Betting exchanges featured on Bookmakersbetting.co.uk

Backing
When you back a selection, you are betting that it will win. This is betting in the traditional way.

Example:
Kicking King is available to back at odds of 3.50 to win the Gold Cup. You are confident about Kicking King's chances and are attracted by those odds. You decide to stake £100 on Kicking King to win the Gold Cup. Another Member wants to lay Kicking King, at odds of 3.50 or better, with a total stake of £100 (and a potential loss of £250, see exposure). Your bets are matched.

Outcome 1: Kicking King wins the Gold Cup. Your return totals £350, less commission. This is made up of your stake of £100 plus your winnings of £250. You are only charged commission on your winnings.
Outcome 2: Kicking King doesn’t win the Gold Cup. You lose your £100 stake.

This method of betting is how punters have traditionally made bets with bookmakers – the odds are presented, and provided you are satisfied with the odds, you back the selection.

Laying
When you lay a selection, you are betting that it will not win.
If the selection does not win, you receive the Backer’s stake. If the selection wins, you pay the Backer the stake multiplied by the relevant odds.

Example:
Kicking King is available to lay at odds of 3.50 to win the Gold Cup. You are confident that Kicking King will not win. You lay £100 on Kicking King at odds of 3.50. But, to win £100 with a lay bet at those odds, you will need to put up £250 to cover your potential loss (also known as exposure). So even though you lay £100, your exposure is £250.

Another Member wants to back Kicking King, at odds of 3.50 or better, with a total stake of £100. Your bets are matched.

Outcome 1: Kicking King doesn’t win the Gold Cup. You win £100, less commission. This comes from the Backer’s stake.
Outcome 2: Kicking King wins the Gold Cup. You lose £250. This is your exposure amount from the original bet.