Pros and cons of the “corridor” bet


(Last Updated On: February 27, 2024)

To understand the advantages and disadvantages of a bet type like “corridors,” it’s worth recalling what it entails in the gaming world. For gambling enthusiasts, it’s a combination of two bets that mutually exclude each other’s outcomes, but the win occurs when both bets are successful simultaneously. As always, there are pros and cons to this option.

Zero risks

One of the key benefits lies in the reduced likelihood of losing all invested funds. In most cases, there is a safeguard as one of the bets will secure a return, compensating for the loss incurred by the other unsuccessful bet. In an ideal scenario, this setup could potentially result in a net profit.

To elaborate further, let’s consider an example: Suppose a bettor places two bets, one predicting a home team win with a zero handicap and the other anticipating that the away team won’t lose (“X2”). If the game ends in a draw, the first bet secures a return, while the second bet emerges victorious. This ensures that even in the event of one bet failing, the other compensates for the loss, thereby preserving a portion of the bankroll and possibly even generating a profit. For example, when sports betting on the home team’s victory with a zero handicap combined with “X2” (meaning the away team won’t lose), the player only needs to wait for a draw. In this scenario, there will be a return on the first bet, and the second one will result in a win. It’s possible to end up without money, as some players engage in corridors only for insurance, covering around 60% or even 40% of the total amount. However, this is the player’s personal choice and strategy—some may opt for complete protection by selecting suitable pairs of opposing outcomes on various bookmaker websites.

Another obvious advantage of a “corridor” is that there’s no need to have a large bankroll from the start. It’s sufficient to compare it with the classic “Martingale” strategy, where the stake needs to be doubled after each unsuccessful step. As a result, by the third round of such doubling, starting with $10, the player risks $80 in one go, with total expenses reaching $150. With “corridors,” on the other hand, in most cases, the money is refunded, so there’s no need to accumulate significant funds.

Are there any drawbacks?

The main drawback of the strategy is the relatively small increase: one should be prepared for the fact that even with success, the bankroll will grow slowly. In “corridors,” options with relatively low odds are chosen. Additionally, even with success, one of the two bets will still result in a loss, meaning this portion of the amount will be calculated at odds of 1-0.

Furthermore, the strategy requires in-depth knowledge of the chosen sport. Only those who understand how events can unfold in the game, analyze everything in detail, and grasp the entire real situation can successfully set up a “corridor.”

Some may also dislike the need to create accounts in at least several bookmakers. The most advantageous odds are selected among them, and one must also manage to deposit funds into each account on time.

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