Backing/Laying so you dont profit/lose

[Guest deancreus]

Hello I have a question if anybody could help me out. Say a bookie is offering a free bet after an initial stake but you have to bet on a selection about Evens. Then I find a bet at 2.20 and see that I can also lay it at 2.20 at Betfair. How do I work out how much I should back/lay to ensure I dont lose or if I do lose make it very small? So I dont lose on the actual bet at all- and I will then be eligible for the free bet. Sorry if this is really simple- but I cant work this out at the moment! :o Thanks

[Guest bcrazy]

Re: Backing/Laying so you dont profit/lose Just checking that Ive got this right- you need to back a selection around Evs which you want to ensure you don't lose on so you get your free bet? All you have to do is back the selection @ (lets say) 2.2 and then lay it for the lowest odds you can (say 2.3) for the same stake. If your selection wins you lose 0.1 units (for a 1 units stake) and if it loses you only lose the commision charged by the exchange.