What is Gubbing?
Gubbing is the term used when a bookmaker limits or restricts your betting account. This can involve cutting down your maximum stake, preventing you from accessing promotions or free bet offers, or even banning you from placing bets altogether. Bookmakers typically identify "value betting" strategies, matched betting, and arbitrage betting patterns, which can trigger such actions.
In extreme cases, an account can be completely blocked, preventing withdrawals and further betting activity. Bookmakers are within their rights to restrict or close accounts at their discretion, so understanding why and how gubbing happens is important for anyone participating in matched betting or similar activities.
Why You Get Gubbed
- Value Betting: Consistently betting on outcomes where the odds are higher than the true probability can be profitable but raises red flags for bookmakers.
- Arbitrage Betting: Placing bets on all possible outcomes across different bookmakers guarantees a profit but is easily detected and restricted.
- Matched betting Using risk-free strategies to exploit bookmaker promotions systematically makes it easy for bookmakers to spot your betting patterns.
- Gnoming: Using multiple accounts to take advantage of offers is considered fraudulent and often leads to restrictions.
- Hedging and Dutching: These strategies involve balancing bets across multiple outcomes, but excessive use can attract bookmaker scrutiny.
How to Avoid Getting Gubbed
- Vary Your Betting Patterns: Avoid always betting on the same markets, events, or odds.
- Avoid Niche Markets: Betting exclusively on obscure events can signal to bookmakers that you're exploiting offers.
- Place Normal Bets: Occasionally place regular bets without promotions to appear more like a recreational bettor.
- Don’t Just Bet on Promotions: Mix up your betting strategy with normal bets alongside promotional offers.
- Deposit Varied Amounts: Avoid depositing the minimum every time—vary your deposit amounts to look more natural.
- Engage in Other Betting Strategies Sparingly: Don’t rely solely on matched betting, arbitrage, or value betting—include some casual bets.
Final Thoughts
Gubbing can be frustrating for those engaging in matched betting, value betting, or arbitrage, as it limits the ability to profit from promotions. However, by diversifying your betting behavior and mimicking recreational betting patterns, you can reduce the likelihood of being restricted.
If you're looking for more insights into matched betting strategies and the tools available to optimize your experience, be sure to explore our range of tools that help make your betting activity more seamless and profitable.
