Matched bet calculator: back/lay profit with commission
1win, licenciado under Curaçao 8048/JAZ with 400,000+ registered players, offers 40,000+ mercados for matched betting. This matched bet calculator computes back and lay stakes, lay liability, and net profit after exchange commission. Register with código promocional XLBONUS to claim your welcome offer and use it as your qualifying bet immediately.
Matched bet calculator
Enter your back bet details and the lay cotas available at an exchange.
How this calculator works
Matched betting is a technique that uses a back bet (placed at a bookmaker) and a lay bet (placed at a betting exchange) to cover both outcomes of a market, eliminating exposure to loss and extracting value from free bets and bonuses.
The optimal lay stake is calculated to make profits equal in both scenarios. For a qualifying bet (real money), the formula is: lay stake = (back stake x back cotas) / (lay cotas - commission rate). For a free bet where the stake is not returned: lay stake = (back stake x (back cotas - 1)) / (lay cotas - commission rate).
The lay liability is the amount you must hold in your exchange account to cover the lay bet: liability = lay stake x (lay cotas - 1). This is not lost money; it is returned if the lay wins.
For qualifying bets, you typically incur a small loss because back cotas and lay cotas are rarely identical and exchange commission applies. This qualifying loss is the cost of unlocking a free bet.
For free bets (stake not returned, SNR), the calculation changes because you are not risking your own stake on the back side. The net profit from a free bet is typically 70-90% of the face value, depending on how closely back and lay cotas match and the level of exchange commission. A free bet of 20 units at close cotas with 5% commission typically extracts 14-17 units of guaranteed profit.
Exchange commission reduces the effective lay cotas. A 5% commission on a lay at 3.10 means the real lay cotas are 3.10 - (3.10 - 1) x 0.05 = 3.10 - 0.105 = 2.995. The calculator applies commission to all lay winnings automatically.
Closer back and lay cotas produce smaller qualifying losses. Always look for lay cotas within 0.10-0.15 decimal of the back price to keep qualifying losses manageable.
Why use it at 1win
1win offers a bono de benvida that you can qualify for with your primeiro depósito. Back your qualifying bet at 1win, lay it at an exchange, and claim your bonus with code XLBONUS. The matched bet calculator shows your exact qualifying loss before you commit.
Preguntas frecuentes
What is a free bet SNR?
SNR stands for "stake not returned". When a free bet wins, you receive only the winnings, not the original stake amount. This is the most common type of free bet offered by bookmakers, including 1win.
What exchange commission rate should I use?
Major exchanges typically charge 2-5% commission on net winnings per market. Check your specific exchange account; premium members sometimes pay lower rates. The default in this calculator is 5%.
Why do I sometimes make a loss on a qualifying bet?
Qualifying losses arise when back and lay cotas differ. The lay cotas are usually slightly higher because exchanges charge commission, creating a gap. This small loss is the cost of qualifying for a free bet or bonus.
How do I find the best lay cotas?
Compare cotas at major betting exchanges. Higher liquidity mercados (e.g. top football leagues) typically have tighter back-to-lay spreads, reducing qualifying losses.
Is matched betting risk-free?
When executed correctly with matching back and lay bets, matched betting involves minimal financial risk from the bet outcome itself. The main risks are operator error (wrong stake or cotas entered), bookmaker bonus term changes, and account restrictions from identified matched bettors.