The qualifying bet is the first of two bets you place for every offer. Its purpose is to satisfy the bookmaker's terms (e.g. "bet £10 at odds of 2.0 or more") so that your free bet is credited. You hedge it on the exchange to keep your loss small.
Before you start
- You have read the full offer terms at the bookmaker (minimum odds, qualifying market, time limit).
- You have run the figures through the calculator and know your lay stake.
- You have enough funds in your exchange account to cover the lay liability.
Step 1 — Choose a selection
Pick a sporting event available at both the bookmaker and the exchange. Choose a selection in the "Match Odds" market (e.g. Team A to win, draw, or Team B to win). Look for a selection where the back odds at the bookmaker are close to the lay odds on the exchange — the smaller the gap, the smaller your qualifying loss.
Step 2 — Run the calculator
- Open the EarnXtra calculator in Normal mode.
- Enter your back stake, back odds, lay odds, and commission rate.
- Note the recommended lay stake and the qualifying loss shown.
Step 3 — Place the back bet at the bookmaker
Log in to your bookmaker account. Find the same event and selection. Add it to your bet slip, enter the stake shown in the calculator, and confirm the bet. Do NOT close the browser yet.
Step 4 — Place the lay bet on the exchange
- Go to the exchange and find the same event and market.
- Click "Lay" next to the selection.
- Enter the lay stake from the calculator (not the liability — the calculator shows the stake).
- Check the lay odds match what you entered in the calculator. If the odds have moved, re-run the calculator.
- Confirm the bet.
Step 5 — Wait for the result
Once both bets are placed, sit back and wait. Whatever the result, one bet wins and the other loses by approximately the same amount — leaving you with a small qualifying loss and your free bet unlocked.
Step 6 — Claim your free bet
Most bookmakers credit free bets automatically within a few hours of the qualifying bet settling. Check your account balance or the "Promotions" section. Once the free bet appears, move on to the next guide: "Using Your Free Bet".
Common mistakes to avoid
- Placing the wrong stake at the bookmaker (check the bet slip before confirming).
- Laying the wrong amount on the exchange — always use the calculator figure.
- Using ineligible odds — check the minimum odds requirement in the offer terms.
- Forgetting to check the qualifying market (some offers specify football only, or pre-match only).