What is a Back Bet?

A back bet is a bet for an outcome to happen. It is the normal kind of bet you place at a bookmaker. When you back something, you win if it happens.

Backing in plain terms

If you back Collingwood to win and they win, your back bet wins. If they lose or draw, it loses. Every bet you have ever placed at a bookmaker is a back bet.

How it fits into matched betting

Matched betting pairs a back bet with a lay bet. You back an outcome at a bookmaker and lay the same outcome on a betting exchange at the same time. The two bets cancel each other out, so the result does not matter and you keep the value from the bookmaker's offer as profit.

Next steps

Read what is a lay bet next, or start with the complete guide to matched betting.