Matched Betting Calculator
Turn bookmaker bonuses into guaranteed profit with Back/Lay coverage.
Matched Betting
Extract bookmaker bonuses as guaranteed profit (Back / Lay)
Bet type
💡 Exchange commissions: OrbitX 3% • Smarkets 2% • Matchbook 1.5% • Betfair 5%
📚 Full guide
Understanding Matched Betting
The technique to extract bookmaker bonuses as guaranteed profit
💡What is Matched Betting?▼
Matched Betting is a technique that lets you extract bookmaker bonuses as mathematically guaranteed profit.
The principle: you bet Back (FOR an outcome) at the bookmaker, and Lay (AGAINST that same outcome) on a betting exchange (Betfair, Smarkets, Matchbook). No matter who wins the match, your profit is secured.
🎯 Quick example
50€ freebet → Back at 4.00 with the bookie + Lay at 4.20 on Betfair = ~34€ guaranteed, whatever the match result.
🎲The 3 bet types▼
🎯 Qualifying bet
First bet with your own money to unlock a bonus. Goal: minimize the loss (often 0 to 2€ on 50€ staked).
🎁 Freebet SNR (Stake Not Returned)
Classic freebet. If won, you receive only the winnings (not the freebet stake). Typical extraction: 70-85% of the freebet value.
💎 Freebet SR (Stake Returned)
Rare freebet that returns the stake if won. Near-total extraction: 95-100%. Prioritize these.
📐The formulas used▼
The calculator applies the standard matched betting formulas:
Qualifying / Freebet SR:
layStake = (backOdds × stake) / (layOdds − commLay)
Freebet SNR:
layStake = ((backOdds − 1) × freebet) / (layOdds − commLay)
Liability (exchange funds):
layStake × (layOdds − 1)
💎 Worked example — Freebet SNR
50€ freebet • Back odds 4.00 • Lay odds 4.20 • Lay commission 3% → layStake = (3 × 50) / 4.15 = 36.14€ → liability = 36.14 × 3.20 = 115.66€ → guaranteed profit ≈ 34.33€ (68.7% of the freebet)
🎚️How to optimize the yield▼
✅ Qualifying bet
Pick odds close to 2.00 where Back odds ≈ Lay odds. The smaller the gap, the lower the loss (often less than 1€ on 50€ staked).
🎁 Freebet SNR
Favor high odds (4.00 - 6.00). The higher the Back odds, the better the freebet yield (up to 80-85%).
🏦 Choice of exchange
Less commission = more profit. OrbitX (3%), Smarkets (2%) and Matchbook (1.5%) beat Betfair (5%) — a difference of 1-3€ on a 50€ freebet.
⚠️ Always check the liability
The liability is the maximum amount exposed on the exchange. Make sure you have that amount available before validating the Lay bet.
Pro tips
📌 Start with small freebets (10-20€) to get familiar with the process before scaling
📌 Keep an accounting table: bonus used, Back/Lay odds, profit extracted, date — essential for reporting
📌 "Refunded if..." offers are often disguised SNRs — excellent opportunities
📌 Beware of very high Lay odds: it mechanically increases the liability
📌 Bookmakers limit accounts too active on bonuses — diversify your operators
📌 Take advantage of big events (World Cup, Euro, CL final): boosted offers pour in
📌 An SR freebet is worth ~3× more than an SNR of equal value — prioritize them absolutely