How free-bet extraction works
A stake-not-returned (SNR) free bet pays your profit only — the £30 free bet at 5/1 returns £150, not £180, because the £30 stake doesn't come back. To extract value reliably, place the free bet at the bookmaker AND lay the same selection on a betting exchange (Smarkets, Betfair Exchange) at similar odds. Done correctly, you end up with the same cash either way the race goes — typically 70-80% of the free bet's headline value, depending on the gap between back and lay odds and the exchange commission.
Your free bet
A stake-not-returned (SNR) free bet pays your profit only — the free-bet stake doesn't come back. Most UK welcome offers are SNR. To extract guaranteed value, place the free bet at the bookmaker and lay the same selection on an exchange.
= 6.00 decimal
Lay leg (exchange)
Available exchange price to lay the same selection. Smarkets / Betfair Exchange.
= 6.00 decimal
Smarkets is 2%; Betfair Exchange is 5% on most markets (lower for high-volume accounts).
Related calculators
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Hand-picked siblings of this calculator — natural next steps in the bet-type family.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions
- A free bet where only the profit is returned to your balance if it wins — the bookmaker keeps the stake. A £30 SNR free bet at 5/1 returns £150 (the £30 × 5 profit), not £180 (which would include the £30 stake). Almost all UK welcome offers and reload bonuses are SNR. The opposite is a stake-returned (SR) free bet, which is rarer but pays the full £180.
Gamble Responsibly
Gambling should be entertaining and not seen as a way to make money. Never bet more than you can afford to lose. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help and support is available.