Most free bets are stake not returned (SNR), so use higher odds, around 4.0 to 8.0, where more of the value is in the winnings. To turn a free bet into cash whatever happens, lay it at a betting exchange. A £10 free bet at those odds usually keeps £7 to £8.
Stake not returned vs stake returned free bets
"Stake not returned" (SNR) means you only get the winnings. A £10 SNR free bet at 3.0 pays £20, not £30. A few offers return the stake too, which makes them worth more. Check which yours is before you do anything else.
Use a free bet at higher odds, around 4.0 to 8.0
Because the stake doesn't come back, the winnings are all the value. At short odds there's little to keep. This table shows what a £10 SNR free bet keeps when you lay it.
| Back odds | Lay odds | You keep | Of the £10 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 | 2.08 | £4.76 | 48% |
| 3.0 | 3.12 | £6.32 | 63% |
| 4.0 | 4.16 | £7.10 | 71% |
| 6.0 | 6.24 | £7.88 | 79% |
| 8.0 | 8.32 | £8.27 | 83% |
Lay the free bet to lock in cash
Laying the same selection at an exchange means you keep about the same amount whether it wins or loses. Laying a free bet this way is the core of matched betting.
Calculators:Free bet calculatorMatched betting calculatorLay bet calculator
Free bet terms to check: odds, markets, expiry and wagering
- Minimum odds for the qualifying bet and the free bet.
- Which markets and sports count.
- When the free bet expires.
- Whether winnings must be bet again before withdrawing.
Finding more offers with a matched betting service
If you want to do this regularly, a matched betting service lists offers and walks you through each one.
Questions people ask
What odds should I use a free bet on?
Higher odds, usually 4.0 to 8.0, keep more of a stake not returned free bet's value.
Can I withdraw a free bet?
No. You can only bet with it. Winnings from it are yours, unless the terms say otherwise.
How do I turn a free bet into cash?
Lay the same selection at a betting exchange with the right stake. The free bet calculator works it out.