Matched Betting Helper
Get the best lay stakes for matched betting on qualifying and free bets.
How to Use This Calculator
- Pick your bet type: Normal (qualifying), Free Bet SNR, or Free Bet SR
- Enter the amount of your back stake
- Add the back odds from the bookmaker
- Add the lay odds from the betting exchange
- Enter the exchange commission rate (usually 5%)
- View 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 is matched betting?
Matched betting is a method that uses bookmaker promotions (free bets and bonuses) to lock in a guaranteed profit. By placing a back bet with a bookmaker and a lay bet at a betting exchange, you cover every outcome and squeeze the value out of the promotion.
How do SNR and SR free bets differ?
SNR (Stake Not Returned) means that if the free bet wins, you only pocket the profit, not the free bet stake. SR (Stake Returned) means you get both the profit and the free bet stake back. SR free bets are more valuable and convert at a higher rate.
Which exchange commission should I use?
Most betting exchanges take 5% commission on winning lay bets (that’s the Betfair standard). Smarkets charges 2%, and Betfair sometimes offers reduced commission rates. Just enter the rate that applies to your own exchange account.
How can I keep qualifying losses small?
Go for events where the back and lay odds sit close together (a small overround). Lower odds usually mean smaller qualifying losses. Aim for odds between 2.0 and 5.0 where the gap between back and lay is tight.