HOW TO GET THE BEST BETTING ODDS

Getting the best odds makes you more profit.
This guide shows you how to find better prices and win more.

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Why Better Odds Matter

Every fraction of a point adds up over time.

If you consistently bet at worse odds, you lose money. If you always find the best price, you make more profit.

It’s that simple.

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Understanding Odds Formats

Bookmakers display odds in three different ways. They all mean the same thing – your potential payout.

Fractional Odds (UK Format)

Shown as fractions like 5/1 or 2/1.

For every £1 you bet, the first number shows your profit.

Example: At 5/1, a £1 bet wins you £5 profit. Your total return is £6 (£5 profit + £1 stake back).

Odds-on bets have a smaller first number, like 1/2. These are favourites. A £2 bet at 1/2 wins £1 profit.

Decimal Odds (European Format)

The simplest format. The number shows your total return for a £1 stake.

Example: Odds of 6.00 mean a £1 bet returns £6 total (£5 profit + £1 stake).

To work out your winnings: multiply your stake by the decimal odds.

American Odds (Moneyline)

Used in the US. Shown with + or – signs.

Positive numbers (+) show profit from a £100 bet.

• +500 means a £100 bet wins £500 profit

Negative numbers (-) show how much you need to bet to win £100.

• -150 means bet £150 to win £100 profit

Most betting sites let you switch between formats. Use whichever you find easiest.

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Using Odds Comparison Websites

Checking every bookmaker manually takes too long. Odds comparison sites do it for you.

These platforms show odds from dozens of bookmakers side-by-side. You instantly see who offers the best price.

Top UK comparison sites:

• Oddschecker
• Oddsportal
• Oddsjet

What they let you do:

• Filter by sport and event
• Compare all markets (match winner, over/under, etc.)
• Switch odds formats
• See how odds have moved over time
• Build accumulators with best combined odds

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Our Free Racing Odds Comparison Tool

We’ve built a free tool that shows the top 3 odds for every horse, updated live.

Visit our Race Cards page to compare odds instantly.

What makes it different:

• Top 3 prices for every horse in every race
• Updated in real-time
• No affiliate links – we don’t earn commission from bookmakers
• Covers all UK and Irish racing

No sign-up needed. Just check the odds and bet where you get the best price.

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How to Get Better Odds Every Time

Open Multiple Bookmaker Accounts

You can’t bet at the best price if you don’t have an account there.

Having accounts with 5-10 bookmakers gives you flexibility. You can always bet where the odds are best.

Shop Around (Line Shopping)

Never settle for the first price you see.

Check at least 3-5 bookmakers for every bet. Even small differences add up.

Example: One bookie offers 2/1 while another offers 9/4 on the same outcome. That’s a 12.5% better return at 9/4.

Understand the Overround (Bookmaker’s Margin)

If you add up the implied probabilities of all outcomes, they total more than 100%. That extra percentage is the bookmaker’s profit margin.

Lower overround = better value for you.

Compare the overround between bookmakers. The one with the lowest margin offers better odds.

Time Your Bets

Odds change constantly based on:

• How much money is being bet
• Team news
• Injuries
• Weather

Early betting: Sometimes you get better odds before they shorten.

Late betting: Sometimes odds drift and improve closer to the event.

Watch the market and learn when to place your bet.

Advanced: Arbitrage Betting

“Arbing” means betting on all possible outcomes across different bookmakers to guarantee profit.

This works when bookmakers disagree enough that you can cover all outcomes and still make money.

Warning: Opportunities are rare and disappear quickly. Bookmakers also limit arb bettors.

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Step-by-Step: How to Find the Best Odds

1. Research your bet Before checking odds, research the event. Check team form, injuries, and head-to-head records.

2. Use a comparison site Go to Oddschecker or similar. Search for your event.

3. Check multiple markets Don’t just look at match winner. Check other markets for better value.

4. Compare the overround See which bookmaker has the lowest margin on your market.

5. Place your bet Log into the bookmaker with the best odds. Place your bet.

6. Track your results Keep records. See how much extra profit you’re making by getting better odds.

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The Bottom Line

Better odds mean more profit. Every percentage point counts.

Use comparison sites. Have multiple accounts. Shop around.

Over time, these small improvements add up to serious extra profit.

Start comparing odds on your next bet.

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