Hedging in sports betting involves placing a second wager that offsets the risk of a potential loss on an existing bet. This strategy is used to reduce or eliminate the risk of a bet going against the user by taking advantage of opposing market conditions or future outcomes. A bettor who places a hedge typically has a bet in progress that has a high likelihood of not paying out due to the market changing or the event outcome deviating from their expectations. By opening a hedge, the bettor aims to mitigate potential losses or lock in a minimum return, rather than risking further losses in a market that has shifted unfavorably.