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Free Tool Algorithm updated: Feb 2026

Lay Bet Calculator 2026

Calculate perfect lay stakes for Betfair, Smarkets and other betting exchanges

EV
Developed by Evgeniy Volkov

Back Bet Details

Quick Examples

Lay Bet Results

Lay Stake Required

$9.64

Liability (Risk)

$30.84

Amount held by exchange until bet settles

If Back Wins$-0.84
If Lay Wins (Selection Loses)$-0.84
Qualifier Loss$0.84

Lay Stake (Qualifier)

Lay = Back × BackOdds / (LayOdds - Comm%)

Lay Bet Formulas

The mathematics behind lay betting

Lay Stake (Qualifier)

Lay = Back × BackOdds ÷ (LayOdds - Comm)

$10 @ 4.0 back, 4.2 lay, 5% comm = $10.05

Liability

Liability = LayStake × (LayOdds - 1)

$10.05 lay @ 4.2 = $32.16 liability

Free Bet SNR Lay Stake

Lay = Back × (BackOdds - 1) ÷ (LayOdds - Comm)

$10 free bet @ 5.0 = $9.50 lay stake

Free Bet SR Lay Stake

Lay = Back × BackOdds ÷ (LayOdds - Comm)

Same as qualifying bet formula

How Lay Betting Works

1️⃣

Place Back Bet

Bet on a selection at a bookmaker. You profit if it wins. For matched betting, look for free bet offers or odds boosts.

Back Team A @ 4.0 with $10
2️⃣

Lay on Exchange

Bet AGAINST the same selection on an exchange. You profit if it loses. This covers your back bet.

Lay Team A @ 4.2 on Betfair
3️⃣

Guarantee Outcome

Whatever happens, your positions cancel out. With free bets, you extract 70-95% of the free bet value as profit.

$10 free bet = ~$8 guaranteed profit
4️⃣

Extract Value

For qualifying bets, accept small losses to unlock free bets. The free bet profit exceeds these losses.

$0.50 loss → $8 profit = $7.50 net

Pro Tips for Lay Betting

💰

Use Low Commission Exchanges

Smarkets at 2% saves you money vs Betfair's 5%. On a $100 lay stake winning, you save $3.

🎯

Aim for Close Odds

The smaller the gap between back and lay odds, the lower your qualifying loss. Wait for odds to align before placing.

📈

Higher Odds for Free Bets

Use odds of 5.0-7.0 for free bet extraction. This maximizes your extraction rate while keeping liability manageable.

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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

A lay bet is betting AGAINST an outcome. On betting exchanges like Betfair, you act as the bookmaker by laying bets. If the selection wins, you pay out the liability; if it loses, you keep the backer's stake minus commission.
Liability is the amount you risk when laying a bet. It's calculated as (lay odds - 1) × lay stake. The exchange holds this amount from your balance. If the selection wins, you lose your liability; if it loses, you keep the backer's stake.
Lay bets let you cover both outcomes: back at the bookmaker, lay at the exchange. This eliminates risk and extracts value from free bets and promotions. The small qualifying loss is offset by the free bet profit.
Smarkets charges 2% commission, Betfair charges 5% (can be lower with loyalty discounts). Betdaq also offers 2%. Lower commission means better matched betting results. Always factor commission into your calculations.
Beginners typically make $500-$1500 from welcome offers. Ongoing offers can generate $200-$500 per month. Returns depend on your bankroll, time invested, and available offers in your region.
SNR (Stake Not Returned) free bets only pay profit - you don't get the stake back. SR (Stake Returned) free bets pay the full amount including stake. SNR bets extract ~70-80% value, SR bets extract ~95%.
Exchange odds are usually slightly higher (worse) than bookmaker odds due to the exchange margin. A difference of 0.1-0.3 is normal. Larger gaps reduce your extraction rate but are sometimes unavoidable.

About Our Lay Bet Calculator

Our professional lay bet calculator helps you calculate the perfect lay stake for betting exchanges like Betfair, Smarkets, and Betdaq. Enter your back bet details, exchange odds, and commission rate to see exactly how much to lay for matched betting or trading strategies.

The calculator shows your required lay stake, liability (risk amount held by the exchange), and profit/loss for each outcome. It's essential for matched betting, where you back at bookmakers and lay at exchanges to extract guaranteed profit from free bets and promotions.

The Pro mode includes a free bet extraction calculator that calculates optimal lay stakes for both SNR and SR free bets, showing your expected profit and extraction rate. Lay betting is a core skill for matched bettors - use our free calculator to find the optimal lay stake, minimize qualifying losses, and maximize free bet value.

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Evgeniy Volkov

Evgeny Volkov

Verified Expert
Math & Software Engineer, iGaming Expert

Over 10 years developing software for the gaming industry. Advanced degree in Mathematics. Specializing in probability analysis, RNG algorithms, and mathematical gambling models.

Experience10+
SpecializationiGaming
Status
Active
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