Matched Betting Sports Calculator

Get the best lay stakes for qualifying and free bets.

Please enter a valid stake amount
Please enter valid odds
Please enter valid odds
Results
Lay Stake --
Lay Liability --
Profit if Back Wins --
Profit if Lay Wins --
Overall Result --

How to Use This Calculator

  1. Pick the bet type: Normal (qualifying), Free Bet SNR, or Free Bet SR
  2. Type in the back stake amount
  3. Enter the back odds from the bookmaker
  4. Enter the lay odds from the betting exchange
  5. Add the exchange commission rate (usually 5%)
  6. See the lay stake, liability, and profit for each outcome

Formula

Normal Bet Lay Stake = (Back Stake x Back Odds) / (Lay Odds - Commission Rate)

Free Bet SNR Lay Stake = (Back Stake x (Back Odds - 1)) / (Lay Odds - Commission Rate)

Free Bet SR Lay Stake = (Back Stake x Back Odds) / (Lay Odds - Commission Rate)

Lay Liability = Lay Stake x (Lay Odds - 1)

Frequently Asked Questions

What's matched betting?

Matched betting is a method that uses bookmaker promotions (free bets, bonuses) to lock in a guaranteed profit. By putting a back bet on at a bookmaker and a lay bet at a betting exchange, you cover every outcome and squeeze value out of the promotion.

How do SNR and SR free bets differ?

SNR (Stake Not Returned) means a winning free bet pays you the profit only, not the free bet stake. SR (Stake Returned) means you get both the profit and the free bet stake back. SR free bets are worth more and convert at a higher rate.

What commission rate should I enter?

Most betting exchanges charge 5% commission on winning lay bets (the Betfair standard). Smarkets charges 2%, and Betfair may give you a lower rate. Just enter the rate that applies to your exchange account.

How do I keep qualifying losses small?

Go for events where the back and lay odds sit close together (small overround). Lower odds usually mean smaller qualifying losses. Hunt for odds between 2.0 and 5.0 where the back-lay spread is tight.