Lay Betting Explained: Beginners Guide to Lay Bets - November 2025

What is Lay Bet Betting?

With traditional sportsbooks, bettors wager on an outcome to occur. For example, during a Premier League fixture between Arsenal and Manchester United, punters might back the London club to win 2-0.

However, on betting exchanges, including Betfair Exchange, Smarkets, and Matchbook, punters have a second, and potentially lucrative, alternative option.

Betting exchanges enable users to lay a bet, wagering that an outcome will not happen. 

Users who are convinced that the Gunners will not be victorious against United can place a lay bet that Arsenal will win the match. In such cases, the bet pays out if the game ends as a draw or United claim all three points.

Likewise, backing even the strongest of outfits to win the Champions League is risky. Laying that a team won’t win the illustrious European tournament can offer a more reliable strategy.

While lay betting’s differentiation from traditional wagers can induce some initial confusion, it’s a format that helps manage betting risks and secures substantial winnings when used strategically.

Understand Lay Betting with Real Examples

When placing a lay bet, punters are effectively operating as the bookmaker. On betting exchanges, savvy bettors accept stakes from other users backing an outcome to happen. In turn, the lay bettor is wagering against that outcome occurring.

Major betting exchanges offer dozens of football-based markets, including outrights, for users to back and lay bets.

A hopeful Aston Villa supporter could place a £3 stake on their team to win the Premier League this season with odds of 66/1 (67.00). Given the event’s perceived implausibility, many bettors would be happy to lay such a speculative bet.

If Aston Villa are unsuccessful in their pursuit of the title, the lay bettor would win the wager, receiving the £3 stake placed by the backer.

However, laying bets can be risky; if the West Midlands club pulled off a miraculous title-winning season, the lay bettor would be forced to pay out their £198 winnings.

Different Types of Lay Bet Explained

Lay betting is not limited to full-time and outright markets, there are dozens of options on Betfair Exchange and Smarkets, among other reputable betting exchanges, for bettors to accept stakes.

Lay Both Teams to Score (BTTS)

Bet against both teams scoring in the match. The lay bettor wins if either one or both teams fail to score.

Lay BTTS and Team to Win

Wager against a specific team winning and both teams scoring. For example, laying “Both Teams to Score and Arsenal to Win” means the lay bet wins if Arsenal fail to win or if one or both teams don’t score.

Lay BTTS and Over/Under 2.5 Goals

Bet against both teams scoring and the total goals being over or under 2.5. For instance, laying “BTTS and Over 2.5” wins if either both teams don’t score or fewer than 3 goals are scored in total.

Lay Correct Score

This bet is against a specific final scoreline occurring. For example, laying a 2-1 result wins if the match ends with any other score.

Lay Betting Strategies

Accept Speculative Bets

Due to the considerable returns that lay bettors can pay out, accepting dubious bets is risky. Users should only lay speculative bets if they’re financially able and prepared to lose.

Nonetheless, in most cases, such as laying Aston Villa, Tottenham Hotspur, or Newcastle United to win the Premier League, it’s likely to secure a return.

If lay bettors believe a backer is wagering out of sentiment or emotional attachment, rather than insight, accepting such a bet can be valuable. 

Bettors must decide whether winning a small stake, typically in the range of £1–£10, is worth the potential liability of paying out a much larger sum if the lay bet loses.

Understand Underlying Data

A team can appear to be flying, seeing off same-league opposition with routine victories week in, week out. However, most bettors won’t watch that team’s fixtures weekly, or have spent hours analysing their numerical trends.

For example, despite positive results and strong form, the team’s underlying data metrics – xG, xGA, and shot conversion rate – might paint a different story, indicating their form has included some luck and isn’t sustainable.

In such cases, it’s worth taking advantage of the naivety or lack of research of other bettors and laying bets on that team to win.

The team’s luck could continue; a striker’s purple patch in front of goal might continue, forcing the bet to pay out. However, the data indicates the team isn’t as strong as they’re perceived to be, and their form is likely to drop soon, meaning value can be found in the market.

Lay Betting FAQs

What are the best lay betting websites?

While there are significantly fewer betting exchanges than traditional sportsbooks, there are several impressive sites that punters can lay bets on. Betfair Exchange, Smarkets, Matchbook, and SpreadEx are the most complete and accessible betting exchanges.

Can you place lay bets in football?

Lay betting on football is straightforward once bettors have fully grasped the concept. Users can choose to lay bets on several team or player-prop and outright markets.

Which other sports can you lay bets on?

There are numerous sports that bettors can place lay bets on. Betfair Exchange features 26 sports, including tennis, cricket, rugby, and basketball.