All bookmakers offer various incentives to attract and retain players. It is mainly done through different betting bonuses. One of the most common bonus types is no deposit bonuses, including some in the form of free bets. As the name suggests, such bonuses allow players to wager without a deposit.
We will go on to explain what free bets are in this article. But before moving any further, we recommend you to look at the betnow review as a good resource of free betting bonuses. And now, let’s get to know the main points of free bets.
What Are Free Bets?
Virtually all bookmakers offer free bets to reward or attract customers to their platforms. Free bets or free balances allow players to wager without any deposit and with no risk for them.
In other words, a free bet consists of a sum of cash that a bookie gives a player for placing bets in sports games. If this bet wins, the player will be able to keep the winning but not the original amount bet.
How do Free Bets Work?
Most bookmakers offer the bet for free to use in a single event. You will probably also be required to wager on a game with fixed minimum odds.
Let’s take an example to get a better understanding. Let’s say a bookmaker gave you a free bet of $25 by simply opening an account with them. The time limit for the offer is 30 days and the minimum odds qualifying is 1.05. Imagine that you placed this $25 on a match winner with the odds 1.95.
If your bet wins, you will get only $23.75 credited to your account. However, you will lose your stake amount ($25) on this type of bet. It is a common practice for the bookmaker to pay only the winning part of the bet without deposit and not the value of the original bet.
How to Get a Free Bet
Free bets appear as constant offers from the beginning and as long as you continue as a customer. To make use of free bets, newcomers need to take the steps below:
- Find a bookie that offers a free bet as a welcome bonus.
- Read the T&Cs of that offer to know all the intricacies of it.
- Create an account with the betting site.
- Make a minimum deposit required to qualify for free bets, unless the bookie indicates otherwise.
- Place a wager using free bets.
Loyal players can also make use of free bets just by clicking on the platform of the bookmaker. Free bets usually appear from time to time as constant promotions. So, the more active you are as a player, the more bonuses you will get for free bets.
The correct use of free bets is in the entire experience of the bookmaker. When you know all its options and conditions, you will likely be able to get the most out of it.
Types of Free Bets
There are many different types of free bets, such as gameplays, free bonuses, and offers for existing players, to name but a few. However, there are two main concepts of free bets:
- No-refund bet. It is a free bet in which the bookmaker does not return the winnings like a normal bet since the bookmaker usually puts specific restrictions on this type of bet.
- Bet with return. It is a free betting bonus or stake returned bonus, which means that the original balance will be returned. Unlike free bets, bonuses have minimum wagering requirements.
Although there are significant differences between the two types of bets, the advantage of the two is quite obvious: you do not play or risk your own money but do so with the money offered by the bookmaker.
Recommendations on Free Bet Bonuses
There is no right or wrong way to use a free bet. Nevertheless, some options are better than others. Here are the main principles to consider:
- Decide what type of free bet the bookmaker offers.
- Remember to read the terms and conditions carefully to avoid misunderstandings.
- Check if there are any odds and game restrictions.
- Consider the validity period of the bonus.
- Bet on sites that generate trust and offer good attention to users.
As you can see, the idea of free bets is to increase the player’s interest. There are some conditions and requirements to meet for obtaining the free bet value. It encourages bettors to make use of free bets and win real money with no risk involved. Therefore, free betting is a great way to start trying your luck with sports betting.