Matched Bet Calculator

In this guide, you will learn how matched betting works as well as how to use Betpack's matched bet calculator to make the most of free bet bonuses at online sports betting sites. You'll soon realise that this is one of the easiest ways to make free money as a punter. 

What's Matched Betting? 

The foremost step before using a matched bet calculator is to understand what matched betting means and the basic terminologies. To know how this betting method works, you need to be aware that almost all online bookmaker operators reward their new customers with free bet promotions. Thea behind matched betting is to help punters make risk-free profits by wagering on both potential outcomes of a match. To make it work even when using our free matched betting calculator, you'll need to know more about betting exchange, back odds and lay odds.

A Betting Exchange Makes Match Betting Possible

Matched bettors are required to place one back bet and one lay bet at a betting exchange. Contrary to what you might be thinking, a betting exchange is not the same as a bookmaker. It is a matchmaking platform that allows punters to place matched bets as backers or layers. When placing a normal bookmaker bet, the operator will set the odds for you, but sports betting exchanges facilitate peer-to-peer wagering. In this case, the odds are determined by other players rather than the trader. 

Exchange Commission – The Only Thing an Exchange Wants from You

If an exchange does not operate as a normal bookmaker, then how does the operator benefit? Well, these matchmaking platforms make their money by asking for commissions for offering matched betting services. This exchange commission can be as little as 2% depending on the selected trader.

Back Bets and Lay Bets – The Backbone of Matched Betting 

A back bet (back stake) and a lay bet (lay stake) are the most important two bets you must be familiar with before using the matched betting strategy. You place a back stake by wagering for a certain match outcome to be correct. If there's a football match between Team A and Team B, a back bet would be betting on either team to win the match. For example, you could bet on Team A to be the winner at the end of the game. You win if you predict correctly and lose if Team A loses or the teams draw. 

On the other hand, placing a lay stake entails staking against a certain game outcome to be true. Using our previously mentioned teams, a simple lay bet example would be betting that Team A will not win the match. You might be asking yourself, how is this helpful? Well, lay stakes even out the risks associated with a normal back bet at an online bookmaker since you are wagering against yourself. You simply bet using a free bet and then place a lay bet to profit regardless of the outcome. From our example, your lay bet wins if Team A loses or draws. Note that free bets are usually awarded upon making your first or qualifying bet.

Qualifying Losses Explained 

Keep in mind that you are most likely to make a small loss on qualifying bets. This is what is known as 'qualifying loss' and is caused by the difference between the bookmaker back odds and the betting exchange lay odds. The lay commission deducted by the trader also contributes to this phenomenon. Another crucial thing to know is that it's advisable to place qualifying bets at low odds, and the back and lay odds should always be close. Higher odds will increase your liability.

What is Liability?

Liability refers to the amount of money you might lose on a lay amount if you don't get things right. For example, let's say you've placed a bet of €20 at a bookmaker where the odds are listed as 3.0 (2/1). Here, you stand to win €40 in profit, and the bookie's liability is the same as your profit. You are the bookmaker when placing lay bets, so you won't lose this amount if you use the matched betting approach. 

Benefits of Using Free Matched Betting Calculator

A matched betting calculator does a lot of work for you as a punter. It's suitable for both new and experienced matched bettors who want to make additional profits from free bets. With our free matched betting calculator, you will be able to calculate matched bets instantly and enjoy other benefits. Let's explore the main advantages of using this amazing tool.

Know Your Profits – Enjoy Up to 98% Profit 

One of the functions of a matched betting calculator is to help you view your potential profits. With this information beforehand, you'll know if you are going to make a profit or loss. And the most exciting part is the possible profit amount. The exchange will charge a lay commission of somewhere between 2 and 5%. Thus, you can gain profits between 95 and 98% of the free bet amount. 

Determine theal Lay Stakes with Ease

With only a few steps to complete with a matched betting calculator, it's easy to know theal lay stakes so you can make some profit. You only need to choose qualifying bets or free bet bonuses, enter the back odds and lay odds, and enter the exchange commission. Then, the calculator will show you the required lay bet. 

A Matched Betting Calculator Saves You Time

Any type of calculator is an important tool that makes it easy to do calculations without stressing our brains. By choosing a matched bet calculator, you don't need a pen and paper to calculate the best lay stakes for extracting profit from a free bet. The calculator helps you establish the perfect lay bet in a matter of seconds.

Conclusion 

Matched betting is a pretty straightforward strategy that you can use to win with free bets regardless of the match outcome. This method of transforming free bets into a real money profit is easy to execute using an online matched betting calculator, making it a very important tool for everyone looking to use matched bets. The user only needs to enter a few details such as the bet type, back stake, back odds, back commission, lay odds and lay commission. Most of the data you need will be available on the chosen bookmaker website and the exchange. 

The calculator will process this information and display the lay stake required, your liability and profits. What's left is for you to enjoy your winnings and use the money to place other bets or cash it out. Of course, you must meet the wagering requirement attached to your bonus amount and always consider the minimum deposit required to claim free bet bonuses and other deposit bonus offers. With everything said and done, you are welcome to use our free matched bet calculator and the information we've presented here to your advantage. 

All the best!