors

Imagine mastering the art of matched betting, a systematic, risk-free approach distinct from traditional gambling, where every promotional offer turns into a guaranteed profit. Then, one day, you find your account mysteriously restricted. Welcome to the world of 'gubbing,' a dreaded scenario for every matched bettor. In this high-stakes game of cat and mouse with the bookmakers, staying one step ahead is not just a skill – it's a necessity. But what if you could outsmart the system?


In this guide, we unveil tips on navigating the matched betting landscape like a pro, sidestepping the pitfalls of account limitations and closures. This isn’t just about betting; it’s about playing the game smarter, not harder. Dive in with us as we explore strategies that keep you under the radar, ensuring your matched betting journey continues profitably and uninterrupted.

What Is Being “Gubbed” in the Matched Betting World?

Image of info graphic to matched betting

Gubbing" is a term well-known in the matched betting community but seldom used outside of it. According to Outplayed, a leading matched betting platform, being gubbed refers to a situation where a bookmaker restricts a bettor's account. This doesn't typically come with a formal declaration of 'gubbing' – the term itself is jargon unique to the matched betting world.


When an account is gubbed, the bettor faces significant limitations. The access to lucrative promotions dwindles, often resulting in smaller winnings. In the most severe cases, gubbing can lead to complete account closure. For a matched bettor, whose profitability hinges on these promotions, getting gubbed is a significant setback, possibly one of the biggest challenges they can encounter. Understanding gubbing is crucial, as it directly impacts the strategies employed in matched betting.

Reasons Why a Bookmaker Might Gubb You

Image of a laptop and tv

Matched betting, recognised as a legal and legitimate method to earn in the UK, operates differently from traditional gambling. It involves using free offers from bookmakers in a strategic way. However, bookmakers often view this practice as taking undue advantage of their bonuses. Consequently, getting gubbed is a form of countermeasure, targeting matched bettors who significantly profit from these offers.


Bookmakers deploy risk management teams tasked with monitoring betting activities. Their goal is to differentiate between average bettors and those who strategically use matched betting techniques. While the specific methods employed by bookmakers are not public knowledge, it is commonly believed in the matched betting community that they assign scores to bettors based on various factors. For instance, accounts primarily placing bets with promotional offers are likely to be flagged.


Another trigger for account restrictions can be a consistent pattern of winning without corresponding losses. Additionally, practices like multi-accounting or gnoming – using multiple accounts to exploit offers – are not only frowned upon but border on illegality. Such tactics are strongly discouraged as they are easily detectable by bookmakers and can lead to account closure.


Once an account is gubbed, options are limited. While there's a possibility of being ungubbed, it’s an uncertain process with no guaranteed timeframe. The pragmatic approach is to accept the gubbing as a setback and move to another bookmaker.

Mug Betting: The Strategy of Blending in to Avoid Gubbing

Image of man hiding in bushes

What's the most effective strategy to avoid being gubbed? The key is to mimic the behaviour of a casual bettor rather than that of a matched bettor. This approach is known as 'mug betting.' By adopting this method, you significantly reduce the likelihood of raising suspicions with bookmakers, appearing to them as someone without intricate knowledge of maximising profits through matched betting.


Engaging in mug betting involves placing bets that aren't solely based on promotional and reload offers and do not guarantee a win. The focus here is on betting on popular or high-profile events, similar to what a typical casual bettor would do. Additionally, it's strategically beneficial to occasionally place bets that allow bookmakers to profit. If your betting pattern consistently undermines the bookmakers' profits, it increases the chances of drawing their attention and scrutiny.


This method is about creating an impression of being an average bettor, reducing the risk of your account being flagged for matched betting and subsequently gubbed. By subtly blending in with the general betting crowd, you can continue to participate in matched betting while minimising the risk of account limitations.

Other Tips To Follow To Avoid Being Gubbed

Image of toy hands holding blocks

Staying under the radar is crucial in matched betting, and acting like a casual bettor is a key part of this. Here are additional strategies to help you avoid being gubbed:


Make Yourself Look Disorganised


On platforms like Outplayed, Oddsmonkey and Profit Maximiser, organisation and timeliness are crucial. But to appear like a casual bettor, occasionally mimic disorganisation. This could mean placing bets spontaneously or at the last minute. It’s a calculated move to appear less systematic and more impulsive.


watch the Livestreams


Bookmakers often track how you use their sites. A typical matched bettor might place a bet and then leave the site. In contrast, casual bettors are more likely to watch the game or race. So, when betting, play the livestream in the background. This creates the impression that you’re betting out of interest in the event, not just the profit.


Bet Another Amount Other Than the Minimum Stake


Consistently betting the minimum stake can be a giveaway that you’re maximising promotional offers. To blend in, vary your stakes, betting more than the minimum occasionally. This creates a betting pattern that resembles that of a typical bettor.


Don’t Avoid the Popular Markets


While obscure markets might sometimes offer better odds, they can also attract attention. Betting on popular events, like Premier League matches, helps you blend in with the casual betting crowd. It's about creating a natural, varied betting pattern.


Regularly Clear Your Cookies


Bookmakers use cookies to track your betting patterns. Regularly clearing your cookies can reduce the amount of data they have on you, making it harder for them to identify patterns that might suggest promotional abuse.


Remember, while these strategies can help you appear like a casual bettor, the underlying approach should remain strategic and informed. And as always, responsible betting practices should be a priority.

FAQs

  • How do you avoid gubbing in matched betting?

    To avoid gubbing, a common challenge in matched betting, adopt the practice of 'mug betting'. This involves placing bets that mimic the behaviour of casual bettors, such as betting on popular events and varying your bet amounts. Additionally, engage in activities like watching livestreams and sporadically clearing your browser cookies to make your betting patterns appear more natural to bookmakers.

  • What is gnoming in matched betting?

    Gnoming in betting refers to the practice of using multiple accounts to take advantage of betting offers. While some matched bettors use this technique to maximise their profits, it's important to note that gnoming is generally considered unethical and, in many cases, can be against the terms of service of bookmakers. This practice can lead to account closures and other penalties.

  • Can you get in trouble for matched betting?

    Matched betting itself is a legal activity; it's a method of exploiting the free bet offers from bookmakers to guarantee a profit. However, it's crucial to follow the terms and conditions set by the bookmakers. Practices like gnoming or consistently exploiting offers without genuine betting activity can lead to account limitations or closures.

  • Do bookies hate matched betting?

    Bookmakers are generally not fond of matched betting because it involves bettors using the bookies' offers to guarantee a profit. As a result, bookmakers employ various methods to identify and limit accounts that they suspect of matched betting. This is known as 'gubbing'. While matched betting is legal, it's a practice that bookmakers vigilantly monitor and often seek to discourage.

Wrapping Up: How To Avoid Getting Gubbed

Image of text final thoughts

In the world of matched betting, being gubbed stands as one of the most significant setbacks, hindering your ability to maximise profits. To navigate this challenge, it's essential to adopt the mindset of a bookmaker, understanding their methods of monitoring and assessing betting accounts. The most effective strategy involves blending in as a casual or mug bettor, someone seemingly unaware of how to fully leverage promotional or bonus offers for consistent profit.


While there's no foolproof way to ensure your account stays under the radar indefinitely, the tips and insights we've shared are invaluable in minimising the risk of account limitations. Remember, matched betting is a dynamic field, requiring continuous learning and adaptation to changing scenarios. By staying informed and strategic, you can continue to enjoy the benefits of matched betting while keeping your accounts safe and profitable.


As the landscape of matched betting evolves, so should your strategies. Keep exploring, stay adaptable, and let your betting journey be as rewarding as it is insightful.

BEFORE YOU GO...

Before you go, there's more to explore in the realm of matched betting. Having delved into the strategies to avoid being gubbed, why not expand your knowledge further? Our next article offers an in-depth comparison between OddsMonkey and Outplayed, two leading matched betting services. This comparison will equip you with the insights needed to choose the right platform for your betting journey. Stay informed and ahead of the game – read our upcoming article for a comprehensive guide on OddsMonkey vs Outplayed.


ODDSMONKEY VS OUTPLAYED COMPARISON

sidehustles.co.uk one-minute podcast

🎧 Listen Now: Sidehustles.co.uk One-Minute Podcast

How to Avoid Being Gubbed: Matched Betting.

Welcome to the Sidehustles.co.uk One Minute Podcast. In the next 60 seconds, we're sharing a real-world insight from our network of seasoned side hustlers. This quick tip is designed to offer you practical advice that you can apply immediately in your side hustle journey.


Today, we're discussing How to Avoid Being Gubbed when Matched Betting. One crucial aspect of matched betting is avoiding account limitations, known as 'gubbing'. A practical tip? Engage in activities that mimic typical betting behaviour. For instance, watching livestreams of the events you bet on and regularly clearing your browser cookies are simple yet effective practices. These actions make your betting patterns appear more natural to bookmakers, reducing the risk of your account being flagged. This tip isn't just about avoiding detection; it's about smartly integrating into the betting ecosystem while still capitalising on the opportunities matched betting offers. It’s a straightforward yet powerful approach to ensure you continue to enjoy the benefits of matched betting without unnecessary disruptions.


That's your one-minute real-world insight. Stay tuned for more!

a small but important disclaimer sign with a piggy bank

We explicitly do not advocate gambling. Our focus is exploring legitimate side hustles, including matched betting, which is mathematically designed to be risk-free. Be aware, human error and rare instances of bookmakers withholding bonuses can introduce risk. Profits vary with time and effort. Read terms carefully and proceed with informed caution.


🔞 Matched Betting is for over 18s only and requires the placement of bets on gambling sites. If you do have any concerns about gambling, please get in touch with GambleAware.

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✔ Fact Checked and Written by 

Steven Hillman FCA Chartered Accountant


Steven is the Editor-in-Chief of Sidehustles.co.uk. He is a Chartered Accountant (FCA) and ICAEW Business and Financial Professional (BFP) and has spent years advising clients on different side hustles and taxation.

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