Free bet calculator
See what a free bet returns and what it's really worth, stake not returned or stake returned, at any odds.
- Return if it wins
- $20.00
- Profit if it wins
- $20.00
- Value at fair odds
- $6.67
- Value after the margin
- $6.35
- Share of face value
- 66.7%
A stake-not-returned free bet keeps more of its value at longer odds.
Free bet sign-up offers
Check each offer's minimum odds and expiry. 18+ · Ad.
Strikeline
Bet $10, Get $50 in Free Bets Min odds 1.50 (1/2)
18+. New customers. Min dep $10. Min odds 1.50 (1/2). Qualifying bet $10. Stake not returned. Free bets expire in 7 days. Full T&Cs apply.
Apex Odds
Bet $20, Get $40 + Enhanced odds Min odds 2.00 (Evs)
18+. New customers. Min dep $20. Min odds 2.00 (Evs). Qualifying bet $20. Stake not returned. Free bets expire in 7 days. Full T&Cs apply.
Pitchside
Get $30 in Free Bets when you bet $10 Min odds 1.80 (4/5)
18+. New customers. Min dep $10. Min odds 1.80 (4/5). Qualifying bet $10. Stake not returned. Free bets expire in 7 days. Full T&Cs apply.
Northstake
Up to $100 Money Back on your first bet Min odds 1.50 (1/2)
18+. New customers. Min dep $10. Min odds 1.50 (1/2). Refund as cash up to $100. Full T&Cs apply.
Quick answer
A $10 stake-not-returned free bet at odds of 3.00 returns $20 if it wins. At fair odds it is worth about $6.67 on average, two-thirds of its face value. A stake-returned free bet would return $30 and be worth the full $10.
Worked example
Formula
Stake not returned: return = free bet × (odds − 1)
Stake returned: return = free bet × odds
Value at fair odds = return ÷ odds
Value after margin = return ÷ (odds × (1 + margin))
A $10 SNR free bet at 3.00 returns $10 × 2 = $20 if it wins. At fair odds the chance of winning is 1 ÷ 3 = 33.3%, so it is worth $20 × 33.3% = $6.67. With a 5% margin the true chance is a little lower and the value is about $6.35.
| Odds | SNR return | SNR value (fair) | SR return | SR value (fair) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.50 | $5 | 33.3% | $15 | 100% |
| 2.00 | $10 | 50.0% | $20 | 100% |
| 3.00 | $20 | 66.7% | $30 | 100% |
| 5.00 | $40 | 80.0% | $50 | 100% |
| 10.00 | $90 | 90.0% | $100 | 100% |
Stake not returned vs stake returned
Most free bets are stake not returned: a win pays the profit only. That costs you the stake on every winning bet, which is why SNR free bets keep more of their value at longer odds (83% at 6.00, 50% at 2.00). Stake returned free bets, and money-back refunds paid as cash, are worth their full face value at fair odds.
Check the minimum odds and the expiry of any free bet before you use it.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What does stake not returned mean?
If a stake-not-returned free bet wins, you get the winnings but not the free bet stake: a $10 free bet at 3.00 returns $20, not $30.
What odds should I use a free bet at?
A stake-not-returned free bet keeps more of its average value at longer odds, but wins less often. There is no right answer; the value is an average across many bets.
How much is a free bet worth?
At fair odds, a stake-not-returned free bet is worth (odds − 1) ÷ odds of its face value; a stake-returned one is worth its full face value. The bookmaker's margin lowers both a little.
Gambling should stay fun
Set deposit limits before you play, never chase losses and take regular breaks. If gambling stops being enjoyable, free and confidential help is available 24/7.