Matched Betting Profit Tool
Compute the optimal lay stakes for qualifying and free-bet matched betting.
How to Use This Calculator
- Choose the bet type: Normal (qualifying), Free Bet SNR, or Free Bet SR
- Enter the amount of your back stake
- Enter the back odds from the bookmaker
- Enter the lay odds from the betting exchange
- Enter the exchange commission rate (typically 5%)
- Review the lay stake, the liability, and the 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 harnesses 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 draw the 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 alone, not the free bet stake. SR (Stake Returned) means you receive both the profit and the free bet stake. SR free bets are the more valuable of the two and convert at a higher rate.
Which exchange commission rate should I enter?
The majority of betting exchanges levy 5% commission on winning lay bets, which is the Betfair standard. Smarkets charges 2%, and Betfair itself may extend reduced commission rates. Enter the figure that applies to your own exchange account.
How can I keep qualifying losses to a minimum?
Favour events where the back and lay odds sit close together, indicating a small overround. Lower odds generally translate into smaller qualifying losses. Aim for odds between 2.0 and 5.0, where the back-lay spread tends to be tight.