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Formulas and Math's of Dutching

Bet or Lay any number of selections to show an equal profit
no-matter what the outcome of the event
(providing you hit the winner).

On this web page

3 methods of Dutching described.

Odds as a percentage.

Simple Dutching

Be A Bookie Excel spreadsheet
Lay up to 25 selections to an equal liability or profit whatever the result.

Be A Bookie Place Market spreadsheet
Lay up to 25 selections to an equal liability or profit whatever the result
in Betfair Horse racing
Place markets

Set Amount Excel spreadsheet
Bet up to 25 selections for an equal profit whichever wins.
Limit your total stake.

Dutching to a Profit Target spreadsheet
Win as much as you like !
Choose a profit target.
Bet up to 25 selections for an equal profit whichever wins.

Dutching to a Set Liability spreadsheet
Lay to your comfort level.
Choose how much to lose if you hit a winner with your lays.
Lay 1 to 25 runners, but your liability will remain the same.

Problems

How to place several bets in one go

My other web sites with spreadsheets

betformulas.co.uk
Formulas and maths of trading

betandlay.co.uk
Football trading

A list of all my spreadsheets lives here :-
betandlay.co.uk/strategies
Strategies for horse racing and football trading

There are 3 methods of Dutching shown here.
Each has its advantages over the others concerning odds input for calculation, control of total stakes, and profit target.

Simple Dutching

  • Allows odds to be input in any sequence

  • Stakes remain unaltered throughout

  • There is no control of Total Stakes.

Set Amount (Stakes Limit) Dutching

  • The odds of ALL the runners need to be input before calculations can be done

  • Stakes will adjust, if more selections are added.

  • There is total control of Total Stakes.

Dutching to a profit target

  • Maintains profit level regardless of number of runners or odds.

  • As the number of selections increases, all stakes are adjusted to maintain the desired profit.

  • Total Stakes can spiral alarmingly, especially if the odds are short.

Dutching is a method of staking several selections in the same race.
Stakes are calculated so that providing you hit the winner, each selection returns the same profit.

Dutching can be a very effective way of betting on a number of selections in order to show a profit, but whilst increasing the number of selections obviously increases your chance of hitting the winner, every additional selection also reduces your overall odds, and reduces your profit.

If Laying, the opposite applies.
Whilst increasing the number of selections obviously increases your chance of hitting the winner, every additional selection also reduces your overall odds, but increases your profit it you miss the winner, since all your Lays will be successful.
Bookies, or Betfair traders who Lay bets, are in effect Dutching the market.

The number of bets placed is only limited by the odds of your selections.
Once the combined percentage of all the odds of your selections exceeds 100%, the calculation for Dutching cannot work, and returns a loss on every selection.
You cannot Dutch an over-round book to profit by Betting.
Your Betting book must be under-round.
You cannot Dutch an under-round book to profit by Laying.
Your Laying book must be over-round.
Click on the Lay Tab above for an explanation of an over-round, under-round book.

Odds as a percentage.
To calculate the percentage of your odds, divide the decimal "Betfair" odds into 100.
For example, we know that even money is a 50 - 50 chance, so evens should equal 50%.
Decimal "Betfair" odds for even money is 2.0.
100 divided by 2 = 50%

1/1 is 2.0 in decimal odds, so 100 / 2 = 50%
3/1 is 4.0 in decimal odds, so 100 / 4 = 25%
4/1 is 5.0 in decimal odds, so 100 / 5 = 20%
9/1 is 10.0 decimal odds, so 100 / 10 = 10%

Those percentages added together = 105%.  The book is 5% over-round.
Odds of 1/1, 3/1 and 4/1 would = 95%.  That book would be 5% under-round. 

Simple Dutching.
This is the most commonly used method of Dutching.
I would guess that most Layers use this method to Lay selections to a profitable book, but the same calculation can be used to Dutch Bet a market.
The advantages of this method are that

  • The math's involved are very simple

  • Each stake remains the same regardless of the odds of other runners.

If used to Bet, there is no control of Total Stakes.
As we Bet more runners, our liabilities increase.
If used to Lay,  the increase of total Bet  £ accepted becomes an asset, as the liabilities on a winner are offset by successful Lays on other runners.
As we Lay more runners, our liabilities decrease.
We stand to lose a smaller amount on any winner due to successful Lays on additional losers.

Dutching Example Betting.
As an example, we can Dutch selections priced at 4.0, 5.0 and 10.0, (total 55%).
Stakes would be :-

Odds Stake Winnings minus  Losing stakes Net profit
4.0 25 75 - 30 45
5.0 20 80 - 35 45
10.0 10 90 - 45 45

An equal profit will be shown providing the percentage of the combined odds of your runners doesn't exceed 100%.
Above 100% will show an equal loss on all selections.
A big problem if Betting with Simple Dutching is that , our total stakes increase as we add more selections, so our liabilities increase on any winner.  (We stand to lose a greater amount).
If we add further selections with odds of 10.0, our total stake increases by £10,  (100/10).
With 2 selections priced 4.0, 5.0, our total stake stands at £45.
With 3 selections priced 4.0, 5.0, 10.0, our total stake increases to £55.
With 4 selections priced 4.0, 5.0, 10.0, 10.0, our total stake increases to £65.
With 5 selections priced 4.0, 5.0, 10.0, 10.0, 10.0, our total stake increases to £75.

The size of the increase is in proportion to the size of the odds.
Short odds add large increases, and longer odds add smaller increases.
For instance odds of 2.0 adds £50, whilst 20.0 adds £5.

If Laying using Simple Dutching, the increase of total Bet  £ accepted becomes an asset, as the liabilities on a winner are offset by successful Lays on other runners.  (We stand to lose a smaller amount on any winner due to successful Lays on losers).
If we don't hit the winner, our net profit is the total of the stakes we have accepted.

Odds Stake Successful Lays less payout on a winner
4.0 25 30 -75 = -45
5.0 20 35 -80 = -45
10.0 10 45 -90 = -45
Net Profit  >>> 45  

Now if we Lay further selections with odds of 10.0, our total payout decreases by £10, since we would have additional successful Lays.
With 2 selections priced 4.0, 5.0, our total bets accepted stand at £45.
With 3 selections priced 4.0, 5.0, 10.0, our total bets accepted increases to £55.
With 4 selections priced 4.0, 5.0, 10.0, 10.0, our total bets accepted increases to £65.
With 5 selections priced 4.0, 5.0, 10.0, 10.0, 10.0, our total bets accepted increases to £75.

In each case, as more bets are accepted, we have more funds available to pay out on a winner.
If we are able to Dutch a Lay market of more than 100%, we make a guaranteed profit.
Click on the Lay Tab above for an explanation of Laying and making your own book.
To sum up, as you Lay more runners your liabilities become less,  and the more you stand to make on a "Skinner" - any horse you haven't Layed.

Be A Bookie spreadsheet.
Copyright notice.  In the 5 videos below, Betfair content shown is for demonstration purposes only, and is presented with the kind permission of The Sporting Exchange Limited.  © The Sporting Exchange Limited.

  1. Video 1 demonstrates inputs and how the spreadsheet works.
  2. Lay several runners in a horse race, adjusting the stakes for almost an even money situation, even though we don't expect to hit the winner with the horses that we have layed.
    Link to my old startingstalls web site.
  3. Use the Adjust feature to favour one outcome over all the others.
    Dutch Match Odds in a football match to Lay the Draw and then Lay the 2 teams after a goal is scored.
  4. Trade across more than one market.  Lay the Draw in football markets with insurance against a Nil - Nil result.

 

Excel spreadsheets are a quick and reliable way of doing calculations.
Purchase an excellent spreadsheet here for only a fiver.
Be A Bookie spreadsheet.
You will need Excel 2000 or a later version to view this spreadsheet.

This Be A Bookie spreadsheet calculates instantly the lay stakes required to Lay up to 25 selections to an equal liability.
You could use this spreadsheet for any event - horse racing, football, cricket, tennis etc..

Input the amount of your Total Payout, and as you input the odds of your selections, the spreadsheet shows :-

  • Total payout on any winner remaining constant at your original input.

  • The Lay stake required for each runner.

  • Equal liabilities against each runner.

  • Liability on each runner reducing as more runners are Layed.

  • Percentage of your book at all stages.

  • Total of Lay stakes at all stages - "Skinner" amount.

The more runners you Lay, the less your liabilities become.
The more runners you Lay, the bigger the payout on a "Skinner" - a horse you haven't layed.

Note that this spreadsheet is also available on the Laying web page.

After payment via PayPal, select the "Return to merchant" option on the PayPal screen.
PayPal should then route you to a download web page where you can obtain the Excel spreadsheet file.

Be A Bookie spreadsheet price = £5.
Payment is by PayPal, but you don't need a PayPal account to use the payment button below.

Set Amount (Stakes Limit) Dutching.
Set Amount Dutching uses a different formula to control our total stake to stop it spiralling as we add more selections.
In the simple Dutching example above, each stake remains the same regardless of the odds of other runners.
With this Dutching formula, the stake on each runner decreases as more runners are added.
In this way, the Total Stake remains constant.

This example uses a total stake of £100.

Odds Stake x Odds Winnings Minus  Losing stakes Net profit
4.0 45.45 x 3 136.35 36.36 + 18.18  (54.54) 81.81
5.0 36.36 x 4 145.44 45.45 + 18.18  (63.63) 81.81
10.0 18.18 x 9 163.62 45.45 + 36.36  (81.81) 81.81

A winner at odds of 4.0 wins 3 x 45.45 = £136.35 less losers of £36.36 and £18.18 = a net profit of  £81.81.

Before placing these bets, we could see that we would be betting odds-on, since the percentage of the odds combined exceeds 50%  (evens).
Another indication is that our profit of £81.81 is less than our total stake of £100.
If our percentage was less than 50%, our profit would be more than £100 and we would be betting odds against.

Setting a stakes limit on your Dutching is a very effective way of betting on more than one selection, especially if you follow a staking plan.

Excel spreadsheets are a quick and reliable way of doing calculations.
Purchase an excellent spreadsheet here for only a fiver.
Set Amount spreadsheet.
You will need Excel 2000 or a later version to view this spreadsheet.

This Set Amount spreadsheet calculates the stakes required to bet up to 25 selections for an equal profit whichever wins.
The only inputs required are the amount of your total stake and the odds of your selections.
Your Total Stake amount remains constant no-matter how many selections you have  ... . .  up to a max of 25.
The spreadsheet shows the stakes required for each selection to make an equal profit on any winner.
The spreadsheet shows your profit, and for interest, the percentage odds of your selections, and total percentage of your book.

After payment via PayPal, select the "Return to merchant" option on the PayPal screen.
PayPal should then route you to a download web page where you can obtain the Excel spreadsheet file.

Set Amount spreadsheet price = £5.
Payment is by PayPal, but you don't need a PayPal account to use the payment button below.

Dutching (Betting) to a Profit Target.

  • Simple Dutching, each stake remains the same regardless of the odds of other runners.
  • Set Amount Dutching, the stake on each runner decreases as more runners are added.
    The total stake remains constant.
  • Profit Target Dutching, the stake on each runner increases as more runners are added.
    The total stake increases as more runners are added.
    Desired profit remains constant.

The Profit Target Dutching formula can also be applied to any number of selections, providing the book percentage doesn't exceed 100%.

Odds Stake Stake x odds Minus losing stakes Net Profit
10 2.5 2.5 x 9 22.5 - 2.5 = 20 20
10 2.5 2.5 x 9 22.5 - 2.5 = 20 20

If horse A wins, we have £2.50 x 9 = 22.50, less a losing bet of £2.50 on Horse B = £20 profit.
If horse B wins, we have £2.50 x 9 = 22.50, less a losing bet of £2.50 on Horse A = £20 profit.

If we add another runner, our stakes increase, but net profit remains virtually the same :-

Odds Stake Stake x odds Minus losing stakes Net Profit
10 2.86 2.86 x 9 25.74 - 2.86 = 20.02 20.02
10 2.86 2.86 x 9 25.74 - 2.86 = 20.02 20.02
10 2.86 2.86 x 9 25.74 - 2.86 = 20.02 20.02

The Dutch to a Profit Target formula can be expanded for any number of runners and any profit target £ amount, and will work for any odds, provided your book doesn't exceed 100%.

Excel spreadsheets are a quick and reliable way of doing calculations.
Purchase an excellent spreadsheet here for only a fiver.
Dutch to a Profit Target spreadsheet.
You will need Excel 2000 or a later version to view this spreadsheet.

This Profit Target Dutching spreadsheet calculates the stakes required to bet up to 25 selections for an equal profit whichever wins.
The only inputs required are the amount of your required profit and the odds of your selections.
The spreadsheet shows the stakes required for each selection to achieve your required profit on any winner.
The spreadsheet shows your profit, total stakes, and for interest, the percentage odds of your selections, plus total percentage of your book..

This spreadsheet now has an Adjust feature which allows you to increase or decrease the amount you would like to win on any individual runners whilst maintaining your Profit target on all others.
You can therefore bias your profit on any runners that you think may have a better chance of winning.

After payment via PayPal, select the "Return to merchant" option on the PayPal screen.
PayPal should then route you to a download web page where you can obtain the Excel spreadsheet file.

Dutch to a Profit Target spreadsheet price = £5.
Payment is by PayPal, but you don't need a PayPal account to use the payment button below.

Dutching (Laying) to a Liability Target
This Dutching method offers total control of your liabilities whilst you lay up to 25 runners.
Use this spreadsheet to lay up to 25 runners for a liability of your choice if you hit a winner.

  • Dutching to a Liability target.
  • The stake on each runner increases as more runners are Layed.
    The total stake (your "Skinner" amount if you don't hit the winner) increases as more runners are added.
  • Desired liability remains constant.

This Lay staking method may be suitable for use with a staking plan.

  • Lay big odds for small liabilities if you choose.

  • Limit the amount you lose if you Lay the winner - in any sport.

  • As you lay more runners, your liability remains at the level of your choice.

  • As you lay more runners, your Total Stakes increase.
    If you don't hit the winner with your lays, all your lays are successful and you clean up with profit equal to the total of all your lay stakes.

A problem with this method of Lay Dutching is that the odds of all your selections need to be put into the spreadsheet before you start to place your lays.
If you alter any of the odds or you add another runner, ALL the stakes will change in order to maintain your liabilities at your chosen level.

How to Lay several ruinners at once on Betfair.

  • Click the Lay odds on Betfair and input your stake as usual, but don't hit "Submit".

  • Do the same for all your selections until you have all your lays with stakes on show.

  • Once you are satisfied with your staking, hit "Submit," and "Confirm" your Lays.

  • All your lays will be submitted together in one go.

Excel spreadsheets are a quick and reliable way of doing calculations.
Purchase an excellent spreadsheet here for only a fiver.
Dutch to a Lay Liability Target spreadsheet.
You will need Excel 2000 or a later version to view this spreadsheet.

This Dutch to a Lay Liability Target spreadsheet calculates the stakes required to Lay up to 25 selections for an equal liability if you hit the winner with your Lays.
The only inputs required are the names of your selections, the amount of the Liability that suits your comfort level, and the Lay odds of your selections.
The spreadsheet shows the stakes required for each selection and maintains the liability on all selections at the level that you set.
As you input more runners, the stakes adjust and your liability always remains the same.

The spreadsheet shows your Liability, total stakes, and for interest, the percentage odds of your selections, plus total percentage of your book..

This spreadsheet also has an Adjust feature which allows you to increase or decrease the size of your Liability on any individual runners whilst maintaining your chosen Liability target on all other runners.
You can therefore bias your liability on any runners that you think may be more likely to lose.

After payment via PayPal, select the "Return to merchant" option on the PayPal screen.
PayPal should then route you to a download web page where you can obtain the Excel spreadsheet file.

Dutch to a Lay Liability Target spreadsheet price = £5.
Payment is by PayPal, but you don't need a PayPal account to use the payment button below.


Problems.
A problem with Dutching several runners is that placing a series of Bets or Lays takes time.
During that time, the odds of your selections often change.
You need to decide which Dutching method suits you best, a Set Amount for your Total Stakes, uncontrolled Totals Stakes, or if you are laying, total control of your liabilities.

If you are using the Simple Dutching method, time makes no difference since your stakes remain the same regardless of the odds of other runners, but you will have no control over increasing Total Stakes.
Simple Dutching is best suited to Laying in my opinion.

Dutching to a Profit Target could be used as part of a staking plan.
This method is best suited to bigger priced selections, since short prices can cause dramatic increases in stakes.

How to get a number of bets matched on Betfair at once.  (Dutch your selections)
  • Minimize your Internet window and Excel window so that you can see them together side by side.
  • Place all your bets so that you can see them all together - Don't submit anything yet.
  • Adjust your spreadsheet and your bets to suit so that all your bets carry the required stake at the current odds.
  • At the appropriate moment, submit the whole lot together, and hopefully, you should get all matched in one go.
  • I know from experience that odd ones may not get matched due to odds movements, but even using one touch software submissions, it is difficult to get matched every time.

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