You are here: Home >> Tools >> Online Calculators >> PointsBet Spread Betting Calculator
Introduction
This spread betting calculator determines the impact of the maximum loss setting on payoffs for spread bets. The calculator is specific to the Australian-licensed spread betting bookmaker PointsBet.
Spread betting is a form of wagering that pays a variable amount depending on the accuracy of your prediction compared to the bookmaker’s spread. This in contrast to fixed odds betting, which pays a set amount if a certain criterion is met. Learn more about spread betting.
Launched in early 2017, PointsBet is currently the only Australian-licensed spread betting operator. Read our PointsBet review.
The Impact of Changing the Maximum Risk Setting
Increasing the maximum loss level also increases the maximum win level, so you receive a greater maximum potential payout to compensate you for the higher potential loss.
Decreasing the maximum loss level enables you to increase the stake because the balance withheld drops. With a higher stake, you win more money if the bet covers the line by a small amount, however you lose more money if the bet fails to cover the line by a small amount.
Note that many PointsBet markets only offer one risk setting. This calculator is designed for markets where the risk setting can be chosen from a range of numbers (e.g. 8x to 40x).
In PointsBet you can use the slider to change the selected risk level to a setting in-between the minimum and maximum risk levels offered.
Input Instructions
- Bet type and selection: for line bets you only need to input the line (-10, +8, etc.). For positive lines the + symbol is unnecessary. For total bets you also need to input whether you plan to take the Under or Over selection.
- Balance withheld ($): this field is used to calculate the stake. The calculator will set the stake to a value that equates the closest to (with outgoing over) the amount withheld from your account balance until the bet is settled.
- Withheld calculation: your options are:
- 60% (Cash) – select this option if you use a Cash account. By default all PointsBet members use Cash accounts.
- 20% (DSF) – select this option if you have set up a Deferred Settlment Facility (DSF).
- 100% – select this option if you don’t wish to risk more than the balance withheld figure. With the 60% and 20% selections it is possible to lose more than the amount withheld.
- Max Loss Levels Offered: enter the lowest and highest risk levels that PointsBet enables you to select for this bet.
If you find any of the above fields confusing, try playing around with various values to see how they impact the resulting calculations.