Reference · UK adults · 18+
Matched Betting Glossary
Plain-English definitions of back bets, lay bets, liability, qualifying loss, SNR, SR and the other terms used in Valyoo's guides and calculators.
Learning reference only. Definitions explain the terminology, not whether a promotion is suitable or available. Current offer details and guided execution remain inside the gated product.
- Acca Insurance
- A promotion that may provide a reward when specified accumulator conditions are met. Qualifying legs, reward type and settlement rules vary by offer.
- Accumulator (Acca)
- A bet combining multiple selections. Under standard rules, every leg must win for the accumulator to pay, and the combined price and risk increase with each leg.
- Arbitrage (Arbing)
- Using price differences across operators to target a positive result across covered outcomes. Odds movement, limits and execution errors still create risk.
- Back Bet
- A bet placed at a bookmaker for an outcome to happen (e.g., Team A to win).
- Back Odds
- The odds offered by the bookmaker for backing a selection.
- Betfair
- A betting exchange where customers can back and lay selections. Available markets, liquidity, commission and account terms can change.
- Decimal Odds
- Odds format showing total return per £1 stake (e.g., 2.5 means £2.50 return on £1 bet).
- Dutching
- Splitting a stake across multiple selections to target a similar calculated result for each covered winner.
- Each Way (E/W)
- A bet combining win and place selections. The place part pays at a fraction if your selection places.
- Exchange Commission
- A charge that a betting exchange may apply to net market winnings. Rates and rules vary by exchange, market and account, so use the current rate shown for you.
- Free Bet
- A promotional betting credit subject to operator terms. Using one can still require your own exchange funds for liability, and mistakes can cause losses.
- Gubbing
- An informal term for an operator restricting an account or removing promotional eligibility. Operators make these decisions under their own terms and may not provide a reason.
- Lay Bet
- A bet placed at an exchange against an outcome happening. You act as the bookmaker.
- Lay Odds
- The price available for betting against a selection at an exchange. The gap from the back odds affects the estimated result.
- Lay Stake
- The amount you bet at the exchange to lay a selection. Calculated to balance with your back bet.
- Liability
- The amount you could lose on a lay bet if the selection wins. Held by the exchange until settled.
- Mug Betting
- An informal term for placing an ordinary, unhedged bet. It adds direct gambling exposure and is not a reliable or recommended safeguard against account restrictions.
- Overall Profit
- The combined result across the covered outcomes after stakes, losses and commission.
- Overlaying
- Using a lay stake above the balanced amount so the two possible results differ. This increases exposure to one outcome and should only be used when that trade-off is understood.
- Qualifying Bet
- A cash bet used to meet the conditions of a promotion. Matching it may create a planned cost, but the result depends on prices, commission and correct execution.
- Qualifying Loss (QL)
- The estimated combined cost of a qualifying back and lay position. It is affected by the price gap, commission, rounding and execution.
- Smarkets
- A betting exchange where customers can back and lay selections. Check the current commission, liquidity and account terms rather than relying on a fixed historic rate.
- SNR (Stake Not Returned)
- A promotional bet where the reward stake is not included in a winning return. Check the specific reward terms before selecting this calculator mode.
- SR (Stake Returned)
- A promotional bet where the reward stake is included in a winning return. The calculation differs from an SNR reward.
- Underlaying
- Using a lay stake below the balanced amount so the two possible results differ. This increases exposure to one outcome and should only be used when that trade-off is understood.