This worked example shows how to calculate the liability for a lay bet of $5.00 at odds of 2.00 on a betting exchange.
| Input | Value |
|---|---|
| Lay Stake | $5.00 |
| Lay Odds | 2.00 |
| Result | Amount |
|---|---|
| Liability | $5.00 |
| Profit if selection loses | +$5.00 |
| Loss if selection wins | −$5.00 |
The formula for lay bet liability is: Liability = (Odds − 1) × Stake
(2.00 − 1) × $5.00 = $5.00
When you lay a selection on a betting exchange, you act as the bookmaker — betting the selection will not win. If it loses, you collect the backer's stake as profit ($5.00). If it wins, you pay out the backer's winnings — your liability of $5.00.
The exchange reserves your liability when the bet is placed and releases it when the market settles.