Request a bet offers are popular with bookmakers and bettors alike.
Popular Bet request titles include PriceItUp, YourOdds, and CreateYourBet.
Bookmakers like DIY bets. It’s difficult to benchmark the value against a betting exchange.
What is request a bet?
Build your own bet is basically an accumulator. You are combining a series of bets into one big bet. There are three main options when placing a DIY bet:
- Bet on a bookmaker pre-set selection. For example, William Hill YourOdds.
- Build your own DIY bet (see the below list of bookies).
- Or, submit a request via Twitter using the relevant hashtag.
Matched betting example
Certain DIY bets are layable at a betting exchange.
Let’s imagine you are looking to qualify for a free bet offer.
Certain combinations allow you to use a matched betting strategy. Back at the bookie and lay at Betfair, then receive your bonus.
You could bet on Draw and Both Team To Score at odds of 4.1 with the bookmaker.
Then lay Draw/Yes at 4.6 in the “Winner and BTTS” market on Smarkets exchange.
Which bookmakers offer DIY bets?
The following bookmakers allow you to create your own bet.
- 10bet – Create Your Bet
- Bet365 – Bet Builder
- Bwin – Build a Bet
- Coral – Build Your Bet
- Skybet – RequestABet
Each bookie uses a different title, but these are all the same style of bet.
The following bookies want you to ask via Twitter for a bespoke do-it-yourself bet:
- Betfred – #PickYourPunt
- BetVictor – #PriceItUp
- Betway – #BetYourWay
- Ladbrokes – #GetAPrice
- Paddy Power – #WhatOddsPaddy
- William Hill – #YourOdds
Much like a traditional accumulator, these bets offer poor value. Each selection of a DIY will be poor value. So, the bookmaker overround (profit margin) compounds.
But, certain types of DIY bets are useful for matched bettors.
Potential markets
Lots of DIY bet markets are actually still layable at Betfair.
- Match odds and under or over 2.5 goals – for a team to win and there to be either under or over 2.5 goals in the match.
- Anytime Wincast market – a team to win and a specific player to score anytime. For example, Juventus to win and Ronaldo to score anytime.
- Scorecast – a bet on the first goalscorer and correct score, i.e. Salah to score first and Liverpool to win 2-0.
- To score 2 or more goals – a bet on a player to score 2 or more goals in the match.
- Penalty taken – will a penalty get awarded in the match? (not a penalty scored).
- Match odds and BTTS – a team to win and both teams to score, i.e. Man Utd to win and both teams to score (this could be 2-1, 3-1, 4-2 etc).
Try placing these into a DIY bet, then check “all markets” on Betfair for the relevant lay market.
Advantage play DIY bets
There will also be situations when you cannot lay off a DIY bet. This happens when there is no exchange lay market to hedge your bet. In this scenario, benchmark the value to the best price on Betfair and/or Oddschecker. Then, place a small advantage play.
Summary
DIY bets are another source of matched betting profit.
Request a bet offers can be beneficial for the bookmaker and matched bettor. The bookies want us to take crazy prices on ACCAs, yet we can still find value. What’s not to like?
Check out our other football reload guides for more matched betting strategies.