Fixed-odds betting is binary: you either win or you lose. Spread Betting is different. In spread betting, how right or how wrong you are determines your payout.
This dynamic creates opportunities for massive wins, but also for losses that can exceed your initial deposit. Whether you are trading “Total Goals” on Sporting Index or “Supremacy” on Spreadex, you must calculate your worst-case scenario before entering a trade. Our Sporting Index Calculator simulates your Profit/Loss (P/L) based on the movement of the spread, helping you manage your risk effectively.
Spread Betting Calc
Sporting Index StyleScenario Analysis
| Result | Difference | P/L |
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How to Use the Calculator
Spread betting requires a shift in mindset from “Odds” to “Price.” Here is how to configure the tool:
- Select Your Position:
- BUY (Higher): Choose this if you think the outcome will be higher than the spread price (e.g., more than 3 goals).
- SELL (Lower): Choose this if you think the outcome will be lower than the spread price (e.g., fewer than 10 corners).
- Enter Stake per Point:
- Warning: This is not your total bet. This is the amount you win or lose for every single point the result moves. A £10 stake on a volatile market can lead to a £1,000 swing.
- Enter the Price: Input the spread price you took from the bookmaker (e.g., 2.8).
- Enter the Result (Make-up): Input the final outcome of the match (e.g., 5 goals) to see your P/L.
Buy vs. Sell: Understanding the Mechanics
In spread betting, the bookmaker sets a “Spread” (a range, e.g., 2.8 – 3.0 Goals). You bet against this prediction.
Example 1: Buying (Long) – Total Goals
You think a match will be high-scoring. The spread for Total Goals is 2.8 – 3.0.
- Action: You BUY at 3.0 for £10 per point.
- The Result: The game ends 5-2 (7 goals total).
- The Math: (Result 7 – Price 3.0) = 4 points difference.
- Profit: 4 points × £10 = £40 Profit.
Example 2: Selling (Short) – The Risk of Loss
You think a game will be boring. The spread for Corners is 10 – 11.
- Action: You SELL at 10 for £5 per point.
- The Result: The game goes crazy, and there are 18 corners.
- The Math: (Price 10 – Result 18) = -8 points difference.
- Loss: -8 points × £5 = -£40 Loss.
- Note: If you had bet £50 per point, you would have lost £400 instantly. Always check the volatility of the market!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I lose more than my stake?
Yes. This is the most critical difference between spread betting and fixed odds. If you Buy at 10 and the result is 0, you lose 10 times your stake. In some markets (like “Multi-Corners”), the result can go very high, creating theoretically unlimited liability. Always look for “Stop Loss” accounts if you are a beginner.
What is the “Spread”?
The spread is the bookmaker’s prediction margin (e.g., 2.8 to 3.0). You Sell at the lower number (2.8) or Buy at the higher number (3.0). The gap between them (0.2) is the bookmaker’s margin/profit.
What is a “Make-up”?
“Make-up” is simply the industry term for the final result of the market. If you bet on Total Goals and the score is 2-1, the make-up is 3. If you bet on Shirt Numbers and the goals were scored by #10 and #7, the make-up is 17.