Matched Betting Calc

Best lay stakes for qualifying and free-bet matched betting.

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. Enter 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 every 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 milks bookmaker promotions (free bets, bonuses) for guaranteed profit. Place a back bet with a bookie and a lay bet at an exchange, and you cover every outcome while squeezing value out of the promo.

SNR vs SR free bets — what's the difference?

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

Which commission rate should I use?

Most exchanges charge 5% commission on winning lay bets (that’s Betfair standard). Smarkets takes 2%, and Betfair may offer trimmed rates. Enter whatever rate applies to your exchange account.

How do I keep qualifying losses small?

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