Welcome, fellow punter. Today, we’re going to unravel the concept of enhanced odds. If you’ve seen bookmakers offering special promotions where odds seem higher than usual, you’ve encountered enhanced odds. But what exactly are they, and how can they work to your advantage? Let’s break it down in Genie’s enhanced odds explained guide.
What Are Enhanced Odds?
At its core, enhanced odds (also known as price boosts or price pumps) are promotions that temporarily increase the payout odds for a specific bet. This gives punters the chance to win more than they would under the standard odds, usually on popular sporting events, racing, or high-interest markets.
For example, if you normally see odds of 2/1 for a team to win, a bookmaker might offer 5/1 as part of an enhanced odds promotion. The opportunity? Same bet, but a much better reward if your bet wins!
Alternatively, some of the larger bookies also have price boost features built into their apps, whereby you can qualify for a limited number of odds boosts. They do this to win your business and to retain you for longer by hooking you on boosts. Boosted odds can offer a great opportunity for punters that do their homework to compare boosted prices versus non-boosted/enhanced odds elsewhere.
How Do Enhanced Odds Work?
The mechanics are straightforward. Bookmakers will boost the potential return on certain bets, typically for a limited time or on limited markets and bet types only. You place your bet like any other, but the payout is based on the enhanced odds rather than the regular ones.
Here’s how it typically works:
- Find the Promotion or boost feature: Bookmakers often promote enhanced odds on the homepage or within specific sports markets, or they may highlight a price boost feature in their promotions section or even the bet slip once you add your selection.
- Place Your Bet: Once you’ve found a boosted odds offer, follow the instructions—some might require you to opt-in or select to boost your odds, while others automatically apply the enhanced odds once you place your bet.
- Win More: If your bet is successful, the enhanced odds payout will apply, which means you’ll receive a greater return than you would have from standard odds.
Why Do Bookmakers Offer Enhanced Odds?
From the bookmaker’s perspective, enhanced odds are a way to attract you. They serve as promotional tools to entice new customers or engage and retain existing bettors by offering a better deal than usual.
- Attracting New Customers: Enhanced odds are commonly used in sign-up offers, providing new punters with better value as an incentive to open an account. Country based restrictions apply. In some countries like Australia, sign up offers have recently been restricted. But punters can qualify for boosts after joining.
- Boosting Interest in Events: For major sporting events like the Champions League or Grand Slam finals, bookmakers will enhance odds to drive engagement and encourage betting.
- Encouraging Ongoing Bets: Even regular punters may be swayed to bet on enhanced odds, particularly when they’re linked to high-profile matches or significant players. Price boost features have been developed to hook into the perception of value.
Genie’s tip: Be wary of a price boost feature hooking you on the perception of value. Do your homework and check if you can get a better price elsewhere.
Types of Enhanced Odds Promotions
There are different types of enhanced odds offers. Understanding how they work can help you make the most of them.
1. New Customer Offers:
These promotions are often reserved for new sign-ups, with bookmakers offering dramatically enhanced odds for a specific outcome.
Example: A bookmaker offers enhanced odds of 8/1 for a new customer betting on a football team to win, instead of the normal 5/1 odds.
2. Daily Price Boosts:
Many bookmakers provide regular enhanced odds on selected events, available to existing customers. Often, the larger bookies have built a price boost feature that you can see in the bet slip or the promotions section of the app. These price boosts typically feature higher odds for popular markets like football, tennis, or horse racing.
Example: Odds on a player to score first in a football match are boosted from 4/1 to 6/1 for a limited period before kick-off.
3. Enhanced Accumulators:
These apply to accumulator (multi-leg) bets. Either specific accumulators are boosted, or a percentage of extra profit is added to your winning returns based on the number of selections.
Note: Remember that bookies expect to lock in a high margin on acca bets. So even if they boost a multi, they’ll be doing so with the expectation to still lock in significant profit.
4. Combination Boosts:
Bookmakers sometimes boost odds on specific outcomes happening together in the same game, such as a team winning and a particular player scoring. In recent years, this has become known as a same game multi. Only the larger bookies typically have the capability of offering same game multis, so don’t expect that type of boost if you’re punting with a smaller bookie.
Things to Consider – Enhanced Odds Explained
Enhanced odds may seem like an easy win, but they come with certain conditions. Here’s what to watch out for:
1. Wager Limits:
Enhanced odds offers typically have a maximum bet limit. While the odds may be tempting, you may only be able to stake a small amount (such as £1 or £5) at the boosted price.
2. Free Bet Returns:
In some cases, winnings from enhanced odds promotions are paid out as free bets rather than cash. This is important to check before placing your bet, as free bets can only be used on future wagers and some bookies enforce further T&C’s on the free bets.
3. Time-Sensitive Offers:
Enhanced odds promotions are often time-limited, especially for major events. Make sure you act quickly to take advantage of the offer before it expires.
Enhanced Odds Explained – how do they differ from regular odds?
In terms of value, enhanced odds are almost always worth considering if you were already planning to place a bet on that market. You’ll be staking the same amount of money, but with the potential for a higher return.
Let’s compare:
- Regular Odds Example: You bet $10 on a team to win at 3/1 odds. If they win, you’ll collect $30 in profit.
- Enhanced Odds Example: The bookmaker boosts the odds to 6/1. If the team wins, your profit jumps to $60 for the same $10 bet.
It’s clear that, when offered, enhanced odds provide a better return for the same outcome. However, always factor in any limitations such as maximum stakes or how winnings are credited and check if you can get a better price elsewhere.
Maximising the Value of Enhanced Odds
To make the most of these offers, keep these tips in mind:
- Stay Informed: Keep an eye out for promotions, particularly during big events when bookmakers are likely to offer enhanced odds.
- Check Terms & Conditions: Always read the fine print. Some promotions cap the amount you can stake, or pay out a portion of the winnings as free bets.
- Time Your Bets: Enhanced odds are often short-lived. If you’re planning to bet on a match or event, try to catch these promotions before they expire.
Enhanced odds explained – Genie’s final thoughts
Enhanced odds are a useful tool for getting more value from your bets. By offering higher potential returns without increasing the risk, they’re an easy win—provided you understand the terms and conditions that come with them.
When used strategically, enhanced odds can be a great way to maximize your returns, especially on events you already plan to bet on. Keep an eye out for the best offers, and remember—bet wisely and within your limits.
That’s your guide to enhanced odds explained from the Genie. Stay informed, bet smart to maximise the value, bet responsibly, and make the most of every opportunity that comes your way.