Make the free stake count
Free Bet Calculator
See what a free bet really returns — and optionally the lay stake to lock it in.
Stake not returned: you receive winnings only.
Lay stake = return ÷ (L − c)
Liability = lay stake × (L − 1)
Locked profit = lay stake × (1 − c)
Example: £10 SNR at 5.00, lay 5.20, 2% commission
- Return if it wins = £40.00
- Lay stake = £7.72, liability £32.43
- Locked profit either way = £7.57 (75.68%)
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What does “stake not returned” (SNR) mean?
Most free bets do not pay back the free stake — you only receive the winnings. A £10 SNR free bet at 3.00 returns £20.00.
What if my free bet is “stake returned” (SR)?
Then the stake is included in the return. The same £10 at 3.00 returns £30.00. SR free bets are less common.
Why use longer odds for a free bet?
Because the stake is not returned, the share of the free bet you keep grows with the odds. At very short odds most of the value disappears.
What is the lay option?
Laying the same selection on a betting exchange locks in a result whichever way the event goes. With a £10 SNR free bet at 5.00, laying at 5.20 with 2% commission needs a lay stake of £7.72 (liability £32.43) and keeps £7.57 either way — 75.68% of the free bet.
Is this financial advice?
No. slipmath shows the arithmetic only. Check your bookmaker’s free-bet terms (minimum odds, expiry, eligible markets) and only bet what you can afford to lose.
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