If you’ve been doing matched betting for a while, then you have most likely heard of matched bets.

And while there isn’t any guaranteed proof, some think they are the best way to keep your betting accounts in action for as long as possible!

Mug bets are regular, non-promotional bets placed by to make betting activity appear look natural. Their purpose is to avoid drawing attention from bookmakers, thereby reducing the risk of having your betting accounts restricted or closed.

So placing these seemingly “random” bets helps maintain a healthy-looking betting account, ensuring they continue to receive promotions and offers from bookmakers.

Avoiding Gubbing with Mug Bets

So now you know that gubbing is a thing, even if you haven’t been hit with it yet, you’re still going to want to do everything you can to avoid it happening to you! And the earlier you start this process, the longer you can keep your accounts intact. Here’s what I do to avoid getting my accounts banned for as long as possible!

Don’t Show Your Hand Straight Away

Make sure after you’ve completed your first matched bet you’re not just waiting for a reload offer to come along. In the beginning, the bookmakers algorithm will be looking for us, and it’s gotten quite good at spotting matched betters.

Because of this in the early days, it’s a much better tactic, to get the free bet, and then place a couple of cheap mug bets, so you look like you’re just betting naturally.

Don’t Always Bet The Minimum

This is a big rookie mistake. When people are first getting started with matched betting, they’ll always bet the minimum on qualifying bets, but of course, over time this is going to look incredibly suspicious.

Instead, try betting more every once in a while. While you may have a higher qualifying loss over this time, if you can keep your account open, you’ll recoup this back over time anyway. And as long as the free bet is high enough, you’ll still end up with a nice profit margin.

In-Play Bets

One of the best ways to place a mug bet is with in-play matches. This makes it look like you were just watching the game and suddenly had the urge to bet, rather than looking like you’ve been planning and plotting the whole time.

(A little tip, if you do plan on placing in-play bets, then try to do so when there is a break in the game like during half time. This way the odds aren’t going to be as volatile, and you can even place a nice little back bet.)

Bet On Your Favourite Team (But Make Sure The Odds Are Good Enough)

One of the easiest ways to make your betting look more natural, is to do something natural. So if you’re into football, or another sport, spend a couple of bets on your own team!

Just make sure when you’re doing this, that the odds are reasonable and fall within the typical range, which is genuinely between 1.5 and 3.0. It will help add a personal touch to your betting history and help in blending your mug bets with your matched bets.

Stay In Normal Markets

On that note, it’s really not a good idea to bet on more niche markets, even if there are better deals there. Think most people are betting on the premier league or the horse races.

If you start betting on the Lithuanian Women’s Third League football, it’s not going to take long for bookies to spot this, and realise that you’re matched betting

Spend Some Money With Casino’s And Accumulators

Another great way to mimic a normal better is to use the casino games, and especially the accumulators. This is another great way of showing you’re not just a matched better, but you’re just a normal punter who enjoys gambling.

(This is also a bonus, because betting in a variety of ways, makes you look like you’re a diverse gambler, and you can trick the bookmakers into thinking you’re going to line their pockets, when it will actually be the other way round.)

Record the Bets

And of course, make sure you’re keeping a record of all your mug bets to so that you balance them with your matched bets and stay in profit. And also make sure you’re not placing too many in quick succession.

Don’t Bet Too Much

However, when you’re placing mug bets, make sure you’re not placing too many or spending too much. After all, the aim of the game is to make as much money as possible, so you don’t want to end up spending it all on mug bets.

Carry On Placing Lay Bets

If you’re concerned about losing money on your mug bets, then just carry on placing lay bets too. This way you’re going to drastically decrease the risk of losing a substantial amount of money!

How to Identify Good Mug Bets

Some of the most common mug bets to try are:

• Betting on Popular Markets: Focus on major leagues and events that attract a lot of casual bets. This could be the Premier League in football or big races in horse racing.
• Accumulators (Accas): These are bets that combine multiple selections, where all must win for the bet to payout. They have high odds but low probability of success, a hallmark of a mug bet.
• Outright Bets: Wagers on long-term outcomes, like winners of tournaments or leagues, can be considered mug bets if you’re not making informed selections.
• Exotic Bets: These are bets on less common events within a match, like next goalscorer or exact score. While they can offer high payouts, they also have a high element of chance.
• Virtual Sports: Betting on simulated sporting events is a classic mug bet, as these are entirely random and not based on real-world performance.

Just Remember, Mug Betting Isn’t A 100% Fix

One thing to remember if you are going to place a mug bet is that it isn’t a 100% fool proof way to avoid having your account restricted or banned. Even with mug bets, over time the chances are that your account will be banned. It’s just a great way of prolonging this outcome!

Recap

So as you can see, mug bets are one of the best ways to keep your betting account profitable and unrestricted over the long term. As long as you’re doing everything you can to reduce the amount of loss on each mug bet, then they’re one great way to ensure the health of your betting account!