Hedging Calculator
Calculate the perfect hedge to lock in profit or minimize losses. Compare full and partial hedging strategies with our free cash out calculator.
The amount you originally wagered
The decimal odds on your original bet
Current odds for the opposing outcome (e.g., lay odds or opposing back odds)
Hedging Mode
Hedge the entire position for maximum guaranteed profit
Commission charged by the exchange on winnings (0% if using a bookmaker)
Click an example to see different hedging scenarios. Notice the difference between locking in profit and minimizing losses!
Lock In Profit
• £50 at 4.00 odds
• Current opposing: 1.50
• Guaranteed profit!
Minimize Loss
• £100 at 2.50 odds
• Current opposing: 3.50
• Reduce maximum loss
Partial Hedge (50%)
• £50 at 5.00 odds
• Current opposing: 1.80
• Balance risk and reward
Full Hedge: Covers 100% of your position for maximum guaranteed outcome. Ideal when you want certainty.
Partial Hedge: Covers a portion of your position. Reduces risk while keeping some upside potential if the original bet wins.
Exchange Commission: If hedging on an exchange (e.g., Betfair), factor in the commission on winnings (typically 2-5%).
Cash Out: Bookmaker cash out offers are essentially automated hedging, but typically at worse odds. Calculate your own hedge for better value.
Pro Tips for Hedging:
• Always calculate your own hedge rather than using bookmaker cash out - you'll often get better value
• Consider partial hedging to secure some profit while keeping upside potential
• Factor in exchange commission if hedging on Betfair, Smarkets, or similar platforms
• Time your hedge carefully - odds can shift quickly, especially close to kick-off
• For accumulators, hedge when one or two legs remain to lock in profit from earlier wins
• Compare the guaranteed profit vs. the potential if you let the original bet ride
What is Hedging in Betting?
Hedging is a betting strategy where you place a second bet on the opposite outcome to your original wager. This allows you to either lock in a guaranteed profit when your position has improved, or limit your potential losses when the situation has moved against you.
Think of hedging as an insurance policy for your bets. Just as you insure your car against accidents, hedging insures your bet against unfavourable outcomes. The key difference from regular betting is that hedging guarantees a known result rather than leaving everything to chance.
When Should You Hedge?
- • Accumulator with one leg remaining: Lock in profit from earlier winning selections
- • Pre-match bet going well in-play: Secure profit as your team takes the lead
- • Outright/futures bets: Your team has reached the final or is close to winning the league
- • Risk management: Reduce exposure when circumstances change
- • Cash out alternative: Get better value than the bookmaker's cash out offer
How to Use the Hedging Calculator
Step 1: Enter Your Original Bet
Input the details of the bet you originally placed:
- • Original Stake: The amount you wagered (e.g., £50)
- • Original Odds: The decimal odds on your original bet (e.g., 4.00)
Step 2: Enter Current Opposing Odds
Input the current odds for the opposing outcome:
- • If using an exchange: Enter the lay odds for your original selection
- • If using a bookmaker: Enter the back odds for the opposing outcome
- • Lower odds = better position: If these are lower than your original odds, you can profit
Step 3: Choose Your Hedging Mode
Select between full and partial hedging:
- • Full Hedge: Equalizes payouts for maximum guaranteed profit or minimum loss
- • Partial Hedge: Covers a percentage of your position, balancing risk and reward
Step 4: Review Your Results
The calculator instantly shows:
- • Hedge Stake: Exact amount to place on the opposing outcome
- • Profit Scenarios: What you earn if either outcome wins
- • Guaranteed Profit: Your minimum outcome regardless of result
- • Let It Ride vs Hedge: Side-by-side comparison to help you decide
Full Hedging vs Partial Hedging
Full Hedge (100%)
Covers your entire position so that the payout is the same regardless of which outcome wins.
Best For: Maximum certainty and eliminating all risk
Advantage: Guaranteed outcome, no surprises
Disadvantage: Gives up all potential upside from the original bet
Example: Lock in £40 guaranteed vs risking £100 potential loss
Partial Hedge (1-99%)
Covers a portion of your position, reducing risk while keeping some exposure to the original bet.
Best For: Balancing risk reduction with upside potential
Advantage: Still profit more if the original bet wins
Disadvantage: Less certainty - outcomes differ based on result
Example: 50% hedge: £70 if original wins, £20 if hedge wins
When to Hedge Your Bets
1. Accumulator With One Leg Remaining
You placed a 5-fold accumulator at 30.0 odds with a £10 stake. Four legs have won, and one remains. Your potential return is £300, but you could lose everything if the last leg fails. By hedging, you can lock in a guaranteed profit of £100-200 regardless of the final result.
2. In-Play After Your Team Takes the Lead
You backed a team at 3.50 pre-match. They score early and the in-play odds for the opposing outcome (draw or opposition win) increase significantly. You can hedge to guarantee profit while the game is still in progress, protecting against a late equaliser.
3. Outright/Futures Markets
You backed a team to win the Premier League at 20.0 at the start of the season. With five games remaining, they're top by 6 points and the opposing odds (any other team to win) are now 1.20. Hedging lets you secure a large guaranteed profit from your initial speculation.
4. Better Than Bookmaker Cash Out
Bookmakers offer cash out features, but they include a margin (typically 5-15% worse than fair value). By calculating your own hedge using this calculator, you can often get a better deal by placing the hedge on an exchange or another bookmaker.
5. Injury News or Changed Circumstances
You placed a bet based on a key player being available, but they're now injured or suspended. Rather than hoping for the best, hedging allows you to reduce your exposure and limit potential losses based on the new information.
Hedging Pro Tips
1. Calculate your own hedge instead of using cash out: Bookmaker cash out offers include a margin. Use this calculator and place your hedge on an exchange for better value - the difference can be 5-15% more profit.
2. Consider partial hedging for the best of both worlds: A 50% hedge lets you secure some guaranteed profit while still having significant upside if your original bet wins. This is often the smartest approach.
3. Time your hedge carefully: Odds fluctuate throughout an event. If your team is 1-0 up, odds may improve further if they score again. But waiting risks a late equaliser wiping out your hedging opportunity entirely.
4. Account for exchange commission: If hedging on Betfair or Smarkets, remember to include the commission in your calculations. Our calculator handles this automatically when you enter a commission percentage.
5. Use hedging for accumulators strategically: With multi-leg accumulators, consider hedging when you have 1-2 legs remaining. The guaranteed profit from earlier wins is often substantial enough to make hedging very attractive.
6. Know when NOT to hedge: If your guaranteed profit from hedging is very small compared to the potential upside, it may not be worth it. Use the comparison feature to weigh guaranteed profit vs. potential return.
7. Shop around for hedge bets: Check multiple bookmakers and exchanges for the best opposing odds. Even small differences in odds can significantly affect your guaranteed profit amount.
8. Keep records of all hedged bets: Track your hedging decisions and outcomes. Over time, you'll develop a better sense of when hedging is the right call and when letting bets ride pays off more.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is hedging in betting?
Hedging is placing a second bet on the opposite outcome to your original wager. This creates a situation where you receive a payout regardless of which outcome occurs. If your original position has improved (odds moved in your favour), you can lock in guaranteed profit. If the situation has worsened, you can limit your maximum loss.
How is hedging different from cash out?
Cash out is a bookmaker-provided feature that is essentially automated hedging, but at odds that include a bookmaker margin (typically 5-15% worse than fair value). By calculating and placing your own hedge bet, you can often secure significantly more profit. Our calculator helps you find the optimal hedge stake for better returns than cash out offers.
When should I hedge my bet?
The best times to hedge are: (1) when your accumulator has one leg remaining and you want to guarantee profit, (2) when your team leads in-play and you want to protect your position, (3) when outright/futures bets are close to paying out, or (4) when new information (injuries, team news) changes your confidence level. Use our calculator to check if the guaranteed amount is worth the trade-off.
What is the difference between full and partial hedging?
A full hedge equalises your payout across both outcomes, giving you the same guaranteed amount regardless of the result. A partial hedge covers only a portion of your position - you secure some guaranteed profit but retain upside if your original bet wins. For example, a 50% partial hedge might guarantee £20 but pay £80 if the original bet wins, versus a full hedge guaranteeing £50 either way.
How do I calculate the hedge stake?
The formula for a full hedge stake is: Hedge Stake = (Original Stake x Original Odds) / Current Opposing Odds. For example, if you bet £50 at 4.00 and the current opposing odds are 2.00: Hedge Stake = (£50 x 4.00) / 2.00 = £100. Our calculator handles this automatically, including adjustments for exchange commission and partial hedging.
Can I hedge accumulators?
Yes, and accumulators are one of the best opportunities for hedging. When multiple legs of your accumulator have won and one or two remain, you can hedge to lock in profit from the earlier winners. Enter your total accumulator potential return as the original bet details, and the current odds for the remaining leg(s) as the opposing odds.
Does exchange commission affect my hedge?
Yes, if you're placing your hedge on a betting exchange (Betfair, Smarkets, etc.), the commission on winnings reduces your effective odds. Our calculator accounts for this automatically when you enter a commission percentage. Typical rates are 2% for Betfair and Smarkets, and 0% for Matchbook on many markets.
Is hedging always profitable?
No, hedging is only profitable when your position has improved since placing the original bet (i.e., the opposing odds are now lower than your original odds). When odds have moved against you, hedging can still be valuable for limiting losses, but the guaranteed outcome will be negative. The calculator clearly shows whether hedging produces a profit or minimises a loss.
Related Calculators
Why Calculate Your Own Hedge?
Most bookmakers now offer a "Cash Out" button, but these automated offers include a significant margin that reduces your return. By calculating your own hedge using our free calculator, you can:
Get 5-15% More Profit
Bookmaker cash out margins eat into your returns. Placing your own hedge on an exchange typically yields significantly more guaranteed profit.
Choose Partial Hedging
Cash out is all-or-nothing, but our calculator supports partial hedging so you can secure some profit while keeping upside potential.
Make Better Decisions
See the full picture with our "Let It Ride vs Hedge" comparison to make informed decisions about whether hedging is worthwhile.
Share Your Calculations
Use the share feature to send your hedging calculation to friends or save it for reference when placing your hedge bet.