Matched Betting Calculator
Calculate lay stake and profit for matched betting. Matched betting uses free bets and bonuses to guarantee profit regardless of outcome.
How to Use This Calculator
- Enter your back stake (amount bet with bookmaker).
- Enter back odds (bookmaker odds).
- Enter lay odds (exchange odds).
- Enter lay commission percentage (typically 2-5%).
- The calculator displays lay stake and profit in both scenarios.
Matched Betting Formula
Lay stake and profit are calculated from odds and stakes:
Back Win Profit = (Back Stake × (Back Odds - 1)) - (Lay Stake × (Lay Odds - 1))
Lay Win Profit = (Lay Stake × (1 - Commission)) - Back Stake
Total Profit ≈ (Back Win Profit + Lay Win Profit) / 2
Example: Back $100 at 2.5, Lay at 2.4, 5% commission: Lay Stake = (100 × 1.5) / 1.4 = $107.14. Back win: $150 - $149.96 = $0.04. Lay win: $101.78 - $100 = $1.78. Profit ≈ $0.91. The calculator ensures equal profit in both scenarios.
Full Description
Matched betting is a strategy that uses free bets and bonuses from bookmakers to guarantee profit regardless of outcome. You place a back bet (betting for an outcome) with a bookmaker and a lay bet (betting against the same outcome) on a betting exchange. The free bet covers the risk, ensuring profit in both scenarios. This is not gambling—it\'s a mathematical strategy using bookmaker promotions.
The calculator determines the lay stake needed to match your back bet, ensuring equal profit whether the back or lay bet wins. Lay stake is calculated as (Back Stake × (Back Odds - 1)) / (Lay Odds - 1). Lay commission (typically 2-5%) is factored into profit calculations. Matched betting works best with free bets, bonuses, and promotions that provide risk-free opportunities. Bookmakers may restrict accounts if they detect matched betting patterns, so always read terms and conditions.
This calculator helps you plan matched betting strategies. Enter back stake, odds, and commission, and it calculates lay stake and profit. Use it to maximize free bet value, plan betting strategies, understand matched betting mechanics, or calculate optimal stakes. Remember, matched betting requires discipline and understanding of betting exchanges!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is matched betting?
Matched betting is a strategy that uses free bets and bonuses from bookmakers to guarantee profit regardless of outcome. You place a back bet (betting for) with one bookmaker and a lay bet (betting against) on a betting exchange. The free bet covers the risk, ensuring profit.
How is lay stake calculated?
Lay Stake = (Back Stake × (Back Odds - 1)) / (Lay Odds - 1). This ensures equal profit in both scenarios. Example: Back $100 at 2.5, Lay at 2.4: Lay Stake = (100 × 1.5) / 1.4 = $107.14. The calculator uses this formula to determine lay stake.
What is lay commission?
Lay commission is the fee charged by betting exchanges (typically 2-5%) on winning lay bets. Commission reduces profit but is necessary for using exchanges. Example: 5% commission on $100 lay win = $5 fee, net profit = $95. Always factor commission into calculations.
Is matched betting legal?
Yes, matched betting is legal in most jurisdictions. It's not gambling—it's using mathematical strategies to extract value from bookmaker promotions. However, bookmakers may restrict accounts if they detect matched betting patterns. Always read terms and conditions.