How Does Lay Betting Work and How to Place a Lay Bet?

To answer whether lay betting is profitable, we should learn how this wager works. The term implies that you will be betting against a specific outcome. Instead of betting on a team to prevail, you will act as a bookmaker and place the fixed odds bet on a team to win. If others like the offer, they will take your bet, and you win if the team fails. Otherwise, you have to pay the wager.

The only online betting sites where you can leverage the power of lay bets are betting exchanges. Some of the best places for bettors who use laying odds as a means to gamble are Betfair or Smarkets. The system is simple, and you can enjoy the first winning bets on a football match through these steps:

Liability is a key concept that applies to all forms of gambling. It refers to the amount you stand to lose if you are unsuccessful in your prediction. The liability is equal to the stake when betting on sports at classic bookmakers. The odds don’t matter as they are only used to calculate the potential betting profit.

When you understand how betting exchanges work, liability becomes a serious issue for losing bets. The betting odds determine the liability and the returns you offer to potential backers. A lower-risk market, such as a draw-no bet with odds of 1.50, will only cost 50% of the stake. A high-paying one, such as “win both halves” at odds of 3.00 will be more costly to pay.

In lay betting, a commission refers to the fee charged by a betting exchange. It applies to all bets and is how betting exchanges make a profit while allowing users to bet against each other. By assuming the role of the sportsbook, bettors offer the odds and win if the other player makes a wrong prediction. The exchange takes a small percentage of your net winnings as commission.
Depending on the platform of choice, you could be charged as little as 2% or as much as 10%. The differences are significant, and since commission eats into your profit margin, you should aim for the lowest figure. Only the winner is charged this fee, so you won’t be subject to any charges if you place a losing bet. Some exchanges offer reduced rates or loyalty discounts based on user activity. This provides members with an incentive to stay active and bet often.

Lay betting in football is popular mainly because this is the preferred sport for casual players. To win big on football bets, you must chase bigger odds, which influences lay betting. By assuming the role of a bookmaker, you set the odds and determine the stakes for backers. If the team loses or draws, you win as a lay bettor; if not, the backhouse bet fails, and the selection loses.

Let’s consider a football match from the Bundesliga as an example of value football betting with this type of bet:

As soon as you understand what lay means in betting, you should expand your knowledge with the lay betting guide. Since this is a different form of betting than live betting sites, you would benefit from using the correct lay betting strategy. These are some of the popular lay betting systems that have proven their utility in the past:

The unique arbitrage opportunities offered by lay betting can only be enjoyed at betting exchanges. These are the places where you can assume the role of a bookmaker and use matched betting to get an edge over fellow bettors.

The bookmaker always wins because of the house edge. With the lay bet, you can assume this role and get an advantage over your peers. This form of wagering allows you to hedge against the risks and use arbitrage with a back lay betting calculator. Instead of depending on the odds bookies offer, you can set them yourself and turn the tables on the traditional bet.

Lay betting is easier than it might sound, and you can turn from beginner to pro in a short time. Avoid the common betting mistakes and keep your liability low while maintaining a healthy bankroll. The lay bet will quickly turn into a profitable tool and unlock unique opportunities.