Ever backed a horse at 8/1, only to see it drift out to 10/1 before the off, and then win? Without Best Odds Guaranteed (BOG), you’d be stuck with the original 8/1. But with it? You’re paid at the higher 10/1. It’s a simple perk, but one that can make a real difference to your returns.
So, why the catch? Why would bookies offer something that, on the face of it, seems to be favouring the punter? Let’s examine closely what BOG is all about, how it operates, and why it’s not as biased as it seems.
What Exactly Is Best Odds Guaranteed?
The Best Odds Guaranteed applies when you have an early price bet on a horse or greyhound, and the Starting Price (SP) is higher. In this case, you are paid at the higher odds if your chosen runner wins.
Assume that you fancy a horse at 2.30 at Newmarket. You place a bet at 6/1 at lunchtime. By race time, the SP has inflated to 8/1. The horse wins. Due to BOG, you don’t receive the 6/1, you’re paid 8s.
It’s a great little safety net, especially if you’re the sort of person who likes to put your bets on early, either from a tipster or just trying to beat the market.
Why Do Bookmakers Offer It?
And here’s where things become particularly interesting. Why would a bookmaker be willing to give back more?
It’s a case of being different. The online betting market is very competitive. Bookmakers are constantly competing with each other to bring in punters and keep them. Best Odds Guaranteed is one of the ways they try to make it more attractive.
It builds trust. It has you betting early. And for the bookmaker, it doesn’t necessarily indicate that they’re operating at a loss. Most gamblers, over the long term, still end up losing more than they win. So, giving a bit of extra value on the occasional winner? That’s a risk they’re happy to take, especially if it means retaining you as a returning customer.
Where Can You Get It
Nowadays, nearly all leading brands offer BOG in one shape or another, but not all of them do it in the same way. Some to every UK and Irish race. Others only from a certain time every day. Some even limit it to bets of a certain type or size.
That’s why savvy punters like to look for the best odds guaranteed betting sites in the UK that have BOG as a standard, with minimal restrictions. It’s not just having the facility, it’s when it comes into play, how often it’s applied, and how it suits your type of betting.
The Real Benefit for Bettors
The big gain here is obvious: you get more money back when your horse wins at a higher SP than the price you laid. But apart from the occasional improved returns, BOG also gives you peace of mind. You won’t be wondering whether to wait or to lay your bet early. You can lock in the early price and have the confidence that should the odds turn against you, you are still covered.
It also works well if you’re doing a tipster or system that suggests prices at the beginning of the day. You get on when the value is perceived, and if the market goes against you, you’re still protected.
The Small Print You Don’t Want to Miss
There’s always something with everything you do in betting that has some strings attached to it.
Bookmakers can (and do) limit BOG coverage for individual punters, most notably those who are consistently profitable or have been detected as “value hunters.” You might also notice bet type, minimum price, or top bet limits. It’s always worth reading the small print. Don’t automatically take BOG to cover all bets, especially on the less frequent race meetings or if you’re placing bets via an odds comparison site or third-party tool.
Is BOG Here to Stay?
Like any promotion, BOG is not here for good. Bookmakers have already started limiting the availability of it. Others are making it an opt-in or limiting it to the best customers.
That said, BOG still plays a key role in many bookmakers’ appeal, especially with punters who know how to use it smartly. If it helps a bookmaker win your loyalty, they’ll keep it going. But abuse it, and there’s always a risk you’ll get restricted or cut off entirely.
Final Thoughts
Best Odds Guaranteed is a rare discovery in life on a bet: something that actually works for you but isn’t too complicated. You get more back if your choice wins at a bigger price, and you don’t have to worry quite so much about making your bet perfect.
From a punter’s point of view, it’s a no-brainer. Just be sure you’re betting with a site that offers BOG fairly and consistently, and use it as part of a sensible, value-focused approach.
