Matched Betting Calculator
Calculate guaranteed profits from matched betting. Free calculator for qualifying bets and free bet extraction with full SNR and SR support.
Bet Type
Unlock your free bet with a small qualifying loss
Amount you bet with the bookmaker
Odds at the bookmaker
Odds at the betting exchange
Betting Exchange
Select exchange to auto-set commission rate
Commission charged by the betting exchange (typically 0-5%)
Click an example to see how different odds affect your profit. Notice the huge difference between low and high odds for free bets!
Good Free Bet
• £10 SNR Free Bet
• Back: 6.00 / Lay: 6.10
• ~£8.00 profit (80%)
Low Odds Free Bet
• £10 SNR Free Bet
• Back: 2.00 / Lay: 2.05
• ~£4.80 profit (48%)
Excellent Qualifying
• £10 Real Money Stake
• Back: 3.00 / Lay: 3.01
• ~£0.23 loss (<1%)
Qualifying Bet: The initial bet required to unlock a free bet. Results in a small loss (typically £0.50-£2.00).
Free Bet: Promotional credit from bookmakers. SNR means only profit returned, SR means profit + stake returned.
Lay Bet: Betting against an outcome on an exchange. You act as the bookmaker.
Liability: The amount you risk on the exchange when laying a bet (what you pay if the lay bet loses).
Commission: Fee charged by exchanges on winnings (typically 0-5%). Betfair and Smarkets usually charge 2%.
Pro Tips for Matched Betting:
• For qualifying bets: Look for odds within 0.1-0.2 difference to minimize loss
• For free bets: Use high odds (4.00+) to maximize profit extraction (80-90%)
• Always place both bets IMMEDIATELY - odds change quickly
• Double-check your calculator results before placing real money
• Keep records of all bets for tracking and tax purposes (if applicable)
• Never use the same selection for back and lay - they must be opposing positions
What is Matched Betting?
Matched betting is a risk-free betting technique that uses bookmaker free bet offers to guarantee profit by placing opposing bets on all possible outcomes. By backing an outcome with a bookmaker and laying the same outcome on a betting exchange, you cover all possibilities, ensuring profit regardless of the result.
Unlike traditional gambling, matched betting is a mathematical strategy with zero risk when done correctly. You're not predicting outcomes or gambling - you're exploiting promotional offers through smart bet placement.
Key Benefits of Matched Betting
- • 100% Risk-Free: Cover all outcomes for guaranteed profit
- • Tax-Free Profits (UK): All gambling winnings are tax-free
- • £7,000-£12,500 First Year: Realistic profit expectations
- • Flexible Hours: Work whenever you want, 15-30 hours/month
- • No Special Skills: Simple math and following our calculator
How to Use the Matched Betting Calculator
Step 1: Choose Your Bet Type
Select between Qualifying Bet (to unlock free bets) or Free Bet (to extract profit).
- • Qualifying Bet: Small loss (£0.50-£2) to unlock valuable free bet
- • Free Bet: Extract 80-90% of free bet value as profit
Step 2: Select Free Bet Type (for Free Bets Only)
Choose between SNR (Stake Not Returned) or SR (Stake Returned):
- • SNR: Most common - only profit returned, not the stake
- • SR: Rare but valuable - both profit and stake returned
Step 3: Enter Your Odds and Stake
Input the following information:
- • Back Stake: Amount you're betting (or free bet value)
- • Back Odds: Odds at the bookmaker (decimal format)
- • Lay Odds: Odds at the betting exchange
- • Commission: Exchange commission (2% for Betfair/Smarkets)
Step 4: Review Your Results
The calculator will instantly show:
- • Lay Stake: Exact amount to bet on the exchange
- • Liability: What you risk on the exchange
- • Guaranteed Outcome: Your profit or qualifying loss
- • Bet Rating: Quality assessment of your bet selection
Qualifying Bets vs Free Bets
Qualifying Bet
The first step in matched betting. You place this bet to unlock your free bet offer.
Goal: Minimize loss while unlocking free bet
Typical Loss: £0.50 - £2.00
Best Odds: Close match (difference < 0.2)
Example: Lose £1 to unlock £30 free bet
Free Bet
Extract profit from your free bet by covering all outcomes.
Goal: Maximize profit extraction
Typical Profit: 80-90% of free bet value
Best Odds: High odds (4.00+)
Example: £24 profit from £30 free bet
Essential Matched Betting Terms
Back Bet
A traditional bet placed with a bookmaker where you bet FOR an outcome to happen.
Lay Bet
A bet placed on a betting exchange where you bet AGAINST an outcome (acting as the bookmaker).
Liability
The amount you risk on the exchange when laying a bet - what you pay out if the lay bet loses.
SNR (Stake Not Returned)
Free bet type where only the profit is returned if you win, not the stake itself. Most common type.
SR (Stake Returned)
Free bet type where both the profit and stake are returned if you win. Rare but more valuable.
Commission
Fee charged by betting exchanges on winning bets. Typically 0-5% (Betfair: 2%, Smarkets: 2%, Matchbook: 0%).
Qualifying Loss
The small loss (£0.50-£2) incurred during the qualifying bet phase to unlock the free bet.
Gubbing
When a bookmaker restricts your account or excludes you from promotions. Natural part of matched betting.
Matched Betting Pro Tips
1. Place both bets immediately: Odds change rapidly. Have both sites open and place your lay bet within seconds of your back bet.
2. For qualifying bets, find close odds: Look for back and lay odds within 0.1-0.2 difference to minimize your qualifying loss.
3. For free bets, use high odds: Target back odds of 4.00 or higher to maximize your profit extraction (80-90% of free bet value).
4. Check free bet terms: Always verify if your free bet is SNR or SR before calculating - they require different lay stakes.
5. Use calculator presets: Select your exchange (Betfair, Smarkets, Matchbook) to auto-set the correct commission rate.
6. Track your bets: Keep a spreadsheet of all matched bets for monitoring profit and tax purposes (if applicable outside UK).
7. Never cash out: Cashing out breaks your matched position and introduces risk. Always let both bets settle naturally.
8. Mix in "mug bets": Place occasional normal bets to appear like a regular customer and avoid account restrictions.
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Learn More About Matched Betting
Want to learn more about matched betting strategies and techniques? Check out our comprehensive guide:
Read Our Complete Matched Betting Guide →Our guide covers everything from getting started to advanced techniques, with real examples and £7,000-£12,500 first-year profit potential explained.