How To Avoid Getting Gubbed
Last Updated on June 7, 2023 by The Betting Dad Team
Getting gubbed is part of Matched Betting life.
This issue probably won’t affect those just wanting to do new customer signup offers.
However, if you want to make continuous monthly profits from Matched Betting, it is really important you do your best to avoid getting gubbed.
When we first started Matched Betting, we had a few accounts gubbed by making silly mistakes that we could have easily avoided.
Here, we’ll explain what we do to avoid getting gubbed.
But first, you may be wondering what does gubbed even mean!?
What Does Gubbed Mean?
Being gubbed is when you have a betting account limited by a bookmaker.
There are two ways in which you can be limited that will affect your Matched Betting activity:
1 – The bookmaker will stop you from receiving any promotional offers.
This will stop you Matched Betting with offers for a bookmaker.
Bookmakers won’t use the term ‘gubbed’ but you will receive an email that looks something like this:
2 – The bookmaker will limit your maximum stake amount.
This will prevent you from placing bets over say, £2 for example.
The bookmaker won’t always tell you that they have stake limited you.
More likely, you will find out whilst trying to place a bet like this:
What Can You Do To Avoid Getting Gubbed
You can see how important it is to try and avoid getting gubbed.
There are many thoughts and theories on what exactly triggers gubbings to happen.
It is always a hot topic in Matched Betting forums.
Even if you are really careful, you might still see your accounts get limited.
It’s really easy to take it personally when you get gubbed.
We know we did when we first lost some accounts.
But we have come to learn not to waste time worrying about it, just do your very best to avoid getting gubbed and remember there are a LOT of bookmakers and casinos.
Therefore, there are plenty of profit-making opportunities to keep you going after you get gubbed on a few accounts.
By following what we suggest, please note we cannot guarantee that your accounts won’t be gubbed.
The points below seem to have helped us maintain a healthy set of accounts over time.
1. Only Bet On Popular Events
Using qualifying and free bets, always look to place them on well-known football teams (if the offer allows).
If you place a bet on say, a Swedish Division 2 football game, this could arouse suspicion with the bookmaker and could put your account under unnecessary scrutiny.
Particularly with qualifying bets, you should look to place them on the biggest football game of the week.
This will help you blend in more as a normal punter.
2. Always Bet Round Numbers (Ideally Ending In A 0 Or 5)
Placing strange bet amounts, for example, £27.84 will make it look like you are dutching or Arbing.
If you are placing an Arb bet, always round the suggested stake to the nearest amount ending in a 0 or 5.
3. Don’t Always Place The Exact Minimum Qualifying Stake
If the offer is, for example, “Bet £20 Get £20 Free”, sometimes try betting £25 for your qualifying bet.
This will make you look more like a regular punter than someone just doing Matched Betting.
This eats into some profit by making the qualifying bet loss slightly higher.
We think an extra few more pence is well worth it if it helps keep you under the bookmaker’s radar.
4. Don’t Take The Highest Value Bet Available
When using OUTPLAYED‘s Oddsmatching software, never pick the very best odds match.
Always scroll down to find a popular event (preferably a big football game) and use that instead.
We know that will mean leaving some extra profit on the table by doing this.
However, you will make a lot more money in the long run if your accounts remain ungubbed.
5. Place Bets As Close To The Start Of The Event As Possible
By doing this, it again makes you look more like a regular punter betting spontaneously.
An additional benefit is that the odds won’t have much time to steam (go lower, for example, go from 5.0 to 4.0).
This will help keep you under the bookmaker’s radar as you won’t be taking as much potential value.
6. Only Withdraw Money When You Need To
Although you’d prefer your money in your bank, try not to withdraw unnecessarily.
We’ve found that making regular withdrawals can potentially put the account under scrutiny.
This can increase the chance of a bookmaker analysing the account’s betting activity.
With that said, if you have completed a new signup offer with a bookmaker that doesn’t have many ongoing offers, it makes sense to withdraw your money straight away.
7. Block IE Snare
IE Snare is a cookie that is installed on a computer, often without the user’s knowing.
It is unproven but could help the bookmakers highlight people who do a lot of Matched Betting.
Bookmakers receive information such as your system and browsing data.
They can potentially see you go from one bookmaker to another, then to the exchange etc.
This activity has the potential to flag you up as a Matched Bettor.
The good news is, it is very easy to block.
So, you can make sure it is blocked on any pc/laptop you use for Matched Betting (you won’t need to block it if you only use your mobile phone).
Following the steps in this video will make it easy for you to remove IE Snare:
Final Thoughts On Being Gubbed
The general rule of avoiding getting gubbed is: do your very best to look like a normal punter.
An important point we want to stress is: don’t let the fear of being gubbed stop you from starting!
We receive a lot of emails asking questions like:
‘Won’t the bookmakers ban me?’
or
‘Won’t I just get gubbed?’
Or other questions similar to this, all worried about the same point.
We think it’s strange that this is the thing that’s stopping them from starting.
The truth is that eventually, yes, you will get gubbed. Yes, you will get stake restricted.
If you just accept that from the start it makes it a lot easier to accept and move on.
You’ll find some accounts that will last a few bets or even one bet!
Some will last for years.
Nobody can give an exact answer to your individual accounts.
Do all you can to avoid getting gubbed, but once it happens, don’t dwell on it, move on.
Remember: If you get gubbed you are doing something right.
It means you are an unprofitable customer to a business that makes money from vulnerable people.
Bookmaker’s business model is to suck you into gambling.
So, enjoy taking money from the bookies and casinos while you can.
But don’t let an irrational fear of something that hasn’t even happened yet stop you from starting!
Once you do get gubbed, you could look into the so-called partner friendly bookies for more opportunities.
Or even consider exploring the more controversial matched betting method known as multi accounting.