If you’re new to betting, it can be a stumbling block. Figuring out how much you’re likely to spend on a given bet can feel overwhelming. The good news is that we’ve got you covered. Here’s a breakdown of the different costs associated with betting, and how you can use this information to make smarter wagers in the future.
Registration Fees
When you register with a betting site, you’ll typically be asked to pay a one-time fee. This is known as the registration or sign-up charge. The fee typically covers the cost of processing your initial bet, as well as the operation of the site itself. If you’re looking to place cash wagers, you might also be required to fund your account using a credit card. In this case, the registration fee is usually around $20, but can range from $2 to $50, or more.
Margins
After you’ve registered with a betting site, you’ll be shown the current available margins. These are the amounts of money that the site maintains as a buffer for paying winning and losing bets. To give you an example, if you wager $100 at 10/20 odds and win, the site will distribute the $100 along with your original $100, giving you a total of $200.
However, if you bet $100 at 10/20 odds and lose, the site will keep $80, leaving you with a net loss of $120. In this case, you’ll need to find some way to make up for that loss before you can place another wager.
Place/Payout Bets
When you make a place bet, you’re agreeing to pay the site if your selection wins the race or game. You’ll need to decide whether to bet on the favorite or the field in making place bets. Most places will have strict guidelines on how much you can wager, so make sure you read the terms and conditions before making any such wagers.
On the other hand, payouts are when you’re agreeing to receive winnings from the site. These can be cash, but they might also be complimentary tickets, merchandise, or access to some kind of event.
Bankroll
Your bankroll is the total amount of money that you’re willing to spend on bets. When you reach your limit, the site will generally ask you to top up your bankroll using one of the many available credit cards. You can also use a credit card to fund your account if you reach your daily limit.
Wager Size
The wager size refers to the amount of money that you’re willing to wager per bet. The size of your wager dictates the payout odds. For example, if you wager $10 on a given horse, you’re making a 10/1 wager. In this case, you’ll need to win $10 to make a profit. If you lose, you’ll have to wager $10 to break even.
Rate Of Return
The rate of return is how much you’re willing to risk on a given bet. The general guideline is to keep this amount as close to 100% as possible, but in practice this varies. Some bets are more risky than others, and this is reflected in the rate of return. For example, if you’re looking at betting on the favorite, you know that there’s a pretty good chance that you’ll win. This is reflected in the fact that the rate of return on these bets is usually closer to zero than to 100%. On the other hand, if you’re looking to place a flier on a horse whose chances of winning are more in the realm of doubt, the rate of return will be higher. It’s generally accepted that if you’re looking for bigger wins, you need to take on more risk. This is why when you compare the payout odds of different betting sites, you should always look at the rate of return first before making your decision. In general, the lower the rate of return, the bigger the win, but this is not always the case.
With this information at your disposal, you can calculate the true cost of betting. Keep in mind that some sites will charge you fees for accessing certain information, so you’ll need to add those on top of your initial fees. In some instances, you might be required to top up your bankroll before you can place a bet. In other words, there’s more than one side to every story, and this is why we recommend being precise about how much you spent in the first place.