The fantastic range of tools available here at OddsMonkey are just part of the package. When it comes to matched betting, you also need a healthy-looking set of bookmaker accounts. How do you keep them looking healthy? Check out these top tips to avoid being gubbed.

Once you’ve set up an account with Coral, Paddy Power, Skybet and everyone else, you’ll want to look after them – wrap them up in cotton wool, if you need to! Seriously – they’re that important to your matched betting career. The last thing you want is for your accounts to be closed, restricted or ‘gubbed’.

Find out more about account restrictions in this post.

Whilst OddsMonkey can’t guarantee that the tips below will prevent your accounts being restricted or be held liable to any actions that a bookmaker may take, we do want to pass on the advice some of our Premium members have shared in the Community.

Top tips to avoid being gubbed:

– Stick to what you know

Stick to well-known or high profile events. Premier League, Champions League, Masters Golf, Grand National. (Remember – that obscure Russian 2nd Division football match with the team’s whose names you can’t pronounce may just catch the bookmaker’s eye.

– Show your mug

You stand to make a small loss by doing this, but you’ll be making your account look more like that of a mug punter, which is really who the bookies want as customers. To do this, regularly place a bet on your favourite sport or team – laying it off, of course.

– Change things up

Don’t always bet the lowest qualifying amount. Notorious gubber, BetVictor, offers a ‘£30 free bet when you place your first £10 bet’. As matched bettors, we’d usually deposit and bet £10 to get our £30 free bet. However, information suggests this could spark a trigger with this particular bookmaker. By depositing and betting a different amount – maybe £20 or £30 – we might be able to stay under the radar and keep our account from suspicion.

– Timing is everything

Try and place your qualifying bets on the day of the offer, ideally just before the event starts. This helps give the impression that you’ve just found the offer and it wasn’t on a ‘to do’ list.

– Put yourself about a bit

Use other parts of the bookmaker’s site. A few spins in a casino or playing bingo using a small amount of your profit will go a long way to convincing them you are a genuine customer.

– Don’t bet odd amounts

If you’re dutching and the stake is £28.56, round it to the nearest pound or even the nearest £5 to be safe. This isn’t necessary on the betting exchanges but can stand out at the bookmakers.

– Keep a( )float

If you don’t need to withdraw funds, just leave the money in the bookie account. This is obviously based upon personal circumstances, but withdrawing sometimes draws attention, putting your activity under scrutiny.

– Think smart

Always think, ‘what would a bookmaker think of this bet’? For instance, always betting on the closest match might draw attention to a betting pattern. Maybe look for a match lower down on the OddsMatcher at times.

Remember: even if you’re super careful, you might still see your accounts restricted. Sometimes, there’s no rhyme nor reason to gubbings – but don’t get disheartened.

Our OddsMonkey Premium members are waiting in the Community to share their thoughts and theories on why restrictions happen and how to avoid them…

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