What is an arb in sports betting?
The short answer
Short for arbitrage. Betting both sides across books for a guaranteed profit.
Betting slang explained
Knowing the language is step one — knowing the true price is the edge. The Cold Line’s signal desk tracks the no-vig fair number and the closing-line value behind terms like this, before the market moves.
In plain English
Two books disagree enough that you can bet both sides and lock a profit no matter who wins. It is real, it is rare, and books cut you off fast when they notice.
What to remember about Arb
The definition
Short for arbitrage. Betting both sides across books for a guaranteed profit.
In plain English
Two books disagree enough that you can bet both sides and lock a profit no matter who wins. It is real, it is rare, and books cut you off fast when they notice.
Example in context
"Found an arb — +110 at one book, -105 at another."
Keep learning
Explore the next question before you place a bet.
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Put the concept to work
Explore Arb with a concrete research workflow. Build your own number, compare sportsbook prices with a sharp reference, or use Audits to review timestamped book moves beside play-by-play.
Browse the full A–Z betting glossary or read the complete betting guide. The Cold Line also publishes a free year-round sports calendar and an odds board (Free account: delayed odds).