From what you have explained, I can see that you will lose in both cases, i.e. if you place two back bets at 1.6 and 2.5, presumably both £10, you will lose (1.6-2)*10 = -£4.
If you back at 2.5 then lay at 2.6 on the same player, or back 1.6, lay 1.7, you will get the reverse of hedging, i.e. all red instead of all green.
So what am I missing here?