Day trading vs value betting – which is the best investment?

Compare day trading and value betting in terms of risk, profitability and time commitment — and see which strategy comes out on top.

Alternatives to day trading forex trading

Comparing day trading with value betting

With the right knowledge and application, both can offer a substantial investment but crucially you must decide which is best for you.

Before getting into expected value, variance and weighing up trading platforms and currency exchanges, let's go over the basics. Soon you will be able to see which is the best investment for you.

Day trading vs value betting: key differences

	Day trading	Value betting with a value betting service
Required bankroll	£500 to 100,000	£200 to 10,000 (+ money for the cost of having a subscription)
Average time (per trade/bet)	10 to 180 minutes	20 – 60 seconds
Monthly yield	0-5%	1-5%
Prior knowledge	Extensive prior knowledge	Low prior knowledge
Potential winning per month	Up to £10,000	Up to £5,000

What is value betting?

Value betting is when there is the option to profit off odds of an event which don't reflect the true probability of an event.

There's plenty more information on value betting here.

An example to grasp the concept

A simple way to grasp the concept of this is if let's say Man City play Grimsby (Man City being one of the best teams in the world against a lower tier English side) and Man City were to be given odds 2/1 or 3.00. i.e. you place £1 and should Man City win which you'd almost guarantee to happen, you'd get your £1 stake back and £2 from the bookmaker, like printing money.

Now not all value betting options are as clear-cut as this, but when you start seeing the probability of an outcome against whether the odds accurately reflect this or not, is where you begin to see value betting investment options. Obviously, not every bet will win, which is why volume is important.

Key terms in value betting include expected value (what can you expect to win per bet), real value (the actual profit/loss of a bet), variance (difference between the expected value and real value), but there is a load more of information on value betting here.

Value betting vs currency trading on the forex market

What are the most popular forms of value betting?

Any markets which are available for regular betting. Value betting is usually targeted at traditional win/lose/draw markets in football, or winners of games in other sports.

Ultimately, it can be any sport or market where the value bettor is confident that they have an edge over the bookmaker's odds, whether it's from data, sharp book odds, information or other means to decide that the odds don't reflect the probability of the outcome.

Popular forms of value betting and financial markets.

Tom

Value betting user, United Kingdom United Kingdom

It's taken me less than two months of value betting to make as much as I made from matched betting in a year. View the process as more of an investment than betting, think long-term. Trust the system and keep placing bets.

Read the full interview →

Emil

Value betting user, Finland Finland

The only thing you need is a computer and some patience. My starting capital was €2500, and so far I’ve earned +€11000, which is a lot considering it’s tax-free. Use one or two hours per day, and you can make some big profits.

Read the full interview here →

Sam

Value betting user, United Kingdom United Kingdom

I've been using RebelBetting for the past 9 months, and I've seen great results. It's incredibly useful for finding value bets, making it a great way to make extra money on the side. I highly recommend it to anyone looking to start their own side hustle!

Pinnacle

Bookmaker

As the only bookie to welcome arbitrage action and not limit winning players, we've been working successfully with RebelBetting since 2009. The positive feedback we get from players, is testament to just how good their product is.

James

Value betting user & community member, United Kingdom United Kingdom

RebelBetting is a trustworthy product, and they have a helpful community and customer support. Plus, you’ll probably make a lot more than what you pay in subscription fees – it’s a great investment!

Stefan

Value betting user, Sweden Sweden

The program works and is easy to use. I started with around €1600 and have a €1000 profit now after one month. I'll definitely reinvest my bankroll.

Read full interview →

Tuân

Value betting user, Vietnam Vietnam

I've been using this service for a few months now; starting with the Starter plan and then upgrading to the Pro. The rewards have been worth it – my ROI is over 500%, which is all the proof you need. You should definitely try it.

Rasim Reiz

Reizbet.com, Sweden Sweden

Value betting and Sure betting are two really interesting products tailored for those who want to take betting to the next level. You'll get loads of profitable bets and will learn a completely new approach to betting – a game changer!

Read the Swedish RebelBetting article →

Louis

The Arb Academy

RebelBetting has put together an outstanding arbitrage betting software package. It has a simple, uncluttered interface but is packed with all the necessities for serious arbitrage betting.

Read full review at the Arbacademy →

AzBookmakers

Azbookmaker review, Azbookmaker review Azbookmaker review

RebelBetting is surely the best arbitrage software. It is the fastest and most professional software that directly points out the "mistakes" of bookmakers or the so-called arbitrage bets.

How much can you make value betting?

As with day trading, there is no set formula for ROI as bankroll, frequency of bets and luck play a part – some months will be more fruitful than others.
Unlike day trading, there are platforms that can legitimately identify value bets to take out the hours of work required to find them yourself. This can obviously increase the number of value bets you can place.

The value betting service has shown to make an average yield of 3%. Ultimately, it is up to you to choose which is the best investment. But if we were to give you a little hint on which method is the most fun – then value betting is the way to go.

Curious to see real results from ValueBetting users? Join the RebelBetting community.

Statistics from Value betting users

30%

Avg ROI / Month

€21.5 M

Total Member Profit

€1,760

Avg Profit / Month

Monthly

Annual Save 30%

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WHAT YOU GET

Value bets & sure bets

Bet tracking & auto settlement

100+ bookmakers

Basic access (limited features)

50 bets per day

REBELBETTING STARTER

99 $ per month

Everything you need to profit

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WHAT YOU GET

Value bets & sure bets

Bet tracking & auto settlement

100+ bookmakers

Unlimited bets per day

Built for consistent monthly profits

Higher value & sure bet limits

FAQ: Alternatives to day trading and forex trading

Can retail traders really make money with day trading on the foreign exchange market?

Absolutely, retail traders can make money day trading on the foreign exchange market, but it requires dedication, knowledge, and a bit of luck. While most traders might lose in the beginning, using strategies such as trading the news or High-Frequency-Trading can help you stay ahead.

Remember, paper trading with fake money is a great way to start without risking your actual funds.

A person learning about how to trade forex

How does value betting differ from trading on the New York Stock Exchange?

Value betting focuses on identifying mispriced odds in sports events to turn a profit, whereas trading on the New York Stock Exchange involves buying and selling shares of publicly traded companies.

While both require an understanding of the market and strategic decision-making, value betting can often be more straightforward and quicker for those with limited prior knowledge.

Is it better to invest in Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) or try swing trading in forex?

It depends on your investment goals and risk tolerance. Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) offer a more stable, long-term investment by diversifying your portfolio with a basket of assets. On the other hand, swing trading in forex involves more frequent transactions based on short-term market movements, which can be more profitable but also riskier.

Beginners might find ETFs easier to manage, while more experienced traders may enjoy the potential gains from swing trading.

How much time do I need to dedicate to value betting compared to day trading?

Value betting generally requires less time per transaction, often just 20-60 seconds, thanks to automated platforms that identify value bets for you.

Day trading, especially in the forex market, can take anywhere from 10 to 180 minutes per trade due to the need for constant market analysis and strategy implementation. If you have limited time, value betting might be a more manageable option.

What kind of initial investment do I need for day trading vs. value betting?

For day trading, particularly in forex, you typically need a larger bankroll, ranging from £500 to £100,000, depending on your trading strategy and risk tolerance.

Value betting can be started with a smaller initial investment, around £200 to £10,000, plus the cost of a subscription to a value betting service. This makes value betting more accessible for those just starting out.